Foreign Policy in Focus columnist Conn Hallinan discusses the 150+ years of shameful US foreign policy in Latin America since the Monroe Doctrine; how the US is now losing political and economic influence to the BRICS in Central and South America; how Hugo Chavez has reduced demand for IMF predatory loans and the inevitable austerity measures that follow; the laughable "Iran is taking over South America" right-wing talking points; and the Obama administration's tacit approval of military coups...

Justin Elliott, a journalist with ProPublica, discusses his article "Revealed: America's Arms Sales to Bahrain Amid Bloody Crackdown;" the scant media coverage of continuing pro-democracy protests in Bahrain; the FOIA documents that cast doubt on US government claims that weapons sales to Bahrain are only used for external defense, not political repression; and the "questionable claim" that Iran has 30,000 intelligence operatives.

Jeremy Keenan, professor at SOAS University of London, discusses his article "How Washington helped foster the Islamist uprising in Mali;" why the US and Algeria have spent ten years manufacturing terrorism in the Sahara with false-flag operations; the complex background of Mali's Tuareg rebellion; and how the French are inviting blowback at home from their intervention abroad.

Andy Worthington, author of The Guantanamo Files, discusses the campaign to pressure President Obama to finally close Guantanamo and "End 11 Years of Injustice;" how national security is endangered by leaving Guantanamo open; and the dozens of innocent men (cleared by a government task force for release) imprisoned indefinitely because of Obama's political cowardice.

Stephen Zunes, professor of politics and international studies at the University of San Francisco, discusses the threat of Western military intervention in Mali; the next generation of Islamic extremists motivated by Saudi-funded madrassas and the US occupation of Iraq; and the non-governmental militias fighting for the spoils in Libya.

Journalist Joe Lauria discusses the epidemic of rapes in India and the indifference of police and politicians; the popular discontent with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood; why Jordan might host the next Arab Spring revolution; the Gulf monarchies conspiring against democracy in the region; and the logistics of breaking up failing Middle Eastern countries.  

Independent journalist and historian Gareth Porter discusses a possible deal on Iran's nuclear program during Obama's second term; how Congress and the national security state could cramp Obama's negotiating room; the evolution from "smart" sanctions on Iran's elite to "crippling" sanctions on the poor and elderly; and why it's past time to cross Iran off the US "enemy of the state" list.

Kevin Zeese, a lawyer and political activist, discusses Judge Lind's ruling on Bradley Manning's illegal treatment in military custody; how the US justice system debases the rule of law and enables human rights abuses; the upcoming court battle on whether Manning's nearly three-year detention violated his right to a speedy trial; how undue command influence (commander-in-chief Obama said Manning is guilty) is preventing a fair trial; and why David Coombs thinks a judge-only trial is preferable...

Blogger Marcy Wheeler discusses the dirt on CIA Director nominee John Brennan; how Brennan exemplifies the worst aspects of the Bush and Obama administrations on torture, renditions, wiretapping and more; the secret "The Gloves Come Off" Memorandum of Notification from 2001 that is still being used to justify all manner of illegal actions in the war on terrorism; and the bogus legal case for US citizen Anwar al-Awlaki's extrajudicial assassination.

Jacob Hornberger, founder and president of the Future of Freedom Foundation, discusses "the fascinating case" of New York attorney Lynne Stewart, who is serving ten years in prison for supporting terrorism; how advocating for the overthrow of tyrannical governments became a federal crime; why the rotten-to-the-core national security state needs dismantling, not revision; and the extent Democrats can push gun control without being crushed at the polls.

Blogger Philip Weiss discusses why there can be no two-state solution for Israel-Palestine; how a further rightward turn in Israel's Knesset could push Netanyahu to annex the West Bank - and possibly incur the wrath of Europe; and the neoconservatives' so-far unsuccessful campaign to derail Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense.

Globetrotting Asia Times journalist Pepe Escobar discusses how Obama's nomination of John Kerry and Chuck Hagel for Secretary of State and Defense could effect Israel relations; why new CIA director John Brennan won't shy away from covert actions in Syria; Ben [Affleck's] dishonest portrayal of the Iran hostage crisis in his movie Argo; Libya's disappearance from the news; and AFRICOM's never-ending mission of chasing Al-Qaeda terrorists/freedom fighters (depending on the country) around the...

Trevor Aaronson, author of The Terror Factory: Inside the FBI's Manufactured War on Terrorism, discusses how the FBI became a department of pre-crime after 9/11; using informants to entrap unsavory characters who have no means or opportunity to commit terrorism on their own; the lack of media skepticism on sting operations; and how the FBI uses blackmail and immigration threats to recruit and motivate Muslim informants.

Conn Hallinan, columnist for Foreign Policy in Focus, discusses his article "Four More Years: The Asia Pivot;" the serious conflicts brewing between Japan, Russia, Korea and China - all while the US military greatly expands its presence in the Pacific; China's role as economic competitor and essential trading partner for the US (and the world); and the regional trade organizations that threaten US global hegemony.

The Other Scott Horton, Contributing Editor for Harper's Magazine, discusses the European Court of Human Rights' condemnation of Bush-era CIA torture practices within the rendition program; the former CIA officer (now a senior Obama counterterrorism official) responsible for Khalid El-Masri's torture in the "Salt Pit" prison; the US justice system's failure to make federal government officials accountable for crimes; and the still-secret 6000-page Senate Intelligence Committee report on torture.