Wider View Radio Podcast

Christine Ahn on Korea

After a brief roundup of recent news on the Koreas, the episode replays an interview with Christine Ahn recorded in March of 2018 before the Singapore summit. Many of the same issues still exist and little progress seems to have been made.

Catherine Shakdam on Saudi Arabia and its role in the Middle East

I am very pleased to welcome Catherine Shakdam to the broadcast.  Catherine is a political analyst and commentator for the Middle East, fellow at Al Bayan Centre for Planning and Studies, author of A Tale of Grand Resistance - Yemen, the Wahhabi, and the House of Saud. Catherine is also the Director of Communication for the Journalist Support Committee, former consultant on Yemen for the United Nations Security Council, and PhD candidate based in London.  Catherine is also a frequent contributor to web-based news media such as New Eastern Outlook and Citizen Truth.  

We talk about Saudi Arabia and the role it plays in the Middle East.  

Alison Weir on the influence of the Israel Lobby in the US

My guest today is journalist Alison Weir. Her best-selling book Against Our Better Judgment: The Hidden History of How the U.S. Was Used to Create Israel has been called a must-read for all Americans and her websites, If Americans Knew and Israel Palestine News are invaluable sources for information on Palestinian human rights and the pernicious influence of the Zionist lobby on US politics.  

 

Why do we hate Iran + Activism gone awry

Beginning with the arrest of Marzieh Hashemi of Press TV, we look at the relationship of the US and Iran and the "threat" Iran poses to Israel. Then we look at the case of a local activist silenced because her cause is not on the approved list.

Today's episode contains content from Catherine Shakdam and Dr. Jack Dresser.

We also report on a local activist and friend whose address to the local Womxn's March was silenced by the organizers because she wasn't fighting the correct oppression.  

Margaret Kimberly on US military bases and the Democrats

In this episode, I'm joined by Margaret Kimberley, Editor and Senior Columnist for Black Agenda Report for a discussion of NATO, US foreign military bases, the role of the Democratic Party in progressive movements, the arrest of Marzieh Hashemi and other topics.

For information on the campaign to get the US out of Africa go to http://tinyurl.com/shutdownafricom or https://blackallianceforpeace.com/

 

 

 

 

Eva Golinger on the Crisis in Venezuela

With the issue of Venezuela dominating the news, especially after President Trump declared Juan Guiado to be the legitimate President of Venezuela, I am extremely pleased to have Eva Golinger as my guest on this program.  Eva was a close personal friend and adviser to former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and knows the players in this crisis personally.

Eva Golinger is the author of the best-selling book "The Chavez Code: Cracking US Intervention in Venezuela", and "Bush Versus Chavez: Washington's War on Venezuela".  Her most recent book is "Confidente of Tyrants: The Story of the American Woman Trusted by the US's Biggest Enemies".

We discuss the economic malaise in Venezuela and its origins, the history of US intervention in the Venezuelan democracy, and the hope for solving this crisis in a way that preserves the gains made for ordinary Venezuelans under Chavez.

Mark Sleboda on the INF Treaty and the new arms race

Mark Sleboda is an international affairs and security analyst for RT, a former Senior Researcher at the Sociological faculty of Moscow State University and a former Nuclear Reactor Operator for the US Navy. Mark is currently based in Moscow. We talk about the abandonment of the cold war weapons treaties between Russia and the US.

Women Making Waves for Democrats

Ilhan Omar and Tulsi Gabbard are women of color who are making waves in the Democratic Party because of their anti-war stands and their strong objections to US foreign policy. We discuss each and the dilemma they pose for the establishment Democrats and their narratives.

Walter Hixson on the Israel Lobby

I am very pleased to welcome Walter Hixson to the program today.  Dr. Hixson is Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Akron concentrating in diplomatic and cultural history.  He is the author of a number of books including The Myth of American Diplomacy: National Identity and US Foreign Policy and American Settler Colonialism: A History.  His new book, Israel’s Armor:  The Israel Lobby and the First Generation of the Palestine Conflict is due out soon. His PhD is from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1986.  

The episode also includes excerpts from the speech by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to the Munich Security Conference on February 17, 2019.

Brian Willson on Venezuela, Nicaragua and Activism

My guest today is a long-time anti-war activist Brian Willson.  He spoke to me via Skype from his home in Nicaragua.

Brian is the author of three books, On Third World Legs, now out of print, Blood on the Tracks and his latest book is Don’t Thank Me for My Service.

We discuss his life of activism, the situation in Venezuela, US regime change attempts in Nicaragua and the state of activism and resistance in the age of Trump.