Unauthorized Disclosure

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola discuss reports that Russia is behind racism, xenophobia, and all other topics that divide Americans and stem from systemic oppression. They also talk about the referendum for independence in Kurdistan, the #TakeAKnee protests by NFL players, St. Louis police waging war on protesters, and more.

Host Rania Khalek of the "Unauthorized Disclosure" podcast spent a week with the Yezidi Yezidi Popular Mobilization Forces in newly liberated south Sinjar in August. She learned many Yezidis join the PM to protect their families, defend their towns, and save those in their family captured by ISIS. Khalek wrote about the stories she heard from Yezidis for "The Grayzone Project." Those she spoke with described tales of genocide and conflict to her, sometimes in utterly horrific detail. We talk about her time in Iraq with the Yezidi PMF.

As Hurricane Irma hits Florida, we have an interview with Niecee X of the Black Women's Defense League about the organizing work the organization is doing to provide relief for those in the Houston area impacted by Hurricane Harvey. They are particularly focused on women of color and marginalized people, who are neglected and under-served after natural disasters. During the discussion portion of the show, Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola talk about Hurricane Irma, Hillary Clinton's unwanted book tour, and North Korea.

Host Kevin Gosztola interviews Tom Secker, the co-author of "National Security Cinema: The Shocking New Evidence Of Government Control in Hollywood." The interview highlights a few examples of Pentagon or CIA influence, including "Contact," "The Interview," and "Hulk" in the Marvel cinematic universe. The two discuss the nature of national security cinema, how government agencies go to lengths to keep records on their collaboration with Hollywood secret, and why. They also get into the military's interest in demilitarizing or "civilianizing" movies.

This is is a snippet of Patron Exclusive content, which was recently posted. Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola discuss Venezuela. The exclusive was recorded on August 6. The crisis in Venezuela continues to be intense. It has escalated sharply since the world rejected President Nicolas Maduro's call for a constituent assembly vote. Or to put it another way, since the opposition in Venezuela refused to participate in a democratic process and instead carried out another round of violent protests to further destabilize the country. For access to the full discussion, .

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola highlight some pretty awful and horrible stories on this week's show but not before talking about the Democratic Party's latest epic fail with Jon Ossoff's loss in Georgia. After discussing what happened with Ossoff, the show moves on to the United States and a network of torture chambers in Yemen. They cover developments in Syria, a Supreme Court decision against Arab or Muslim immigrants rounded up in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, and the video of Officer Jeronimo Yanez killing Philando Castile. The show ends on a lighter note with a look at the Democratic challengers that have come forward to challenge Speaker of the House Paul Ryan in 2018.

Peter Van Buren is a former State Department employee, who blew the whistle on malfeasance and corruption related to reconstruction efforts in Iraq. He also is a writer and fiction book author. He joins the show to discuss his new book, "Hooper's War." "" is a raw novel, caustic in tone and sober in its treatment of war and the forever rot that war creates within us. During the interview, Van Buren highlights what influenced his story. We delve into the concept of moral injury. We discuss myths about wars that are told, particularly how those who served in World War II were the "Greatest Generation." Later, Van Buren addresses endless war and what the book's main character, Hooper, might think about this current era, given that he is WWII veteran. If you would like to support the show and help keep us going strong, please become a subscriber on .

On this week's discussion for the "Unauthorized Disclosure" podcast, hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola discuss President Donald Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia and how ordinary Syrians view the armed opposition in Syria. They celebrate the release of Chelsea Manning. The hosts also talk about the Comey memo scandal that has roiled the Trump administration and a news story published by Gosztola on a development involving Trevor FitzGibbon, the founder of a progressive public relations firm which abruptly shut down as sexual allegations were leveled against him. A U.S. Attorney's Office declined to pursue charges based on three criminal complaints, which were filed. If you would like to support the show and help keep us going strong, please become a subscriber on .

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola are joined by Michael Lighty, policy director for National Nurses United. He has worked on health care reform for over 25 years. Lighty addresses the need for Democrats to go on the offensive and push for a national Medicare For All system. He describes why the Affordable Care Act is flawed and not enough. He highlights a push in the state of California for a Medicare For All system. Later, Lighty speaks to the Trump administration's agenda of dismantling environmental regulations designed to protect the public's health. He also previews People's Summit 2.0 in Chicago, which was announced this past week and will take place from June 9-11. If you would like to support the show and help keep us going strong, please become a subscriber on .

Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola discuss an effort to convince a student group at Oregon State University to disinvite Khalek from an event, where she is scheduled to speak with Mnar Muhawesh, editor of Mintpressnews.com, and journalist Abby Martin. The campaign is also targeting Muhawesh. The students put out a statement refusing to cancel the event or disinvite Khalek. We talk about the stand the students took and then discuss the larger issue of "no platforming" or demanding groups or universities cancel speaking events. In the last part of the discussion, Khalek and Gosztola address the expansion of war in Somalia by President Donald Trump's administration. If you would like to support the show and help keep us going strong, please become a subscriber on .