Unauthorized Disclosure

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola interview journalist Tim Shorrock, who recently returned from a trip to South Korea. He was in Singapore to cover the summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un

He has covered Korea since the 1970s. He is a contributor for the Nation and a correspondent for the Korea Center for Investigative Journalism. He has a new piece recently published at the Nation: "An Audacious Proposal for a U.S.-North Korean Alliance."

In the interview, Shorrock describes his background covering North and South Korea, as well as the U.S. military presence in South Korea and the surrounding region. He contextualizes the diplomatic negotiations between Trump and Kim.  

Shorrock provides a history of the armistice that was signed in 1953, which could potentially be used to establish peace. He addresses why South Koreans would not want U.S. troops—30,000 of them—to remain in their country and how South Korea is really responsible for most of the progress toward peace so far.

Later in the show, Shorrock offers a brief history going all the way back to the Korean War,  which highlights the impact of the U.S. war and the ramifications it has had for Koreans seeking peace and democracy in the past decades.

Direct download: S5E24_-_Tim_Shorrock.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:35am EDT

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola are joined by Aaron Maté, a host and producer for The Real News. He has regularly covered Russiagate and all the media coverage around President Donald Trump and Russia for well over a year. And he was a guest on the show five months ago.

During the show, Maté addresses the reaction to the summit with Trump and Vladimir Putin in Helsinki. He describes what from the summit does matter and then breaks down what led up to the summit and why there is such a frenzy over it now.

Later, Khalek and Gosztola read multiple tweets and share quotes from liberal Democrats, who have totally lost it. They also wonder what it will take to defeat Trump if this is where Democrats continue to focus.

Direct download: S5E23.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:52am EDT

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola discuss how MSNBC gave Jonathan Chait a platform to promote a wild conspiracy theory about President Donald Trump being a Russian asset. They also get into how the network encourages attacks on journalists like Glenn Greenwald, who are skeptical of certain allegations about Russia and the Trump administration.

Later in the show, they talk about media by highlighting the introduction to journalist Seymour Hersh's memoir, "Reporter." They also spend a bit of time talking about Boots Riley's "Sorry To Bother You."

Direct download: S5E22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:35am EDT

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola discuss Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's incredible victory in New York over a 10-term corporate Democrat, Joe Crowley. They also address the news of Justice Anthony Kennedy's resignation from the Supreme Court.

Gosztola provides an update on Reality Winner's case after traveling to Augusta, Georgia, to cover a hearing, where she pled guilty.

Direct download: S5E21.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:23pm EDT

Matthew Hoh, a former Marine and diplomat from the State Department who resigned in protest over the Afghanistan War, joins the show this week.

During our interview, he talks about how the U.S. government is dropping a bomb every 12 minutes. He discusses the military industrial-complex under President Donald Trump, as well as under President Barack Obama. He addresses the ongoing war in Yemen.

Later in the show, Hoh describes what it is like for someone to endure post traumatic stress disorder and outlines the scope of the issue for military veterans, especially those with moral injuries. He also comments on news that NSA whistleblower Reality Winner accepted a plea deal.

Direct download: S5E20edit.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:12am EDT

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola discuss the massacre of dozens of people in Gaza by Israeli military forces. Khalek talks about the reaction to it and why it may have been different than what typically happens after Israeli violence.

Gosztola and Khalek also talk about the milestone for women in the CIA who have tortured and are pro-torture. Men have been able to run the agency and be pro-torture. But now, after the help of six Democrats, Gina Haspel is CIA director and women will never have to wonder if they can escape accountability for torture like their male counterparts ever again.

Finally, Gosztola highlights the Venezeula elections and a segment on HBO's "Last Week Tonight" with John Oliver that was done very poorly.

Direct download: S5E17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:55pm EDT

Gareth Porter, investigative journalist and author of "Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare," joins the show to talk about the United States' withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

Porter addresses recent events involving the backlash to President Donald Trump's decision, as well as Israel's military strikes on Iranian targets in Syria.

He outlines the threat of war with Iran and discusses his report, "The Latest Act in Israel's Iran Nuclear Disinformation Campaign," which was published at Consortium News.










Direct download: S5E16.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47am EDT

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola navigate Rania's travel schedule to continue the show — without taking a break!

During this week's episode, Khalek and Gosztola talk about Benjamin Netanyahu's latest propaganda on Iran aimed at sinking the Iran nuclear deal.

Later in the show, the hosts take an opportunity to discuss Michelle Wolf and the backlash to it, even though they know full well the news media has moved on from it all. They also highlight a few other stories that have flown under the radar.

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Direct download: S5E15.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:53am EDT

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola open the show by talking about the unhinged and idiotic reaction to Rania's appearance on Katie Halper's show, which Katie handled well.

Then the show's hosts discuss what has unfolded with MSNBC host Joy Reid, her homophobic posts from the late 2000s, and her claims that her blog was hacked.

The episode wraps with some talk about the proposed authorized use of military force (AUMF) by Senators Bob Corker and Tim Kaine, which further enables perpetual war.

Direct download: S5E14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:05am EDT

Our guest this week is Ryan Cooper, a national correspondent for The Week. He's also the co-author of a policy paper for the People's Policy Project called "Foreclosed: Destruction Of Black Wealth Under the Obama Presidency."

We talk about the exuberance and reverence for former FBI director James Comey and his new book among The Resistance™ to Donald Trump.

Then, Cooper addresses the ways in which neoliberal Democrats have contributed to GOP efforts to dismantle financial regulations and the impact this will have on poor and working class black Americans.

Later in the show, Cooper highlights his policy paper, "Foreclosed," and what happened to black homeowners under President Barack Obama.

The episode concludes with discussion about the Democrats' continued focus on Trump-Russia allegations and what this means for the midterm elections.

Direct download: S5E13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:36am EDT