Loud & Clear

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Bernadette Ellorin, chairperson of BAYAN-USA;Adrian Bonifacio, National Chairperson of Anakbayan-USA; and Joelle Lingat, Secretary General of Anakbayan-USA.Today is independence day in the Philippines, marking the country’s 1898 Declaration of Independence from Spain -- but the nation’s history since has been one of a continued struggle for sovereignty as the United States has tried to assert control over the country. With the new President Rodrigo Duterte now proclaiming the separation from the U.S, has the country entered into a new era?

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Sputnik News political analyst Marcel Cartier. The UK has voted in a landmark election, and the results show serious gains being made by Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party. Has Theresa May’s gamble in calling a snap election backfired? Former FBI director James Comey testified yesterday before the Senate Intelligence Committee -- but the mainstream corporate media had made up its mind ahead of time to keep the anti-Russia witch hunt going. Dave Lindorff of ThisCantBeHappening.net, and Walter Smolarek, Sputnik News analyst, joins the show. Donald Trump has been promoting his infrastructure plans across the country as his administration seeks up to $1 trillion to repair bridges, roads and airports -- but is this just a cynical maneuver to institute a massive privatization program. Financial policy analyst Daniel Sankey joins Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by former Vice-Chair of Momentum Jacqueline Walker; by Steve Hedley, the assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT); and by independent journalist Steve Topple. Today is the day that the UK votes in an election that will decide if Theresa May will continue on as Prime Minister, or if a radical change will sweep the country in the event of a win by Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party. Corbyn has been surging in the polls in recent weeks as Conservative fears of an upset have increased. What choice will British voters make in what could be the country’s most important election in decades?

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Massoud Shadjareh, co-founder of the Islamic Human Rights Commission.Donald Trump is taking sides in the dispute between Qatar and the rest of the Gulf monarchies, slamming Qatar in an early morning series of tweets -- but is siding with Saudi Arabia a sign of hypocrisy given Riyadh's support of Wahhabi extremism? Is Daesh on its last legs in Syria? The Syrian Democratic Forces have started their push on the city of Raqqa as the Syrian Arab Army also enters the province, liberating six villages. Kani Xulam, executive director of the American-Kurdish Information Network, joins the show. The CIA, under Donald Trump’s tenure, has appointed the notorious officer who oversaw the agency’s drone strike program, and was a major player in the CIA detention and torture campaign during the George W. Bush years, as the new head of its Iran operations, signalling an even more belligerent posture towards the country. Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and act

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Alexander Mercouris, editor-in-chief of The Duran. Five Arab states have severed relations with Qatar, accusing the country’s government of supporting terrorism -- but what is the real reason for the growing rift among the Arab monarchies who function as chief US allies for the region, Two days before the UK general election takes place, terrorism and foreign policy issues have taken center stage in light of last weekend’s attack in London. With Prime Minister Theresa May promising a crackdown that threatens civil liberties, the choice between her and anti-war Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has become even starker. Arzu Merali, co-founder of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, joins the show. Donald Trump has signalled that he could usher in new sanctions against Venezuela as right-wing opposition violence continues to sweep the country. Dr. James Cockcroft, author and activist, joins Brian to discuss what's next in the regime change operations a

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by activist Jacqueline Walker and independent journalist Steve Topple.This is week that Britain votes in the general election. In just three days time, voters will decide whether to push ahead with five more years of Conservative austerity, or opt for the radical alternative put forward by Jeremy Corbyn. Today is the 50th anniversary of the start of the 6-day war, which led to the West Bank and Gaza both being occupied by Israel and the annexation of the Golan Heights from Syria. Joyce Chediac, a journalist with LiberationNews.org and a long-time Palestine solidarity activist, and Richard Becker, the West Coast Regional Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, join the show. The Democrats have launched their Resistance Summer campaign. But is anyone really taking seriously the idea that the Party can lead the resistance to Trump after its embarrassing election defeat? Anoa Changa, host of the weekly radio show The Way With Anoa, joins the show.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Jane Cutter, the editor of LiberationNews.org, and by political cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall.Who’s to blame for Hillary Clinton’s shocking loss to Donald Trump? According to Hillary Clinton, it’s everyone but herself.Leaders from China and the EU are gathering in Brussels. As the Trump administration continues to alienate European leaders with his trashing of the Paris climate treaty, does this give an opening for Beijing to become closer to the EU? David Ewing of the U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association, joins the show. With less than one week until the UK’s general election, could the unthinkable happen as Jeremy Corbyn surges in the polls? Has Prime Minister Theresa May’s gamble in calling a snap election backfired? Steve Hedley, the assistant General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT), joins Brian to analyze if Britain could actually have a Left Labour government in a week's time.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Kandi Mossett of the Indigenous Environmental Network Project.As the Dakota Access Pipeline is set to become operational today, shocking revelations about spying by a private security firm called TigerSwan are showing the whole progressive movement the extent that corporate interests will go to protect their profits.Donald Trump is reportedly all set to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement as the move is condemned across the world. What will it really take to save the planet from climate change? Kevin Zeese, the co-director of Popular Resistance, joins the show.The United States is stepping up its support for Free Syrian Army groups fighting in the country’s southeast. But is this latest intervention primarily a way of stepping up aggression against Iran? Catherine Shakdam, independent political analyst, joins Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by China and Korea expert Keith Bennett.New South Korean president Moon Jae-in is “shocked” at the unauthorized expansion of the U.S. THAAD missile system in his country, and has ordered an investigation into the deployment that has caused great outrage in Korea and the region. Donald Trump tweeted the “the Germans are bad, very bad” as the discord between he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel continues following the G7 summit. Mark Sleboda, international affairs and security analyst, joins the show. Two men were murdered and one seriously injured after they intervened when a known white supremacist threateningly harassed two girls, one of whom was wearing a hijab. Now, the far right is attempting to march in Portland after the brutal murders carried out by a member of their ranks. Dr. Nazia Kazi, activist and a professor of Anthropology at Stockton University, joins Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Tarak Kauff of Veterans for Peace; by Gerry Condon, a Vietnam era veteran and a member of the board of directors of Veterans for Peace; and by anti-war Iraq veteran Ryan Endicott. As the United States marks Memorial Day, anti-war veterans are taking part in two days of actions in Washington aimed at fighting back against the Trump administration’s increased militarism. We’ll speak with organizers of the events in D.C, as well as veterans who have spoken out against U.S. occupation and intervention. The Memorial Day action's main organizer is Veterans for Peace, which has recently gone international, uniting anti-war veterans from all over the world.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by political analyst Dmitry Babich. Donald Trump made his first visit to NATO yesterday in Brussels as he also met with leaders of the European Union, but the visit reportedly did not go as well as expected amid differences over Russia and military spending. Brazil’s President Michel Temer deployed the army on Wednesday as protests and calls for his impeachment increased. Will Temer be driven from office as his approval rate dips into single digits? Brian is joined by Kim Ives, an editor with Haiti Liberte newspaper, and by Brazilian activist and research fellow at the Center for Hemispheric Affairs Aline Piva. Oil prices dropped yesterday after a meeting of OPEC countries decided to extend production cuts, but not by as much as was expected. Is the extension enough to put an end to the global oil glut? And what does it mean for the economic war between shale gas frackers and oil drillers? Steve Keen, professor at Kingston University, joins the sh

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Alexander Mercouris, editor-in-chief of The Duran.Donald Trump is speaking today at the headquarters of the NATO military alliance. Although he once called NATO obsolete, Trump has reversed his position since assuming office in line with his ultra-militarist turn. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has raised the possibility of initiating martial law across the country, one day after it was declared on the island of Mindanao. Is the country returning to the bleak days of dictatorship? Bernadette Ellorin, the chair of BAYAN-USA, joins the show.Opposition violence continues to rage in Venezuela as President Maduro announces more details on the elections to the constituent assembly. Dr. Francisco Dominguez, head of the Centre for Brazilian and Latin American Studies at Middlesex University, speaks to Brian about developments.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Kathy Kelly, co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence.A huge outbreak of cholera is feared in Yemen, which has suffered under more than two years of brutal war. But instead of providing humanitarian relief, the U.S. government is carrying out military operations like the Navy SEAL raid conducted yesterday.Donald Trump visited Bethlehem yesterday and held a press conference with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Trump says he is looking for the ‘ultimate deal’ between Palestinians and Israel, but will anyone take him seriously after years ofbombastic pro-Israel rhetoric? Miko Peled, activist and author, joins the show.An independence referendum is scheduled to take place this year for the Kurdish region of Iraq. What would a vote to leave Iraq mean for the country, the region and the world?Kani Xulam, director of the American Kurdish Information Network, joins Brian.

On today'e episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Massoud Shadjareh of the Islamic Human Rights Commission. Donald Trump’s first trip abroad continues as Israel’s President Netanyahu welcomed him to Tel Aviv. He’ll meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today -- but is there any indication that Trump will deviate from the United States’ decades-old fervently pro-Israel orientation? Trump’s proposed budget reportedly includes $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid over ten years in line with the “TrumpCare” bill that passed the House of Representative. Will these cuts, along with others to a number of social programs, spell disaster for millions of Americans who rely on these services? Brian is joined by Dr. Carol Paris, President of Physicians for a National Health Plan. New developments are shaping the tumultuous relationship between the United States and China. Recent revelations about the break up of a CIA spy ring and the confirmation of a new U.S. ambassador have come on the heels of Chi

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Peter Kuznick, professor of history at American University and co-author with Oliver Stone of The Untold History of the United States.As the fallout from Donald Trump’s firing of FBI director James Comey continues, politicians and media outlets are making constant references to the Watergate scandal. But what are the real lessons of Watergate? What was Watergate? Why did it happen? Brazil’s President Michel Temer, who came to power after the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff that many consider a coup, has reportedly been caught on tape encouraging an associate to engage in bribery. Protests rage as Temer stubbornly refuses to step down. Brian speaks with lecturer, journalist and author Arnold August. With just weeks to go before the general election in the UK, polls show Jeremy Corbyn rising after he launched the Labour Party’s new manifesto. Steve Hedley, assistant General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT), joins th

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Kevin Zeese, the co-director of Popular Resistance, and Dave Lindorff, a founding member of This Can’t Be Happening. The Justice Department has appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate President Trump’s alleged ties with Russia, as Trump lashes out at the ongoing witch hunt. Iran’s presidential election takes place today, with incumbent Hassan Rouhani looking to secure a second term to move forward with his agenda of reform. What’s at stake in this important election? Catherine Shakdam, independent political commentator, joins the show. Mired in controversy at home, Donald Trump is finally making his first foreign trip as President, over four months after taking office. What can we expect as Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia? Alberto Garcia Watson, former senior correspondent for HispanTV, joins Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by editorial cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall. The war inside the political establishment reached new heights as news broke about the existence of memos written by James Comey documenting Trump’s request for him to drop the probe into Michael Flynn. Is a possible impeachment in the making? Turkish President Erdogan has completed two days of talks in Washington with Donald Trump. Did Erdogan come away empty handed? Did the talks contribute to a new beginning in the Turkey-U.S. relationship, or are relations likely to remain rocky? Brian is joined by Kani Xulan, executive director of the Kurdish American Information Network, and by Loud & Clear producer Walter Smolarek. President Trump hosts Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos at the White House today for their first meeting -- but Trump has already met with two former Presidents of Colombia since becoming president. What’s the Trump administration’s posture toward peace in Colombia and the

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Noelle Hanrahan, executive director of Prison Radio; Jeremy Kuzmarov, a professor of American history at the University of Tulsa; and by Gerry Condon, a member of the board of directors of Veterans for Peace. Chelsea Manning, the whistleblower who was convicted of espionage for sending hundreds of thousands of classified documents to WikiLeaks revealing U.S. operations in Iraq, will be released today, after her sentence was greatly reduced by President Obama at the end of his term. Who is Manning? How important were the leaks that she gave to WikiLeaks? And what was behind the decision of Obama to allow her an early release despite being sentenced to 35 years in prison? tags: chelseamanning, whistleblower, obama, iraq, wikileaks

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by William Binney, a former NSA technical director who became a legendary whistleblower; and by Bryan Ford, head of the Decentralized/Distributed Systems lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. William Binney will be speaking on May 30th at the European Parliament about the issues of mass surveillance and bulk data collection.A massive cyberattack affected hospitals and companies around the world beginning last Friday, with hundreds of thousands of computers in more than 50 countries affected. It turned out that this huge attack was carried out with cyber tools developed by the NSA. Why is the NSA unable to control its cyber arsenal? How does the NSA undermine both cybersecurity and democracy?

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Aarab Barghouti, creator of “The Salt Water Challenge” and the son of Marwan Barghouti; by activist Dr. Dahlia Wasfi; and by activist and author Miko Peled.Today is Nakba Day, the commemoration of the murderous displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. Now a new bill has been proposed in the Israeli parliament that seeks to criminalize marking the day, at the same time as thousands of Palestinian prisoners continue a hunger strike in Israeli jails and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to push through legislation officially making Israel a nation state.