Category: Briefings

TACO Trump Now Claims Peace is at Hand but Iran Says No Such Talks Are Taking Place

We begin with TACO Trump backing down from his ultimatum to bomb Iran’s electrical and water infrastructure to him announcing today that he is having “very good and productive discussions” with “a top respected leader in Iran” who is apparently the Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Qalibaf, the former head of the IRGC Air Force. Joining us to discuss a possible ending of the US/Israeli war on Iran but not Israel’s war on Lebanon is Asher Kaufman, the Director of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and a professor of History and Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Prior to that, he taught at Hebrew University, Jerusalem and he was a research fellow at the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace where he headed its Middle East Unit. He is the author of Contested Frontiers: Cartography, Sovereignty, and Conflict at the Syria, Lebanon, Israel Tri-Border Region and we discuss his article at The Conversation, “Israeli action in Lebanon risks repeating history’s mistakes — and torpedoing a historic moment for dialogue.”

Crying Foul Over Cluster Bombs as Civilians Are Targeted

Then we speak with Sarah Leah Whitson, the former executive director of DAWN, an organization that supports democracy and human rights in the Middle East. She also previously served as executive director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division, where she oversaw the organization’s work in 19 countries. Her latest book with Michael Omer-Man is, From Apartheid to Democracy: A Blueprint for Peace in Israel-Palestine. and we discuss her article at Responsible Statecraft, “Israel accusing Iran of lawbreaking is the height of hypocrisy.“

Oil Companies and Refiners Are Making Out Like Bandits With California Refiners Gouging a $1.50 Profit Per Gallon at the Pump

Then finally we look into how oil companies and oil refiners are making out like bandits with price gouging at the pump both nationally where gas is $3.94 per gallon and in California where it is $6 and more a gallon. Joining us is Jamie Court, the president of Consumer Watchdog, a consumer group that has been fighting corrupt corporations and crooked politicians since 1985. His latest book is, The Progressive’s Guide To Raising Hell: How To Win Grassroots Campaigns, Pass Ballot Box Laws And Get The Change You Voted For—A Direct Democracy Toolkit. And he has an article at Consumer Watchdog we discuss, “CA Oil Refiners Raking In More Than $1.50 Per Gallon In Profit.”