Loud & Clear

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by by Greg Mello, executive director of the Los Alamos Study Group.The United States has dropped what is considered to be the largest non-nuclear bomb in eastern Afghanistan, continuing Donald Trump’s embrace of extreme militarism and setting a dangerous precedent for further aggression to come. Turkey holds a referendum on Sunday on its constitution, with President Erdogan urging a vote that opponents say is a move to establish or solidify a dictatorship. But there are indications that once again a gamble could backfire on Erdogan. Ceyda Karan, a Columnist at Cumhuriyet Daily, and Ahsen Akdal, a writer with the Turkish newspaper SoL, join the show.Donald Trump has announced that he will not label China a currency manipulator, pulling the plug on one of the bedrocks of his campaign. Is this part of a larger foreign policy shift after his meeting with Xi Jinping? Steve Keen, professor of economics at Kingston University, joins Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Reiner Braun, co-president of the International Peace Bureau.NATO’s General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg visited Donald Trump at the White House yesterday. Despite the hype around the U.S. abandoning the alliance, the Trumpadministration has in fact moved rapidly towards the traditional neoconservative approach of hyper militarism.U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow yesterday as U.S.-Russia tensions soured following the US attack on Syria. What came of the meeting between the two, and what does it mean for the New Cold War? Nikolay Pakhomov, president at The New York Consulting Bureau, and journalist Dmitry Babichjoin the show.The former president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has registered as a candidate in the upcoming election despite the urging of the country’s Supreme leader not to do so. Catherine Shakdam, independent political analyst and author, talk

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Peter Lavelle, host of RT's flagship program CrossTalk, and Alexander Mercouris, editor-in-chief of The Duran.Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Moscow today for talks with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. The meeting come as tensions between the U.S. and Russia reach new heights after the Trump administration launched cruise missile attacks on Syria last week and the Trump administration shifts to more traditional neoconservative approach. So much for the supposed Trump-Russia relationship -- the new cold war is back on.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Dr. Robert Epstein, Senior Research Psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology.Google has unveiled a feature that it says is aimed at fact-checking “fake news”. Are we headed towards a world where huge corporations determine what’s true and what’s “fake”?The United States has signaled that removing Bashar al-Assad from power in Syria is once again a priority. What’s next in the Trump administration’s assault on Syrian sovereignty, and how will Russia and Iran respond? Stephen Gowans, the author of 'Washington's Long War on Syria' joins the show.Today marks the 15th anniversary of the short lived right-wing coup against Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. A decade and a half on, the opposition continues it violent attempts at overthrowing the socialist government, but the Bolivarian Revolution fights on. Arnold August, journalist and lecturer, speaks with Brian about the significance of the coup's anniversary and

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by journalist Ben Norton, former CIA analyst and activist Ray McGovern, and international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda. The Trump administration has unleashed a new stage of U.S. aggression against Syria with the cruise missile strike on the Syrian government’s Shayrat air base. While protests rage around the world in opposition to this act of war, the attack was welcomed with gushing praise from liberals and mainstream conservatives! The Syria strike has scrambled U.S. politics -- will things ever go back to “normal”, or are we in a new chapter of history?

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by David Ewing, chair of the San Francisco chapter of the US-China People’s Friendship Association, and by China expert Keith Bennett.Donald Trump came face to face with Xi Jinping for the first time yesterday after months of aggressive rhetoric from the new U.S. president toward China. As the meeting continues today -- taking up controversial issues such as the South China Sea, Taiwan, North Korea and trade policy --will tensions ease? Or will the hostile posture of Trump toward Beijing continue?

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by independent political commentator and author Catherine Shakdam.The Trump administration is doing an about-face on Syria, moving aggressively in the direction of escalated intervention in the war on behalf of opposition forces fighting to topple the government. What’s the real story behind the alleged chemical weapons attack and the fast-moving political developments that have followed?Donald Trump has met with King Abdullah of Jordan at the White House as the two leaders discussed the possible revival of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. But is the Trump administration serious about forcing the apartheid government of Israel to the bargaining table? Brian is joined by activist and author Miko Peled.After calling for a controversial new referendum on Scottish independence, Nicola Sturgeon has embarked on a five-day tour of the United States. Are pro-independence forces correct in their assertion that Scotland could maintain its economic and dipl

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Rick Sterling, an investigative journalist and member of the Syria Solidarity Movement.Armed Opposition forces and the Trump White House have accused the Syrian government of carrying out a chemical weapons strike in the rebel-held province of Idlib. The Syrian government categorically denies the accusation. John McCain and the war hawks demand US intervention. We look at the politics and the timing of the allegations.Thanks to Congress and the Trump administration, your internet browsing history is up for sale. We take a look at this latest assault on the public’s right to privacy online. Brian is joined by Tim Karr, Senior Director of Strategy at the advocacy organization FreePress.Donald Trump is meeting with the King of Jordan today with crucial Middle East issues -- including the war in Syria and the prospects for new negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Journalist and political analyst Dmitry Babich joins the show.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Mark Sleboda, an international affairs and security analyst.A bomb blasts ripped through the St. Petersburg subway yesterday, killing and injuring dozens of people. What do we know about this attack?In a major electoral test for the future of Latin America, leftist candidate Lenin Moreno has won the presidential runoff in Ecuador. The country is set to continue along the course of the Citizens Revolution started by outgoing president Rafael Correa, pushing back the continent’s slide to the right. Brian is joined by Denis Rogatyuk, a correspondent with GreenLeft Weekly.The war on Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution continues amid claims of a “self-coup” and allegations that the National Assembly was dissolved. But the threat of a coup comes in fact from the right wing, not the country’s socialist government. Author and activist Dr. James Cockroft joins the show.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Walter Smolarek fills in for Brian Becker and is joined by activist Dr. Dahlia Wasfi, Mojtaba Masood, Iraqi journalist and filmmaker; and by Mike Prysner, a former U.S. soldier in Iraq who is now an anti-war activist and journalist with TeleSur. As the battle for Mosul resumes and Iraqi forces push closer towards the last part of the city still held by Daesh, what will a post-ISIS Iraq look like? With the U.S. ramping up its presence in both Iraq and Syria and conducting a brutal bombing campaign that has killed at least hundreds of civilians, are there any signs that the region will see stability and self-determination in the near future? And will ISIS just emerge in another form if the root causes of sectarianism are not addressed?

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Massoud Shadjareh, the executive director of the Islamic Human Rights Commission. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has decided to lift all human rights conditions on the sale of arms to Bahrain. This is a clear signal that the Trump administration is planning to step up aggression against Iran and move closer to the Saudi-led Gulf state bloc of tyrannical monarchies. As conflict and extreme instability prevails in large parts of the world, NATO foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels today. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is expected to press the other countries to increase their military spending -- a thinly veiled handout to U.S. arms manufacturers. Brian is joined by Loud & Clear producer Walter Smolarek. Bernie Sanders is set to announce a single payer health bill that grants Medicare to all. A single payer system is popular with the public, but does health care reform in America actually require a political revolution agains

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Ben Norton, a contributor to AlterNet's GrayZone Project. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Turkey today for talks with President Erdogan. Will there be a re-set or can we anticipate further frosty relations between Washington and Ankara as the battle for Raqqa heats up?Ahead of the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, the cybersecurity firm that claimed to link Democratic Party computers to Russian hackers has retracted statements about Russia hacking into a Ukrainian artillery app. Will their whole story unravel? Mark Sleboda, international affairs and security analyst, joins the show. Is the Trump administration on the verge of a serious escalation of U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led war against Yemen? Millions are on the brink of starvation as the war looks set to deepen. Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODE PINK, joins Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Alexander Mercouris, editor-in-chief of The Duran. British Prime Minister Theresa May will officially trigger Article 50 today to begin the process of withdrawal of Britain from the European Union -- but as the Scottish parliament votes to hold another independence referendum, is the UK itself on the verge of breaking up?A Chinese father of five, was killed by police in Paris, sparking street demonstrations and diplomatic protests. As political tensions reach new highs ahead of the presidential election, is this part of a wave of racist violence in France? Brian is joined by Louis-Georges Tin, President of the Representative Council of Black Organizations of France.Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani continues his visit to Russia for a third and final day, signalling increased cooperation between the two countries. How will the visit impact the war in Syria, and what will be the wider geopolitical ramifications? Political analyst and commentator Ca

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by editorial cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall. Donald Trump is set to unveil his tax plan after his stunning defeat in Congress over plans to replace Obamacare. Will his party tow the line this time, or will Trump be humiliated once again?The ongoing anti-Russia witch hunt that shows no signs of letting up. Accusations of hacking, surveillance and interference are being hurled from every direction -- how can we make sense of all this? Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and activist, joins the show. The Iraqi Army suspended the operation to retake the city of Mosul after U.S. airstrikes killed at least 150 people in a single district. As outrage grows over this latest atrocity of the U.S. in Iraq, what will be the next moves of the Trump administration? Alberto Garcia Watson, a former senior correspondent for HispanTV, joins Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Dr. Nazia Kazi, professor of Anthropology at Stockton University; activist and author Miko Peled, and by author Richard Becker.The America-Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC, is currently convening in Washington, D.C. for its annual summit. While high level politicians, including Vice President Mike Pence, are in attendance, protesters have been gathering outside to voice their solidarity with Palestine. As the Trump administration’s foreign policy takes shape, what will their orientation towards Israel be? How does AIPAC effect the political climate in the United States? Will the BDS movement and public support for Palestine continue to grow? We spend the full episode today discussing these questions and more.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by legendary NSA whistleblower William Binney.The war between the intelligence agencies and the Trump administration deepens with House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes’ explosive announcement that members of the Trump transition team were subject to “incidental” surveillance. Peace talks are underway in Geneva between the Syrian government and opposition, but fierce fighting is underway throughout the country. Political analyst Marwa Osman joins the show.Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is visiting Australia and New Zealand this week amid uncertainty over the Trump administration’s protectionist orientation towards international trade. Will China fill the vacuum? China expert Keith Bennett discuses this with Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Dr. Margaret Flowers, co-director of Popular Resistance; Preston Wood, Registered Nurse Case Manager at the USC Keck Hospital; Tim Robinson, CEO of Addiction Recovery Care in Kentucky; and by Jason Bailey, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.Republicans spent all day yesterday scrambling to round up the votes to pass their much-anticipated healthcare law to replace the Affordable Care Act. 28 million people would lose their insurance, but many Republicans oppose the bill on the grounds that it is not cruel enough. Today Brian spends the full hour taking an in-depth look at what is in this bill.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Tim Karr, Senior Director of Strategy at the advocacy organization FreePress. The FBI has confirmed that wide-ranging investigations into media outlets are underway. Is the first amendment about to fall victim to the anti-Russia campaign? Ministers from 68 countries are gathering in Washington, D.C. for a summit of the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition. But perhaps the summit is most notable for who is left out -- Syria, Russia and Iran -- whose governments are doing perhaps the most to combat Daesh. Catherine Shakdam, independent political commentator and author, joins the show. Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Stephen Hadley, George W. Bush’s National Security Advisor, testified on capitol hill regarding “America’s place in the world”. As the biggest names in the foreign policy establishment weigh in, how is Trump’s foreign policy shaping up? Is he really an isolationist? Jeremy Kuzmarov, author and professor of history at the Unive

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by editorial cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall.Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearings are underway as Gorsuch himself is scheduled to testify today. What would it mean if this hard-right conservative takes a seat on the Supreme Court?International controversy rages as a high-ranking UN official is forced to resign after releasing a report labeling Israel an apartheid state. Lara Kiswani, Executive Director of the Arab Resource & Organizing Center, and Mike Prysner, a journalist with TeleSur, join the show.Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met with President Trump in the White House yesterday. Trump is now the fifth consecutive president to bomb the country -- is there any hope of the U.S. government getting its hands off of Iraq? Raed Jarrar, Government Relations Manager at the American Friends Service Committee, discuses this with Brian.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Ray McGovern, an activist and a former CIA analyst, and Mark Sleboda, an international affairs and security analyst.Today’s House Intelligence Committee public hearing is set to take the anti-Russia witch hunt in the United States to new heights. Several government officials agree that there isn’t any evidence of collussion between Trump and the Russians but will the establishment continue its campaign of demonization nonetheless? And will the people buy it?