Looking forward to your town as are. 2 year. This is what happens. This is what happens to pensions in britain. You watch kaiser report the pensions in britain. You watch kaiser report. Hello and welcome to cross talk were all things are considered im. Alone and welcome to cross talk were all things are considered times here lavelle all across the middle east and beyond there are large scale protests and growing political instability all across the middle east and beyond there are large scale protests and growing political instability in many countries the old ways of doing business but only in rich privileged elite in many countries the old ways of doing business but only in rich privileged elite while the prospects for the many are few and far in between the elites while the prospects for the many are few and far in between the elites have answers for todays growing problems. Have answers for todays growing problems. Ability im joined by my guest james jaharis and watch and he. Joined by my guest james jaharis and watch and hes a former u. S. Diplomat and former advisor to the u. S. Senate Republican Leadership is a former u. S. Diplomat and former advisor to the u. S. Senate Republican Leadership in plymouth we have he is the executive editor of the news website 21st century one plymouth we have he is the. Executive editor of the news website 21st century wired dot com and in norman we cross to Joshua Landis he is director of the center wired dot com and in norman we cross to Joshua Landis he is director of the center of middle east studies at the university of oklahoma all right gentlemen crosstalk rules in effect that means you can jump in the middle east studies at the university of oklahoma all right gentlemen crosstalk rules in effect that means you can jump in anytime you want and i always appreciate joshua let me go to you 1st in norman in time we want and i always appreciate joshua let me go to you 1st in norman all across the globe we have iraq we have we have lebanon we have chile all across the globe we have iraq we have we have lebanon we have chile we have many other places around the world plus we have the whole division over braggs it in the u. K. Many other places around the world plus we have the whole division over brags that in the u. K. We have the division in the United States is there a lot of instability out there hey we have the division in the United States is there a lot of instability out there but i want to talk about the specific country of lebanon just to start it off here a lot of people say that i want to talk about the specific country of lebanon just to start it off here a lot of people say that it is the bellwether for the region what happens there 1st is an indication that it is the bellwether for the region what happens there 1st is an indication of what possibly and probably will happen and the number of other countries in the region how do you and what possibly and probably will happen and the number of other countries in the region how do you reflect upon that go ahead joshua well i think youre right lebanon is one of the elect upon that go ahead joshua. Well i think youre right lebanon is one of the is the 3rd most indebted country in the world riad salame a the head of the central bank 3rd most indebted country in the world riad salame a the head of the central bank said it but the country will crash economically if these protests go on much longer but the senate the country will crash economically if these protests go on much longer but the protests are in many ways i think a reflection of the protests are in many ways i think a reflection of a tremendous change in the world a an income gap that is yawning tremendous change in the world a an income gap that is yawning but i mean rich and poor and we can see that from across the world but i mean rich and poor and we can see that from across the world you know europe is the most equal part of the world at 30 percent you know europe is the most equal part of the world at 30 percent of wealth is held by the top 10 percent but the middle east is the worst of wealth is held by the top 10 percent but the middle east is the worst its 61 percent of all wealth is held by the top 10 percent now russia is 61 percent of all wealth is held by the top 10 percent now russia and america are hovering in the middle but but its that you know in america are hovering in the middle but but its that you know the world is becoming more and more unequal and i think in places where you have the world is becoming more and more unequal and i think in places where you have bad governments like lebanon iraq egypt syria youre see bad governments like lebanon iraq egypt syria youre seeing this kind of explosion of real you know theres not enough seeing this kind of explode. Of real you know theres not enough jobs theres bad Government People are robbing at the top and the public feel bad Government People are robbing at the top and the public feels like theyre getting a very bad deal and theyre up in arms you know patrick and ideals like theyre getting a very bad deal and theyre up in arms you know patrick and i did everything that joshua just said there but we have these ruling elites as i said in my introduce everything that joshua just said there but we have these ruling elites as i said in my introduction you know still doing business as usual the old ways here and this is a real wake up actually you know still doing business as usual the old ways here and this is a real wake up call and one more thing we look at the disparity in income we can look at the youthfulness call and one more thing we look at the disparity in income we can look at the usefulness of a lot of these countries a lot of people. Under 18 and what process of a lot of these countries a lot of people. Under 18 and what prospects do they have here but my issue is with governance here whats it going to take the clicks do they have here but my issue is with governance here whats it going to take because as joshua pointed out here this is this can explode it is exploding go ahead back because as joshua pointed out here this is this can explode it is exploding go ahead patrick you know this is a very difficult topic to kind of get your head around because you know this is a very difficult topic to kind of get your head around because theres so many uprising zork does so much political unrest happening simultaneous theres so many uprising zork does so much political unrest happening simultaneously and i think theres a tendency by the media by political commentators uneasily and i think theres a tendency by the media by political commentators by economists and political economist to try to find some generalized by economists and political. Column is to try to find some generalized terms to sort of describe whats like a global phenomenon i think that was a mis terms to sort of describe what its like a global phenomenon i think that was a mistake that the west made with the arab spring by putting it all into one kind of suit stake that the west made with the arab spring by putting it all into one kind of soup and i think the reality is you have you have different aspects and and i think the reality is you have you have different aspects and different characteristics with each of these there are commonalities however if you want to different characteristics with each of these there are commonalities however if you want to talk about overarching frameworks for analyzing this youve got posts about overarching frameworks for analyzing this youve got post colonial identity issues youve got post colonial border mapmaking issues that are so many all identity issues youve got post colonial border mapmaking issues that are still plaguing places like the middle east all the way back from the old war one you still plaguing places like the middle east all the way back from the old war one youve got neoliberal policies elian lasy of neo liberal policies you have youve got neo liberal policies elian lasy of neo liberal policies you have u. S. Meddling which would go under the banner of imperialism you could say u. S. Meddling which would go under the banner of imperialism you could say u. S. Foreign policy this is also a big big issue how that affects us Foreign Policy this is also a big big issue how that affects and how it has affected a lot of these countries in regions and you also have the failure of and how it has affected a lot of these countries in regions and you also have the failure of soviet era collectivist social economic structures soviet era collective. Social economic structures and dependency issues and also dependency issues with all of and dependency issues and also dependency issues with all of these countries economically i mean you look at a country like lebanon they have absolutely nothing as countries economically i mean you look at a country like lebanon they have absolutely nothing that they produce they import everything they are economically completely dependent on thing that they produce they import everything they are economically completely dependent on things like foreign aid and in ngo sector economy that sort of drives them things like foreign aid and an ngo sector economy that sort of drives the middle class in that country thats just one example so its it is very difficult middle class in that country thats just one example so its it is very difficult i think hong kong is also has been mischaracterized by the press because i think hong kong is also has been mischaracterized by the press because its it wasnt just an uprising to do with because it wasnt just an uprising to do with class this had something to do with change this was kind of an imported class this had something to do with change this was kind of an imported revolution this is indicative of the into individualized. Revolution this is indicative of the into individualized young middle class Global Citizen yet that exists virtually their identity middle class Global Citizen yet that exists virtually their identity from social media and i think that also drives that change drives it but they dont know what to be from social media and i think that also drives that change drives it but they dont know where to go with this change well the political organizing isnt there that the ideas arent there to go and go with this change well the political. Organizing isnt there the ideas arent there to go anywhere with it you know what you patrick you just did a ph d. On t. V. In about 3 minutes and many where with it you know what you patrick you just did a ph d. On t. V. In about 3 minutes easing to me let me go to james now you know i gan you know that this has a lot to easing to me let me go to james now you know i can you know that this has a lot to do with expectations and i think that you know patrick was hit the nail on the head there and do with expectations and i think that you know patrick was hit the nail on the head there and b. People being so interconnected is well here but you know what what we have here and be people being so interconnected is well here but you know what what we have here is we we have global elites that are not delivering theyre doing choir is we we have global elites that are not delivering theyre doing quite well and they dont have any solutions here and at the same time you have a lot of people well and they dont have any solutions here and at the same time you have a lot of people protesting it in more than protesting out of the fact that they dont see that they have protesting it in more than protesting out of the fact that they dont see that they have a future here and that is a toxic mixture go ahead james it is that i think the future here and that is a toxic mixture go ahead james it is that i think those are the making of some of the factors we see in common with these things and then as we all know that there are disputes of the making of some of the factors we see in common with these things and then as we all know that there are disparate group was just like it because it really is like its. In private spaces that we could later but the notion was accumulated a bit and it was communications and cellphones and whatsapp and things like that i cant help ok sure that and those people phones and whatsapp and things like that i cant help but wonder though peter that what what more is there that. Was what under here or what i forget what what more is there the. It meets the i always wonder why for example some protests in some countries get very favorable treatment for example some protests in some countries get very favorable treatment from the global media which sarah shares the same neo liberal ideology is what these people in the global media which sarah shares the same neo liberal ideology is what these people are supposedly protesting against in many cases and other cases they dont get or supposedly protesting against in many cases and other cases they dont get such good press for example ive noticed in all of this very few people mention sort of that such a good press for example i have noticed in all of this very few people mention sort of the the granddaddy of all this in the last year or so which is the yellow vests in france which are the the granddaddy of all this in the last year or so which is the yellow vests in france which i think very much were a working class phenomenon against the very things were describing think very much were a working class phenomenon against the very things were describing but theyre bad you see because there are there are there are there are there are not really but there are the bad that you said betty because there are other there are there are there are not really but there are the bad kind of populist as they pose to whats wrong kong thats going to go on the populous the kids in hong kong a good populist as they pose to whats wrong kong thats going to go on the populous the kids in hong kong are good ok that in the in the yellow vests or are disco yeah exactly theyre dependent educated ok that in the in the yellow vests or are disco yeah exactly theyre depending on it was it say about spain they have it thats right and if the catalogs are it we should say about spain they have it thats right and if the catalogs are protesting with thats good but if spaniards who want spain to Stay Together a protest theyre protesting with thats good but if spaniards who want spain to Stay Together are protesting well thats bad so i think theres i cant help but but suspect that theres a theres a thumb on the scale and terms. Of our perceptions i i keep waiting for i think well thats a bad so i think theres i cant help but suspect that theres a theres a thumb on the scale and terms of our perceptions i keep waiting for a levy to tell us which ones are the good times which are the bad ones that people will burn are already levied to tell us which ones are the good about and which are the bad ones. But he can keep his mouth shut as far as im concerned joshua you know. He can keep his mouth shut as far as im concerned joshua you know. Patrick marty mentioned. Us involvement particularly in the middle east Patrick Marty mentioned. Us involvement particularly in the middle east here where you know constantly putting pressure on the lebanese government to get rid of her where you know constantly putting pressure on the lebanese government to get rid of hezbollah that is elected to the offices across the country as is below that is elected to the offices across the country as a great deal of popularity and then that the in the end then like threatening turkeys economy a great deal of popularity and then that the in the in the end then like threatening turkeys economy and things like that i mean this and make that thing the same in any this ad or thats what i mean to make things any better i mean constantly using the dollar in the us in the Financial System to punish countries around the world that we using the dollar in the us in the Financial System to punish countries around the world that just takes more options off the table doesnt it go ahead joshua it does look at this takes more options off the table doesnt it go ahead joshua. It does you know look at sanctions is a very brutal brutal response to sanctions is a very brutal brutal response to trying to regulate refine to your Foreign Policy trying to become regulars it late. 0 your Foreign Policy because it hits people right across the board it is collective punishment in the worst way and were seeing that in iraq right across the board it is collective punishment in the worst way and were seeing that in iran with sanctions on iran which have caused iran to escalate violence because theyre not with sanctions on iran which have caused iran to escalate violence because theyre not going to take it lying down and syria is in desperate straits and now the United States is eager to take the oil which syria needs in order to rebuild going to take it lying down and syria is in desperate straits and now the United States is eager to take the oil which syria needs in order to rebuild and lebanon of course the u. S. Has been debating whether they in lebanon of course the u. S. Has been debating whether they should withdraw all foreign aid to lebanon because hizbollah is part of the government withdraw all foreign aid to lebanon because hizbollah is part of the government but you know the lebanese elite has been arment but you know the lebanese elite has been. Sucking money system for a long long king much money out of the same system for a long time and and and you know it would be terrible if 11. 00 on it collapses i think the whole world understands that and nobody you know it will be terrible if 11 on it collapses i think the whole world understands that and nobody wants lebanon to collapse because it really isnt the sort of lungs of the middle east he wants lebanon to collapse because it really isnt the sort of loans of the men. At least where people can retreat to and find some kind of comfort something where people can retreat to and find some kind of comfort some kind of a sort of leaven teen playground except play ground but on the other side of levon teen playground on one hand its a playground but on the other hand its a its a refuge for all kinds of thinking of the middle east streets or writers if you wish for all kinds of thinking middle easterners who cant find a place in their own country so it would be terrible if that if it who cant find a place in their own country so it would be terrible if that if it collapses if it if it runs into bankruptcy which it could do at any moment in collapses if it if it runs into bankruptcy which it could do at any moment and. Its hard to see how theyre going to how the lebanese are going to release and its hard to see how theyre going to how the lebanese are going to really sort out their economic problems or to what often we hear and look at going to an american sprawl bring more is generally because when we look at the arab spring more generally which was framed of course as we just heard you know framed in terms of democracy which was framed of course as weve just heard you know framed in terms of democracy. It there really hasnt been any serious economic. It there really hasnt been any serious economic discussions about how these how the middle Eastern Countries can take discussions about how these how the middle Eastern Countries can get out of this terrible income gap the bad governance the corruption get out of this terrible income gap the bad governance the corruption and thats whats going to take in and we dont really know the answers to that and people are desperate and thats whats going to take and as we dont really know the answers to that and people are desperate but these. Movements that have been run by social media which are easy to gather but these movements that have been run by social media which are easy to gather together yet dont have a leadership and that is something and its the middle least dont have a leadership and that is something thats plagued the middle east its good on the one hand because it means that you cant read press them but its its good on the one hand because it means that you cant read press them but its bad on the other hand because when it comes time to taking control they cant do it you know any and i guess let me go to patrick before we go to the break here i mean we heard the term arab spring ill add on the other hand because when it comes time to taking control they cant do it you know any and i guess let me go to patrick before we go to the break here i mean we heard the term arab spring i always called the sunni winter and its only getting worse here how he would like to bomb that patrick go ahead it was called the sunni winter and its only getting worse here how he would like to bomb that patrick go ahead sure i think joshua just touched on something thats very important hes hes talking about sure i think joshua just touched on something that is very important hes hes talking about you know no leadership with these virtual movements that really exist are driven by no no leadership with these virtual movements that really exist are driven by social media no and so you have ideological people in old political life social media no and so you have ideological people in old political elite reminisce from the the previous old left screaming in the corner for attention to say reminisce from the the previous old left screaming in the corner for attention saying over here over here i want to be leading this and that no ones paying attention because thats not over here over here i want to be leading this and no ones paying attention because thats not what young people are looking for what they want what they were looking for was visibility its what the old left what young people are looking for what they want what they were looking for was visibility its what the old left was looking for as well of ones. A voice for the voiceless they found that voice online but looking for as well a voice for the voiceless they found that voice online but unfortunately its individual and its reflected. At. Sort of an atom an atom annoyed society and this is what the United States has exported this kind of corporate ties to political id and this is what the United States has exported this kind of corporate ties to political identity that replaced class identity in the old south on this is all that identity that replaced class identity in the. South on this is all that i have to jump in here were going to go to a short break and after that short break well continue our discussion on global instability and i have to jump in here were going to go to a short break and after that short break well continue our discussion on global instability. We believe the fulfillment of the. We. We talk. I was. Wrong for well this is these are media people they can defend their own kind so no need to trouble myself people they can defend their kind so no need to trouble myself about it so i wasnt ready for the magnets. So i wasnt ready for the magnitude of things happening when they began it was the sign that the society. When they began it was the sign that the society as it was ready to. Sees it as it is was waiting to. See what it sees as consciously or im just getting done jobs. And. Zoom. Zoom. Yes my small fortune into going to your. Fortune and im willing to order to turn 50 up and i will have a wealth and its more than. Just for me more it was sourced from the actual. Welcome back to crossfire where all things were considered. Welcome back across top where all Things Considered im Peter Lavelle to remind you were discussing global instability. Were discussing global instability. Ok lets go back to james here you know. Ok lets go back to james here you know there was a great song i think the clash there saying that you know you should i stay or should there was a great song i think the clash that saying that you know you should i stay or should i go ok and i think thats becoming the motto of the the trumpet ministration i go ok and i think thats becoming the motto of the the trump and ministrations attitude towards syria which i. Admit its additions attitude towards syria which i. Admit its a dismal policy i mean we could do talking about it here but i think theres this. More policy i mean we could do hours talking about it here but i think theres broadly speaking i think there is a sense that the u. S. Will broadly speaking i think there is a sense that the u. S. Will and will withdraw from the middle east of course will be the will with the. Little grease out there will be still the to be. And people like that with the grahams out there and theyll be the tom cottons and people like that they want to keep keep the United States in the middle east peace but i think the writing is on the wall here here. That it that sell itself is creating instability because so much dependency the u. S. Has created is creating instability because so much dependency the u. S. Has created among many of the elites in the middle east that long there are many. In the middle east what i see that and theyre going to have to with a study hard thinking twice and they have social movements that see. That see. Disenfranchised rising up and they are you going to have elites not being able to be clients the same kind of client rising up and they are you going to have elites not being able to be clients the same kind of clients that they have been for decades go ahead james well i. Said theyve been for decades go ahead james. Well i i think youre a little more optimistic than i am that were actually going to get out of the middle east we secure a little more off of the mess i mustnt than i am that were actually going to get out of the middle east we so i think that and i must know my mind my timeframe and and my time frame is like 1015 years im going to know my mind my time frame and on my time frame is like 1015 years ago and its not in this Administration Im sorry to keep going. The ok youre and its not in this Administration Im sorry you keep going. The ok youre right youre a right about that although what that looks like at the end of the day i dont think anybody youre right youre a right about that although what that looks like at the end of the day i dont think anybody can say. Youre right i dont know how much that relates to you can say. Youre right i dont know how much that relates to. Leitz its a version of his people you know you know one thing i think i notice about some of these properties as his prose attendees are as large as lee is that these are largely an urban phenomenon and you sort of wonder how representative they are of the rest of the country and urban phenomenon and you sort of wonder how representative they are of the rest of the country you know everybodys making the comparison to the arab spring very few people are making the very you know everybodys making the comparison to the arab spring very few people are making the comparison to the color revolutions weve seen over the last couple decades were which were largely comparison to the color revolutions weve seen over the last couple decades were which were largely i would say in many cases an astroturf phenomenon they really were not representative of the country at all i would say in many cases and astroturf phenomenon they really were not representative of the country at all although western governments were quick to say the ukrainian people have chosen this the georgian people although western governments were quick to say the ukrainian people have chosen this the georgian people have chosen that so i do wonder sometimes about what the outside meddling in these little of chosen that so i do wonder sometimes about what. The outside meddling in these things are as well as the underlying goal between the elites settings are as well as the underlying goal between the elites and as patrick has pointed out and atomized especially younger people but and as patrick has pointed out and atomized especially younger people but youre right if we do end up getting out of the middle east and i think the really the big question is going to be what happens and youre right. If we do we really get and getting to the mid with really all increase and i think the really the big question is going to be what happens in saudi arabia yet if we really and up withdrawing from the middle east because if youre looking for a powder keg theres one well james i can tell you is that in the middle east because if youre looking for a powder keg theres one well james i can tell you is that what happens in saudi arabia i can tell you right away i dont know what it will be but it wont be good ok thats for sure what happens in saudi arabia i can tell you right away i dont know what it will be but it wont be good ok thats for sure ok joshua you know its been its been already been brought up here now and i think its ok. You know its been its been already been brought up here now and i think its important to discuss here i mean youre an expert in lebanon you lived there for many many years i mean i important to discuss here i mean youre an expert on lebanon you lived there for many many years i mean the one hand i do see the legitimate protests ok but you know on the one hand i do see the legitimate protests ok but you know james in washington does bring up the issue of outside meddling and weve seen this in hong kong and james in washington does bring up the issue of outside meddling and weve seen this in hong kong and particularly how the media frames it so a tough question i suppose but you know particularly how the media frames it so a tough question i suppose but you know how legitimate is it and how much outside influence you think is how bluey their budget because it is it and how much outside influence you think is. Possibly there because there are people there saying or people are saying it says in lebanon on run right now others are saying this i think this is graphic grassroots this is legitimate people are sick and tired of it how do you weigh those things joshua broods this is legitimate people are sick and tired of it how do you weigh those things joshua i think this is legitimate and i think people are sick and tired and part of the rich i think this is legitimate and i think people are sick and tired and part of the right way you can tell it is that its not sectarian there are of course everybody is trying to sit way you can tell that is that its not sectarian there are of course everybody is trying to spin it as a sectarian minute as a see a stereotype and in their tearing their hair 2nd of terror and the view and so you know a lot of the western press is is trying to highlight the role of it you know a lot of the western press is is trying to highlight the role of hizbullah in nessun that theres criticism of his ball and its the reason that its taking place as a lioness and that theres criticism of his ball and its the reason that its taking place is because hizbollah is to has gained such a predominant part in the government so its because hizbollah is to has gained such a predominant part in the government and so forth but you know i think the lebanese most people realize you know most people 4th but you know i think the lebanese most people realize you know most people are just worried about where theyre going to get enough money to live expect and are just as was worried on about where theyre going to get enough money to live expenses has gone through the roof you know electric is irregular you roof and get no electric it is all really like the sealer you cant get good internet all the services that lebanese want whether its picking up the garbage shirt just keeping the star voces that lebanese want whether its picking up the garbage shirt just keep. In the streets clean and not making sure people dont park on the sidewalk all those little insults that reach clean and not making sure people dont park on the sidewalk all those little insults that overwhelm you when youre in lebanon after a while i think of piled up and thats why overwhelm you when youre in letters ive been seeing and after peter while when i think of any piled up and from one end of the country to the other and now its why youre seeing people joining hands from one end of the country to the other its symbolic and its course it can be you know it can be twisted a little bit but i think at heart like and its course it can be you know it can be twisted a little bit but i think at heart the lebanese really want their government to spend some snow to see the lebanese really want their government to spend sums to solve some of these economic problems which have not been solved same question you patrick you know how some of these economic problems which have not been solved same question you patrick you know how do you how do you put the scales there of you know people intentionally wanting to inflame it from the outside how do you how do you put the scales there of you know people intentionally wanting to inflame it from the outside and then these grassroots grievances that we were just numerated by joshua go ahead and then these grassroots grievances that we were just numerated by joshua go ahead i think lebanon is actually a good example back to and i agree with everything short i think lebanon is actually a good example back to and i agree with everything joshua said and i think its good cyclo here than i did some things that had to jennies clue in here that this jury much winners and. Very much resembles the occupy movement in the sense that the young people in lebanon regardless of their sect or their movement in the sense that the young people in lebanon regardless of their sect or their affiliations religious affiliations agree that theres an oligarchy and the problem is in all of affiliations religious affiliations agree that theres an oligarchy and the problem is in all of. Just in a hereditary class task on which i actually rates editorials a class with 6. 00 to 4. 00 charitably its me and also a sectarian all of our key and thats a result of the confessional system and all those dollars on lead are been archaeology and thats a result of the confessional system thats been imposed on lebanon and we might see the end of that perhaps by the end of this to mulch we might see the end of that perhaps by the end of this to mulch of this period but i think more than that theres this issue in the state and its made more than that theres this issue of the United States meddling you have to address the feeling that you do have enough to. Affect that the number one priority of war and the number one priority of the us was to thwart or to move out of power any left leaning of the us was to thwart or to move out of power any left leaning government around the globe and that was number one priority that was in Central America south government around the globe and that was number one priority that was in Central America south america in the middle east including Arab Nationalist government if it were america in the middle east including Arab Nationalist governments that were seen seem to be going in a socialist us direction and so. It is really really disempowered a lot of countries over the years and i think the a lot of country wants a cold war over the years and i think the us has won that cold war its one that imperialist war globally and its now exported its atomized and individualize societies to the point where i dont think they have the political imperialist war globally and its now exported its atomized and individualize societies to the point where i dont think they have the political direction or where with all our ability idea. Magickal abilities whats barrette or whats of action or where with all our ability ideological ability to find out whats better whats a better option than neo liberal economics its people who are pains to find the answer better option than neo liberal economics its the people who are pains to find the answer to that question right now and so if it turns anarchic in and arcs are to that question right now and so if it turns anarchic in and our kids are seems to be expressed more than political organizing and Real Solutions this is that seems to be expressed more than political organizing and Real Solutions this is the problem right now the many of the the overall thats often not a base good message write it all know how many of them oh thats not a good message at all is go back to washington here if we could bring up the case of iraq here where you know go back to washington here if we could bring up the case of iraq here where you know the some of the troops that are withdrawn from syria american troops are being sent to iraq without the permission of the Iraqi Government and the whole issue of american troops in iraq or is the some of the troops that are withdrawn from syria american troops are being sent to iraq without the permission of the Iraqi Government and the whole issue of american troops in iraq or is hotly contested here how does that add to a lot of the protests because its been hotly contested here how does that add to a lot of the protests because theres been a lot in iraq and a lot of people actually died go ahead james yes a lot in iraq and a lot of people who actually died go ahead james. Yes thats right and you raise the issue of people dying you know weve had people being killed and bright and you raise the issue of people dying you know weve had people being killed in chile over what over over bus prices i mean it one of the things i cant chili over what over over bus prices i mean it is one of the things i cant help but notice that again not only in the in the help and but also its on the. In the in the in the spring but also in the color revolutions is how the media covers the question of the use of force that i say was how the media covers the question of the use of force that i say well you know you only you are see it was for example. 1014. 00 ringing say oh look at that the police doesnt be 14 they were saying oh look at the police beat up to demonstrate up to theres a demographic district afraid of yours and look they have to tackle the conflict if you look to. Them and leaders are dependent eating up strip Leaders Police beating up the police whats the whats what is the the ratio or the or the police whats the whats what is the the ratio or the or the or the equities between what kind of force or restraint is being used by the authorities on the one hand or the equities between what kind of force or restraint is being used by the authorities on the one hand and how militant violence are and even using deadly violence youre saying some can and how militant violence are and even using deadly violence youre seeing sometimes from people in the crowds and you wonder look im not im not a believer in the times from people in the crowds and you wonder look im not im not a believer in the whole marxist paradigm that you know once the once the oppressed masses reach a certain level of whole marxist paradigm that you know once the once the oppressed masses reach a certain level of misery they rise up as one in russia righteous indignation things dont look dont happen that is free they rise up as one in russia righteous indignation things dont look dont have. In that way people dont behave that way and still has to be some kind of there has to be a way people dont behave that way and still has to be some kind of there has to be some kind of even if they dont have leaders in the way that joshua refers theres some but some kind of even if they dont have leaders in the way that joshua refers theres somebody somebody ends up organizing this somebody ends up taking the lead and theres usually fairly small groups of people that sort of set the tone and get other people somebody ends up organizing this somebody ends up taking the lead and theres usually fairly small groups of people that sort of set the tone and get other people involved and i get i guess im a bit of a cynic i i always wonder who will involve and i get i guess im a bit of a cynic i i always wonder who is the hidden hand behind the scenes and of course this is also an accusation that she was the hidden hand behind the scenes and of course this is also an accusation thats used by a by the american side you see theres an american diplomat saying that the proposed by a by the american side you see theres an american diplomat saying that the problems in chile are being fed by who else by bloody or putin the russians are causing it so thats more obvious in chile are being fed by who else by Vladimir Putin the russians are causing it so thats more russian battling so i i dont know i always want to look at the different layers of the russian battling so i i dont know i always want to look at the different layers of the onion here and see what all is going on all the way through the different era and see what all is going on all the way through the different layers joshua blaming russia if everything is like blaming one to the for every anything webzine is ice like by going to anyone to the onion website but anyway joshua you know youre youre a well renowned well known well i mean joshua you know youre youre a well renowned well known well highly respected middle. Expert here how how do you see western Media Coverage the middle east expert here how do you see western Media Coverage of whats happening in the middle east with these protests here do they have do they have the right of whats happening in the middle east with these protests here do they have do they have the right optic go ahead. You know i think the western media optic go ahead. You know i think the western media has gone video has gone through a legit. Last case you know where the black asked if 15 years trying to figure out the middle east and they really bought into in years trying to figure out the middle east and they really bought into. They bought into george bushs original argument that. They bought into george bushs original argument that that america could screw that up. Got a kermit could see. These governments and create democracy and see in the middle east i think think to today day america our concerns are much more more or a bit more sophisticated and more cynical about whats going on in the middle east or exhausted a yeah there are exhausted and theyve spent you know President Trump has hit it a bit more sophisticated and more cynical about whats going on in the middle east or exhausted a. Yeah there are exhausted and theyve spent you know President Trump is hitting that. Very hard meat he keeps on reiterating weve spent 7 trillion now hitting that very hard meat he keeps on reiterating weve spent 7 trillion dollars in debt all the. Other day 1000000000 with a b. Day but spent a lot on we spent a lot of money and and americans havent paid for that theyve just put it on the credit card its going to come do have it and paid for now that theyve just put it on the credit card its going to come due and and i think there they are feeling exhausted they want to get out they dont they and i think theyre they are feeling exhausted they want to get out they dont they realize that this is not a place that america can wave a wand and fix were seeing realize that this is not a place that america can wave a wand and fix were seeing this attempt to get out of afghanistan get out of syria being this attempt to get out of afghanistan get out of syria there are plenty of forces that are pulling us right back yeah and and americans dont want to bet there are plenty of forces that are pulling us right back yeah and and americans dont want to abandon of course a position like afghanistan and just but they are realizing that and and of course a position like afghanistan and just but they are realizing that this is a complicated region i think that we are going to see america withdraw that this is a complicated region i think that we are going to see america withdraw a lot more because they are more cynical about these forces they realize theres not any a lot more because they are more cynical about these forces they realize theres not an easy answer that underneath the surface of the answer and that underneath the surface of language like we all want a better shake there are a lot of sectarian forces there all want a better shape. There are a lot of sectarian forces there are International Fancy for. This house and air and their ethnic or steps is ours that narayanan. And that and that can be very violent and destructive and and that america cant be very violent and destructive and and that america cant manipulate them weve seen this with the kurds trying to side with the kurds that dumping the kurds now to pilate them weve seen this with the kurds trying to side with the currents that dumping the kurds now is a sort of very crass grab for oil in syria which is which you know is a sort of very crass grab for oil in syria which is which is i think to a certain degree reflective of. The exhaustion of americans as i think to a certain degree reflective of. The exhaustion of americans and now this this sort of money grab were just going to go for the oil sattar rabia grab the oil now this is sort of money grab were just going to go for the oil sattar rabia grab the oil and syria it is it undermines. Whatever syria it is it undermines. Whatever principles america can bring to the table and it really shows an ugly face principles america can bring to the table and it really shows an ugly face to the power in the middle east today that that to power in the middle east today that that. That doesnt have answers yeah but i mean well have to end on that point here but you know the lack of principled stealing someone elses now to resources so they cant. That doesnt have answers yeah but i mean well have to end on that point here but you know the lack of principled stealing someone elses now to resources so they cant rebuild i mean i dont know how more pathetic back can be ok but unfortunately build i mean i dont know how more. Thetic back can be ok but unfortunately its not really portrayed that way in western media gentlemen thats all the time we have many thanks and i guess really its not really portrayed that way in western media gentlemen thats all the time we have many thanks to my guests in washington plymouth the new employment and then dixon or if you are watching of us who are. Seeing and i guess here darkie see you next time and remember time and remember. Today there are good dentist. Today there are good terrorists and the dead and some of them to the bad to those opinions of the men. Those indian men who the United States deems to be the good those who work in syria the cia and used to be the good to those who work in syria the cia and the us military were engaged in covert actions really throughout the world. U. S. Military were engaged in covert actions really throughout the world. Where they were assassinating populist leaders they were backing up the right way militaries going to where they were assassinating populist leaders they were backing up the right way military windows funding an army of death squads theres no plan because funding an army of death squads theres no end because theres always a small tribe because theres a good. Cook. During the dot com bubble all there was a lot of. During the dot com bubble there was a lot of problems with. An insider dumping stock right after the problems with. An insider dumping stock right after the i. P. O. Period to force people. To the i. P. O. Lockup period to force people. To stay on for a least 6 months or a year to make sure this thing gets out of the gate without too many problems here in this era we work being done for a least 6 months or a year to make sure this thing gets out of the gate without too many problems here in this era we work being a primary example the founder signer was able to dump almost a primary example the founder signer was able to dump almost a 1000000000. 00 before the i. P. O. 1000000000. 00 before the i. P. O. Dream agreed to. Dream agreed to. Remember that it was most of the family. To remember that it was most of the family. It was been. Through with. But there was an expectation of the things were going to get better. There was a real sense of. To get better. There was a real sense of hopefulness there isnt today todays america was shaped by the turn principle there isnt today todays america was shaped by the 10 principles of concentration of wealth and power. Rituals of concentration of wealth and power. Reduced democracy attack solo doubt engineer elections manufacture consent and other principles according to induce democracy attack solo doubt engineer elections manufacture consent and other principles according to no im jones to one set of rules for the rich opposite several no im jones to one set of rules for the rich opposite set of rules for. Thats what happens when you put her into the national. Thats what happens when you put her into the hands of narrows the terms of will. There is rose dif sector of will which will is dedicated to him could raise to increase our meeting for our children of just a little futures which one of the one of most of the most ensign flew and flew and chill intellectuals chill our entire shows so whats. The other thing successful about as a nation moderation civilization National Guard america. If youre going to do. That. In the u. K. An inquiry into the deadly 2017 Grenfell Tower blaze called in the u. K. An inquiry into the deadly 2017 Grenfell Tower blaze calls out significant systemic failings in the london fire brigade thought to be little doubt significant systemic failings in the london fire brigade thought to be little spotlight with spot light on the slate 16 months and its got to go from an arts these. Just tell us the focus is misplaced to see places did not come from Law Enforcement or started did not cause the foreign prince. Nor responsible for fixing a friends. From former law from which all spiritual nor responsible for fixing the from the from would material on the outside of the tower on the edge of the elf a new report by human rights a new report by Human Rights Watch says that u. S. Sanctions are preventing ordinary iranians from accessing life saving lives since u. S. Sanctions are preventing ordinary iranians from accessing lifesaving medicine. And blood may have putin meets with the hungry and Prime Minister victim. And glad to have putin meets with the hungary and Prime Minister viktor orban irritating western allies on the same day hungary vetoes a joint make all irritating western allies on the same day hungary vetoes a joint made