Sheldon Richman of the Future of Freedom Foundation discusses how the Washington and Colorado laws legalizing marijuana could nullify the federal war on drugs; the case for legalizing "hard" drugs; the realities of responsible drug use and addiction; and the creeping government regulation of drugs - starting in the early 20th century.

Nathan Fuller, an activist with the Bradley Manning Support Network, discusses the progress of Manning's pretrial hearings; his motion to dismiss the charges based on the denial of a speedy trial per the UCMJ; Manning's upcoming testimony on his treatment in the Quantico Marine brig; new information about who ordered Bradley's Prevention of Injury (POI) detainment - against the advice of psychologists; and how Wikileaks helped ignite the Arab Spring.

Washington, D.C.-based freelance reporter Kelley B. Vlahos discusses her article "Another Thanksgiving in Afghanistan;" why the David Petraeus/Paula Broadwell scandal really matters; the US-trained Afghan thugs who will take over if and when the US ever withdraws; the underwhelming slate of candidates for CIA director; and the racism of the drone war.  

IPS News journalist Adam Morrow discusses the real story behind Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi's so-called power grab; how Egypt's judicial apparatus - largely a relic from the Mubarak era - is sabotaging representative government; Mursi's shortcomings on IMF loans and Syria policy; and how Egypt's new leadership prevented another Israeli "Operation Cast Lead" in Gaza.

Gershon Baskin, founder of the Israel Palestine Center for Research and Information, discusses "Israel's Shortsighted Assassination" of Hamas military chief Ahmed al-Jabari; why Israel can't be blamed for creating Hamas (in its current form); and why Israel needs to negotiate with Hamas or risk a more radicalized government in its place.

Michael Hirsh, chief correspondent for National Journal, discusses his article "Susan Rice: Benghazi May Be Least of Her Problems;" how Rice's critics focus on personality politics and completely miss her cozy relationship with mass murdering African dictators; and how Rice's real record could be revealed during Secretary of State confirmation hearings.

Sheldon Richman of the Future of Freedom Foundation discusses the new and improved fff.org website; the death of adversarial journalism; US failures in Afghanistan; and the David vs. Goliath conflict in Gaza (and Israel sure isn't David).

Shane and Amy Bugbee, authors of the book (and movie) The Suffering and Celebration of Life in America, discuss their year-long road trip documenting how Americans think and live.

Max Blumenthal, author of Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement that Shattered the Party, discusses the latest Israeli precision strikes against schools and journalists in Gaza; the Twitter-dominated media coverage; genocidal rhetoric from Israeli government officials; the Israeli state's descent into corruption and fascism; the politics of maintaining a Jewish demographic majority; and why top Israeli officials wear their "war criminal" credentials proudly.

John Heuer of Veterans for Peace discusses last weekend's School of the Americas protest in Georgia; why the Catholic church reduced support for the annual SOA gathering (despite the history of attacks against clergy and laymen by SOA graduates in Latin America); how to argue with politicians steadfastly opposed to military budget cuts; ideas for effective local activism; how to humanize Gazans for brainwashed Americans; and The Gospel of Rutba (a story of good samaritans in Iraq.)