FLASHPOINTS

Today on Flashpoints: We begin with our on the ground correspondent, Allah Ibrahim, with an update about the situation there, including news of a 48 hour cease fire and new allegations of the use of napalm by the Syrian military. We then follow that up with an analysis by Ali Al-Ahmed of the Institute for Gulf Affairs, about the role of Saudi Arabia, Syria and the region. Then, we continue our coverage of the recent spill of toxic waste  into the Animas River by the EPA. Finally, we have two reports filed by senior producer, Miguel Gavilan Molina. The first about returning ethnic studies to Arizona classrooms, followed by an interview with Richard Montoya of Culture Clash about his new performance piece, Nogales

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Flashpoints 08-12-15

Today on Flashpoints: We revisit the issue of police brutality as tension grows, following the one year anniversary of Michael Brown’s murder in Ferguson, Missouri. Next, we cover protests in Japan, following a decision by the Japanese government to reactivate the first nuclear power plant, since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. Then, as Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Cuba to open the US embassy there, we discuss the future of US/Cuba relations. Finally, we continues our coverage of Syria’s talks between Russia and Saudi Arabia, take a new turn due to the disputes over the future of Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad

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Flashpoints 08-11-15

Today on Flashpoints, we discuss Haiti’s long awaited parliamentary elections, which just wrapped up yesterday. Next we talks with an organizer of the boycott against Driscoll berries in response to the terrible working conditions in the field of Baja California.  Then, we’ll take a look at controversy surrounding Bernie Sanders with the backlash he’s received from the #blacklivesmatters movement.  Finally we return with Harvey Wasserman with a update on efforts to close the last nuclear reactors in California at Diablo Canyon.

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Today on Flashpoints, we begin with coverage of the upcoming legislative elections in Haiti that are scheduled for this Sunday, August 9. We then move to the US campaign trail and discuss election law and the irony behind tonight’s GOP presidential debate falling on the anniversary of the  Voting Rights Act passed in 1965. We continue our coverage of Syria and pose the question: are US drone strikes in Syria actually helping the Islamic State?  Finally, legendary whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg of Pentagon Papers fame highlights the 70the anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan during a protests at the Lawrence Livermore nuclear lab facility in California.

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Flashpoints 08-06-15

Today on Flashpoints, in an unprecedented move of censorship, the Los Angeles Times fires its renowned political cartoonist Ted Rall after pressure from the Los Angeles Police Department. Then, we take a closer look at the upcoming republican debates and ask the question: who’s going to pay for the 2016 election? While there slogan says health, education and human welfare, the american psychological association better known by its acronym APA is reeling from revelations its top membership actively supported the CIA torture program. Finally, we take another look at Syria as reports come in about the first US drone strikes fired from Turkey that are reportedly being used to support CIA trained rebels on the ground.

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Today on Flashpoints, we discuss President Obama’s recent statements addressing the importance of climate change and global warming. Next we’ll talk with Jenna McLaughlin who writes for The Intercept about Justice Department efforts to create a backdoor to all commercial encryption programs.  Then, we’ll feature an exclusive interview with our special correspondent on the ground in Damascus, Syria and hear reactions to the Pentagon’s announcement of plans to allow airstrikes in support of CIA trained rebel forces. Finally we return to the issue of austerity and what is facing the people of Greece as the EU announces the possibility of another bailout deal.

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Flashpoints 08-04-15

Today on Flashpoints: We take a closer look at the controversy surrounding a new US marine base being built in Okinawa. We’ll speak with a visiting delegation from the island who are part of the resistance to the new base. Finally, we kick off our regular coverage of upcoming elections in Haiti.

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Flashpoints 08-03-15

Today on Flashpoints: Portland activists continue their battle to block Shell’s ice breaker from heading out to the Arctic to commence the drilling process. Private prison owners getting rich on Obama’s massive record-breaking deportation program. And, a Palestinian-American college professor arrested and deported from Israel/Palestine for no reason and brutalized along the way.

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Flashpoints 07-30-15