Mark Sleboda, foreign affairs and policy analyst joins at the top of the show to break down the strategy that is unfolding in Ukraine as attacks on infrastructure intensify near Kiev. They also talked about how much military aid is being supplied by NATO to the Ukrainian military. Weapons are going into west Ukraine to support an insurgency according to Sleboda.

Dr. Jack Rasmus, economist, radio show host & author of 'The Scourge of Neoliberalism: US Economic Policy from Reagan to Trump, 2020 and Central Bankers at the End of Their Ropes: Monetary Policy and the Coming Depression joins the show to talk about how much sanctions slammed on Russia will impact its economy and economies beyond Russia”s border. No one really knows if sanctions will turn around and take a bite out of the U.S. and European economies, that remains to be seen, according to Dr, Rasmus. The real economy in Russia is connected to natural gas and oil sales not the stock market. It will be difficult for the global economy to make up the loss of Russia’s oil and natural gas. The Russian stock market remains closed since the beginning of the conflict and not slated to open until Monday. Russia is using Crypto to circumvent sanctions and using it in place of the banking systems that Russian’s do not have access to Dr. Rasmus said.

Next, KJ Noh, a global justice activist, writer, teacher, and a member of Veterans for Peace joins the conversation to talk about the misinformation media war while trying to navigate the fog of war. The Misfits talk about the role of censorship in media: the EU banned RT and Sputnik News what does this type of action portend for media that does not align with a Western ideology and bandwidth?

The Misfits discuss Russia’s relationship with China. What is China anticipating following sanctions placed on one of their major trade partners? China wants peace and will lift all wheat- import restrictions on Russia. Then they talk about the kind of assistance China will offer to Russia. China declares a multipolar world and economy a drive toward centralized digital currencies. And, China supports Russia’s security interest. The root cause of this crisis is the US and the Western expansion of NATO just as China possess similar security concerns in the Pacific according to Noh.

For the last segment, John Kane, Mohawk activist and educator, producer and Host of the Let's Talk Native Podcast, and co-host of Resistance Radio on WBAI Pacifica Radio NY joins the show to talk about the Supreme Court taking up a challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act.The battleground is over child placement. Overturning the legislation could potentially remove large amounts of regulations protecting tribes and their members. Forceable moving children from native households to place them with a white family. Texas, Louisiana and Indiana are challenging the child protection law they claim the law is racist and violates the 14th Amendment. Kane says that’s why the law is failing because it does not recognize the sovereignty and distinct cultural identities of native tribes. If SCOTUS overturns the legislation Indian casinos are at risk of loosing regulated gaming privileges which is important to native economies because there is no state income tax base on tribal lands.

The Misfits sign off till tomorrow.

Jeremy Kuzmarov, managing editor of CovertAction Magazine and the author of several books on US foreign policy, discusses the implications of Europe’s new lethal aid for Ukraine and talks about the information war underway and how to view Russia’s justifications for its actions. The three also discuss Europe’s uneven responses to refugee crises and reports of Africans in Ukraine being blocked from trains and at borders.

Mohammad Marandi, political analyst and professor of English Literature and Orientalism, University of Tehran, updates the Misfits on a possible new Iran deal and the additional protections Tehran wants, given Washington’s abrupt abandonment of the first agreement. He also discusses the failure of US sanctions as a tool of diplomacy.

Daniel McAdams, executive director of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity and a former foreign policy, civil liberties, defense and intelligence advisor to U.S. Congressman Ron Paul, discusses the implications of recent security decisions in Europe, including Germany’s huge new defense budget and Belarus’ rejection of its non-nuclear status.

The Misfits also discussed the new economic sanctions against Russia, banning and labeling of Russian media, the role of propaganda in conflicts, left infighting over Ukraine, former Attorney General William Barr’s new book, the results of this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, and more.

Our first guest, Jim Jatras, retired former U.S. diplomat and GOP Senate foreign policy adviser, joins the show to talk about what is happening on the ground in Ukraine militarily and diplomatically. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to discuss a “neutral status” for his country. Russia said it was ready to send a delegation to Minsk, but of course, as these statements are being made, people are fighting and dying in Ukraine. They talked about the scale of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and the burgeoning protests in the region.

Next, John Ross, author, economist, and senior fellow of the Chongyang Institute at Renmin University of China, joins the show to discuss the wave of sanctions the US has imposed. They talk about the immediate economic impact in Russia and elsewhere. Also, India is apparently trying to establish a rupee payment mechanism to trade with Russia - if other countries do this as well, does it eventually affect the value of the dollar overall?

Kimberly Dvorak, investigative journalist, talks about the possible outcomes from Russia’s military engagement in Ukraine. They talk about whether Ukraine will become a divided state: Ukraine on the West and parts of Eastern Ukraine join Russia. The Misfits also talk about the impact the war in Ukraine will affect domestic politics and the 2022 midterm elections.

For the last segment, Jacqueline Luqman, co-host of By Any Means Necessary which can be heard M-F 2:00p to 4:00p ET on Radio Sputnik, calls in to join the conversation to talk about what it means to fight for peace at a time of open conflict. There’s a lot of pressure right now in the West to take a side - and pressure to accept the idea that to be on the side of ordinary Ukrainians watching this horror play out is to be on the side of the US and NATO. Luqman points out that while Russia is striking Ukraine, Israel has been dropping bombs in Gaza for years with no sanctions from the West.

Peter Oliver, journalist and RT correspondent in Berlin, joins the show to talk about how Russia launched what it is being referred to as a special military operation in Ukraine last night, with the stated goal of demilitarizing and denazifying the government there. Michelle and Peter talk about how diplomacy has failed to resolve security concerns long held by Russia, which has escalated tension and led to military conflict.

Mark Sleboda, international affairs and security analyst, joins the show to talk about Russian President Vladimir Putin's early morning announcement and the sanctions against Russia that followed. They talked about how Western sanctions target Russia which include freezing Russia’s financial assets. They discuss the potential impact it could have on businesses and individuals living in the region and how much pain will be felt beyond Russia’s borders?

Dan Lazare, journalist and analyst, meets up with the Misfits to talk about the economic state of flux now that Russia has moved into Ukraine, Will there be a global energy shock? They also talk about the Russian electorate. How do Russians feel about military action and occupation of Ukraine? Does it help Putin with voters? And what will Putin decide to do with Western parts of Ukraine once the breakaway republics are secured?

The Misfits sign off for today. We will be back tomorrow in this space to bring you the latest news and analysis.

Till tomorrow…

At the top of the show, George Szamuely calls in to break down reaction to the sanctions the U.S. announced on Tuesday. They also talk about opposition within the Republican Party as Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) is calling for Russia’s economy to be destroyed, while Donald Trump praises Putin for being a canny operator.

Next, Ford Fischer, a primary source documentarian whose works include Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning films and editor-in-chief of News2Share (@N2Sreports), calls in to talk with the Misfits about the truckers Freedom Convoy that is leaving from different parts of the U.S. and rolling into DC. Protesters say they plan to jam the beltway outside of DC today, and converge at the U.S. Capitol by March 1, 2022.

Then, Kevin Gosztola, journalist, writer for Shadowproof.com and co-host of the podcast Unauthorized Disclosure, joins the show. They talk about the recent announcement that Kyle Rittenhouse is launching a “Media Accountability Project." Rittenhouse has also filed lawsuits against reporters, saying he was defamed and wants to help others in his situation. Rittenhouse is the man who shot and killed two people during racial justice protests in Wisconsin in 2020, but who was found not guilty by virtue of having acted in self defense, the jury concluded.

John and Michelle also discuss with Gosztola the litigation resulting from the opioid crisis. The Wall Street Journal reports that Purdue’s Sackler family has increased their opioid settlement offer to as much as $6 billion. The new settlement offer comes after the company’s prior Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan was overturned.

For the last segment, Paul Wright, executive director of the Human Rights Defense Center and the editor of Prison Legal News and Criminal Legal News magazines, joins the show to talk about the crisis at New York's Rikers Island jail that houses thousands of people awaiting trial in New York City. Last month, news broke that over 2,800 guards were conspiring to skip work for so-called “sick leave” at any given time. On some days, as many as 35 percent of guards called in sick, claiming diarrhea or just not bothering to call in at all. This is a crime called time and attendance fraud, and it resulted in the city paying out millions of dollars in overtime for other guards to cover the missed shifts. In the meantime, prisoners missed more than 7,000 medical appointments because there was nobody to escort them.

Austin Pelli, co-host of Fault Lines which can be heard on Radio Sputnik 7:00a -10:00a ET Monday through Friday, calls in to update the Misfits about the breakup of the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa over the weekend. Austin reports that over 70 trucks were towed,150 arrests were made and most people were taken to the city limits and asked not to return. There were no deaths or serious injuries, according to Austin. They also talked about the bank seizure of donations and bank accounts held by protestors.

Mark Sleboda, reporter and foreign affairs analyst, joins the show to break down the latest in Eastern Europe. They talk about the geopolitical significance of Russia officially recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk Republics. They also talk about whether or not a larger incursion past DPR and LPR into Ukraine could ensue and what impact this could have on global oil prices and inflation.

Next up is longtime educator and activist Dr. Bill Ayers, who is a former professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he held the titles of Distinguished Professor of Education and Senior University Scholar and specialized in teaching social justice, urban educational reform, narrative and interpretive research, and children in trouble with the law. Ayers joins the conversation to discuss the recent recall in San Francisco of three of the city’s school board members. The ousted members were recalled primarily over the closure of schools and other covid-related restrictions. Ayers explains that the recall was sponsored by a few billionaires costing $1.9 million. Recalls are often utilized as a political mechanism that takes advantage of low-voter turnout, resulting in an election result that does not necessarily reflect the will of the general electorate, according to Ayers.

For the top of the last hour, Miranda Devine, reporter at the New York Post, Daily Telegraph and the author of the bestselling book “Laptop From Hell,” joins the Misfits to talk about the latest development out of the Hunter Biden corruption investigation. They talk about what was Hunter Biden doing in China and Ukraine. They also talk about Hunter’s spending habits and what the federal probe is looking into, particularly Biden’s finances, taxes and business dealings

For the last segment, Jeremy Kuzmarov joins the program. He’s the Jay P. Walker Assistant Professor of American History at the University of Tulsa. He’s also managing editor of Covert Action Magazine, and the author of three books, most recently “The Russians Are Coming–Again: The First Cold War as Tragedy, the Second as Farce.” He joins the show to talk about how the media is describing events unfolding in Ukraine. They talk about reports over the weekend that Russia is preparing a “kill list” and a full blown invasion of Ukraine. The question that the Misfits discuss with Kuzmarov is why are we being asked, yet again, to just take the government’s and the media’s account of all that is actually happening in the region?

Austin Pelli, co-host of Fault Lines, which you can hear every day, Monday through Friday from 7:00a-10:00a ET on Radio Sputnik, calls in from Ottawa to give the Misfits an update on an anticipated crackdown by police to clear protesters from the Canadian capital. It has been widely reported that law enforcement is preparing to clear the capital over the weekend, and protesters say they plan to remain in place. Austin told the Misfits that two leaders of the Freedom Convoy were arrested this morning.

Mark Sleboda, international relations and foreign affairs analyst, joins the show to break down the latest developments out of Ukraine. They talk about Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s speech to the United Nations Thursday warning of a possible “false flag operation.” Blinken said Russia or pro-Russian Ukrainians could allege a provocation that would then give them cause to enter Ukraine.

Dr. Kenneth Surin, Professor Emeritus of literature and professor of religion and critical theory at Duke University, joins the show to talk about the recent UK law called the Official Secrets Act that is used to prosecute anybody accused of leaking classified, sensitive, or national security information, including journalists. It’s a law that American prosecutors have often said they would like to see in the United States. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s conservative government is now poised to greatly expand on the Official Secrets Act to allow the government to prosecute and jail whistleblowers and journalists.

Ted Rall, award-winning political cartoonist, columnist, author whose his latest book is "The Stringer," and co-host of the DMZ America podcast with Ted Rall & Scott Stantis, joins the show to talk about the recent ruling by a New York state judge ordering Donald Trump and his children Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr. to testify in depositions within three weeks. The court order relates to New York state’s investigation into the Trump organization’s business practices. Then, the Misfits talk with Ted about Elon Musk tweeting that he’s being harassed by the SEC trying to “chill” Musk’s right to free speech. Finally, Michelle and John ask Ted about rising inflation and recent reports that sixty percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck with little to no savings to fall back on.

Dr. Iyabo Obasanjo, professor of public health at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA. joins the show to discuss the impact of hybrid immunity to COVID-19. They discuss the science, where it stands now on natural immunity versus vaccine-induced immunity, and whether one form of immunity is notably more effective than the other. They talk about how federal guidelines will adapt to rising rates of immunity.

The Misfits close Friday’s show with Stories of the Weird.

We sign off till Tuesday.

Jim Jatras, former US diplomat and former senior foreign policy advisor to the Senate Republican leadership, joins Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss the expulsion of the US deputy ambassador from Russia and the accusations Ukraine and Russia are exchanging of cease-fire violations, as the US secretary of state addresses the UN Security Council on the crisis.

Chris Garaffa, editor of TechForThePeople.org, breaks down the Future of Tech commission’s recent recommendations on limiting data collection, and the need for more forceful action on privacy violations. They also discuss new legislation to protect childrens’ privacy online and Google’s plans to (pretend to) protect your privacy.

Robert Hockett, Edward Cornell professor of law and a professor of public policy at Cornell University, gets into the Justice Department’s investigation of short selling on Wall Street. He also helps explain the ramifications of the Canadian government’s new emergency powers as they relate to private banking and breaks down what the about face of the Trump Organization’s accounting firm means.

Austin Pelli, cohost of Fault Lines, reports from Ottawa, where a crackdown on the anti-mandate trucker convoy is underway. Protestors appear to be unconcerned with the threats of arrest, and promise the protest will continue.

At the top of the show, our guest is Dr. David Oualaalou, an International geopolitical consultant, global speaker, author, veteran & former international security analyst in Washington, DC. He’s the host of “Geopolitics in Conflict” on YouTube, Locals & Rumble, and founder of Global Perspective Consultingheadquartered in Dallas, TX. His latest book is "The Dynamics of Russia’s Geopolitics: Remaking of the Global Order." He joins John and Michelle to break down the latest in Ukraine. The head of Russia’s delegation to the OSCE said this morning that the Russian bottom line is that Ukraine cannot and must not join NATO. But, we already know that France and Germany opposed Ukrainian membership in NATO, and all member countries have to vote unanimously to accept a new member. It remains unlikely that Ukraine would be eligible or become a member of NATO anytime soon, according to Dr.Oualaalou.

Pandemic related mandates remain in effect until March as protests in Ottawa continue. Austin Pelli, co-host of Fault Lines, which you can hear every day, Monday through Friday, from 7:00a -10:00a ET on Radio Sputnik, called in from Ottawa to give the Misfits a breakdown of what’s happening on the ground. Austin says that protesters are preparing for an escalation by law enforcement over the weekend in an effort to motivate protestors to clear the capital space truckers have occupied since mid-January.

Leila Mechoui, journalist and co-host of the Red Star Radio podcast, also called in from Ottawa. The Misfits to talk about speculation that a group of protesters are preparing for a coup to overthrow the Canadian government. “The only people talking about overthrowing the government is the government,” Leila said.

Next, Tina Landis, environmental and social activist and the author of the book "Climate Solutions Beyond Capitalism," joins Michelle and John to talk about a report on potential sea level rise issued Tuesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, warning that sea levels will rise as much in the next 30 years as much as they did in the previous hundred. That means seas a foot higher, or as much as a foot and a half higher in the Gulf of Mexico on the coasts of Louisiana and Texas.

Morgan Artyukhina is a writer and news editor at Sputnik’s Washington, DC, bureau, focusing on international and breaking news, as well as covering military technology, the expanding neoliberal police state, and the ongoing struggles against it in the US and around the globe. Morgan meets up with John and Michelle in studio to talk about how Ethiopia's parliament yesterday voted for an early end to the country’s six-month-long state of emergency, indicating that the bloody conflict between the government and Tigrayan rebel forces was easing.

For the last segment, Sarah Sax joins the show. Sarah is an environmental journalist, with a focus to uncover the social, economic, and environmental forces driving large-scale land-use change and environmental injustice, with a focus on climate justice, gender, land and indigenous rights, and agricultural commodities. John and Michelle talk with Sarah about a hydroelectric plant slated to be built in the Pacific Northwest on sacred tribal land owned by the Yakama tribe.

For the first segment, Austin Pelli, co-host of Fault Lines - which you can hear every day Monday through Friday, from 7:00a-10:00a ET here on Radio Sputnik, calls in from Ottawa, Canada to give us an on-the-ground perspective covering the Freedom Convoy. Austin describes the scene as being friendly and festive. Ottawa police have been supportive of the protest, and participants in the convoy are compliant with law enforcement. Each weekend, more people show up to the protest, yet pandemic mandates are slated to be lifted by the end of February.

Next, Kimberly Dvorak, award-winning investigative journalist, calls in from Virginia to talk with Michelle and John about the latest development in Russia over tensions in the Ukraine. There are a great number of developments on Ukraine today: President Putin met this morning with Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which was after Scholz met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Both sides stressed economic ties, and Scholz said that Europe’s borders are inviolable. Putin, for his part, said that he does not want or seek war in Europe.

At the bottom of the first hour, John Kane, Mohawk activist, educator, producer and host of the Let's Talk Native podcast, and co-host of Resistance Radio on WBAI Pacifica Radio NY, joins the show to talk about the Interior Department reviewing deaths in custody of native people at tribal detention centers overseen by the department. According to an investigation published last summer, at least 19 men and women have died in these detention centers since 2016.

Terry Collingsworth, executive director of International Rights Advocates and labor/human rights attorney specializing in trade and international labor rights issues, joins Michelle and John to talk about the National Labor Relations Board’s findings about how Amazon has treated union organizers in its warehouses and what it has been ordered to do. The Board’s findings follow after Amazon workers in Alabama voted for a second time whether or not to unionize.

During the last hour, Bruce Fein, former associate deputy Attorney General of the United States and a renowned constitutional scholar, catches up with the Misfits to discuss a recent court decision regarding Sarah Palin. A New York judge yesterday said that he will dismiss a lawsuit brought against the New York Times by Republican former vice presidential nominee and Alaska governor Sarah Palin. He said that Palin’s legal team did not prove a key element of the case, that the New York Times intended “actual malice.” But in a very unusual decision, the judge said that he will allow the jury to continue deliberating over a verdict, and that he will dismiss that verdict once it has done so. This seems like an easy win for the Times. But, the judge seems to be preparing for an inevitable appeal and he wants both his own reasoning and the jury’s reasoning on the record, according to Fein.

For the last segment, Dan Kovalik, labor attorney, human rights activist, and author whose latest book is called "Cancel This Book: The Progressive Case Against Cancel Culture," joins the show to talk about the latest out of Honduras. The United States yesterday formally requested the arrest and extradition to the US of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez. The Justice Department accuses the former president of trafficking drugs into the United States. His brother Tony was convicted of trafficking last year and sentenced to life without parole. The Honduran Supreme Court will meet today to decide whether to extradite Orlando Hernandez. Orlando Hernandez is not new to corruption. There have been credible, serious reports that he was a major drug trafficker going back to 2015.