Going Underground Episode Archive

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Indian author and Director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research Vijay Prashad on India’s revocation of Article 370 and the 35th Amendment for Jammu and Kashmir. He discusses this as a sign that Indian federalism is under threat and that the BJP wants an authoritarian, centralised India, why the move was anti-democratic and will alienate Kashmiris, why viewing Kashmir through the lens of terrorism is narrow, his belief that a deal was done between India and China to allow India to revoke Article 370 and for China to keep Aksai Chin and also the imprisonment of Brazil’s Lula Da Silva. Next we speak to The Grayzone’s Aaron Mate on the collapse of Russiagate and the Mueller investigation, sanctions on Venezuela and regime change efforts, regime change efforts against Iran and why they’re doomed to fail and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, legendary former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters discusses Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s latest extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court and why it makes him ashamed to be English, why he believes the UK and US are attempting to kill Julian, why the extradition case shouldn’t even be happening and is a mockery of British justice, the mass protests in Chile against the neoliberal US-backed President Sebastián Piñera and how the military crackdown is reminiscent of the Pinochet era. Finally we speak to Priscillia Ludosky, one of the founders of France’s Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vests) movement on the French police’s use of flash-ball riot control guns against protesters, the massive amount of injuries recorded among the Gilets Jaunes protesters, the European Commission’s role in fermenting the anger in France and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to member of Hong Kong’s Executive and Legislative Council Regina Ip on the continuing Hong Kong protests, how the Hong Kong SAR government has listened to some of the demands of protesters, biased Western media coverage of the protests, the police force’s response compared to the responses of Western police to mass protests and why she says Hong Kong’s governance was more efficient under the British! Next we speak to Sevim Dağdelen, deputy leader of Die Linke (The Left Party) on the rising tension between the United States and Iran, the possibility of war with Iran and what must be done to de-escalate the situation, how Boris Johnson is America’s latest poodle in Britain, how Der Linke plans to improve its poor electoral performance and oppose the Merkel government and more! Finally we speak to Mark Fernyhough about his latest single ‘Divided Cities’, Brexit and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Egemen Bağış, the Turkish Ambassador-Designate to the Czech Republic and top adviser to President Erdogan on Turkey’s invasion of north-eastern Syria. He discusses why Turkey views the PYD and YPG as the offspring of the PKK, how Turkey will build its own military-industrial complex as sanctions mount, whether Turkey has a problem with Kurds in general, what Erdogan did with Trump’s letter telling him ‘not to be a tough guy’ and more! Next, we speak to former co-leader of the Kurdish PYD Salih Moslem where he discusses whether the agreement between Kurdish forces and Bashar Al-Assad was inevitable, whether the PYD has ever received funding from the CIA, whether the PYD has any links with the PKK. He also labels President Erdogan as ‘like Hitler’ and comments on his threats to release 3.6 million Syrian refugees into Europe. Finally, we speak to Game of Thrones’ star Jerome Flynn who plays Bronn in the hit series regarding the Extinction Rebellion protests that have taken over London for nearly two weeks. He discusses the backlash against disruption caused by Extinction Rebellion and why the disruption is the government’s fault, why this kind of protest is necessary to prevent climate disaster, alarming warnings by the CCC on the British government’s inaction on climate change, the tube protest incident which saw Extinction Rebellion protesters beaten up and more! STATEMENT FROM THE TURKISH EMBASSY: We observe that you persistently invite representatives of the terrorist organization PYD/YPG and give them floor for making dirty propaganda against Turkey. During the last two years, especially from the east of River Euphrates, Turkey has been exposed to over a hundred cases of hostile acts by PYD/YPG, the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terrorist organization. PYD/YPG has also displaced many local Arabs, Kurds and Christians in the areas under its control and has violated human rights through recruiting child soldiers, intimidating dissidents, demographic engineering and forced conscription. The crimes which PYD/YPG committed have been documented by independent international organizations. Moreover, you request our response to the claims of representatives of this organization as if they are equal and legit counterparts. We do not approve this approach.

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Jerusalem Post’s Editor in Chief Yaakov Katz about the results of the Israeli elections, how Netanyahu’s plan to lower Arab voter turnout backfired, the ostracizing of certain groups during the Israeli elections, the success of the Arab parties, the war-like situation between Iran and Israel, the prospect of Jeremy Corbyn coming to power in the UK and more! Next we speak to Kristinn Hraffnson, Editor in Chief of Wikileaks about the latest reports regarding Julian Assange including his controlled moves around Belmarsh his lack of access to lawyers and his health condition. Finally we speak to Leana Hosea on her film ‘Thirst for Justice’ showing at the Raindance Film Festival which highlights the amount of covered-up nuclear disasters in the US and how millions of Americans are drinking unsafe water.

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad H. Mansour about Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest threat to illegally annex parts of the West Bank and his threat to start a war in Gaza. Mansour looks at the motivations for these escalations, attributing them to Netanyahu’s election campaign and blames the US for allowing this further shift in Israeli policy. Next we speak to David Nevin, the lawyer for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged “principle architect of the 9/11 attacks,” on the likelihood of Mohammed’s prosecution after years of CIA torture and human rights abuses at Guantanamo Bay, arguing that US practices may have made his prosecution more difficult.

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to UN Sanctions Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy on the escalating crisis between the US and Iran, why sanctions never achieve their goals of regime change, how endless sanctions without room for negotiation could mean war, US sanctions killing 40,000+ in Venezuela and more! Next we speak to Lizzie O’Shea, author of ‘Future Histories’ on the history of mass surveillance and policing, how police and mass surveillance have been used throughout history and today to protect class interests and maintain the status quo, how big tech companies are inhibiting freedom and why the technological revolution has disappointed! Statement from an EU spokesperson regarding sanctions and Venezuela: “Let me stress that the European Union does not have sanctions on Venezuela. What we have in place are targeted individual restrictive measures on individuals that have had responsibilities in terms of either violence or of obstructing the democratic process. They do not affect Venezuela as a country or the Venezuelan people. Our primary concern is the improvement of the humanitarian situation in the country and the well-being of the Venezuelan population”.

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the legendary actor Steven Berkoff on Donald Trump, where he calls him one of of the ‘great villains’ of the 21st Century. He also discusses gun violence in the US amid tragic mass shootings, the arms industry and arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Vladimir Putin and Trump’s relationship and why he staunchly opposes Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party. He also discusses barriers women face in the film industry, the American vs European film industries and more

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Muammar Gaddafi’s spokesperson during the Libyan Civil War Moussa Ibrahim. He discusses his role as Gaddafi’s spokesperson, the allegations of crimes committed by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, how Gaddafi loyalists have been proven right 8 years after Libya’s civil war ended, how the West is to blame for Libya’s turmoil, how he survived the war and how he has been aiding Libya’s Green Resistance, how Gaddafi’s government’s predictions came true on terrorism, extremism and tribal conflict plaguing Libya following Gaddafi’s downfall and more! STATEMENT FROM THE EU: The EU position on Libya is well known, the European Union and its Member States are united in demanding that all Libyan parties commit to a permanent ceasefire and return to a UN facilitated political process. In this regard, the EU reaffirms its full support for the work of the UN Special Representative Ghassan Salamé and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The EU expects all parties and all regional players to avoid further military escalation. All military activities should stop immediately. The EU continues to reach out to all relevant parties and regional players to help deliver on a peaceful transition responsibly and in the interest of all Libyans. The EU stands ready to support with all means available and help Libya return to peace and resume its political transition towards a stable, secure and prosperous country. We will also continue to engage with Libya's neighbors and regional partners including by coordinating efforts with the League of Arab States (LAS), the African Union (AU) and as said, the United Nations (UN).

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the founder of the Democratic Revolution Party and Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile Giorgio Jackson about the ongoing protests against neoliberal US-backed President of Chile Sebastian Piñera, the protesters demands, Pinera’s attempts to polarise the debate, why the Chilean constitution is not fit to serve the needs of the majority, Chile’s problem with inequality, neoliberalism, privatisation and more! Next we speak to the author of ‘The Best Democracy Money Can Buy’ Greg Palast on the coup in Bolivia against Evo Morales, the US’ motivations for the coup, the racism in Latin American right wing politics, the regime attempt by the US against Venezuela and Nicolas Maduro and why the 2020 US elections will not be free elections. Finally, we speak to award-winning Director Wash Westmoreland about his new film ‘Earthquake Bird’

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the UK’s former Ambassador to Libya Peter Millett on the rise of General Khalifa Haftar, why he has allies in the international community, why his brute military force is not the answer to solve Libya’s crisis, allegations of UK backing of Islamist and jihadist groups in Libya and more. Next we speak to Muammar Gaddafi’s former health minister and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mustafa El Zaidi on why General Haftar has popular appeal in Libya, why the UN-backed government in Tripoli is doomed to fall, the Tripoli government’s use of militias, the his accusations of the West being set out to destroy Libya from the start, not just to remove Gaddafi and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Consultant Editor of the Daily Mail Andrew Pierce about Boris Johnson winning the Tory leadership contest, how long he things Boris Johnson will last before a no confidence motion, why Tory MPs are less likely to rebel against him, the crisis in the Labour Party and more. Next we speak to Sinn Fein’s Mickey Brady MP who states Sinn Fein’s position on Boris Johnson, how Ireland’s Leo Varadkar should stand firm with the EU in negotiating with Boris and whether a no-deal Brexit could make a united Ireland more likely. Finally we speak to Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Dr. Rupert Read on how Extinction Rebellion will approach a Boris Johnson premiership, whether XR has plans for more mass protests and more! STATEMENT FROM ANDREA LEADSOM: “A good education is the greatest gift that that we as a society can give our children. I applaud the superb commitment of so many students to campaigning for faster action on climate change and I share their ambition. But I do believe it’s vital that schooldays are not lost, and I urge students to carry out their campaigning out of school hours.”

. On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to ex-UKIP MP Douglas Carswell on his opinion on Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister, what this will mean for Brexit, his plans to shake-up the perceived anti-Brexit Whitehall, what Dominic Cummings (the former head of the Vote Leave campaign) becoming a senior aide to Boris Johnson means and the possibility of a no-deal Brexit! Next we speak to Ian Paisley Jr. MP on the likelihood of a United Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the likelihood of Northern Irish voters voting for reunification, the DUP’s confidence and supply agreement with the Conservative Party and whether this will change with Boris Johnson’s premiership and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subramanian Swamy on the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s Article 370. He discusses why the revocation is about equality and why it needed to happen, Imran Khan’s comments that the BJP and Modi are modern-day Nazis, the terror threat in the Kashmir valley and how India will counter it, allegations of the move being undemocratic, what India plans to do with an integrated Jammu and Kashmir and more! Next we speak to Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Mohammad Nafees Zakaria on how Pakistan will respond to India’s unilateral decision to revoke Article 370, fears of an upcoming genocide by the Indian Army against Kashmiris, alleged attempts to change Kashmir’s demographics, allegations of Pakistan funding terrorism in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, why the international community must intervene in the crisis and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Mike Gravel on the firing of John Bolton. He says Bolton was close to starting a war with Iran and is the reason for the current hostility between the US, Russia, and China and also says the only hope for a peaceful US foreign policy is Bernie Sanders and Tulsi Gabbard. Next, we speak to Sir David King about the climate emergency and how fracking is accelerating climate change at an unprecedented rate. He also explains the causes of climate change and reveals that we must also refreeze the poles if we are to have any chance of fighting it. Finally, we speak to economist and head of research at IIPP at UCL, Josh Ryan-Collins on the European Central Bank’s latest measures to bolster the Eurozone, which includes cutting the deposit facility rate and another round of quantitative easing. He also discusses the housing crisis in the West and what governments can do to tackle it.

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Notis Mitarachi, the Deputy Minister for Social Security in the New Democracy government in Greece. He discusses why Syriza lost the election, whether austerity is coming to an end in Greece, human rights issues in Greece such as conditions for refugees, how Greece can find its way out of the economic crisis and more! Next we speak to former Minister of State at the Home Office Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on this weeks top stories including a poll which has Labour finishing in first place in a hypothetical general election, Diane Abbot’s column in the Independent saying the government’s compensation on Windrush is not enough, mainstream media ignoring continued Yellow Vests protests and an Israeli government minister supporting gay conversion therapy and calling for Palestinians’ right to vote being taken away. Finally we speak to Prof. Seyed Mohammad Marandi on escalating US-Iran tensions, the UK seizing an Iranian tanker allegedly bound for Syria, US sanctions amounting to war crimes and more! STATEMENT FROM THE EMBASSY OF CHINA: July 1st is a day of celebration and festivity for the people of Hong Kong from all walks of life to commemorate the return of Hong Kong and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HONG KONG SAR). However, on this very day,some ultra-radicals stormed the Hong Kong Legislative Council complex in an extremely violent manner and wantonly damaged facilities inside. Such action has broken the boundaries to freedom of speech and peaceful demonstration, trampled on the rule of law in Hong Kong, undermined social order, compromised the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and challenged the bottom line of "one country, two systems". We strongly condemn such action. The Hong Kong SAR government will press criminal charges against the violent offenders in accordance with the law, and the Chinese Central Government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR government in pursuing this serious case of offence and handling the incident in accordance with the law. We support the SAR government in restoring public order, protecting the personal and property safety of Hong Kong citizens and maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. China is determined to safeguard its sovereignty, national security and development interests. Hong Kong is China's special administrative region and its affairs are purely China's internal affairs that brook no interference from any country, organization or individual. We are determined to reject foreign interference. Any attempts to interfere in the affairs of Hong Kong are doomed to fail.

. On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former Congressman Ron Paul on recent tensions with Iran. He discusses Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran Deal (JCPOA), the news that his son Rand Paul may be appointed as a special liaison to negotiate with Iran, why the US needs to stop interfering in the Middle East, why NATO needs to dissolve and more. Next we speak to Space Race historian John Logsdon on the secrets of the Space Race such as Hitler’s scientist in charge of rocket in charge of NASA’s flight program, a possible joint Soviet-US moon landing had JFK not been assassinated, possible human presence on Mars, the US using Russian Soyuz rockets for the last 10 years and the threat of asteroids. STATEMENT FROM THE EMBASSY OF CHINA: Outer space belongs to all mankind and it is the shared responsibility of the international community to uphold outer space security.China upholds the peaceful use of outer space and opposes weaponizing outer space or space arms race. For many years, China has been working hard with other countries to try to reach an international legal instrument to prevent the weaponization of or an arms race in outer space. There have been some negative moves relating to the security of outer space recently. Some big country has described outer space as the "new war-fighting domain" and announced to establish a "space force" to regularly conduct outer space exercises, which makes it more likely to turn the risks of weaponizing outer space into reality and make the outer space a battlefield. Despite all these, the big country has been calling others "outer space security threats" to justify its own military build-up in outer space and R&D in advanced weapons. If the relevant party cares about the security of outer space, it should work with China and the international community and actively participate in the arms control process of outer space in order to make its due contributions to maintaining outer space security instead of doing the opposite.

On this season finale special episode of Going Underground, we speak to legendary journalist and film-maker John Pilger on a round-up of all the latest issues. John describes the current state of global affairs as in a state of world war, warning that the ‘coming war on China’ he warned about…has now arrived, he also discusses the Hong Kong protests and why they have grown, along with US involvement in the unrest. He discusses the collapse of the global nuclear arms control framework with the end of the INF Treaty and the beginning of a new arms race with Russia, amid a situation where he describes it as Washington’s goal to break up the Russian Federation under Putin. He also warns of the increased risk of nuclear war as nuclear superpowers such as Pakistan and India are also entering major tensions between each other. John Pilger also discusses his concern with John Bolton being at the ear of Donald Trump, how Brexit has created mass-distraction in the UK from the most pressing of issues at home (such as austerity and the NHS) and abroad. He slams sanctions on Venezuela and Iran and also updates us on the condition of Wikileaks founder and publisher Julian Assange, after he visited him recently in Belmarsh prison.

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to adviser to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Paul Oquist Kelley on the Sandinista Revolution, 40 years on, the history of the Nicaraguan fight against US imperialism, accusations of human rights abuses under Daniel Ortega after the failed coup attempt last year, LGBT rights in Nicaragua and the Defend Media Conference which RT and Sputnik were barred from. Next we speak to Game of Thrones star Jerome Flynn, who plays Bronn in the series about US-style factory farms coming to the UK, how present meat production methods are destroying the planet, the climate change emergency, Extinction Rebellion and its meteoric rise, the growth at all costs attitude of neoliberal politicians and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Dr. Gabor Maté on the Tory leadership election and his opinion on favourite-to-win Boris Johnson, Anti-Semitism allegations against Jeremy Corbyn, crimes of Israel against Palestinians, capitalism and its creation of social problems, the Democratic Party and how it lost to Donald Trump and how it uses Russiagate to escape responsibility for their loss and how mainstream media limits debate. Next we speak to Wang Huiyao, advisor to the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government about the US vs China Trade War, whether the Chinese economy is stagnating, how China has contributed to global prosperity and China’s position on tensions between the US and Iran!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Liana Kanelli, member of the Hellenic Parliament for the Communist Party of Greece about the upcoming Greek elections, the projected defeat of the far-right Golden Dawn, Syriza turn from revolution to enforcing EU austerity, having no hope for a government led by Syriza or New Democracy and Brussels ruling her country. Next we speak to Dr Yousef Jabareen, Arab-Israeli MP on the upcoming Palestine expo, Trump’s alliance with Benjamin Netanyahu and his thoughts on the ‘Deal of the Century’. Finally we speak to Asifa Lahore, Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen about growing up during the era of Section 28 and facing homophobic bullying growing up, the role of Trans women in the fight for LGBT rights, including in the Stonewall Riots and how LGBT rights is progressing on the Asian continent!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Cherie Blair QC about her case defending Russian businesswoman Masha Lazareva, who has been imprisoned for over 400+ days in a Kuwaiti prison. Next we speak to Prince Charles Advisor Sir Jonathon Porritt about climate change, impending climate disaster, big oil corporate sponsorships, the need for immediate renewable energy investment, Extinction Rebellion and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Japan’s former representative to the IMF Daisuke Kotegawa on the upcoming G20 summits, the West’s hypocrisy on lecturing the East on economics, barriers preventing the nationalisation of banks in the West, Donald Trump’s threats against Iran and why he is escalating sanctions and more! Next we speak to Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees on the upcoming Starmus conference, the future of space travel, why the private sector should be more involved in space travel such as Elon Musk's Space-X, the role of robots in space travel, the possibility of a post-human Martian species, nuclear war, bioterrorism and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to the Trump Champaign’s Foreign Policy Adviser George Papadopolous on British interference in the 2016 election, how the British state kept tabs on him regularly, the U.K. establishment’s focus on Russia and NATO throughout the campaign and Boris Johnson’s links to the CIA. Next we speak to Chris Williamson MP in an exclusive interview after his suspension by the Labour Party was lifted. This interview was recorded before the Labour Party suspended Chris Williamson again. Chris talks about how he wants to unite with the Board of Deputies of British Jews to fight antisemitism, what Corbyn’s possible election could mean for world peace, post-Brexit Britain, poverty, inequality and more!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Charlie Cooke, Deputy Editor of Going Underground about Theresa May’s last week in office and the controversies around her flagship policy-Universal Credit. Next we speak to Sergei Polunin on taking on the ballet establishment, how he was blacklisted from entering his home country of Ukraine, the rise of fascism in Ukraine, his support for Vladimir Putin and Russia, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, how to beat the establishment after being shunned by it and more! Cameramen: -Emil Kunda (@EmilKunda) -Anthony Brown (@Bampfilm) STATEMENT FROM THE DWP: “The UN’s own data shows the UK is one of the happiest places in the world to live, and other countries have come here to find out more about how we support people to improve their lives. “Therefore this is a barely believable documentation of Britain, based on a tiny period of time spent here. It paints a completely inaccurate picture of our approach to tackling poverty. “We take tackling poverty extremely seriously which is why we spend £95 billion a year on welfare and maintain a State Pension system that supports people into retirement. “All the evidence shows that full-time work is the best way to boost your income and quality of life, which is why our welfare reforms are focused on supporting people into employment and we introduced the National Living Wage, so people earn more in work.”