Friday, July 27, 2018

The Debate – Iran on US Warning


You may start a war but be assured we will be the ones ending it. That message from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s General Qassem Soleimani to the United States is one to not be taken lightly. This can be seen in context of Trump’s all-caps tweeted threat to President Rouhani, Bolton’s attendance of the MKO terror group gathering as well as the growing anti-Iran alliance between Israel & Persian Gulf sheikhdoms. As Gen. Soleimani has said, Iran is no pushover & if the US couldn’t even succeed in Iraq or Afghanistan, how can it ever take on Iran? Join me Waqar Rizvi, as we discuss growing threats to Iran.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

How Australia's First Gay Imam Is 'Saving Lives' – BBC News


Australia's first openly gay imam, Nur Warsame, counsels Muslims around the world not to feel shame about sexuality. Unable to travel due to security concerns, he set up Marhaba - an online prayer group - five years ago. He tells the BBC how his efforts have helped to "heal" families. Video by Rebecca Henschke and Haryo Bangun Wirawan.

Oil Price Shock On The Way? | Inside Story


The war in Yemen - and sanctions being re-imposed on Iran - is worrying the oil market. Saudi Arabia has ordered its oil tankers to stop sailing through the Bab Al Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen after two others were attacked by Houthi rebels who are linked to Iran. Iranian commanders have warned they will order the closure of the gateway to the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz - if the U.S. blocks its oil exports.

Tensions are rising because of the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions after Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal. Will regional tensions be further fueled? And what about the price of oil?

Presenter: Peter Dobbie | Guests: Dr Mamdouh Salameh - International Oil Economist; Bassima Alghussein, Chief Executive, Alghussein Global Strategies; Mostafa Khoshcheshm - Political Commentator


#democracynow : Top US News & World Headlines — July 26, 2018


More Michael Cohen Tapes Coming? Michael Cohen "Kicks Back" at Donald Trump | The Last Word | MSNBC


Vanity Fair's Emily Jane Fox says the thought process for Michael Cohen when Trump attacks him: "If you want to kick me, I will kick you back. And I will kick you 10 times harder." Jill Wine-Banks and Tim O'Brien also join Lawrence.

Anderson Cooper Calls Out Trump Campaign: Another Big Lie


CNN's Anderson Cooper breaks down Michael Cohen's secret recordings of a conversation with President Trump discussing a possible payment regarding a former Playboy model who has alleged an affair with Trump.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Ambassador Michael McFaul Says His Concerns about Russia Aren't Over | Morning Joe | MSNBC


Amb. Michael McFaul met on Tuesday with President Trump’s top Russia advisor a week after the WH stated Trump was considering Vladimir Putin’s call to interrogate U.S. officials. Amb. McFaul joins Morning Joe to discuss his visit.

President Donald Trump Using Same NK Playbook with Iran: Chris Coons | Morning Joe | MSNBC


Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., discusses the president's threats and remarks regarding Iran, his thoughts on calls to abolish ICE, Trump's tweet that Russia may be pushing for Dems in upcoming elections and his blocked resolution on intel community on Russian meddling.

President Donald Trump Criticizes NBC News Report and Reporter Reacts | Morning Joe | MSNBC


While delivering a speech at the 199th national convention for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, President Trump criticized an NBC News report from Vaughn Hillyard on concerns from U.S. farmers. Hillyard joins Morning Joe the following day to discuss.

Steve Schmidt: Sarah Sanders Is the Most 'Prolific Liar' | The Beat with Ari Melber | MSNBC


President Trump tells his supporters that what they’re seeing is not real, in a moment critics say is reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984. Former Republican Strategist Steve Schmidt discusses Trump “assaulting objective truth” and what this means for the Republican Party and for the United States. Schmidt slams Republicans for “surrendering their sovereignty, their intellectual autonomy to Donald Trump” and compares White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, to “Baghdad Bob”.

Trump Lashes Out; Spews Fury at Iran, Russia Probe and Helsinki Fallout


CNN's Jake Tapper joins Larry to examine Donald Trump's latest threats to Iran and his Twitter fury over the Russia probe and critics of the Helsinki summit. Plus, a look into Tapper's newest political novel, "The Hellfire Club."

Why Ivanka Trump Is Shutting Down Her Business


Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Trump and Putin Debate: How They’ve Changed the World


Diplomacy on Twitter, two of the world's most powerful men making agreements behind closed doors, institutions like Nato and the European Union under attack from their closest ally.

Iraq Vet, Rep. Seth Moulton, Criticizes President Trump's Twitter Threats | Morning Joe | MSNBC


Former Marine Corps officer who served four tours in Iraq, Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., joins Morning Joe to discuss the president's recent threats against Iran, the deportation of military veterans and reuniting families separated at the border.

Trump's Rage Tweet Goes Viral


#democracynow : Top US News & World Headlines — July 24, 2018


Iran's FM Javad Zarif Tweets Back at Trump: 'BE CAUTIOUS!' | Al Jazeera English


Iran's foreign minister has released a tweet mocking US President Donald Trump's late-night threats.

Javad Zarif tweeted: "COLOR US UNIMPRESSED: The world heard even harsher bluster a few months ago; and Iranians have heard them —albeit more civilized ones—for 40 years. We've been around for millennia & seen fall of empires, including our own, which lasted more than the life of some countries. BE CAUTIOUS!"

The US president warned the Islamic Republic of consequences never seen before. And he says he is not concerned that he may be heightening tension. Al Jazeera's Shihab Rattansi reports from Washington, DC


Lawrence O'Donnell: President Donald Trump's Iran Threat Shows ‘Panic’ | The Last Word | MSNBC


Donald Trump threatened war with Iran in a weekend Twitter tirade. Lawrence looks at what Trump is trying to distract from- new developments in the Michael Cohen and Russia investigations.

Anderson Cooper Laughs at Sanders Explanation: That’s Rich


President Donald Trump is considering stripping a half-dozen former national security officials of their security clearances, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday, calling their public commentary about the ongoing Russia probe inappropriate.

Sean Spicer's First UK Interview – BBC Newsnight


Ahead of the release of his memoir, The Briefing, former White House press secretary, Sean Spicer speaks to Emily Maitlis in his first UK interview.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Clapper Fires Back at Trump: This Is Petty Retribution for Speaking Out


Former Director of National Security James Clapper says if President Donald Trump were to revoke Clapper's security clearance, it would be a petty way of retribution for speaking out against the president.

#democracynow : US Pushes Confrontation with Iran: Trump Warns of “Consequences,” Pompeo Likens Leaders to “Mafia”


President Donald Trump lashed out at Iran Sunday, warning he was prepared to unleash dire “consequences” on Iran if its president threatens the United States again. Trump’s threat came just hours after Rouhani’s speech earlier Sunday, in which the Iranian president warned the U.S. about pursuing a hostile policy against his government. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a speech Sunday in which he compared Iran’s leaders to a “mafia” and promised unspecified backing for Iranians who are unhappy with their government. Pompeo spoke at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library outside Los Angeles. “This is not an administration that is pursuing a policy of actually trying to find a way to the negotiating table or striking a new deal,” says Trita Parsi, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council. “Everything they’re doing right now is only compatible with a policy of confrontation.”

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Iran to US: 'You Cannot Provoke the Iranian People' | Al Jazeera English


Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has said his country is growing impatient with the US government. At a meeting of foreign ministry officials in Tehran, Rouhani said that US President Donald Trump will fail to turn the Iranian people against their own government and any pressure will only bring Iranians closer. "You cannot provoke the Iranian people against their own security and interests," he said. The gathering of Iranian diplomats in Tehran came ahead of more US sanctions set to take effect on August 6 after Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear deal. Al Jazeera's Zein Basravi has more from Tehran.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Russia Wants to Question US Investigator Bill Browder


Since the Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki earlier this week that many in the media are asking, who exactly is Bill Browder and why is Putin so interested in him? RT America’s Anya Parampil analyzed with Executive Director of the Ron Paul Institute, Daniel McAdams.

Jared Kushner and Family Hit With Massive Lawsuit from Former Tenants They Harassed


The business owned by White House adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner is now being sued by former tenants who claim they were forced out of their rent-controlled apartments so the Kushner family could build a series of high-rent luxury condos. The actions described by these tenants is very clear harassment by Kushner Companies, and this legal case should be a slam dunk for the plaintiffs, as Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins explains.

Columbanus: The Monk Who United Europe


Travel through Ireland, France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to discover the story of a man who brought fresh and radical thinking to a divided Europe in crisis in the wake of the fall of the Roman Empire.

Columbanus, a monk and an outsider from Ireland, built the monasteries which became Europe's first universities, established a writing system to encourage the spread of liberal values, and risked his life when he demanded high standards of leadership from powerful leaders - bishops, kings and even popes. These foundations are said to have preserved Western civilisation through the Dark Ages.

In the often fractured Europe of today; the lessons of Columbanus are just as relevant. Be reminded of how openness and diversity can encourage positive progression.


Draining The Swamp? Trump Has 86 Lobbyists On His Staff


Donald Trump came into office promising to “drain the swamp.” That certainly is a catchy campaign slogan, but his actions since becoming President have done nothing to drain the swamp, and in fact, he’s actually filling it up faster than his predecessors. New analysis by Open Secrets reveals that Trump has 86 lobbyists currently on his staff, showing that not only is he not draining the swamp, but he’s also violating his own executive order. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this.

Former British Intelligence Chief Warns the West of Putin’s Aggression


Robert Hannigan, the former head of the British intelligence service GCHQ, tells Four Corners that Russia’s aggression has reached a new, destructive level.

George H.W. Bush's Heart Doctor Shot, Killed


Dr. Mark Hausknecht, a cardiologist who treated former President George H.W. Bush, was killed in a bicycle-to-bicycle drive-by shooting near Texas Medical Center in Houston, authorities said.

Women and the Saudi Revolution | The Economist


Saudi Arabia is one of the most conservative countries in the world. But a social revolution has begun. The Economist's editor, Zanny Minton Beddoes takes a road-trip around Riyadh to examine what a more moderate Saudi would mean for its women, and the rest of the world.

Tony Blair on Brexit's Second Referendum | The Economist


Tony Blair, Britain's former Prime Minister, spoke to Anne McElvoy, The Economist's head of radio, for The Economist asks podcast.

World This Week: Trump-Putin Summit, France Fêtes World Cup, Macron's First Scandal


’The World This Week’ looks at the Helsinki Summit between Putin and Trump. Specifically discussion centers around a follow-up meeting in Washington proposed by President Trump. A possible first US visit in over 10 years for the Russian President. We then go to France, still revelling in their World Cup success, however one Frenchman may not be so happy. Emmanuel Macron has, this week, been faced with his first Presidential scandal - a security handler sacked over beating protestors.

Joachim Bitterlich: NATO Summit Was a "Humiliation of the Europeans"


Friday, July 20, 2018

When Trump Met Putin – Cartooned | The Economist


President Trump spent two hours alone with President Putin at a controversial meeting in Helskini this week. Our cartoonist Kal imagines the encounter.

Putin's Games with the West | The Economist


Putin's Russia and the Ghost of the Romanovs | The Economist


Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family, the Romanovs, were murdered 100 years ago today by Marxist revolutionaries. What does this anniversary mean for Vladmir Putin?

Morning Joe | July 20, 2018 | MSNBC


#Tucker: Why Question US Obligations to Montenegro


Tony Blair on Brexit, Labour, and Populism – BBC Newsnight


Evan Davis interviews former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Israel Approves Law to Become a Jewish Nation-State


The Israeli parliament has approved a highly controversial law to define the country as a Jewish nation state - and remove Arabic as an official language.

Donald Trump, Jr. May Have Been Caught on Wiretap with Russian Asset


Donald Trump, Jr. should be very concerned – those are the words that Spanish investigators who have been monitoring and wiretapping Russian asset Alexander Torshin used to describe Trump’s meeting with Torshin during his father’s campaign. The Spanish intelligence agency has not yet confirmed that Trump is on one of their wiretaps of Torshin, but they have made it clear that things are looking bad for the little Trump. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this.

An Israel Law That Divides and Discriminates | Inside Story


Israel's parliament has narrowly passed a law that defines the country as a Jewish state. It gives only the Jews the right to self-determination, discriminating against one-fifth of the population, which includes nearly two million Arab Israelis and other minorities.

The law also demotes Arabic, leaving Hebrew as the only official language. The move has led to widespread anger, even among sections of the Jewish population. Arab Israelis are calling it racist and comparing it with apartheid. So, what's in store for them? How will the regional powers react to the controversial law?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra | Guests: Emmanuel Navon, Tel Aviv University; Prof Mukhaimer Abu Saada, Al Azhar University; Gaza Gil Hoffman, Chief Political Correspondent, Jerusalem Post


Michael McFaul Reacts: I Hope My President Will Swat This Back | Morning Joe | MSNBC


The White House is entertaining Vladimir Putin's proposal to allow the special counsel to interview the Russians indicted in exchange for Russia gaining access to several American officials, including Amb. Michael McFaul. Amb. McFaul reacts.

Madeleine Albright on Putin Summit: I Am Worrying More


Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that after President Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, she is "worrying more."

'Absolutely Disgusting': Russia Seeks to Question US Officials | Morning Joe | MSNBC


Will the WH allow Russian prosecutors to question some of Vladimir Putin’s biggest critics here within the United States, including Amb. Michael McFaul? The panel discusses.

What's the Legacy of the Trump-Putin Summit? | Inside Story


"Direct, open and deeply productive dialogue." That's how US President Donald Trump described his controversial summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The two men said they touched on a wide range of international and regional issues during their private meeting in Helsinki on Monday. But one particular topic has overshadowed the talks: Russia's meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, which has been confirmed by the US intelligence community and Congress.

But beyond this controversial issue, what will be the summit's legacy? And is there a new world order?

Presenter: Laura Kyle | Guests: Joel Rubin - Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; Remi Bourgeot - Associate Fellow at the French Institute of International and Strategic Affairs; Vyacheslav Matuzov - Former Russian Diplomat