Series Podcast: Unusual Sources

The Canadian book launch of "Extraordinary Threat: The U.S. Empire, the Media, and Twenty Years of Coup Attempts in Venezuela." Joe Emersberger and Justin Podur apply media analysis to the absurd claims that Venezuela represents an "extraordinary threat" to the United States, or that 'Chavizmo' transformed "once prosperous" Venezuela into a poorhouse. The U.S. desire to intervene in oil-rich Venezuela means that it needs to construct narratives to justify intervention. These self-serving stories denigrate the achievements in poverty reduction of the Bolivarian Revolution, while minimizing the U.S. role in disrupting the Venezuelan economy and civil society. Particular attention is given to "human rights organizations" such as Amnesty International, who minimize the effect of U.S. encirclement and coup-promotion, instead preferring to "referee" a supposedly level-playing-field in the country.

Brendan interviews veteran labour and anti-war activist Henry Evans-Tenbrinke about developments in Australia: There has been pushback by Australian labour, and also the Green Party, concerning the aggressive AUKUS military pact. Henry has submitted his own motion to Labour Council. There is a lot we can do in Canada to oppose the developing Cold War with China.

Rabbi David Mivasair provides some background on the events of the NDP convention concerning a resolution calling for an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. [Resolution 4-10-20]. He also discusses the growing threat to public discussion posed by the IHRA, including in Hamilton, and why it needs to be opposed.

Brendan describes the upcoming event, "Genocide in Xinjiang? A Discovery Zoom Panel." You can learn more, here: http://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/2021/03/15/xinjiang-event/

Activist and scholar of East Asian affairs K J Noh discusses the U.S. encirclement of China as a continuation of the 'War on Terror,' and the attempts to maintain U.S. hegemony in the face of increased economic integration in Asia. Noh examines the views and decisions of U.S. policy-makers concerning China, and how things unfolded into the aggressive attempt to 'contain' China. The U.S. desire to maintain unipolar global hegemony increases the risk of catastrophic warfare.

Although the Syrian government has succeeded in regaining much of its territory in opposition to a foreign-backed regime-change campaign, it faces a sustained campaign of crippling U.S. sanctions. Stephen Gowans points out that despite Syrian military successes against Contras and terrorists, the U.S. is determined to prevent Syria from regaining its footing. What is needed is greater international campaigning for the lifting of sanctions on Syria and other countries.

On August 31st, the Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War hosted a meet-and-greet via Zoom with Dimitri Lascaris. Lascaris, a journalist, lawyer, and activist, is currently running for the leadership of Canada's Green Party. Lascaris gave a 15-minute presentation about his values and goals, and was able to take many questions from interested participants. The full video, from which this recording is derived, is available here: https://youtu.be/fFzh8nrgQNQ

One day before the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, Doug interviews Tamara Lorincz of Voice of Women for Peace on this tragic event and the need for Canada to sign the Treaty for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons. Canadian Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow, was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for her work on this Treaty. Sadly, our Prime Minister would not meet with her, nor has he responded to her recent open letter. Tamara and Doug discuss Setsuko's letter, and the need for Canada to support nuclear abolition and sign on to the Treaty.

Aidan Jonah discusses his article in The Canada Files about the declining ability of Joshua Wong's Hong Kong political party to co-ordinate with foreign funders and planners under China's new legislation. Jonah argues that China is preventing a second Anglo colonization of China/HK by enacting new laws, and provides historical and contemporary context. Ultimately, many countries in the Global South empathize with China's situation, and have supported it at the United Nations.

Rick Sterling discusses his recent article about the 'Caesar sanctions.' In June, the U.S. introduced the "Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act," which is an intensification of sanctions against the beleaguered country. Sterling dismantles the sanctions and their justification: the original report was a propaganda exercise, and this will only intensify the burdens of Syrian civilians.

Dr. Tim Anderson's new book is as much about Empire as it is about Resistance. "The Axis of Resistance" details how U.S.-led imperialism uses sanctions, "humanitarian intervention" and juvenile propaganda in order to undermine the rights and protections of Global South states. It's also, naturally, a treatment of the elements that constitute resistance to U.S. power in West Asia (the "Middle East"). Anderson discusses why regional integration is essential to resisting an external hegemon, and his book explores the origins and connections between Hezbollah, the Islamic Republic, and the Syrian Arab Republic. "Axis of Resistance" is a must-read for those seeking to understand the past 20+ years of U.S. war on the "Middle East," and why it is falling apart.

Last fall, Karen Rodman and her daughter Michaela Lavis visited Kashmir to study the effects of the Indian government's revocation of the autonomy of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and also the increased repression of the Kashmir population by the Indian military. They hope to raise awareness of the issue among Canadians. After the partition of Kashmir by India and Pakistan in 1947, the UN recommended that the future of Kashmir be decided in a referendum by the people of Kashmir. Unfortunately, this referendum has not been allowed to happen. A very large Indian army contingent of 700,000 soldiers maintains control of India-Occupied-Kashmir against the wishes of much of the population.

Canada is not an innocent actor in Iran. In fact, it has been running a low-level war against independent Iranian governments for decades. Yves Engler describes Canada's support for U.S. policies of sanctions, theft, and military confrontation with Iran, and overall bad dealing. Despite their rhetorical opposition to Trump, Canada's Liberal government and commentariat largely fall in line with 'the Orange Man' on Iran.

Brendan provides information about the upcoming lecture by Vanessa Beeley on Dec. 3. Beeley will be speaking on the role of the "White Helmets" campaign in Syria as a pre-eminent example of war propaganda. Details here: http://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/2019/11/14/vanessa-beeleys-white-helmets-lecture-dec-3/

Stephen Gowans describes how Israel was first created as an extension of 19th century European colonialism and functions today as a means of power projection for the United States. The U.S. seeks to dominate the Arab world, and Israel has demonstrated its value in weakening Arab forces that seek self-determination. Gowans traces the history, from the early marriage between the racist and pessimistic ideas shared by Zionists and European imperialists alike, to the U.S. desire today to keep the Arab nation divided and off-balance. Book Launch (October 28) Info: http://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/2019/10/02/stephen-gowans-oct-28/

Doug interviews Oil Economist John Foster about his new book "Oil and World Politics." Foster has spent his life working as an economic advisor for British Petroleum, Petro-Canada, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank. He describes the underlying role of the control, mining, and movement of oil and gas in international affairs. John Foster will be speaking in Hamilton on September 30 at 11:30am at McMaster University Room BSB 108, and at 7:00pm at the New Vision United Church.

Doug speaks with Hamilton-area activists David Rennie and Ken Stone, who formed part of the resistance to Justin Trudeau on Labour Day. The Prime Minister decided to crash the Labour Day parade and use it for election photo-ops, even though the Labour Council made clear that he was not welcome. Thanks to anti-war activists, indigenous justice advocates, and union members, Trudeau was chased unceremoniously out of the parade and the park.

Doug interviews peace activist Tamara Lorincz, first about the anniversary of the nuclear bombing of two Japanese cities in 1945, and the ever-present danger to us all.

Doug interviews Santiago Escobar of UFCW/AWA on the the recent developments concerning the Temporary Foreign Agricultural Workers.

Canadian labour leader Sid Ryan discusses his new book, part autobiography, and part prescription for social movements and Labour. Sid recounts his early life, and how it developed his capacity to resist inequality and oppression. These lessons would serve him well as President of CUPE and the OFL. Fraught by divisions in Labour and the lack of synergy with the NDP, Sid calls for a social vision of unionism in Canada that melds struggles of class and anti-oppression into a cohesive programme against neo-liberalism.