Welcome to this week's episode of Scheer Intelligence, where host Robert Scheer dives deep into the compelling and complex world of international relations. In today’s episode, we are joined by Ben Norton, a distinguished journalist based in China, and editor at Geopolitical Economy Report. With a profound understanding of the intricacies of China's economy, Ben offers invaluable insights into the ongoing trade tensions under the Trump administration and the shifting sands of global power dynamics. As we discuss everything from tariffs and trade wars to the implications of a multipolar world, prepare to gain a clearer picture of the challenges and realities facing not just the U.S. and China, but the global community at large. Join us for an enlightening conversation that goes beyond the headlines!

Welcome to another gripping episode of Scheer Intelligence, where we delve deep into the stories that shape our understanding of freedom, power, and the human experience. I'm your host, Robert Scheer, and today, I'm joined by the insightful Joel Whitney. We will uncover the harrowing tale of Pramodia Ananta Toer, a celebrated Indonesian writer whose life was turned upside down by U.S. intervention during a turbulent chapter of history. His imprisonment for over a decade serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of geopolitical maneuvering, and his writing offers a profound reflection on resilience and the quest for freedom. Join us as we discuss the echoes of this past in our current political landscape and explore what it means to truly stand against oppression.

Welcome to Scheer Intelligence, where the true brainpower comes from our guests. Today, join Robert Scheer as he engages in a thought-provoking conversation with the talented Natasha Hakimi Zapata. A former award-winning poet and influential journalist at Truthdig, she now sheds light on her new book, Another World is Possible: Lessons for America from Around the Globe. With insights drawn from her unique upbringing and experiences across nine different countries, Natasha brings forth stories and solutions that challenge the prevailing narratives about our world today. In a time when despair seems so pervasive, she offers a refreshing look at what has been achieved globally—combined with actionable lessons that could inspire real change in America. Don’t miss this enlightening discussion as we explore how we can pave the way toward a more equitable and hopeful future.

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Welcome to another edition of Scheer Intelligence with your host, Robert Scheer. Today, we delve into the profound implications of the Ferguson movement, a pivotal moment in American history that continues to resonate throughout our society. Joining us are two exceptional guests: State Senator Marie Chappelle Nadal, who was on the ground in St. Louis during the turbulent aftermath of Michael Brown's tragic shooting, and filmmaker Ray Nowaselski, known for his compelling documentaries that tackle critical societal issues.

As we explore their investigative efforts and the stories of those affected by violence and injustice, we'll uncover the essential lessons we've learned over the past decade. From the profound impact of police accountability to the importance of understanding our history, this conversation aims to shed light on systemic challenges and the ongoing fight for justice. Join us as we navigate the complexities of these intertwined narratives, seeking to learn from the past and advocate for a better future.

Welcome to another edition of Scheer Intelligence, where insights come alive through the voices of our guests. I'm your host, Robert Scheer, and today we have the privilege of speaking with the insightful Vijay Prashad, a prolific author and the Director of the Tri-Continental Institute for Social Research. With an impressive body of work that includes over 40 books, Prashad has established himself as a leading voice on global affairs.

In our conversation, we explore the complexities of international relations, particularly focusing on the rising influence of China, the dynamics of capitalism, and the implications of a multipolar world on the global economy. We discuss critical issues, from technological advancements to the evolving nature of democracy, and reflect on the historical context that shapes today’s geopolitical landscape.

Join us as we unravel the narratives behind global events and seek to understand the balance of power in a world that's rapidly changing. 

Welcome to another episode of Scheer Intelligence! I'm your host, Robert Scheer, and today we’re diving into a critical conversation about the state of media, censorship, and the role of independent journalism in our society. Joining me are two passionate advocates from the organization Project Censored: Shealeigh Voitl and Andy Lee Roth.

In this episode, we explore the alarming trends of censorship, particularly in an era where many attribute societal issues to the influence of the internet rather than systemic inequalities or failures within our democratic structures. We'll discuss Project Censored's important work in highlighting underreported stories—stories that often reveal systemic injustices overlooked by corporate media.

Shealeigh and Andy share insights from their recent list of the top 25 censored stories, touching on crucial topics such as environmental crises, reproductive rights, and the growing influence of big tech on our information landscape. As we reflect on the historical context of media censorship, we’ll also examine how today’s media environment serves to obscure the significant challenges faced by working people and marginalized communities.

With the 2024 elections looming and the political landscape becoming increasingly polarized, this conversation is more relevant than ever. Together, we aim to illuminate the cracks in our media system and empower listeners to seek out independent voices that challenge the dominant narratives.

So, stay tuned as we unpack these pressing issues and advocate for a more informed and engaged public.

For more information go to https://www.projectcensored.org/

Article link: https://www.projectcensored.org/top-25-most-censored-stories-2024/

Photo from Project Censored 

Welcome to another edition of Scheer Intelligence. I’m your host, Robert Scheer, and today marks a significant new chapter for our program as we transition to Scheerpost, where we’ll continue our mission of exploring vital issues with depth and clarity. After nearly a decade of broadcasting through KCRW, we’re excited to bring you more frequent conversations, allowing us to engage with the news as it unfolds.

In this inaugural episode under the Scheerpost banner, I’m joined by the esteemed Ray McGovern, a former CIA analyst with over 27 years of experience, who has briefed three U.S. presidents and witnessed history from the inside. Together, we’ll delve into pressing topics, including the current geopolitical landscape shaped by figures like Trump and Netanyahu, and the ongoing crises in places like Gaza.

As we navigate this complex terrain, we’ll reflect on the challenges posed by the current administration’s foreign policy and the implications for international relations, particularly with Russia and China. Our discussion will not shy away from the harsh realities of war and the moral imperatives that arise from them.

At Scheer Intelligence, we believe in the power of informed dialogue to shed light on the issues that matter. So, whether you’re a long-time listener or new to our show, we invite you to join us as we seek to uncover the truth and engage in meaningful conversations about the most pressing issues of our time.

On this final episode of the Scheer Intelligence podcast hosted on KCRW but continuing on ScheerPost.com,  host Robert Scheer welcomes Larry Gross, author and Professor Emeritus of Communication at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. The two cover Zionism, specifically through the lens of Gross, who lived in Israel and personally witnessed the country’s evolution from its earlier claim to progressive idealism under its Labor party founders to the brutalizing occupation of Gaza and the West Bank Palestinians.

Although the term Zionism carries negative international weight today, Gross tells the story of his family, who came to Israel after his father left the United States in response to McCarthyism. Israel’s early labor connected and progressive politics represented a symbol of opportunity and hope for the Jewish diaspora community, such as Gross’ family. His father, who worked for, and was friends with then Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, thought Israel was “realizing this dream of the Zionist left, which was the party that had governed Israel… and was purporting to be creating both a Jewish state [and] also a progressive state.”

As Gross aged, however, Zionism’s mask slowly began to peel and the ugliness would emerge. “As a teenager growing up in Israel, some of the contradictions were already becoming apparent, ones that today are all too unmistakable,” Gross tells Scheer.

Israel has sharply broken from its labor affiliated days after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin by a Jewish religious fanatic to the ascendancy of Benjamin Netanyahu’s far right Zionist government. Zionism turned on itself and now threatens the very Jews who initially looked upon it with hope. Gross’s family escaped McCarthyism, but now Jews like him in America working in groups like Jewish Voice for Peace, objecting to Israel’s uncontrolled militarism, face a more virulent repression from the Trump Administration inspired by Israel's right-wing militancy.

Gross cites the pro-Palestine campus protests and explains, “what is happening in universities today… they are performing anticipatory compliance. They are failing to stand up, just as universities unfortunately did in the 1950s in that era we call McCarthyism, in which they fired people, they refused to hire them, they rewrote policies.”

Gross remarks that there are many voices of reason, including many Jews, that speak out against Israel’s atrocities today. “The slogan ‘never again’ has to mean never again, including to Palestinians,” he says.

The two discuss what the incoming Trump administration represents for U.S.-China relations as well as the state of China from the ground. Norton reports on his experiences living there and the local reaction to the U.S. political scene.

This is the political season to be thankful for small favors of optimism, and in this edition of Scheer Intelligence, host Robert Scheer and guest Joe Lauria, editor of the Consortium News website, are excited to have found a gift of striking significance to what remains of the practice of serious journalism on the internet. It is Donald Trump’s delivery on a promise in his inauguration address that “After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression, I will also sign an executive order to immediately stop all censorship and bring back free speech to America.”

What Trump is referring to is summarized in his executive order, “Restoring Free Speech and Ending Federal Censorship,” asserting: “Over the last four years, the previous administration trampled free speech rights by censoring Americans’ speech on online platforms, often by exerting substantial coercive pressure on third parties, such as social media companies, to moderate, deplatform, or otherwise suppress speech that the Federal Government did not approve.”

Under the guise of combatting ‘misinformation,’ `disinformation’ and ‘malinformation,’ the Federal Government infringed on the constitutionally protected speech rights of American citizens across the United States.” 

Despite its presence In the egregious pile of Donald Trumps otherwise deeply frightening Executive Orders assaulting logic and decency, both Scheer and Lauria, who edit internet publications that have been targeted in this manner, argue that this particular executive order is a gem of sharp brilliance that should not be shunned for the