Loud & Clear

As the people of the United States determine whether Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton will become the next President, Clinton was let off the hook by the FBI once again over the weekend over her e-mail scandal, but Trump has been gaining on her in the polls. A sense of alarm has gripped the centers of political power in the United States. As the traditional media has largely rallied to Clinton’s cause during the campaign, Google, Facebook and big tech companies too could very well play a decisive but invisible role in how the vote goes tonight. How important have these companies been in providing support to Hillary’s campaign? Becker speaks with Dr. Robert Epstein, the former editor of Psychology Today, who has published research into Google's manipulation of the elections. As protests continue at Standing Rock against the Dakota Access Pipeline, a trial has started against activists in who have been engaging in civil disobedience against waste from fracked gas wells in Pennsylvania being brought to New York

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Drew Penrose, Legal Director at the election reform advocacy organization FairVote, and by Bob Schlehuber, producer of Radio Sputnik’s By Any Means Necessary with Eugene Puryear. Tomorrow’s the presidential election in the United States, but how democratic is the system really? Becker looks at how the boundaries of electoral constituencies have been used to undermine democracy, and the unpopular system known as the electoral college.Nicaragua’s elections took place yesterday with the Sandinistas and President Daniel Ortega achieving victory once again for a third consecutive time since 2006. What accounts for the success and popularity of the Sandinistas today, 37 years after their revolution first ushered them to power? Louise Richards, Trade Union and Communications Coordinator for the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group (NSCAG) in the UK, joins Becker to discuss the importance of the FSLN victory. The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Mar

Pilger recently published his most newest article "Inside the Invisible Government: War, Propaganda, Clinton & Trump". He also just interviewed Julian Assange, who confirmed to him that it was not Russia that provided WikiLeaks with the Clinton e-mails. Pilger talks about why Clinton has resorted to calling Trump a pawn of Russia and many Republicans have broken party ranks to declare their support for the Democratic candidate, including many architects of the war in Iraq. Why are the CIA and the Pentagon throwing their weight behind Clinton? How does the media play a role in garnering support for the next war? Pilger discusses these issues and many more during this wide ranging interview.

Iraqi Special Forces have entered the city limits as heavy fighting is raging with Daesh, which has been holding the city since for almost two and a half years. As fighting intensifies, a war of words is also being waged between Turkey and Iraq, with the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi saying his country does not want war but is ready for confrontation if it happens.The International Criminal Court is set to open an investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan, which would mean the United States being openly investigated for the first time in the history of the court. Could the U.S. actually be prosecuted under the ICC, or is the investigation just a ploy for the organization to appear relevant and impartial? Becker is joined by Christopher Black, an international criminal lawyer based in Toronto who is on the list of counsel at the ICC. The U.S. election is now just five days away, but although millions of Americans will cast ballots, the popular vote won’t be the determining factor in who becomes Presi

Al-Nusra and other Islamist forces attacked government held areas of the city for days, with scores of civilians killed. Yet the mainstream media was almost completely silent. Is the Syrian government gearing up for a major offensive to retake the country's largest city? The resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline in Standing Rock continues as repression intensifies. Today marks the the anniversary of North and South Dakota becoming states in 1889, but how was the land stolen from Native people in the first place? Steve Russell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Texas trial court judge and associate professor emeritus of Criminal Justice at Indiana University-Bloomington, joins Becker to talk about the history of Native struggle in the Dakotas.Less than one week until election day, the campaign has taken yet another twist as the FBI reopens an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s e-mails. Meanwhile, the Clinton camp continues to drum up anti-Russia sentiment to cover up their scandals. Becker is joined by Di

One week before the presidential election, the bleeding continues for the Clinton campaign after the FBI reopened its e-mail investigation on Friday. What’s really behind this bombshell, and is it enough to change the course of the race? The Prime Minister of Iraq’s Kurdish region says he will push for independence from Baghdad once the battle for Mosul has been won. How would a fracturing of Iraq affect both the region and the world, and who would benefit the most from a Balkanization of the country? Becker is joined by with John Wight, the host of Radio Sputnik's weekly show Hard Facts, to discuss what's next for Iraq. Secretary of State John Kerry attended talks on Libya yesterday with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany. With the war drums beating in western capitals against Syria, NATO powers are plotting to plunge the region even deeper into chaos. Ben Norton, staff writer at Salon.com, joins Becker.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker looks at the content of some of the most shocking of the tens of thousands of e-mails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign chair John Podesta that have been released by WikiLeaks. The Clinton camp says that WikiLeaks is a tool of the Russian government, but what’s really inside the cables Clinton doesn’t want you to see? Becker is joined today for the full hour by Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, the Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund; by Eugene Puryear, the host of Radio Sputnik’s By Any Means Necessary; and by Michael Prysner, Iraq war-veteran turned anti-war organizer and producer for The Empire Files on TeleSur.

The United States has announced it will commence with an operation to take Raqqa before the end of the battle to retake Mosul in Iraq. However, confusion exists over who the ground forces will be that the U.S. will give air support to as the coalition struggles to train Arab militias capable of fighting in the battle. Turkey wants in on the operation, but their Kurdish adversaries are likely to also be involved. Is the U.S. acting with haste in Syria? Iceland’s parliamentary elections take place on Saturday with a relatively new political force called the Pirate Party expected to do well or even win. The party wants to grant Edward Snowden citizenship and advocates a platform of direct democracy. Becker is joined by one of the Party's candidates in the coming election Oktavia Hrund, as well as by José Tirado, a Puerto Rican poet and political writer living in Iceland. As Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen that was launched in March 2015 continues to drag on, western countries continue to sell the Saudi government ar

John Kerry delivered the speech last night, highlighting his so-called accomplishments as Secretary of State in President Obama’s administration and a desperate plea to pass the TPP or Transpacific Partnership to keep control over Asia.Peace talks between the FARC and Colombian government have resumed in Havana after a referendum voted down a previous deal earlier this month. Now the country’s second largest rebel group, the ELN, is also getting ready to sit down with the government. Are prospects for peace still likely? Becker is joined by Mario Murillo, a Professor of communication at Hofstra University and a longtime former host of Wakeup Call on WBAI-Pacifica.The European Union and Canada were set to sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, today in Belgium, but the deal was blocked by Belgium. How does CETA compare to the TTIP trade pact, and how does its apparent failure impact the prospects of that deal? Becker speaks with Professor Steve Keen, author and lecturer at Kingston Unive

High-ranking Russian military leaders have announced that the U.S. strike targeted a girls school and other civilian infrastructure near Mosul. Is the U.S. military yet again massacring Iraqi civilians? Why has the mainstream media been silent on a series of U.S. coalition strikes in Iraq while accusing Russia of war crimes in Syria?Turkey’s Justice Minister has arrived in the United States for talks with Attorney General Loretta Lynch aimed at having the U.S. hand over Fethullah Gulen, the man Turkey accuses of being behind July’s coup attempt. With Turkey-U.S. relations rocky since the coup, what will it mean if the U.S. refuses to give Gulen up? Becker is joined by Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst, to talk about what's next for relations between the two countries.AT&T is paying $85.4 billion to buy Time Warner, the company that controls both CNN and HBO, but both presidential candidates have raised questions about the deal with Donald Trump saying that he would block it. Timothy Karr, the Senior Direct

As the battle for Mosul continues, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter co-chairs a meeting of the anti-Daesh coalition in France. But these are the powers that fragmented Iraq in the first place. Syrian government forces continue their drive to liberate the eastern part of Aleppo from the opposition forces including al-Nusra and like-minded groups, as Russia says it is not considering a new truce. This comes after the UN said it was opening an inquiry into war crimes committed by Syria and Russia -- but is that just a western ploy for push for their intervention? Becker speaks to Syrian journalist Alaa Ebrahim who joins him from Damascus. Venezuela is on edge as supporters of President Nicolas Maduro have been rallying to stop possible right-wing attempts at a coup against the United Socialist Party government. This came after the recall referendum against Maduro was put on hold amid allegations of widespread fraud on the part of the right-wing opposition. Becker speaks to Dr. Francisco Dominguez about what

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by filmmaker Mojtaba Masood to discuss if the liberation of Mosul from Daesh will mean thousands of the group's fighters crossing the border to fight the Syrian government. As a patchwork of forces continue the offensive to wrest control of Mosul from the so-called Islamic State, could thousands of Daesh fighters soon flood Syria? And what would such a development mean for mean for the war in that country? Britain will begin reviewing its arms sales to Saudi Arabia in the wake of recent Saudi airstrikes on a funeral in Yemen that left 140 dead. But the military and political elites may value their relationship with the Saudi regime far too much to really make a break. Becker is joined by Alexander Mercouris, editor in chief of The Duran. The migrant camp in Calais, France known as “the Jungle” is due to be razed in the coming days, but what will become of the thousands who have been living in the camp with the intention of coming to the UK? Salm

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte announced his separation from the United States in Beijing, saying that the U.S. had “lost” and that he was aligning with China’s “ideological flow”. Will Duterte’s pivot to China be followed by closer cooperation with Russia? Resistance continues to mount to the neoliberal coup government of Michel Temer in Brazil, as the politician who orchestrated the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff has been arrested on corruption charges. Becker is joined by Dr. Francisco Dominguez, senior lecturer at Middlesex University, and by Brazilian-British journalist Victor Fraga, to discuss what's next for the movement against neoliberalism in Brazil.In an impressive show of hypocrisy, the European Union summit has condemned Russia for attacks on civilians in Syria despite being one of the early instigators of the civil war. With all its internal troubles, the bloc seems intent on projecting power around the world. John Wight, host of Radio Sputnik's Hard Facts, joins Becker to discuss if the E

The last presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump has taken place. As perhaps the most bizarre election cycle in U.S. history enters its final stretch, what will the lasting effects the country's politics be? Does Clinton really have it in the bag? No matter who emerges victorious, the people will need to be in the streets defending our basic rights - either from neo-liberal warhawk Clinton or hate-mongering bigot Donald Trump. Brian is joined by Gloria La Riva, 2016 Presidential candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Peace and Freedom Party and Liberty Union Party; by Kevin Akin, the chair of the Peace and Freedom Party; and by Jeremy Kuzmarov, Professor of American History at the University of Tulsa and author of the book “Modernizing Repression: Police Training and Nation Building in the American Century”.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by political cartoonist and writer Ted Rall to preview tonight's presidential debate. With election day now just under three weeks away, what will the candidates say about immigration, foreign policy, and the economy? Will tonight’s debate be another empty media circus for the two most unpopular candidates in a very long time?The United States bombed Houthi positions after accusing the movement, which controls Yemen’s capital, of firing missiles at an American warship off the coast of the country -- but now the Pentagon has admitted that they are not sure that any missiles were ever launched by the Houthis. Mark Sleboda, international security and affairs analyst, discusses what may have taken place.While the Syrian government is preparing to liberate eastern Aleppo from the last of the terrorist forces in the city such as al-Nusra, Hillary Clinton has said removing Bashar al-Assad from power is her number one priority in Syria, and over the weeke

New information has come to light that shows the lows to which senior Newsweek writer Kurt Eichenwald and many other mainstream media outlets stooped to smear Sputnik news and deflect attention from Hillary Clinton’s mounting scandals. Former Sputnik editor Bill Moran’s piece “I Am Vladimir Putin: The First Victim of McCarthyism 2.0” sheds light on the truth.Anti-Russia hysteria continues to intensify. Vice President Joe Biden has openly said that the U.S. will launch a cyber attack on Russia, remarks that drew a sharp rebuke from Moscow, and RT in the UK has had its bank accounts closed down.The Iraqi Army and Kurdish forces are advancing on Iraq's second largest city under the cover of U.S. airstrikes. Is this the last stand for Daesh in Iraq? Brian is joined by journalist and political analyst Roshan Muhammad Salih to discuss the start of the military operation to retake Mosul.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Joelle Lingat, Secretary General of Anakbayan, to discuss Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to China.Is Duterte's trip a typical visit abroad, or is he in the midst of making a pivot to China? With his rhetoric towards the United States heating up, could the century old relationship with Washington actually be broken? What would it mean for the region and for Obama’s pivot to Asia?President Obama will deliver a speech today at a high school in Washington, DC outlining what he says is the progress his administration has made to improve education over the past eight years. But does his narrative gel with the reality that many educators and students face across the country? Becker is joined by Curry Malott, a Professor of Education at West Chester University to discuss Obama's education legacy.The Republican Civil War is still in full swing after perhaps the most disastrous stretch of Donald Trump’s campaign. The Republican donor class

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker discusses the fallout from the Podesta e-mail leaks and ongoing anti-Russia hysteria with Daniel McAdams of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity.Without facts or evidence the mantra that Russia is trying to swing the election to Donald Trump is being promoted by Hillary Clinton, the mainstream media and the entire Democratic Party establishment. They also allege that Wikileaks is a tool of Russia, and are now up in arms about Donald Trump supposedly quoting what they call “Russian propaganda”.After Brexit, is the United Kingdom heading for a split? Scotland could soon enough be independent, as the leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon signals that consultations on a second independence referendum will get underway next week. John Wight, host of Radio Spuntik's Hard Facts, discusses the prospects of Scottish independence and how the move by Sturgeon will be met by the government in London. The United States bombed Yemen yesterday

On Tuesday, Russia said that the U.S. Global Missile Defence System is posing a threat to free and safe use of outer space. With Russia and China both opposed to the buildup of U.S. anti-missile systems around the world and the new arms race taking shape, will the new Cold War extend even beyond the earth? Ahead of the battle to retake Mosul from the so-called Islamic State, Turkey has refused to withdraw its troops from Iraq. As confrontation heats up between Ankara and Baghdad, will the war against Daesh be followed by yet another bloody regional conflict? Becker is joined by journalists Alexander Mercouris and Alex Christoforou to talk about the plans of President Erdogan in Iraq. During the protests in Ferguson and Baltimore against the murders of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray, the police got extra help from social media networks and a tech startup that helped them to track activists. What does the newest revelation about the surveillance state tell us about the war on dissent and protest? Mara Verheyden

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by journalist Ben Norton and former CIA analyst John Kiriakou to discuss the newest emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman that have been released by WikiLeaks.This is third batch of emails from John Podesta that WikiLeaks has revealed to the public, with Julian Assange saying the organization has over 50,000 total emails. Could the e-mails do serious damage to her campaign?Russian President Vladimir Putin has cancelled his trip to France in the aftermath of Russia’s veto of a French UN Security Council Resolution on Syria and the failure of a resolution proposed by Russia. France also said it was looking at options for Russia at the International Criminal Court. Are we close to an extremely dangerous escalation in Syria’s five and a half year war? Peter Lavelle, host of RT's flagship program CrossTalk, joins Becker to discuss the where the France-Russia relationship is headed. The release of an audio tape of Donald Trump revealing his vi