Novara Media

Oliver Bullough, investigative journalist and author on financial crime, discusses how global money laundering operates. He maps techniques from crypto and Tether to luxury watches, vape shops and ghost restaurants. Short, punchy takes cover the role of big currencies, debanking harms, trade-based laundering and why everyday businesses can hide vast illicit flows.

Ai Weiwei, Chinese contemporary artist and dissident known for confronting censorship and surveillance. He talks about Western crackdowns on pro‑Palestine speech, corporate control of online expression and platforms like TikTok. He explores pervasive surveillance, art as a form of journalism, and whether AI dilutes creativity.

Ann Pettifor, Keynesian economist who foresaw 2008 and campaigns on debt relief and a Green New Deal. She unpacks the $217 trillion shadow banking system, the mechanics behind the 2008 collapse and why AI investment looks like a speculative bubble. She critques crypto, pensionized speculation and central bank power, and argues finance must be tamed for any credible Green New Deal.

Tariq Ali, a seasoned left-wing writer and activist, dives deep into the shadows of 20th-century history. He discusses how pivotal events like the Cultural Revolution shaped anti-colonial struggles across Asia and critiques the often-omitted role of the Soviet Union in World War II narratives. Ali also warns about the decline of media expertise since the Cold War, linking it to the rise of public distrust. He contextualizes NATO's eastward expansion and its implications, while reflecting on today's political landscape and the challenges facing the British left.

Glenn Greenwald, an investigative journalist renowned for exposing the NSA's surveillance practices and critiquing U.S. foreign policy, dives deep into contemporary geopolitics. He discusses the ramifications of Trump's belligerent foreign policy, particularly regarding visions for Venezuela and relations with China. Greenwald also questions the impact of U.S. sanctions, the rise of media consolidation, and how economic realities may reshape political narratives. His insights on journalism's future amidst powerful interests are both thought-provoking and urgent.

Peter Oborne, a seasoned journalist and author of 'Complicit: Britain’s Role in the Destruction of Gaza,' delves into the troubling dynamics of UK support for Israel post-October 7th. He reveals how British media's narratives have been shaped and silenced critical voices, discussing the influence of neoconservatism on coverage. Oborne critiques the legal and ethical implications of UK complicity in Gaza's plight and explores international alternatives, including the role of South Africa. His insights challenge the mainstream perspective and highlight the escalating risk of wider conflict.

Ash Sarkar is joined by Aaron Bastani, a political commentator and co-founder of Novara Media, for a deep dive into the tumultuous events of 2025. They discuss the complexities surrounding potential ceasefires in Ukraine and the implications of nuclear non-proliferation failures for global stability. The duo also tackles Britain's shifting political landscape regarding immigration and critiques Labour's recent budget. Additionally, they explore the rise of new left parties and make bold predictions for the political climate in 2026.

Norman Finkelstein, a prominent political scholar and staunch critic of Israeli policy, reflects on his parents' Holocaust experiences and their silence surrounding it. His insights into Gaza reveal a desperate struggle, where he likens Hamas's actions to slave rebellions born from oppression. He critiques contemporary left intellectuals and discusses the complicity of academic corruption. Finkelstein argues that Israel's policies resemble genocidal tactics aimed at making Gaza uninhabitable. His commitment to truth-seeking and rigorous scholarship underscores his views on the dire situation in Palestine.

The hosts dive into the emergence of Mainstream, a new soft-left faction within Labour, highlighting its notable figures like Andy Burnham. They explore the intriguing dynamics between radicalism and realism while examining Labour's historical divides. Further discussions unravel factionalism, contrasting the soft-left's social-democratic aims with more revolutionary traditions. The impact of past crises and alliances is assessed, emphasizing the fragile future of soft-left politics in the context of electoral strategy.

In this engaging discussion, Tareq Baconi, a Palestinian scholar and author of 'Hamas Contained' and 'A Fire in Every Direction', delves into the intricate history and evolution of Hamas. He examines its origins in the Muslim Brotherhood, the dynamics of governance under blockade, and the misconceptions around its use of violence. Tareq also reflects on the miscalculations surrounding the October 7 attacks and their implications on regional politics. With keen insights, he articulates how Israel's ongoing actions impact resistance and shape future possibilities.