In the first hour Tom Secker joins me to discuss the season premier of Homeland season six. We talk about the season reboot which has become a ubiquitous feature of Homeland. Tom and I begin by discussing our initial impressions of the season and where we think the show is going on a political and emotional level. Next we move onto one of the new and most interesting characters in the show, President-elect Elizabeth Keane, the junior Senator from New York. We talk about how this character is not a character of Hillary Clinton as we and any others predicted, but instead a much more complex character which in many ways is closer to Donald Trump. We discuss the ideas and politics that the CIA is putting forth in this new season. Tom and I talk about how the notion of the CIA plotting against the president-elect is not only a major story line in Homeland but also in real life vis-a-vis Trump and the CIA. The two of us also talk about the idea that this season of Homeland will retell and reinvent the story of Al Qaeda. We explore the possibility that this is the overarching story the CIA wants to put out the the public, and that a new form or wave of jihadi attacks may be in-store for the West.
In the second hour frequent guest Robbie Martin joins us to discuss some of the latest political and geopolitical events. We begin by exploring the childish discourse from both Trump and the media over the past several weeks. Next we talk about our opinions of the recent “intelligence report” claiming that Trump is a Russian Manchurian candidate. We talk about our thoughts on the possibility of violence erupting between Israel and Palestine. Robbie and I focus on some of the strange stories coming about of Israel including: Israeli jets bombing Damascus, and US officials warning Israel not to share intelligence with Trump. The Two of us discuss our feelings on increased rhetoric of the all powerful Russian state against our quaint democratic life in the US. Robbie and I touch on the recent commutation of Chelsea Manning and the possibility that Julian Assange will stand trial in America. We also talk about Glenn Greenwald’s recent use of the term Deep State. Robbie and I round out the conversation by discussing some of our fears overs Trump’s domestic policies.
On today’s episode I lay out my predictions for 2017. In the first hour I look at geopolitics and the places I think will be important in 2017. I begin by focusing on a possible resolution in Syria and how this may play out for the future. I also talk about a few other hot-spots in the middle east to pay attention to: Israel and Yemen. I discuss why these are both important for the future of the region and on a global scale. I also explore Asia, focusing on China and North Korea. I discuss how president Trump may handle these countries and how geopolitics and foreign policy will change under his administration. I also touch on the idea that the CIA will become even more bold and out of control under Trump.
In the second hour Chuck Ochelli (and Frankie) joins me for more 2017 predictions. We talk about where the alt-media is headed. Whether or not Wikileaks is actually going to release some bombshells this year. If Trump really knows any secrets about cyber security. The future of marijuana legalization and the drug war. Will comedy get better? And the possibility of Ivanka as First Lady.
Tom and I are back again with another Homeland review show. This week we begin by exploring Homeland’s blatant sexism and misogny. We focus first on Carrie and her characters return to bi-polar nymphomaniac, and how the show has routinely made Carrie into an awful female character that we all hate. Tom and I discuss our theories for why the producers have continued to make Carrie into a monster and how this translates into a larger picture of how we view the CIA through Carrie. We also discuss how Quinn has fast become our favorite character despite the fact that he represents some of the worst aspects of the CIA. Later we break down the hacker character Newman and explore the notion that he is a “Reel Bad Arab.” We round out the conversation by diving into the geopolitical topics explored in this episode including: CIA coup in Syria, Snowden selling secrets to Russia, and Israel’s role in the Syrian War. We finish by discussing the recent story about several street artists “hacking” the Homeland set.
We begin this episode by discussing the recent “rebellion” in Tajikistan. Christoph and I break down who Deputy Defense Minister Abduhalim Nazardoza was and why he carried out a series of deadly attacks in the capital. Christoph explains how this is being exploited by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in his unending battle to destroy Central Asia’s only Islamist party, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT). We discuss the role that the IRPT played during Tajikistan’s brutal civil war during the 1990’s and ultimately what this means politically.
In our second story we return yet again to the ongoing violence and instability in Afghanistan. We begin with a quick update on the infighting between Mullah Mansoor and rival Taliban factions. Having gained the support of Mullah Omar’s family Mullah Mansoor continues to assert his power and dominance in the region. Christoph and I go in to detail about the recent capture of the northern city of Kunduz by the Taliban. Christoph explains the strategic value of this city and how this represents a massive blow to President Ghani’s regime. We also break down the deliberate bombing of a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders by US bombers.
For our third story we take a look at Russia and their campaign to battle terrorism both home and abroad. First we touch on Kadyrov’s efforts to dissuade young men from joining ISIS by humiliating them on national TV, and his offer to bring the fight directly to Syria. We also discuss Russia’s intervention in Syria. Christoph and I analyze what is going on in Syria, the reasons for Russia getting involved, and what could be in store for them in the future. We finish up the conversation by taking a look at the recent defection of US trained Syrian rebels, Division 30, to Al Nusra.
