Going Underground (April - November 2019): Recent Episodes
RT
Three times a week Afshin Rattansi and his team go underground to discover the stories that aren’t being covered by the mainstream UK media. From GCHQ to Occupy protests, and everything else in between, Going Underground is here to bring a fresh perspective to our audiences around Britain.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former Israeli ambassador to the US and former deputy foreign minister Danny Ayalon. He is challenged by host Afshin Rattansi on Israeli settlements which are illegal under international law, and discusses the Trump administration’s decision to no longer recognize Israeli settlements as illegal. Afshin also challenges him on Israel’s alleged possession of nuclear weapons, the Israeli bombing of Syria and Iranian targets in Syria, alleged Israeli support for ISIS and Al-Qaeda during the Syrian Civil War against President Bashar Assad, and more! Next, we speak to journalist and creator of the ‘Empire Files’ series, Abby Martin, on her new documentary ‘Gaza Fights For Freedom.’ She discusses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent indictment and why this will change nothing for Palestinians since Netanyahu is not being indicted for war crimes. She then discusses her new documentary which features sections on Israel’s use of banned explosive rounds, tear gas, and other chemical weapons on Gaza’s Palestinians. She also discusses the continuously deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, the history of Israel’s establishment and ethnic cleansing of Palestinian Arabs, war crimes committed by the IDF historically and recently during Gaza’s Great Return March protests, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former Lebanese Communications Minister Melhem Riachy on the protests that have swept Lebanon. He calls the Lebanon protests a new birth and discusses whether foreign hands are involved, the prospect of Israeli attack during the protests, whether the UK and US will try to take advantage of the Lebanese protests, why the protesters shut down Tuesday’s parliamentary session, the causes of the protests such as corruption, poor services and the Lebanese economic crisis and more! Next, we speak to activist and agent-provocateur Joe Corré on Julian Assange’s US extradition case. He discusses why this is the biggest press freedom case of our lifetime, the message the US is trying to send by trying to extradite Assange, his condition in Belmarsh prison and mental health, WikiLeaks’ role in holding politicians to account, regardless of political leaning and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to senior Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath about the recent violence between Gaza and Israel and the deaths caused by Israeli strikes. Shaath discusses the targeting of Islamic Jihad facilities, why Palestine cannot be the aggressor as it is occupied, allegations the Palestinian leadership are weak in resistance, and why Israeli strikes are murder and cold-blooded assassination. Next, we speak to the former minister of state at the Home Office Norman Baker about his new book ‘…And What Do You Do?’ which shows a side of the Royal Family that the hit Netflix series The Crown would rather not show, including Nazi leanings in the Royal family and much more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the founder of the Democratic Revolution Party and member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, Giorgio Jackson, about the ongoing protests against neoliberal US-backed Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, the protesters’ demands, Pinera’s attempts to polarize debate, why the Chilean constitution is not fit to serve the needs of the majority, Chile’s problem with inequality, neoliberalism, privatization, and more! Next, we speak to the author of ‘The Best Democracy Money Can Buy,’ Greg Palast, about the coup in Bolivia against Evo Morales, the US’ motivations for the coup, racism in Latin American right-wing politics, the regime-change attempt by the US against Venezuela and Nicolas Maduro, and why the 2020 US elections will not be free elections. Finally, we speak to award-winning director Wash Westmoreland about his new film, ‘Earthquake Bird.’
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Valeska Teixeira Martins, the defense lawyer for former Brazilian president Lula Da Silva. She discusses why his incarceration for 580 days was illegal, why there is still a long way to go for the rule of law to return in Brazil, why Sergio Moro waged ‘lawfare’ on Lula Da Silva, Bolsonaro’s complicity in imprisoning the former leader, and more! Finally, we speak to former Brazilian finance minister, Luiz Carlos Bresser-Pereira, about the BRICS summit being held in Brasilia, why Bolsonaro’s presidency is antithetical to the BRICS project, the coup against Bolivian President Evo Morales, the release of Lula Da Silva, and why Brazil is facing a moral and economic crisis!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to legendary former BBC war correspondent Martin Bell and current UNICEF UK Ambassador on the Yemen War. He discusses the unimaginable suffering he’s seen, the lack of mainstream media coverage of the war which is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, and demands an end to UK and Western arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Next, we speak to Hussain Albukhaiti, a Yemeni journalist based in Sanaa, on the harrowing humanitarian statistics of the Yemen War. Finally, we speak to Andrew Lownie, author of ‘The Mountbattens’.
On this episode of Going Underground, ahead of the UK General Election in December, we speak to BAFTA-award winning director Ken Loach and BAFTA-award winning writer Paul Laverty on their new film ‘Sorry We Missed You’, highlighting how family living is facing an uphill struggle since the 2008 financial crash in the neoliberal gig economy. They discuss the film, the illusion of choice in the free market and how it damages workers’ rights, the hardship of workers in gig economy jobs, the rise of Amazon and how companies like Amazon show capitalism can’t be regulated, the culture of shaming the poor and lauding entrepreneurs, the ignoring of corporate fraud and the continuous focus on welfare fraud, why the ideology of socialism still faces difficulty after the collapse of the Soviet Union and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Abdullah Abdullah, a presidential candidate who has claimed victory in Afghanistan’s elections, about his meeting with a group of bipartisan representatives led by Nancy Pelosi, the conditions needed in Afghanistan for a full US withdrawal, his thoughts on NATO forces in the country, the West’s previous support for the Taliban, and more!
Next, we speak to Leila Howe, the former editor of Race Today, about her new book ‘Here To Stay, Here to Fight.’ She also discusses racist and sexist abuse against Dianne Abbott, FBI infiltration of Black Panther-inspired groups, and the difference between the activism of previous generations and the activism of the current generation.
On this episode of Going Underground, legendary former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters discusses WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s latest extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court and why it makes him ashamed to be English, why he believes the UK and US are attempting to kill Julian, why the extradition case shouldn’t even be happening and is a mockery of British justice, the mass protests in Chile against the neoliberal US-backed President Sebastián Piñera, and how the military crackdown is reminiscent of the Pinochet era. Finally, we speak to Priscillia Ludosky, one of the founders of France’s Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vests) movement on the French police’s use of flash-ball riot control guns against protesters, the massive amount of injuries recorded among the protesters, the European Commission’s role in fomenting the anger in France, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to legendary journalist and filmmaker John Pilger about Julian Assange’s latest extradition hearing on Monday, which he attended. He discusses how Assange appeared at the trial, the bias of the judge against the journalist, the lack of mainstream media coverage of his persecution, his health and conditions in Belmarsh Prison, CIA spying on the WikiLeaks founder, and more! Next, we speak to Chris Williamson MP about Assange’s extradition hearing, his motion in the House of Commons to condemn his treatment, why his persecution is of international importance, the silence of mainstream media on Julian Assange, the lack of vocal outrage from Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour front bench over Assange’s treatment, and more! Finally, Going Underground’s Deputy Editor Charlie Cooke discusses Boris Johnson’s plan to introduce mandatory voter ID at elections, which many suggest is a plot to suppress minority voters.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to whistleblower Katharine Gun about the film depicting her attempts to stop the Iraq War, ‘Official Secrets,’ starring Keira Knightley. She discusses how the US tried to spy on and blackmail countries in the UN to support the Iraq War, Britain’s role in that process, the aftermath of the leaks, and more! Next, we speak to former SNP MP Paul Monaghan about unrest in Catalonia following the sentencing of Catalan independence leaders, the EU’s silence on the persecution of Catalonians and their leaders, whether Spain is returning to the days of General Franco, and more! Finally, we speak to the lawyer for exiled Catalonian minister Clara Ponsati, Aamer Anwar, who says the EU cannot point at other countries for human rights abuses while ignoring Spain’s repression of Catalonia. He also discusses the likelihood of Catalonian independence, why the protests won’t stop, the history of Spanish repression in Catalonia, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Egemen Bağış, the Turkish Ambassador-Designate to the Czech Republic and top adviser to President Erdogan on Turkey’s invasion of north-eastern Syria.
He discusses why Turkey views the PYD and YPG as the offspring of the PKK, how Turkey will build its own military-industrial complex as sanctions mount, whether Turkey has a problem with Kurds in general, what Erdogan did with Trump’s letter telling him ‘not to be a tough guy,’ and more!
Next, we speak to former co-leader of the Kurdish PYD Salih Muslim who talks about whether the agreement between Kurdish forces and Bashar Assad was inevitable, whether the PYD has ever received funding from the CIA and whether the PYD has any links with the PKK. He also labels President Erdogan as being ‘like Hitler’ and comments on his threats to release 3.6 million Syrian refugees into Europe.
Finally, we speak to Game of Thrones’ star Jerome Flynn, who plays Bronn in the hit series, regarding the Extinction Rebellion protests that have taken over London for nearly two weeks. He discusses the backlash against the disruption caused by the activists and why the disruption is the government’s fault, why this kind of protest is necessary to prevent climate disaster, the alarming warnings by the CCC on the British government’s inaction on climate change, the tube protest incident which saw Extinction Rebellion protesters beaten up, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the UK’s former ambassador to Libya Peter Millett where Afshin Rattansi challenges him on the points Moussa Ibrahim brought in his interview a short while ago. Millett discusses why this was not a solely NATO intervention, whether the West regrets the Libya intervention following the last 8 years of chaos, Gaddafi’s alleged misuse of oil wealth and poverty in the country leading up to the revolution, he answers allegations of NATO backing dictators and more! Next we speak to #MeToo whistleblower and actress Rose McGowan to uncover this week’s buried stories including Extinction Rebellion protests in London, the sentencing of Catalunya’s independence leaders in Spain, the persecution of Chelsea Manning and more! Finally we speak to Margy Kinmonth, the director of Revolution: New Art for a New World, discussing the role of art in our understanding of the October Revolution led by Lenin in 1917, the demise of many famous Russian artists after the rise of Joseph Stalin, the opportunities granted to female artists following the revolution and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Geoffrey Robertson QC of Doughty St Chambers about the Supreme Court overturning Boris Johnson’s 5 week prorogation of Parliament, the US protecting an NSA spy’s wife as she is wanted by the police for the death of a teenager, US military bases in the U.K. and the question of sovereignty, updates on former Brazilian President Lula Da Silva’s imprisonment and more!
Next we speak to film director Stanley Nelson Jr. and Erin Davis (son of Miles Davis) about the new film ‘Miles Davis: Birth of Cool’ which focuses on the life of the jazz legend. They discuss Miles’ political leanings, the racism he faced from the US police, whether things have improved from Miles’ era for African Americans, Miles’ actions regarding apartheid South Africa and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former alleged MI6 spy in Al-Qaeda, Aimen Dean, about the Turkish invasion of Northern Syria controlled by Kurdish groups such as the YPG and SDF, why Turkey’s Erdogan has fallen for a trap, why Trump’s withdrawal from Northern Syria is to save NATO, how Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to respond to this development and what the future holds for the Kurds in Syria. We also discuss the Saudi Aramco oil facility attack and why Dean believes this to be a false flag perpetrated by the Saudis, not Iran, the Iraq protests and why Western media isn’t covering them, and more!
Next, we speak to Republican candidate for Florida’s 20th district Lateresa Jones, who discusses why Trump’s wall must be built, the Democrats’ campaign to impeach Donald Trump, unemployment issues in her own district, and more!
Finally, we speak to progressive Democratic candidate and former staffer for Andrew Yang’s campaign, Jonathon Herzog, (running for New York’s 10th district) about the issues facing his district, why the US needs to pursue a more peaceful foreign policy, his ‘democracy dollars’ policy designed to combat the influence of big donors in politics, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former President of Ecuador Rafael Correa on the uprising taking place in Ecuador against President Lenin Moreno’s austerity budget, whether the violence is likely to get worse, why Moreno refuses to bring the elections forward, whether Moreno can survive the crisis and the prospect of a civil war in the country. He also discusses the persecution of Julian Assange and the hypocrisy of his imprisonment and the revelations of spying against Julian Assange and himself.
Next we speak to Julian Assange’s father, John Shipton, about his son’s condition following his visit to Belmarsh prison, growing support across the world for Assange, why the British judiciary should not follow the whim of the United States, the CIA spying on Julian Assange inside the Ecuadorian embassy and more.
Finally, we speak to Deborah Mattinson, the founder of BritainThinks and WorldThinks on the likelihood of Jeremy Corbyn repeating his 2017 general election performance against Boris Johnson, why Boris Johnson is seen in a more positive light than Corbyn in the eyes of British voters, the accuracy of polling after notoriously incorrect predictions in previous elections and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Muammar Gaddafi’s spokesperson during the Libyan civil war in part two of our interview with him. He discusses Gaddafi’s life as a revolutionary and a leader, the economic, political and geopolitical mistakes he made, and the Libyan government which eventually led to the events of 2011 and Gaddafi’s downfall. The former spokesman also discusses Gaddafi’s attempts to create SATO (South Atlantic Treaty Organization), his African unity projects such as the Gold Dinar and the African Union, the threat of capitalism to African independence, the prospect of Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi becoming the leader of Libya, the West’s role in the chaos of Libya, and much more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Muammar Gaddafi’s spokesperson during the Libyan Civil War, Moussa Ibrahim. He discusses his role as Gaddafi’s spokesperson, the allegations of crimes committed by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, and how Gaddafi loyalists have been proven right – eight years after the Libyan Civil War ended. He also explains how the West is to blame for Libya’s turmoil, how he survived the war, how he’s been aiding Libya’s Green Resistance, and how Gaddafi’s government’s predictions came true on terrorism, extremism and tribal conflict plaguing Libya following the leader’s downfall.
We speak to Iranian Ambassador to the UN Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh. He discusses Rouhani and Zarif’s trip to the UN General Assembly and whether US efforts of maximum pressure and isolation are succeeding, accusations that Iran was behind the Saudi Aramco oil field attack, why the attack was an act of defense by the Yemeni people, the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and more!
Next, we speak to former Minister of State at the Home Office and former Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker on Jeremy Corbyn’s plan to scrap Universal Credit and the new revelations that a Twitter executive is a British Army information warfare unit reservist. Finally, we speak to Dr. Shashi Tharoor of the Indian National Congress on India’s national holiday marking the 150th birthday of Gandhi. He discusses whether Gandhi’s secular vision for India still survives, whether Savarkar’s and Golwalkar’s Hindutva will be shaping the Indian constitution and politics, the Kashmir crisis, Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s threat of nuclear war with India, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Regina Ip, a member of Hong Kong’s Executive and Legislative Council, about the continuing protests, how the Hong Kong SAR government has listened to some of the demands of protesters, and biased Western coverage of the protests. We also discuss the police force’s response to unrest compared to that of Western law enforcers, and why she says Hong Kong’s governance was more efficient under British rule!
Next, we speak to Sevim Dagdelen, deputy leader of Die Linke (the Left Party), about rising tensions between the United States and Iran, the possibility of war with Tehran, and what must be done to de-escalate the situation. She also explains why Boris Johnson is America’s latest poodle in Britain, how Die Linke plans to improve its poor electoral record to oppose Merkel’s government, and more! Finally, we speak to Mark Fernyhough about his latest single, ‘Divided Cities,’ Brexit and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Afghan Presidential candidate Ahmad Wali Masoud on his vision for the country, how he will tackle terrorism and the radical theology of the Taliban, the failure of the War on Terror in Afghanistan and what new approaches must be taken to fight terror, whether he fears for his life as a presidential candidate and more! Next, we speak to DeAndre Carter, Democratic candidate for North Carolina’s 1stCongressional district about progressives vs the DNC, why the DNC is out of touch with the people in terms of policies, why the impeachment inquiry launched against Trump is, in his view, a ploy to protect Joe Biden, whether the DNC will look to rig the primary against Bernie Sanders again and how progressives will win against the DNC and mainstream media machine!
On this special episode of Going Underground, we speak to senior curator at Tate Britain for pre-1800 British Art, Martin Myrone, about the new William Blake exhibition. He discusses the political leanings of Blake and how he is claimed by both left and right, his opposition to capitalism and much of the modern world, his disgust at problems observed in the Commons such as poverty, his pacifism and how these themes are expressed in his poetry and his art.
Next, we speak to American historian Peter Linebaugh about his new book ‘Red Round Globe Hot Burning’, whose title originates from one of William Blake’s poems on the Haitian slave revolt. Linebaugh goes on to discuss the importance of Catherine and Edward Despard, how Ireland was the first victim of English colonialism and became an experimental graveyard, how neoliberalism is a reaction against popular grassroots demands, and more! Finally we speak to economist and adviser to the Labour Party, Guy Standing, on his new book ‘Plunder of the Commons: A Manifesto for Sharing Public Wealth’, how Britain’s public resources have been systematically privatised and how harmful this has been for our society, the privatization of water, the NHS and public spaces and why this must be reversed.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to a teacher who has joined Extinction Rebellion, Tim Jones, about the Global Climate Strikes, what Extinction Rebellion’s demands are in fighting climate change, how democracy is central to the movement, and the role of children and young people in the climate strikes. Next, we speak to progressive Democratic candidate Lawrence Nathaniel, running in South Carolina’s SC-D2 district, about the Green New Deal, the rise of AOC and the progressives in the party, the DNC’s hostility towards progressivism, and why he can no longer support Joe Biden. Finally, we speak to Humphrey Milles, the founder of COPI and addresspollution.org about the true cost of air pollution on our NHS, its rising lethality, how Oxford Circus is one of the most dangerous places for air pollution and how it must be tackled.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the Jerusalem Post’s editor-in-chief, Yaakov Katz, about the results of the Israeli elections. He tells us how Netanyahu’s plan to lower Arab voter turnout backfired, about the ostracization of certain groups during the vote, the success of the Arab parties, the war-like situation between Iran and Israel, the prospect of Jeremy Corbyn coming to power in the UK, and more! Next, we speak to Kristinn Hraffnson, editor-in-chief of Wikileaks, about the latest reports regarding Julian Assange including his controlled moves around Belmarsh, his lack of access to lawyers, and his health condition. Finally, we speak to Leana Hosea about her film ‘Thirst for Justice’ showing at the Raindance Film Festival, which highlights the number of covered-up nuclear disasters in the US, and how millions of Americans are drinking unsafe water.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the deputy chair of the Republican People’s Party of Turkey and former Turkish ambassador to the UK, Unal Cevikoz, about the Saudi Aramco oil field bombing and tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. We also discuss progress in the trilateral negotiations between Iran, Turkey and Russia, Assad’s strength in Syria, and more! Next, we speak to former Liberal Democrat MP and ex-minister of state at the Home Office Norman Baker about the week’s top stories including Sam Gyimah’s defection to the Lib Dems, and David Cameron’s new book in which he claims ‘to do nothing in Libya was to facilitate murder.’ We also look at a report that Assange will remain in prison after his sentence expires. Finally, we speak to SNP MP Angus MacNeil about Jo Swinson’s attempt to rebrand herself as ‘stop Brexit’ when her past shows she was in favor of a Brexit referendum. He also explains how the SNP will fight the Lib Dems and Tories at the next election, and why the Yellowhammer no-deal Brexit government report isn’t scaremongering – it’s a very realistic scenario.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad H. Mansour about Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest threat to illegally annex parts of the West Bank and his threat to start a war in Gaza. Mansour looks at the motivations for these escalations, attributing them to Netanyahu’s election campaign and blames the US for allowing this further shift in Israeli policy. Next we speak to David Devin, the lawyer for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged “principle architect of the 9/11 attacks,” on the likelihood of Mohammed’s prosecution after years of CIA torture and human rights abuses at Guantanamo Bay, arguing that US practices may have made his prosecution more difficult.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Mike Gravel on the firing of John Bolton. He says Bolton was close to starting a war with Iran and is the reason for the current hostility between the US, Russia, and China and also says the only hope for a peaceful US foreign policy is Bernie Sanders and Tulsi Gabbard. Next, we speak to Sir David King about the climate emergency and how fracking is accelerating climate change at an unprecedented rate. He also explains the causes of climate change and reveals that we must also refreeze the poles if we are to have any chance of fighting it. Finally, we speak to economist and head of research at IIPP at UCL, Josh Ryan-Collins on the European Central Bank’s latest measures to bolster the Eurozone, which includes cutting the deposit facility rate and another round of quantitative easing. He also discusses the housing crisis in the West and what governments can do to tackle it.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to ex-attorney general Lord Morris about the prorogation of parliament and the challenges faced by those who wish to take it to the courts, the potential for Boris Johnson to break the law and continue with a no-deal Brexit despite parliament mandating an extension. He says he would resign if he were part of Boris Johnson’s government. Next, we speak to Peter Kennard, one of the nation’s leading visual journalists, about Arts Against the Arms Fair and his new book ‘Visual Dissent.’ He discusses some of his most famous work, including his portrayal of Henry Kissinger, as well as governments and elites gambling with children’s lives. He also discusses BAE Systems and the arms industry, and how they work hand-in-hand with governments.
In this season finale special episode of Going Underground, we speak to legendary journalist and filmmaker John Pilger on a round-up of all the latest issues. Pilger describes the current state of global affairs as a state of world war, saying that the ‘coming war on China’ he warned about… has now arrived, he also discusses the Hong Kong protests and why they have grown, along with US involvement in the unrest. He talks about the collapse of the global nuclear arms control framework, with the ending of the INF Treaty, and the beginning of a new arms race with Russia, amid a situation which he describes as Washington’s goal to break up the Russian Federation under Putin. He also warns of the increased risk of nuclear war as nuclear superpowers, such as Pakistan and India, experience major tensions between each other. Pilger also discusses his concern over John Bolton being at the ear of Donald Trump, how Brexit, as a weapon of mass distraction in the UK, has deflected attention away from the most pressing issues at home (such as austerity and the NHS) and abroad. He slams sanctions on Venezuela and Iran and also updates us on the condition of Wikileaks founder and publisher Julian Assange, after he visited him recently in Belmarsh Prison.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to legendary actor Steven Berkoff about Donald Trump, who he calls one of the ‘great villains’ of the 21st century. He also discusses gun violence in the US in the wake of tragic mass shootings, the arms industry, Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin, and why he staunchly opposes Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party. He also discusses the barriers women face in the film industry, compares the US and European film industries, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Carter Page, former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, about the collapse of the Trump-Russia scandal and the Mueller investigation, how Christopher Steele’s allegations led to the media buying his misinformation for years, how he has been personally affected by Russiagate, and more. Next, we speak to Dr Jason Hickel from the Labour Party’s taskforce on international development about climate change, how cutting beef consumption will drastically help environmental efforts, a green new deal, why we must stop focusing on GDP as a measure of progress, why poverty is increasing – despite what Bill Gates says – and more.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Deng Xiaoping’s former translator and Director of the China National Association of International Studies Victor Gao on the Hong Kong protests where he strongly warns against US efforts for regime change in Hong Kong. He also slams the US’ current efforts of regime change through the National Endowment for Democracy, discusses whether China will directly intervene in Hong Kong, the current US-China trade war and China’s position on India revoking Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir.Next we speak to legendary polling expert Sir John Curtice about a likely general election this autumn, he gives his thoughts on whether a general election could be before or after Brexit, why this will be the most unique election in British history, how the Conservatives will need to suppress the Brexit Party for even a small majority, Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour’s chances in an upcoming election and more!Finally we speak to Nasser Arrabyee on the recent developments in the Yemen War, where UAE-backed separatists captured Aden. He goes over an alleged split between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, whether Britain could get involved and how effective British troops would be on the ground and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Shahmir Sanni, the whistleblower from the Vote Leave campaign about Boris Johnson’s new top adviser Dominic Cummings, Vote Leave’s alleged violations of electoral law, evidence he has provided to the Metropolitan Police about alleged Vote Leave illegality, Boris Johnson’s claim that Vote Leave won legally, and more!
Next, we speak to Karim Asad Ahmed Khan, the UNITAD Special Adviser on Iraq, about Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) survivors and the progress made to prosecute IS war criminals, the scale of the atrocities during IS rule, accusations of the UK funding IS and more. Finally, we speak to actress and #MeToo whistleblower Rose McGowan on about her new album Planet 9, whether America has been broken in the Donald Trump era, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subramanian Swamy on the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s Article 370. He discusses why the revocation is about equality and why it needed to happen, Imran Khan’s comments that the BJP and Modi are modern-day Nazis, the terror threat in the Kashmir valley and how India will counter it, allegations of the move being undemocratic, what India plans to do with an integrated Jammu and Kashmir and more!
Next, we speak to Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Mohammad Nafees Zakaria on how Pakistan will respond to India’s unilateral decision to revoke Article 370, fears of an upcoming genocide by the Indian Army against Kashmiris, alleged attempts to change Kashmir’s demographics, allegations of Pakistan funding terrorism in Indian-occupied Kashmir, and why the international community must intervene in the crisis and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Indian author and Director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research Vijay Prashad on India’s revocation of Article 370 and the 35th Amendment for Jammu and Kashmir. He discusses this as a sign that Indian federalism is under threat and that the BJP wants an authoritarian, centralized India, why the move was anti-democratic and will alienate Kashmiris, why viewing Kashmir through the lens of terrorism is narrow, his belief that a deal was done between India and China to allow India to revoke Article 370 and for China to keep Aksai Chin and also the imprisonment of Brazil’s Lula Da Silva. Next we speak to the Grayzone’s Aaron Mate on the collapse of Russiagate and the Mueller investigation, sanctions on Venezuela and regime change efforts, regime change efforts against Iran and why they’re doomed to fail and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to UN Sanctions Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy about the escalating crisis between the US and Iran, why sanctions never achieve their goals of regime change, how endless sanctions without room for negotiation could mean war, US sanctions killing 40,000+ in Venezuela, and more! Next, we speak to Lizzie O’Shea, author of ‘Future Histories,’ on the history of mass surveillance and policing, how police and mass surveillance have been used throughout history and today to protect class interests and maintain the status quo, how big tech companies are inhibiting freedom, and why the technological revolution has disappointed!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to UN Undersecretary General Sir Mark Lowcock on the Yemen crisis, he discusses the worsening humanitarian situation, the degradation of civilian infrastructure, and the looming possibility of the world’s worst environmental crisis if the SAFER oil tanker facility explodes or collapses. Next, we speak to former minister of state at the Home Office Norman Baker for this week’s latest stories, including the Tories’ loss to the Lib Dems in the Brecon by-election and what this means for Boris Johnson, Tulsi Gabbard directly accusing Trump of supporting Al-Qaeda in Syria, corporate courts after Brexit, and the Cameroon conflict turning climate-stressed farmers into ‘food beggars.’ Finally, we speak to Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD for Sinn Fein regarding the likelihood of a united Ireland after a no-deal Brexit, whether the island of Ireland is prepared for such an outcome, his thoughts on Boris Johnson’s cabinet appointments such as Home Secretary Priti Patel who famously threatened to starve Ireland, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to a Labour peer in the House of Lords, Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe, on Boris Johnson’s government heading towards a no-deal Brexit, the impact it will have on the poorest in society, his thoughts on Boris Johnson’s new cabinet and aides, and why he isn’t optimistic about Labour winning a general election under Jeremy Corbyn. Next, we speak to Going Underground’s deputy editor Charlie Cooke about Johnson’s cabinet and the controversies surrounding Home Secretary Priti Patel and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. Finally, we speak to Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Seyed Sajjadpour on the recent incidents involving tankers in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, how Iran will deal with the UK seizing Iran’s tanker, the lessons learned by Iranians over the US withdrawing from the JCPOA and why Iran does not accept Mike Pompeo’s and the US’ requests for negotiations!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the UK’s former ambassador to Libya, Peter Millett, about the rise of General Khalifa Haftar, why he has allies in the international community, why his brute military force is not the answer to Libya’s crisis, allegations of UK backing of Islamist and jihadist groups in Libya, and more. Next, we speak to Muammar Gaddafi’s former health minister and former minister of foreign affairs, Dr Mustafa El Zaidi, about why General Haftar has popular appeal in Libya, why the UN-backed government in Tripoli is doomed to fall, the government’s use of militias, the his accusations of the West being set out to destroy Libya from the start, not just to remove Gaddafi, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to ex-UKIP MP Douglas Carswell about his opinion on Boris Johnson becoming prime minister, what it will mean for Brexit, his plans to shake-up the perceived anti-Brexit Whitehall, what Dominic Cummings (the former head of the Vote Leave campaign) becoming a senior aide to Boris Johnson means, and the possibility of a no-deal Brexit! Next, we speak to Ian Paisley Jr MP on the likelihood of a United Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the likelihood of Northern Irish people voting for reunification, the DUP’s confidence and supply agreement with the Conservative Party, whether this will change with Boris Johnson’s premiership, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Consultant Editor of the Daily Mail Andrew Pierce about Boris Johnson winning the Tory leadership contest, how long he thinks Boris Johnson will last before a no confidence motion, why Tory MPs are less likely to rebel against him, the crisis in the Labour Party and more. Next, we speak to Sinn Féin’s Mickey Brady MP, who states Sinn Féin’s position on Boris Johnson, how Ireland’s Leo Varadkar should stand firm with the EU in negotiating with Boris and whether a no-deal Brexit could make a reunited Ireland more likely. Finally, we speak to Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Dr. Rupert Read on how Extinction Rebellion will approach a Boris Johnson premiership, whether XR has plans for more mass protests and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Dr. Gabor Maté on the Tory leadership election and his opinion on favourite-to-win Boris Johnson, anti-Semitism allegations against Jeremy Corbyn, crimes of Israel against Palestinians, capitalism and its creation of social problems, the Democratic Party and how it lost to Donald Trump and how it uses Russiagate to escape responsibility for their loss and how mainstream media limits debate. Next we speak to Wang Huiyao, advisor to the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government, about the US versus China trade war, whether the Chinese economy is stagnating, how China has contributed to global prosperity and China’s position on tensions between the US and Iran!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former Congressman Ron Paul on recent tensions with Iran. He discusses Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran Deal (JCPOA), the news that his son Rand Paul may be appointed as a special liaison to negotiate with Iran, why the US needs to stop interfering in the Middle East, why NATO needs to dissolve and more. Next we speak to space race historian John Logsdon on the secrets of the space race such as Hitler’s rocket scientist in charge of NASA’s flight program, a possible joint Soviet-US moon landing had JFK not been assassinated, possible human presence on Mars, the US using Russian Soyuz rockets for the last 10 years and the threat of asteroids.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Notis Mitarachi, the Deputy Minister for Social Security in the New Democracy government in Greece. He discusses why Syriza lost the election, whether austerity is coming to an end in Greece, human rights issues in Greece, including conditions for refugees, how Greece can find its way out of the economic crisis, and more! Next we speak to former Minister of State at the Home Office Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) about this week’s top stories, including a poll which has Labour finishing in first place in a hypothetical general election, Diane Abbott’s column in The Independent saying the government’s compensation on Windrush is not enough, mainstream media ignoring the continuing Yellow Vests protests and an Israeli government minister supporting gay conversion therapy and calling for Palestinians’ right to vote to be taken away. Finally, we speak to Prof. Seyed Mohammad Marandi on escalating US-Iran tensions, the UK seizing an Iranian tanker allegedly bound for Syria, US sanctions amounting to war crimes, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Charlie Cooke, Deputy Editor of Going Underground, about Theresa May’s last week in office and the controversies around her flagship policy – Universal Credit. Next we speak to Sergei Polunin on taking on the ballet establishment, how he was blacklisted from entering his home country of Ukraine, his support for Vladimir Putin and Russia, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, how to beat the establishment after being shunned by it, and more!
We speak to the adviser to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Paul Oquist Kelley, on the Sandinista Revolution 40 years on, the history of the Nicaraguan fight against US imperialism, accusations of human rights abuses under Daniel Ortega after the failed coup attempt last year, LGBT rights in Nicaragua, and the Defend Media Conference which RT and Sputnik were barred from. Next we speak to Game of Thrones star Jerome Flynn, who plays Bronn in the series about US-style factory farms coming to the UK, how present meat production methods are destroying the planet, the climate change emergency, Extinction Rebellion and its meteoric rise, the ‘growth at all costs’ attitude of neoliberal politicians, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Donald Trump’s former White House director of communications about US taxpayers bailing out the banks, British Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch’s leaked diplomatic cables calling Trump ‘inept’ and ‘clumsy,’ how this will affect the relationship between the US and UK, and the motivation behind the leak. He also discusses a potential future trade deal with the UK, the conflict between Donald Trump and the Federal Reserve, allegations of concentration camps on the US border, his support for Tulsi Gabbard, and opposition to US wars and Trump’s Deal of the Century proposal for Palestine and Israel. Next, we speak to Marc Wadsworth, activist and former member of the Labour Party, about Chris Williamson MP’s suspension from the party, and the letter signed by 100+ members of the Jewish community in support of Chris, which was taken down by the Guardian, Trump’s Deal of the Century and why it effectively tells Palestinians to surrender their national rights.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Cherie Blair QC about her case defending Russian businesswoman Masha Lazareva, who has been imprisoned for over 400 days in a Kuwaiti jail. Next, we speak to Prince Charles’ adviser Sir Jonathon Porritt about climate change, impending climate disaster, big oil corporate sponsorships, the need for immediate renewable energy investment, Extinction Rebellion, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Liana Kanelli, member of the Hellenic Parliament for the Communist Party of Greece about the upcoming Greek elections, the projected defeat of the far-right Golden Dawn, Syriza’s turn from revolution to enforcing EU austerity, having no hope for a government led by Syriza or New Democracy, and Brussels ruling her country. Next, we speak to Dr. Yousef Jabareen, Arab-Israeli MP, on the upcoming Palestine expo, Trump’s alliance with Netanyahu, and his thoughts on the ‘Deal of the Century’. Finally, we speak to Asifa Lahore, Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen about growing up during the era of Section 28 and facing homophobic bullying growing up, the role of trans women in the fight for LGBT rights, including in the Stonewall Riots, and how LGBT rights is progressing on the Asian continent!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Stefania Maurizion on taking her four-year legal battle to access Assange’s extradition files to the UK upper tribunal, why this extradition case is a case against journalists everywhere, how Julian Assange’s health has been systematically ‘destroyed,’ and why the WikiLeaks co-founder can’t get a fair trial without full access to these files. Next, we speak to former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik on the EU standing up to the US over Iran sanctions, the Israeli bombardment of Syria killing Syrian children, Boris Johnson’s backing of bankers, and the emerging threat of deep sea mining. Finally, we speak to award-winning director Philippe Faucon on his film ‘Amin,’ depicting the life of a Senegalese immigrant facing social dislocation, isolation and eventually love in France.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the Trump campaign’s foreign policy adviser, George Papadopolous, about UK interference in the 2016 election, how Britain kept tabs on him regularly, the British establishment’s focus on Russia and NATO throughout the campaign, and Boris Johnson’s links to the CIA. Next, we speak to Chris Williamson MP in an exclusive interview after his suspension by the Labour Party was lifted. This interview was recorded before Labour suspended Williamson again. Chris talks about how he wants to unite with the Board of Deputies of British Jews to fight anti-Semitism, what Corbyn’s possible election could mean for world peace, and more.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to UN Yemen mediator Ahmed Alshami on the rescinding of his invitation by Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP to the UK Parliament, how he has been confused as a Houthi negotiator when he is a UN mediator, how the West is isolating all anti-war Yemenis by only concentrating on Houthis, allegations of anti-Semitism and more! Next Going Underground’s Farhaan Ahmed speaks to Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry about the climate emergency, what Labour will do to tackle the climate crisis, and what the fight against climate change means to her on a personal level. Finally, we speak to Vijay Prashad, chief editor of LeftWord Books about his new book ‘Red Star Over the Third World,’ the Russian revolution’s impact on the colonised world, the early growing relationship between Islam and revolutionary communism, the growing relationship between the US, the CIA and radical Islam, and how we must take inspiration from Lenin’s outlook before the 1917 revolution!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Japan’s former representative to the IMF, Daisuke Kotegawa, about the upcoming G20 summits, the West’s hypocrisy on lecturing the East on economics, barriers preventing the nationalization of banks in the West, Donald Trump’s threats against Iran, why he is escalating sanctions, and more! Next, we speak to Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees on the upcoming Starmus conference, the future of space travel, why the private sector should be more involved in space travel, the role of robots in space travel, the possibility of a post-human Martian species, nuclear war, bioterrorism, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to UN Rapporteur on Housing Leilani Farha about the causes of the global housing crisis, how big finance caused rocketing rents, the corporations behind real estate investment strategies that have caused the crisis, and more. Next, we speak to Shalini Patel, a public lawyer who represents victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, about Theresa May’s efforts to tackle these issues, alleged incompetence at the Home Office, and incredibly low standards for its trafficking department. Finally, we chat to Anne-Frederique Widmann, director of ‘FREE MEN – the Life and Injustice of Kenneth Reams on Death Row.’ She discusses the tragic real life story of Kenneth Reams.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former Conservative and UKIP MP Douglas Carswell about his new book ‘Progress vs Parasites,’ the secrets behind the rise of China and India, the media and politicians being out of touch with the British populace before Brexit, a repudiation of Marx’s outlook on human history, and more! Next, we speak to Mic Dixon, director of the War School documentary, about the militarization of British schoolchildren via seemingly benign programs to educate kids about the military... but as Mic Dixon reveals, these programs allegedly have arguably sinister agendas.
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.
We also discuss 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, tensions 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 the former head of the IMF and former caretaker prime minister of Italy, Carlo Cottarelli, about the perceived future Italian budget deficit and confidence crisis, Euroskepticism and populism, as well as possible solutions to Italy’s ongoing economic woes. Next, we speak to conservative American writer, David Horowitz, about what he believes is the left’s agenda to destroy the dominant religion in America, leftist totalitarianism, why he calls Iran the ‘modern day Nazis,’ and more. Finally, we talk to Iranian Professor Seyed Mohammed Marandi about Horowitz’s allegations that Iran is medieval and barbaric. He also discusses the Gulf of Oman tanker incident, which Western powers such as the US and UK allege was Tehran’s doing.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Dr Gabor Mate, who discusses the second anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the impact of austerity on the UK, why drugs they are becoming so prevalent in today’s society, the role of Tory leadership favorite Boris Johnson in creating an environment in which drugs and addiction are booming, as well as the ongoing persecution of Julian Assange. Next, we speak to John Shipton, Julian Assange’s father, after he visited his son in Belmarsh Prison. Finally, we speak to former Icelandic minister of the interior Ogmundur Jonasson about how he expelled a team of FBI investigators who were trying to frame WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange.
Two years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, we speak to a Grenfell activist and member of a council that scrutinizes the government and local council policy, Joe Delaney, on the government’s inadequate response to the tragedy, racist comments made about the area, an attitude of “get over it,” and Theresa May’s alleged inhumanity over Grenfell. Next, we speak to Pat Mason on the rehousing situation of Grenfell victims, inadequate government relief policy on Grenfell Tower, and Mike Pompeo threatening to intervene in UK politics to stop Jeremy Corbyn from becoming prime minister. We speak to Morya Samuel, co-founder of Justice4Grenfell, about fire safety not being taken seriously before and after the tragedy and whether justice can be achieved. Finally, Lowkey plays us out with his tribute song, Ghosts of Grenfell.
On this episode of Going Underground, first we speak to Chris Williamson, MP, on Labour’s victory in the Peterborough by-election, the OPCW Syria leaks which implicate the militants and not Assad in the Douma chemical attack, British bombing of Syria and more. Next, we speak to the Syrian Network for Human Rights’ Fadel Abdul Ghani, on allegations that the Syrian government bombarded civilian areas, how any moderate rebels can still exist when they are fighting alongside Hayyat Tahrir Al-Sham, the escalating tensions in Idlib and more. Finally, we speak to Aleppo MP Fares Shehabi on the claims that the Syrian government has targeted civilian infrastructure, such as places of worship and hospitals (which he labels lies), rocket attacks and terror attacks by the militants against Syrian civilians, and the situation in Idlib.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Hollywood legend Robert Davi on Trump’s state visit to the UK, why he feels Trump is the most honest and real politician, US mainstream media being fake news and immense poverty in the US. Next, we speak to US Civil Rights veteran Jesse Jackson about Trump’s regime-change approach, the president's visit to the UK, Bernie Sanders and his 2020 campaign, Republican gerrymandering and elections-rigging, voter suppression and how he feels about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
We speak to Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shaffer on Trump’s visit to the UK and meeting the BAE Systems chair, increased tensions with Iran despite campaigning on an anti-war ticket, the Russia investigation and contacts between Trump and Russia, and the US’ support for terrorist groups and its disastrous consequences. Next we speak to Howard Beckett of Unite the Union on why Unite and many others joined the anti-Trump protests in London, anti-Semitism allegations against the Labour Party, misogyny, climate change denial, and why Unite protested Trump and not Obama’s state visit, the causes of Brexit, a potential coup against Jeremy Corbyn, and more!
We speak to Republicans Overseas spokesperson Greg Swenson on Trump’s visit to the UK and the anti-Trump protests taking place on the streets of Britain. Next we speak to Matt Taibbi on Julian Assange’s indictment and whether the mainstream media may be turning to Assange’s side.
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.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Alan Dershowitz (Harvard Law professor and former legal adviser to Julian Assange) about the latest indictment against the WikiLeaks founder, the danger it poses to mainstream outlets such as CNN, the New York Times and Washington Post, the silence of most Democrats and Republicans on Assange’s persecution, Donald Trump’s state visit, and more. Next, we speak to Mauritius’ Permanent UN Representative Jagdish Koonjul after the UN General Assembly voted to urge the UK to leave the Chagos Islands. He discusses the UK’s history of occupation of the islands, what he calls ‘unfinished decolonization,’ and why the UK should end its administration of the Chagos Islands.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Jim Rodgers, the author of ‘A Bull in China: Investing Profitably in the World's Greatest Market’, on the US-China trade war, how Trump’s China strategy is hurting America, how sanctions don’t work and how China will withstand America’s onslaught on its economy.
Next we speak to award-winning poet and writer, and lead singer of Benjamin Zephaniah and the Revolutionary Minds, on Brexit and why he voted remain, his political mentor Tony Benn, his personal experience of Britain’s deportations, the establishment blaming music for the rise in youth crime. Benjamin Zephaniah and the Revolutionary Minds plays us out with their new song ‘Cool Down’.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Sanjay Jha, the national spokesperson of the Indian National Congress about the humiliating defeat his party suffered at the hands of the BJP, how the Congress Party will come back, the BJP’s economic failings, it’s threat to minorities, the constitution and democracy.
Next we speak to Ram Madhav, the national general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the BJP’s landslide win and its implications for Indian society and the world, allegations of Islamophobia and quasi-fascism, relations with Pakistan and how India will conduct international relations with a new Cold War between Russia and the US, and a rising China.
Finally we speak to Max Blumenthal of the Grayzone Project on his new book ‘The Management of Savagery’, detailing the West’s history of promoting radical Islam for geopolitical goals, Syria and the latest chemical attack allegations and the situation in Idlib, the US’ increasing sanctions on Venezuela and their destructive effects on Venezuelans and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Iran’s spokesperson during the Iran Deal (JCPOA) negotiations. He discusses Donald Trump’s latest threats delivered via Twitter, the US’ conflicting and confused policy on Iran, whether Iran can resist the US while it lacks nukes and the failure of the EU to deliver its commitments. Next, we speak to Lembit Opik for Broken News where he discusses the top stories including the ‘nuclear coffin’ – radioactive waste from US nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands potentially leaking into the Pacific Ocean, the Intercept’s security breach potentially responsible for sending whistleblower Daniel Hale to prison, and the official report of a massacre in Haiti where children as young as 4 were fatally shot. Finally, we speak to Sean Murray on his new film Unquiet Graves, detailing the British government’s role in the murder of over 120 civilians in counties Armagh & Tyrone (in the north of Ireland) & the Republic of Ireland during the 1970s.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Saad al-Muttalibi, member of the Security Committee in Baghdad’s Provincial Council about escalating US-Iran tensions, including the withdrawal of non-essential US personnel from Iraq, the movement of a carrier strike group to the Persian-Gulf, Iran’s allied Shi’a militias in Iraq and whether Iraq could be a theatre of a US-Iran conflict. Next, we speak to Katherine Kubrick, the daughter of Stanley Kubrick, about the Stanley Kubrick Exhibition in London, the legacy of the legendary films Dr.Strangelove, Full Metal Jacket, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to ex-Mayor of Shiloh in the occupied West Bank David Rubin about Eurovision in Israel, Israeli support for Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants in Syria and whether he directly violated international law by being a mayor of an internationally-recognized occupied town. Next, we speak to Raphi Bloom of North West Friends of Israel about the significance of Eurovision being held in Israel, the IDF’s possible war crimes committed on the Gaza border, BDS and whether the UN is biased against Israel. Finally, we speak to hip-hop star and activist Lowkey on why the world should boycott Eurovision 2019, Israel as a sanctions-proof state, the history of Israeli human rights violations and more! Lowkey also plays us out with his new song Long Live Palestine Part 3.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former South African Minister for Intelligence Services Ronnie Kasrils about the South African elections, the challenges facing South Africa after apartheid, the role of the Communist Party and his perception that it had fallen in line behind President Jacob Zuma, the current state of the African National Congress (ANC) and how the South African anti-apartheid struggle compares to Palestine’s struggle. Next we speak to PressTV's Roshan Salih, the Editor-in-Chief of 5PillarsUK about the escalating tensions between the US and Iran. He discusses the Persian-Gulf tanker incident, Trump reviewing war plans with Iran, Pakistan’s opposition to any war and Iran’s detention of a British councilor. Finally, we speak to Game of Thrones’ Miltos Yerolemou, who plays Syrio Forel, about Brexit, the rise of Jeremy Corbyn and which character Tony Blair is in Game of Thrones!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former MP and author of ‘A Very British Coup’ and ‘The Friends of Harry Perkins’ Chris Mullin, who discusses the history of MI5 and MI6 meddling in UK politics against Labour Party leaders and whether a British coup is underway against Jeremy Corbyn. Next we speak to Joel Benjamin on the covered-up LOBO loans scandal, bankrupting the UK’s local councils after being hit with devastating austerity and the revelations that it is actually the banks of the City of London that control access to local public services. Finally we speak to Adam Kotsko, author of ‘Neoliberal Demons’ about the imposition of neoliberalism on the US and even in Iraq, how it explains the rise of Trump, how progressives are not doing enough to combat the neoliberal orthodoxy and why he fears a new American civil war may be lurking.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Democratic presidential candidate Mike Gravel who discusses why he is joining the race to pull the debate to the left, the nature of his contenders such as Joe Biden, Tulsi Gabbard and Bernie Sanders, US regime change attempts in Venezuela and escalating tension with Iran, Julian Assange’s imprisonment in the UK and the US’ extradition request. Next we speak to Chris Williamson MP, in his first international interview since being suspended by the UK’s Labour Party. He discusses NHS privatisation by stealth with the new GP contracts due to be signed next week, Israeli oppression of Palestinians, Trump’s escalation against Iran and Julian Assange’s on-going imprisonment in Belmarsh Prison.
On this episode of Going Underground we speak to Prof. Guy Standing, the economic adviser to Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell about the economics of the proposed universal basic income and how the fight against climate change can lead to it becoming a reality. Next we speak to the editor of Rai Al-Youm, Abdel Bari Atwan, on some of the week’s top stories including Assange’s ongoing imprisonment at Belmarsh Prison, where Kristinn Hrafnsson and Pamela Anderson visited him in his first social visit since being arrested, resumed conflict between Gaza and Israel as well as Trump’s tweet to Gazans, the US ramping up tensions with Iran by sending a carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf and the West’s war on Libya leading to terrorism in 14 different countries. Finally we speak to Ambassador Joachim Bitterlich, the former NATO Permanent Representative of Germany (1998-1999) about NATO/West-Russia relations, their deterioration and who is to blame for the outbreak of a second Cold War.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former secretary of state for Wales Lord Morris about whether the UK is on the verge of breaking up, 20 years after devolution with Scottish and even Welsh nationalism rising, as well as the prospect of a united Ireland due to Brexit. Next, we speak to Professor Roberto Unger, former Brazilian minister of strategic affairs, about his new book ‘The Knowledge Economy.’ Finally, we talk to Oobah Butler about ‘How to Bull**** Your Way to No.1’ – his new book that he says the one-percent don’t want you to read!
We speak to WikiLeaks Ambassador Joseph Farrell and former Ecuadorian Embassy Consul Rafael Narvaez on the sentencing of Julian Assange to 50 weeks in prison, the possible extradition of Assange to the US, his condition and treatment in prison. Next, we speak to legendary political cartoonist Steve Bell, who discusses his recent artwork depicting Brexit, Netanyahu, Corbyn, and others. He also discusses whether he is censored and takes us inside the mind of a political cartoonist.
On this episode of Going Underground, we review the news with former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone: he discusses US sanctions being responsible for 40,000+ deaths in Venezuela, recommendations that the UK govt should shift support from the arms trade to renewables, the death toll in Yemen passing 230,000 by the end of 2019 and reports that Julian Assange was spied-on by Ecuador’s diplomatic staff at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Next, we speak to MIT Professor Kate Brown, 33 years on from the Chernobyl disaster, about ongoing attempts by nuclear powers to cover up the effects of their nuclear weapons tests and disasters.
We speak to renowned philosopher Slavoj Žižek and discuss the arrest of Chelsea Manning and the campaign by the US to arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange; Brexit and whether the UK was right to leave the EU; the battle for the Democratic Party in the US; the causes of far-right populism and more! Next we speak to Consultant Editor of the Daily Mail Andrew Pierce on the week of chaos in Parliament after Theresa May’s Brexit deal was resoundingly rejected in Meaningful Vote 2, the vote to rule out ‘no-deal’ Brexit, the prospect of an early general election, and more.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Subramanian Swamy, an MP representing Uttar Pradesh’s 200 million people. He discusses the recent escalation between India and Pakistan, ISI support for terrorist groups, Brexit and more. Next, we speak to Dr Jason Hickel, who serves on the Labour Party task force on international development, about inequality, his new book ‘The Divide,’ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jeremy Corbyn. Lastly, we talk to award-winning alto-saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch about Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party, and he plays us out with an exclusive performance!
On this episode of Going Underground, we firstly speak to Prof. Saskia Sassen of Columbia University & the LSE about how high finance needs to be held accountable by the political class and how predatory capitalism is like ethnic cleansing. Next, we speak to Nick Dearden of Global Justice Now for Broken News, where he covers more bloodshed in Palestine & Yemen, Macron’s democratic despotism, and British food standards post-Brexit. Finally, we speak to Prof. Julian Petley of Brunel University, the author of ‘Culture Wars: The Media and the British Left,’ about how the right-wing press has been in continuous conflict with the political left in the UK and how the anti-Semitism propagated by the British press from the 19th century up until WWII has similarities to the Islamophobia they propagate today.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about the current state of the Iranian Nuclear Deal after the US’ withdrawal, the relation between capitalism and oppression, Western involvement in the ongoing war in Yemen, and his distinction between Judaism and Zionism!
In this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Afghan MP Malalai Joya where she warns outside powers about making deals with The Taliban and criticizes the 18-year war by the US and NATO on her country. We also speak with Christian Adams, political cartoonist at the Evening Standard for Broken News; finally, we speak to BAFTA Award-winning artist Alison Jackson on how politics has become like the celebrity world, on Donald Trump’s relationship with the media and on her new show!
In this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Colin Powell’s Chief of Staff Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, who discusses a variety of issues including the recent India-Pakistan conflict in Kashmir, Hezbollah’s designation as a terrorist organization by the UK, and why the US should not fight Hezbollah. He also talks about Israeli nuclear weapons, regime change in Venezuela, and more! Next, we speak to ex-KGB officer Alexander Vassiliev about the Skripal poisonings.
On this episode of Going Underground we speak to ex-Mayor of London Ken Livingstone about the newly formed Independent Group, their electoral chances and his opinion on the ex-Labour MPs who left to join the Independent Group. Next, Lembit Opik joins us for Broken News, discussing the rising tensions between India and Pakistan after India launched airstrikes against an alleged JeM training camp in Pakistani territory, alleged looting by American troops at the site of a British massacre in Afghanistan, Richard Branson’s concert supporting US efforts to get US humanitarian aid into Venezuela, and Southern Rail workers pouring dirty water on a homeless man. Finally we speak to Sam Friedman, the co-author of ‘The Class Ceiling: Why it Pays to be Privileged’ on how certain sectors of the UK economy are closed off to non-elites and those who do not uphold elite interests.
In this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Nafees Zakaria on the recent outbreak of conflict between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan in Kashmir, allegations of Pakistan’s ISI supporting terrorism, relations with China and Saudi Arabia, and the conflict in Yemen. Next, we speak to John and Geraldine Finucane, the son and widow of Pat Finucane, the Irish human rights lawyer murdered in his home by loyalist paramilitaries, in collusion with MI5. They discuss the need for a public inquiry and why there are suspicions of a cover-up by the British state.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Dr Bouthaina Shaaban, political and media adviser to Syrian President Bashar Assad, about America's withdrawal from Syria, Israeli strikes on the country, the West's lack of understanding regarding the Middle East, the Islamist threat, and ISIS bride Shamima Begum. Next, we speak to Poul Michelsen, the Faroe Islands' minister for trade and foreign affairs, about the new trade deal it has signed with the UK.
On this season finale of Going Underground, we speak to Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters on the arrest of Julian Assange. He calls on the UK to rise up to oppose Assange’s extradition, labels the UK a satellite state of the US empire for arresting Assange, and attacks the government of Lenin Moreno for revoking his asylum. Next we speak to UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer, who was due to visit Assange to assess his condition at the Ecuadorian Embassy. He discusses the risk of Assange not receiving a fair trial and possibly facing the death penalty, and what his potential long-term imprisonment means for freedom worldwide!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Greg Palast on the arrest of Julian Assange and his possible extradition to the US, some of the biggest WikiLeaks revelations ever, ‘apartheid’ in US elections, the US’ ongoing attempts at regime change in Venezuela, the Koch Brothers actions in US elections, and more! Next, we speak to Lord Desai on the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by the British Empire in Amritsar, Punjab, India. He discusses the legacy of the massacre on the Indian independence movement, why the UK refuses to teach its colonial era massacres in schools, and how the colonial mentality continues to prevail in British politics today.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to legendary journalist and filmmaker John Pilger, who discusses the arrest of Julian Assange after his asylum status was revoked by Lenin Moreno, and his 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. 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.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Fein about Brexit and the legacy of Bobby Sands. Next we speak to Hussain Albukhaiti from Sanaa where he discusses the bombing of Al Raei school in Yemen by the US and UK-backed Saudi-led coalition, UK and US arms sales to the Saudis and the damaging impact this bombing will have on the surviving Yemeni schoolchildren. Finally, we speak to Graham Hancock about his new book, America Before: The Key to Earth’s Lost Civilization. He discusses how dogmatism in archaeology has covered up 130,000 years of human history in the Americas and evidence of advanced civilizations that lived in the Americas thousands of years ago, which challenges colonial narratives of uncivilized natives incapable of high culture.
On this episode of Going Underground we speak to UN Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of the Unilateral Coercive Measure Idriss Jazairy on the illegality of unilateral US sanctions, why sanctions don’t work for regime change and the unfairness of the humanitarian impact on civilians. Next we speak to Dr Bob Gill on the creeping privatisation of the NHS and how it is happening under our noses by stealth. Finally we speak to Baraa Shiban on why a peace agreement hasn’t succeeded in Yemen, who is to blame for the ongoing war and why the violence hasn’t stopped despite many attempts at ceasefires.
On this episode of Going Underground we speak to Professor Jordan Peterson. He discusses his perception that the left is radicalizing, focusing on equality of outcome which could lead to totalitarianism, inequality, identity politics, climate change, rights versus responsibility and the story of his friendship with a native carver in British Columbia which drives him to tears! Next we speak to Baroness Uddin on rising Islamophobia in society after the New Zealand mosque attacks in Christchurch and the Birmingham mosque attacks.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Palestinian ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot about Israeli forces blocking access for Muslims to Al-Aqsa mosque, Israeli strikes on Gaza, the Great Return March, and UN accusations of Israeli war crimes. Next, we speak to Lembit Opik for Broken News as he discusses the US blocking Visas for ICC investigators seeking to investigate American war crimes, Corbyn arguing for UK soldiers to face prosecution over the Bloody Sunday massacre, Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, and more. Finally, we speak to Greece’s Syriza MEP Stelios Kuloglou about Brexit, Theresa May’s failed negotiations with the Brussels, EU violations of Greek sovereignty, and Greece’s rise out of a devastating economic crash.
We speak to Syrian MP Ahmad Merei who discusses the EU and US supporting terrorist groups in Syria such as Al-Nusra, the possibility of conflict between Syria and Israel, and future Syrian Army offensives in Idlib. Next we speak to National Board Member of the Syrian-American Council Bassam Rifai on the Douma chemical weapon attack and the OPCW report. Lastly we speak to Lorenzo Codogno, the former chief economist and director general of the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, on rising Euroscepticism in Italy, the EU position on extending Article 50, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and the rise of populism in Italy with the rise of the Five Star Movement, Northern League, and Salvini.
On this episode of Going Undergrond, we speak to Mariana Mazzucato about the role of the state in innovation, the government’s role in the rise of Silicon Valley and Apple, the definition of value and why it has become so skewed, the role of the financial sector and who the real wealth creators are! We also speak to BAFTA award-winning screenwriter Paul Laverty and Iciar Bollain about ‘Yuli’, their new film on the life of legendary Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, about production of the film in Cuba, Western propaganda about Cuba, the US’ economic embargo on Cuba and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Alexey Pushkov, Russian Senator from Prem Krai, former deputy of the State Duma and former head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the State Duma, about NATO returning to confront Moscow, US-Russia relations, Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 missile system and threats from the US to kick Turkey out of NATO, the Mueller report’s ‘no collusion’ bombshell and more!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former assistant deputy secretary general for strategic communications at NATO, Michael Stopford, on the 70th anniversary of the creation of NATO. He discusses its achievements, its controversies – such as the bombing of Yugoslavia and Libya, cold relations with Russia and why the NATO-Russia relationship should not be viewed through such a confrontational paradigm. Next, we speak to Dr Lisa McKenzie, sociologist at Middlesex University, for Broken News. She discusses the 4.1 million children in the UK now living in poverty, according to the DWP, as well as cancer-causing chemicals found in the area near Grenfell Tower, and why there needs to be a march to save Britain instead of stopping Brexit. Finally, we speak to former Soviet election monitor Nicolai Petro on the Ukraine’s presidential elections, in which comedian Volodymyr Zelensky won the first round, his upcoming battle with Poroshenko in the second round, and the war in Donbass!
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the prime minister of Switzerland wink Alexey Stolyarov, the infamous Russian prankster. He speaks about pranking the OPCW into admitting that they had no idea where the Novichok came from that poisoned the Skripals, pranking Elliott Abrams into proving Juan Guaido is controlled by the US, and more! Next, we speak to political commentator Jimmy Dore about the Mueller report’s summary showing no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. He says the media has no credibility and is bought by the people they’re supposed to be investigating. He also says the failure of the American neoliberal system led to Donald Trump and gives his take on US regime change attempts in Venezuela.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Palestinian Activist Ahed Tamimi who was previously jailed by Israel. She discusses the Great Return March, Israel’s occupation of Palestine, possible war crimes by Israel on the Gaza border, the UK government being under the control of Israel, and more! Next, we speak to Gil Hoffman, the Jerusalem Post’s chief political correspondent, on the peace deal being formed in the US and what it entails, and the upcoming Israeli elections with frontrunners Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. Finally, we speak to the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s Chief Negotiator Saeb Erakat on the Great Return March, the Nation State Law, US recognition of the annexation of the Golan Heights, and the US ‘Deal of the Century’ for peace.
On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Wikileaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson on Mueller’s bombshell that he could not find any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election, the detention of Chelsea Manning, the media and establishment’s war on Wikileaks and Julian Assange, the treatment of Assange in the Ecuadorian Embassy, the prospects of his diplomatic asylum being ended, and whether the mainstream media can even recover from such an embarrassment after covering Russiagate for over 2 years. Next, we speak to Christiana Figueres, the architect of the Paris Climate Agreement on the state of the agreement in 2018, the younger generation rising up to protest against climate change, and why the world must act now to prevent catastrophic climate change and lobbying by the oil and gas industry!