David Enders, a Special Correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers, discusses the al Qaeda-linked group Jabhat al Nusra's critical role in the Syrian rebellion's military successes; the composition of Syria's rebel fighters and what they are fighting for; why the Assad government might be on its last legs; and talk of a "war after the war" in which rebel factions fight each other for control of the country.

Eric Margolis, journalist and author of American Raj, discusses Palestine's overwhelming victory in its bid for non-member observer state status at the UN (with the US in lonely opposition); how influential pro-Israel lobbies have paralyzed US Mideast policy; Canada's own religious right movement; the Israeli government's fear of Palestine's new-found access to the International Criminal Court; the double standard on terrorist/freedom-fighter bombers in Kabul and Damascus, respectively; and...

Jeff Paterson of Courage to Resist discusses Bradley Manning's conditional guilty plea and testimony in his own defense; the bogus justification for Manning's extended "suicide watch" detention at Quantico; how Manning's sentence (if the judge finds him guilty) will show if the military is accountable for torturing its own soldiers or not; and Julian Assange's retrospective on Manning and Cablegate.

Alan Boswell, Africa correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers, discusses how the current rebellion in northern Mali got started after Gaddafi's fall in Libya; whether the rebels are al-Qaeda, "gangster Jihadis," or some combination thereof; the long delay in getting boots on the ground in Mali (and these will be African proxy forces, not US military); how US policy is tending toward "let Africa solve it's own problems;" and why the media is suddenly interested in Congo's decades-long war.

Kevin Zeese, Co-Chair of Come Home America, discusses Bradley Manning's pretrial hearing at Fort Meade; evidence that Manning's mistreatment at Quantico was orchestrated by Pentagon brass; lawyer David Coombs' careful and effective questioning of witnesses; and the news updates at BradleyManning.org.

Scott McConnell, co-founder of The American Conservative, discusses his article "Why Americans Don't Understand Palestine;" the mainstream media's "journalistic malpractice" on Israel/Gaza issues; the UN General Assembly's overwhelming support for Palestine's observer state status; why Israel will choose between apartheid and ethnic cleansing when two-state solution talks finally end; and how new American immigrants could turn the tide against empire and militarism.

Jacob Hornberger, founder and president of the Future of Freedom Foundation, discusses his article "Outrage over Morsi but not over our Dictator;" the prerequisites for a truly free society; the federal courts' excessive deference to the Pentagon and CIA; Obama's pre-election concern about his "kill list" falling into Romney's hands (so much for a nation of laws, not of men); and how arbitrary justice marks the height of tyranny.

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.