CovertAction Bulletin

Great Power Conflict: US Puts China in Crosshairs

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has released its 2023 Annual Threat Assessment, putting China, Russia, Iran and North Korea directly in the crosshairs of US imperialism and regime change operations. The report is very clear on the motives of the entire establishment: to prevent any other state from challenging US hegemony, the “rules-based global order.” We discuss the lengthy portion of the report dedicated to China and dive into the clear projection of the U.S. empire.

We’re joined today to talk about this and a number of other topics by Amanda Yee, host of the podcast Radio Free Amanda.

Who are the Real Terrorists? Stop Cop City and Jim Crow Legislation in Mississippi

35 people were arrested and 23 charged with domestic terrorism at a music festival gathering that was part of the a week of action to stop Cop City. Cop City, as it is known by activists, is a $90 million dollar police militarization facility in Atlanta, and activists for the past two years have been occupying the forest where it is being built. We discuss how police militarization and the aftermath of 2020 play out in cities across the country, also including the most recent Jim Crow legislative coup in Mississippi. We discuss the state repression, surveillance, and escalation with Kamau Franklin, founder of Community Movement Builders. 

Is Left Right Unity Possible in the Anti-War Movement?

Just before the one-year anniversary of the Russian Special Military Operation in Ukraine, President Biden made a surprise visit to Kiev over President’s Day weekend. According to the AP, the plan was approved just two days before, but discussion began a month prior. Air Force One flew to Germany, then turned its transponders off for a flight to Poland. Only two US journalists accompanied Biden - and they had to surrender their devices to the White House for the trip. The Russian government was notified hours before.

Biden’s trip also brought along surveillance planes - including E-3 Sentry airborne radar and an electronic RC-135W Rivet Joint - which reportedly monitored the situation from Poland, and another $500 million for military equipment on top of the $50 billion already given to the country.

Perhaps more notable were Biden’s comments, which push for more war and more destruction under the guise of defending so-called democracy in Ukraine. He signed the guest book in the Ukrainian Presidential Palace, ending with the phrase “Slava Ukraini.” Zelinsky said that he and Biden also discussed “long-range weapons.”

We'll talk about one-year anniversary of the invasion, the prospects for peace, and building a popular and mass anti-imperialist movement to achieve it. Joining us today is Jacquie Luqman, DC-based activist and co-host of By Any Means Necessary on Radio Sputnik.

On the Ground Report from East Palestine Train Derailment

On February 3rd, a train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Days later, officials released some of these chemicals into the air, fearing a larger explosion. Meanwhile, Norfolk Southern railroad - the company responsible - has offered no more than a pittance of meaningful help to people from the area. We discuss how corporate greed is the underlying cause of this crash, and the potential long-term impacts.

We’re joined by John Russell, editor of the newsletter, The Holler to hear more about the situation. John also grew up in Columbiana County, where East Palestine is located.

Follow John's Substack at TheHoller.co, and on TikTok at @heyjohnrussell

NLRB Rules in Favor of Apple Whistleblower

The National Labor Relations Board has announced its findings that corporate rules and policies at tech giant Apple “tend to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees” from exercising their rights to collective action. In 2021, Apple CEO Tim Cook sent an email to staff that “people who leak confidential information do not belong here,” that Apple was “doing everything in our power to identify those who leaked” and that it didn’t “tolerate disclosures of confidential information, whether it’s product IP or the details of a confidential meeting.”

We are joined by the whistleblower who took this case to the NLRB, Ashley Gjøvik, who worked at Apple from 2015 to 2021.

Ashley's Petition: https://www.change.org/p/stop-us-dol-osha-corruption-now

Eyewitness: On the Ground in Memphis for Tyre Nichols

Over the weekend, protests across the country have taken place as the video of the brutal police murder of Tyre Nichols was released on January 27. The Memphis Police Department’s SCORPION unit has been disbanded, 5 officers have been charged, and in the few days since the release of the videos, at least two more officers have been removed from the police force. In the second half of our show we analyze the police actions on this case, and we hear eyewitness reports from the protests.

 

But first, The city of Atlanta is set to move forward with a $90 million training center, but the developments have been met with resistance. One protester has been killed by police and at least 7 have been charged with domestic terrorism for resisting the Cop City development.

 

We’re joined for this show by Monica Johnson, local police brutality activist and organizer who’s been involved with the Defend the Forest Campaign to stop cop city in Atlanta to discuss her work in Atlanta as well as her eyewitness report from Memphis

What’s Assange Charged With? Telling the Truth!

On Jan 20, the Belmarsh Tribunal packed a room at the National Press Club in Washington, DC as thousands also watched online. Co-host Chris Garaffa was there to cover this historic event for CovertAction. To discuss the legacy of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, the US government’s attacks on them and why everyone should be concerned about attacks on press freedom, we’re joined by Esther Iverem, an author, multidisciplinary artist and independent journalist. Esther produces and hosts ‘On the Ground: Voices of Resistance from the Nation’s Capital,” available as a podcast and on 25 stations on the Pacifica network. Throughout the episode, we revisit some of what put WikiLeaks on the map - including Vault 7, Collateral Murder, CableGate and more - and discuss why we need truthtellers today more than ever.

The entire Tribunal is available to watch on YouTube.

Who’s Behind the Far-Right Riots in Brazil?

On January 8th, right-wing Brazilians stormed the federal building and Supreme Court in the capital of Brasília. Inspired by baseless accusations by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that the October elections were stolen, the rioters broke windows, smashed art, destroyed paintings, stole computers and more.

The incident is reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Congress and Capitol building by supporters of Donald Trump: claims of stolen elections, far right violence aimed at intimidating democratic processes, and even the involvement of Steve Bannon, who called the Brazilians involved “freedom fighters.” But the new Brazilian government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is acting swiftly to hold those involved accountable, including Bolsonaro and allies who fled to Florida before Lula’s inauguration.

We discuss with Zoe Pepper Cunningham, Co-Editor of People’s Dispatch.

Protesters Massacred in Peru After Far-Right Legislative Coup

Peru has been in a period of crisis since December 7, when the Peruvian far right used their position in the country’s Parliament to illegally dismiss the government of President Pedro Castillo. Since then, tens of thousands of people from indigenous and peasant communities have taken to the streets to reject the new government of Dina Boluarte and demand the democratically elected Castillo be reinstated. 

On Monday, January 9, at least 17 protesters were killed by Peruvian security forces while they brutally repressed an anti-government protest in Juliaca, and at least 68 others were severely injured. The massacres have continued into Tuesday, January 10th, now reaching a total of 46 dead.

To discuss the growing violence and resistance in the streets we are joined by Tatiana Bejar of Peru Libre.

China’s COVID Outbreak and Protests: Myths and Facts

Western media described recent protests in China as “mark[ing] a new awakening” and a significant challenge to Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China. After years of leading the world in addressing COVID-19, the Chinese government is relaxing some of the lockdown regulations, but the situation is far more involved than the media would share.

To explore the reality and intricacies of the situation as well as US posturing against China, we’re joined by Carl Zha, host of Silk and Steel Podcast.