Fault Lines

For the final episode of Fault Lines in 2018, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan review the year's major news stories and discuss what they expect to see happen in 2019. Will an increase in political and economic volatility be inevitable in the coming year as President Trump heads into the second half of his term in office?



Guests:

Maram Susli - Geopolitical Analyst | What will the New Year have in store for Syria?

Carmine Sabia - Conservative Writer | The State of the Media as we Enter 2019

Tom Luongo - Geopolitical Analyst and Publisher of the Gold Goats 'n Guns Newsletter | 2018 Year-End-Review & Expectations for the New Year

Dustin Stockton - Political Analyst and Former Breitbart Reporter | What is happening with the 'Border Wall' GoFundMe?



This past year has seen a great deal of turmoil inside of Syria, and President Trump's recent announcement to remove troops from the country is one of the latest major developments. Geopolitical analyst Maram Susli returns to Fault Lines to talk about recent events in Syria, Trump's announcement to withdraw forces, and how she expects the situation to evolve in 2019.

There was no shortage of mainstream media errors and embarrassments in 2018 which contributed to an overall frustration with news reporting for much of the public. Carmine Sabia, a conservative writer and managing editor at TheFederalistPapers.org, joins the show for the first time to discuss the struggles facing traditional media outlets and the overall state of the media as we close the calendar year.

Geopolitical analyst Tom Luongo has been a regular guest and fan favorite on Fault Lines for his incisive analysis on both economics and foreign policy. He joins Garland and Lee on today's show for his 2018 Year-End-Review and to give some predictions for what major events may be on the horizon come January.

Over $17 million has been crowdfunded on 'GoFundMe' in an effort to assist in the building of President Trump's proposed southern border wall. Political analyst Dustin Stockton is directly involved with this campaign, and he joins Garland and Lee in-studio on today's program to provide details about what is happening behind the scenes and how the money will ultimately be spent.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss yesterday's stock market rally which recovered some of December's losses, at least temporarily. Additionally, the hosts will talk about President Trump's unannounced trip to Iraq where he promoted his anti-interventionist, "America First" foreign policy views.



Guests:

Vanessa Beeley - Investigative Journalist | Syria Braces for What Comes Next

Stephen Lendman - Writer and Geopolitical Analyst | Holiday Season Deceptions and Big Foreign Policy Lies

Nkechi Taifa - Advocacy Director for Open Society Foundations | The First Step Act and Criminal Justice Reform

Talib Karim - Attorney and Executive Director of STEM4US | The First Step Act and Criminal Justice Reform



There is a great deal of uncertainty about what will unfold in Syria in the coming months following President Trump's announcement to withdraw troops from the war-torn country. Investigative journalist Vanessa Beeley joins the show live from Syria to talk about what remains of ISIS in the region and if there is a serious danger of a major escalation in violence on the horizon.

Earlier this week, Israel conducted airstrikes inside of Syria which were criticized as "provocative" by the Russian government. Writer and geopolitical analyst Stephen Lendman returns to Fault Lines to provide his take on these developments and whether the direction of US foreign policy will actually change in the Middle East following President Trump's recent statements.

Last week, President Trump signed the 'First Step Act' which was a major piece of legislation in the field of criminal justice reform. The hosts are joined by both Nkechi Taifa, the former Advocacy Director for the Open Society Foundations, and attorney Talib Karim for a conversation about the history and work that led to this legislation, the concept of sentencing reform, and the importance of bipartisanship for getting results with this type of work.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the likelihood that the federal government shutdown will continue into 2019. Funding for the proposed southern border wall remains a major issue of contention and a second immigrant child has died in federal custody further complicating the possibility of a coming deal.



Guests:

Joel Segal - Former Congressional Staffer | How will the Government Shutdown End?

Tim Black - Entrepreneur, Author, Activist and Talk Host | How can Comedy Influence Politics?

Danny Sjursen - U.S. Army Officer and Former History Instructor at West Point | Ringing in a New Year of War



The Christmas holiday has passed, and the Federal Government shutdown remains ongoing as President Trump and Congress are still yet to agree to a budget deal. Former Congressional staffer Joel Segal returns to Fault Lines to discuss how a resolution may be reached and the importance of coalition building for new members of Congress looking to impact policy.

The Daily Show on Comedy Central with Jon Stewart was a trailblazing program for how it used comedy to engage a new generation of Americans in the political process. Entrepreneur and talk host Tim Black joins Garland and Lee to discuss how incisive comedy related to the news can influence and improve modern day politics.

President Trump's announcement to withdraw troops from Syria has been met with a great deal of opposition from both Democrats and Republicans in the Washington DC political class. Danny Sjursen, a U.S. Army Officer and former history instructor at West Point, returns to the show for a conversation about the direction of US foreign policy and how President Trump can be expected to proceed in both Syria and Afghanistan.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the likelihood that President Trump and Congress will fail to reach a budget deal by tonight at midnight triggering a government shutdown. Will Mitch McConnell utilize the nuclear option to avoid a shutdown or could we reach Christmas before a deal is finalized?



Guests:

Kani Xulam - Commentator on the History and Politics of Kurdistan | The Kurdish Perspective on Trump's Syria Announcement

Mark Sleboda - Moscow-Based International Relations & Security Analyst | What Putin said at his Annual News Conference

Mark Frost - Economist and Professor | Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates; Markets Continue to Struggle

Whitney Webb - Staff Writer at Mint Press News | Is Trump Handing Northeastern Syria to Turkey/Erdogan?

John Kiriakou - Former CIA Officer & Co-Host of “Loud and Clear” | Who Could Replace Jim Mattis as Secretary of Defense?


President Trump's plan to withdraw forces from Syria could be seen as an unsettling move for Kurdish forces in the region. Kani Xulam, a commentator on Kurdish history and politics, joins the show to talk about the various entities who will look to take advantage of this decision and how the US can still repay the Kurds for the sacrifices that they have made in support of the US military the region.

Yesterday in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted his annual year-end news conference where he spent over four hours answering questions from members of the media. International relations & security analyst Mark Sleboda returns to Fault Lines to discuss some of Putin's remarks including what he said about Trump's decision to withdraw from Syria and the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the fourth time in 2018. Economist Mark Frost joins the show to talk about the power the Federal Reserve holds over the US economy and if the stock market will continue on its downward trajectory as we move into the new year.

The announcement by President Trump to pull forces out of Syria could be seen as an opening for Turkish President Erdogan to increase his control in power and control in the area. Whitney Webb, a staff writer with MintPressNews, returns to the program for a conversation about whether Trump is handing over large swaths of territory in Syria to Erdogan & Turkey by making this decision.

For the final segment, Garland and Lee are joined in-studio by John Kiriakou, former CIA officer and co-host of the SputnikNews radio show, Loud and Clear, to discuss Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis's decision to resign and who could potentially replace him in this role. What is the current trajectory of President Trump's foreign policy and who are his most trusted advisors in this field as we move into 2019?

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss President Trump's proposed move to withdraw US forces from Syria. What prompted this decision, and will Trump go through with this move despite significant opposition from the Washington DC foreign policy establishment?



Guests:

Kit Klarenberg - Investigative Journalist w/ Sputnik News | The Integrity Initiative: Spies Covertly Pushing Propaganda

Dr. Bosworth - Internal Medicine Physician & Author of the Book: 'ANYWAY YOU CAN' | Is Silicon Valley KNOWINGLY Concealing the Danger of Their Own Prodcuts?

Jim Jatras - Government and Media Relations Specialist | The Disgraceful Treatment of Maria Butina

Peter Ford - Former Ambassador from the UK to Syria | Withdrawing from Syria: The Main Questions about Trump's Announcement

Ryan Cristián - Founder and Editor of The Last American Vagabond | What was in the Farm Bill & Media Malpractice in the Flint Water Crisis



As the Integrity Initiative story continues to unfold, more is being uncovered about how the organization functioned. Kit Klarenberg, an investigative journalist with Sputnik News, joins the show to detail what he has learned about the Integrity Initiative and how it operated as a tool for certain powerful interests.

There is mounting evidence that high usage of modern-day electronic devices can have negative health effects and may alter brain development for children. Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Bosworth joins the show to give her take on the potential dangers of these highly stimulating gadgets and some of the strategies parents can employ to address these concerns.

As details continue to emerge about the Maria Butina case, new questions are being raised about her treatment in custody. Government and Media Relations Specialist Jim Jatras returns to Fault Lines to discuss Butina's situation and the likelihood that she will return to Russia in the near future.

Trump's proposed withdrawal from Syria has been met with great opposition from many in the DC political class. Peter Ford, a former ambassador from the UK to Syria, joins Garland and Lee to discuss Trump's decision and how the public should be interpreting this move as of now.

For the final segment, the hosts are joined by Ryan Cristián, founder and editor of The Last American Vagabond, to discuss both the recently passed farm bill and the Flint Water Crisis. What were some of the buried details in the Farm Bill, and how has news coverage of the situation in Flint been indicative of what is wrong with the mainstream media?

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the nature of the political media in Washington DC and how it functions as a whole. Why does "access journalism" seem to dominate in nation's capital and what impact does this have on the quality of the reporting being passed along to the public as news?



Guests:

John Hoge - Author & Audio Engineer | Takeaways from James Comey's Congressional Testimony

Dustin Stockton - Political Analyst and Former Breitbart Reporter | Martha McSally Appointed to John McCain's Senate Seat

Ted Rall - Political Cartoonist & Syndicated Columnist | The State of #RussiaGate & Expectations for Congress in 2019

Betsy Rothstein - Reporter at The Daily Caller | [In-Studio] | Washington DC's Top Political Gossip for 2018



Recently, the House Judiciary Committee conducted an interview with former FBI Director James Comey. Author John Hoge joins Garland and Lee to provide his main takeaway from the released transcript of this interview which relates to foreign meddling in US elections.

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema defeated Republican Martha McSally in the Arizona Senate election this past November. Despite this defeat, McSally will still become a member of the US Senate as she has been appointed to fill the seat formerly held by John McCain. Political analyst Dustin Stockton joins the hosts to give his thoughts on McSally's appointment and the current makeup of the US Senate.

Despite all of its problems, #RussiaGate continues to chug along as the calendar prepares roll into 2019. Political Cartoonist Ted Rall joins the program for a conversation about how long #RussiaGate will last and to discuss what we can expect from Congress in its new term.

For the final segment, Daily Caller reporter Betsy Rothstein joins Garland and Lee in-studio to discuss some of the main gossip stories from Washington DC in 2018. Stephen Miller, Glenn Beck, and Sarah Sanders all get "shout outs" during a drama-filled end to the show.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the nature of establishment propaganda and the ecosystem in which it thrives. How do powerful entities work to counter dissenting views, manipulate the public, and ultimately get their needs met?



Guests:

Piers Robinson - Chair in Politics, Society and Political Journalism at The University of Sheffield | The Integrity Initiative and Manufacturing Public Perceptions

Mohamed Elmaazi - Writer and Journalist | The Integrity Initiative & The World of Covert Propaganda

Tom Luongo - Geopolitical Analyst and Publisher of the Gold Goats 'n Guns Newsletter | Patreon is Removing Accounts, What's the Problem?

Talib Karim - Attorney and Executive Director of STEM4US | The Obamacare Ruling in Texas & Potential Effects of a Government Shutdown



Recently released documents have revealed the nature of the Institute for Statecraft's 'Integrity Initiative' and its efforts to manufacture and manipulate views held by the public. University of Sheffield professor Piers Robinson joins the show to discuss what has been learned about the 'Integrity Initiative' and how this story fits into the larger narrative of propaganda being spread in support of powerful interests.

Following up on the segment with Piers Robinson, Garland and Lee continue the talk about the 'Integrity Initiative' with writer and journalist Mohamed Elmaazi. He has been investigating the organization and recently co-authored an article entitled, 'Inside the Temple of Covert Propaganda: The Integrity Initiative and the UK’s Scandalous Information War' which he discusses with the hosts on today's show.

Many content creators have used Patreon.com as a means to generate revenue directly from the people who support their work. Recently, Patreon has been kicking some individuals off of their platform which has led to a backlash against the company. Geopolitical analyst Tom Luongo returns to the program to discuss both the situation with Patreon and how content creators may look to fund their work in the future.

A recent ruling by a judge in Texas has brought the legal status of Obamacare into question. Additionally, the federal government may shutdown later this week if a deal is not reached between President Trump and Congress. Attorney Talib Karim joins Garland and Lee in-studio to talk about the future of healthcare in America and the likelihood that a government shutdown will occur.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss both the fallout from the immigrant girl who passed away while in the custody of Border Patrol and the legal future of Obamacare. Will this tragic loss of life move the needle for Congress regarding immigration, and could a ruling from a judge in Texas actually imperil the fate of the Affordable Care Act?




Guests:

Darlene Brown - CEO of DivineEmpowerment.org | Preparing for the Holiday Season and 2019

Susan Pai - Immigration Attorney | 7-Year-Old Dies in Border Control Custody; Will Stephen Miller Take the Fall for Trump's Wall?

Dr. Bill Honigman - Emergency Room Doctor & Progressive Healthcare Activist | Texas Judge Rules Obamacare Unconstitutional...

Laura Loomer - Conservative Investigative Journalist | Free Speech Issues and Censorship on Twitter



With the holiday season upon us, what are some of the best ways to enjoy time with friends and family while preparing to have a successful and productive 2019? Personal development coach Darlene Brown joins Garland and Lee in-studio to give her take on some of the keys to closing out the year on a high note.

Last week, a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl who illegally crossed the US-Mexico border with her father, died less than 24 hours after being taken into custody by US Border Patrol. Immigration attorney Susan Pai joins the show to discuss who is responsible for this tragedy and whether White House advisor Stephen Miller will become President Trump's fall man if things do not work out positively with the proposed southern border wall.

This past Friday, a federal judge in Texas ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional due to legal concerns related to the individual mandate. Former emergency room doctor & healthcare activist Dr. Bill Honigman returns to Fault Lines to analyze this ruling and to give his take on why the federal government needs to move to a single payer healthcare system.

For the final segment, conservative investigative journalist Laura Loomer joins the show to discuss issues of censorship and accounts being banned on Twitter. Why did Loomer handcuff herself to Twitter's New York headquarters last month, and does she believe that the controversial figure Louis Farrakhan should be permanently removed from the social media platform?

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss how accountability and consequences are often applied differently depending on one's societal status. Will FBI officials who deceived Michael Flynn face charges and why is Kevin Hart out as host of the Oscars while Mika Brzezinski remains in her role at MSNBC?



Guests:

Medea Benjamin - Co-Founder of Code Pink | Trip to Israel for New Members of Congress & War in Yemen Update

Julie Kelly - Writer and Former Political Consultant | Michael Flynn and the FBI 302's...

Tim Black - Entrepreneur, Author, Activist and Talk Host | Topic 1: Will a Bipartisan Criminal Justice Bill Pass Congress? Topic 2: No Oscars for Kevin Hart; All Good for Mika at MSNBC



Oftentimes, new members of Congress take sponsored trips to Israel, but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is one of the new representatives who does not plan to participate in this event. Medea Benjamin, the Co-Founder of Code Pink, joins Garland and Lee to discuss the nature of these congressional delegations to Israel and to talk about the latest moves from the US Congress regarding the War in Yemen.

Recent reports have revealed that some FBI officials acted in a deceptive manner during their dealings with Trump's former National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn. Writer and former political consultant Julie Kelly returns to Fault Lines to discuss Flynn's case and whether Andy McCabe or other top FBI figures could face criminal charges for their actions.

The hosts are joined for the end of the show by talk host Tim Black to discuss the possibility of a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill passing Congress and being signed by President Trump. Additionally, Tim and the hosts compare and contrast the responses and outcomes to controversial remarks made by both comedian Kevin Hart and news personality Mika Brzezinski.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the implications of a potential Turkish military offensive against US-backed Kurdish fighters inside of Syria. With Erdogan vowing to take action in the coming days, what would Turkish military action against the YPG mean for relations between Ankara and Washington DC?



Guests:

Dr. Bosworth - Internal Medicine Physician & Author of the Book: 'ANYWAY YOU CAN' | America’s Health Rankings: Obesity Rate at All-Time High; Suicide Rate Increases

Elizabeth Beck - Miami-Based Plaintiff Lawyer | The DNC Fraud Lawsuit & Expectations for the 2020 Democratic Primary

James Carey - Editor at GeoPolitics Alert | Turkey Prepares for an "Operation Against The Kurds" & Fallout from the Huawei CFO Arrest

Jim Jatras - Government and Media Relations Specialist | US Foreign Policy Regarding Russia & Europe



According to the United Health Foundation’s "2018 America’s Health Rankings Annual Report," the obesity rate in the US has reached an all-time high and suicide rates in the country have continued to rise. Dr. Bosworth joins Garland and Lee to discuss these trends and basic lifestyle changes that can be made to improve one's weight and overall health.

The DNC Fraud Lawsuit has sought to bring transparency and accountability to the DNC for its biased actions during the 2016 Democratic Presidential Primary. Miami-based plaintiff lawyer Elizabeth Beck returns to Fault Lines to discuss the most recent developments in this case and how the DNC may be structurally impacted for its 2020 Presidential Primary.

US foreign policy with regards to Russia and Eastern Europe is largely driven by career government officials working at the State Department and other federal agencies. Former U.S. diplomat and U.S. Senate staffer Jim Jatras joins the show for the first time to give his take on America's current policies in this region of the world and to provide insight about how major international decisions are made within the federal government.