Jan 19, 2022 • We speak to Max Lawson of Oxfam about the ‘Inequality Kills’ report, which details how while 99% of humanity’s income fell, 160 million were pushed into poverty and 1 person died every 4 seconds over the course of the Coronavirus pandemic…the top 10 richest men saw their wealth more than double from $700 billion to $1.5 trillion dollars, a rate of $1.2 billion a day.
Sep 15, 2021 • We speak to Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to US Secretary State Colin Powell. He discusses 9/11 20 years on including the initial reaction to 9/11, how fear and rage drove the Bush Administration’s response to the terror attacks, the military-industrial complex and its desire for endless war which in part fuelled the expansion of NATO, how the US military sabotaged Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and made it look chaotic, how 9/11 can be laid at the feet of Saudi Arabia who he considers the biggest state sponsors of terror, Biden’s executive orders to declassify 9/11 documents and much more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the political advisor to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad Bouthaina Shaaban, she discusses the Presidential Elections being held in Syria for the first time since 2014, accusations by NATO countries that the elections are a farce and the presence of international observers from Russia, China, India, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and other nations to observe the elections, the occupation of Syria by Israel, the US and Turkey and President Assad’s pledge to liberate every inch of Syria, the redefining of the international order away from Western countries, reconstruction efforts in Syria after the 10-year long war, regular Israeli airstrikes on Damascus and Israel’s occupation of Palestine and recent aerial bombardment campaign against Gaza, the West’s hypocrisy on human rights, attempts to improve relations with Saudi Arabia, why there is no room for negotiations with Erdogan’s Turkey unless he withdraws from Syria and much more!
We speak to Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, former member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. She discusses why the two-state solution is dead, Israel’s responsibility for destroying it the international community’s inaction over Israel’s illegal occupations, annexations and airstrikes, the 11 days of aerial bombardment of Gaza which killed 248 including 66 children and Israel’s justifications that its strikes targeted Hamas, the severe economic and human damage in Gaza following the bombardment, US-UK-EU arms sales to Israel and replenishment of arms after the 11 days of Israeli bombardment, Joe Biden’s US blocking action at the UN to pressure Israel and much more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Iran’s Ambassador to the UK Hamid Baeidinejad on the recent escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, the Gulf of Oman tanker accident and Western accusations that Iran is to blame, how Iran can defend itself against the US and other Western powers, the status of the Iran Deal as Iran increases uranium enrichment after the US and other Western powers have violated the nuclear deal, tension with Saudi Arabia across the region, the ability for Iran to defend itself against Israel and if a US-Iran war is looming!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to UN Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer about his assessment of Julian Assange’s condition. He says Assange has shown signs of psychological torture and that he has not seen anything as bad as the WikiLeaks founder’s case in his 20-year career. Next, we speak to former president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, on the arrest and imprisonment of Julian Assange. He describes his successor Lenin Moreno as a traitor for allowing the UK to arrest Assange. Correa says Moreno has violated asylum law and talks about corruption allegations against the current president.
Next we speak to Geoffrey Robertson QC of Doughty Street Chambers on the arrest of Assange, the legality of the revocation of his asylum status, the legality of the UK complying with the US extradition request and what this episode tells journalists around the world.
We speak to legendary journalist and film-maker John Pilger who discusses the arrest of Julian Assange after his asylum status was revoked by Lenin Moreno of Ecuador and subsequent removal from the Ecuadorian Embassy. He discusses the importance of Wikileaks’ work, why it is a threat to the United States, the danger the arrest poses to journalists everywhere and the possibility of extradition to the US.
On today's episode of Going Underground, Ex-Saudi Princess Janan Harb and alleged wife of the late King Fahd discusses her allegations of Saudi Influence over UK Courts and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Next, Paul Maskey from Sinn Fein joins Afshin Rattansi to discuss the ongoing Brexit negotiations, the confidence and supply agreement Theresa May has with the DUP and the future of Northern Ireland after Brexit. Also, Steve Topple joins us for Broken News where he and Afshin discuss Universal Credit causing a rise in prostitution, the Grenfell Tower area contaminated with high toxicity, Richard Branson on corporate welfare and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman allegedly moving to purchase Man Utd!
We speak to the Associate Editor of the Spectator magazine, Middle East Eye columnist, Peter Oborne on the similar hallmarks this time round in Syria to WMD in Iraq and genocide in Libya.
Afshin Rattansi talks to the man tipped by some to be the next US Ambassador to the EU, former UN Executive Secretary Deputy Chief, Ted Malloch, on his relationship with Trump & the UK post-Brexit.
As the IMF predicts years of austerity for Saudi Arabia, Afshin Rattansi goes underground with a woman who was a former Saudi princess- Janan Harb. A film is currently being made based on her book - The Saudi King and I.
As the IMF predicts years of austerity for Saudi Arabia, Afshin Rattansi goes underground with a woman who was a former Saudi princess- Janan Harb. A film is currently being made based on her book- The Saudi King and I.
Afshin Rattansi goes underground with John Pilger. Award winning journalist and author, John Pilger talks to us about how Washington, London and Paris gave birth to ISIS-Daesh. Plus we examine the media's role in spreading disinformation ahead of a vote in Parliament for UK bombing of Syria. Afshin looks at the Autumn Statement and why in a time of high alert we are cutting the police force and buying drones. Also we look at which companies are benefitting from the budget. Plus Afshin is joined once again by former MP and broadcaster, Lembit Opik, to look at the weeks news from a cyber sinking feeling over Trident to budget boosts for the BBC.
Afshin Rattansi goes underground on the real conditions inside Britain's prisons. And who better to give insider knowledge than Vicky Pryce, Chris Huhne's ex wife, who went to jail for perverting the course of justice. Now a campaigner for prisoner rehabilitation, she's also landed herself a role as Vince Cable's new advisor! The MoD is charging you millions to sort out its IT mess. Plus, how the rich are siphoning off more money than those on benefits -- and the website that's out to set things straight. And the Queen's so broke, she's selling off the Royal Ascot -- to Qatar!
Afshin Rattansi goes underground on the government's million-pound relationship with Bahrain, as even royalty head over to show support for its ruling elite. The Campaign Against Arms Trade says our politicians are turning a blind eye to the atrocities in the country to profit from arms deals. Journalist Cory Doctorow says it's time we wake up to the actions of GCHQ - as it's revealed they even spy on your porn and gaming habits. Plus, this week's strangest headlines and how to know you're in a happy place - via Instagram.
Afshin Rattansi gets the inside track on politics with veteran Labour minister and socialist, Tony Benn. Denouncing illegal wars, Britain's most famous activist gives his take on the current leadership, austerity and what the future holds. Plus, we go underground on the threat of home-grown terrorism in the UK. And how much can you trust those you hand over confidential data to?
