Unusual Sources Soundcloud

Syria sanctions are intended to prevent its recovery | with Stephen Gowans:

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 Setsuku 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.

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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.

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.

On Remembrance Day, Black Alliance for Peace National Organizer Ajamu Baraka spoke in Hamilton on the subject of ending US/EU/NATO wars. Baraka, the 2016 Vice-Presidential Candidate for the Green Party, is presently touring Eastern Canada. The winner of awards for peace and journalism, Ajamu Baraka has been called "an inspiring voice against militarism."

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 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.