The Final Countdown – 1/31/24 – The Squad Faces Backlash Over Loyalty and Expenses

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss various current events domestically and abroad, including a U.S. congresswoman facing backlash over her expenses. 

Ajay Pallegar – Criminal and civil attorney and political analyst 

Steve Gill –  Attorney and CEO of Gill Media 
Michael Maloof – Former Pentagon official 
Rev. Gregory Seal Livingston – Pastor, Civil rights leader  
 
The show starts with Ajay Pallegar, a criminal and civil attorney, talking about the Fulton County prosecutor, Nathan Wade settling his divorce and dodging his testimony on District Attorney Fani Willis. 
 
Then, attorney Steve Gill discusses the investigation of U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush on her use of funds. 
 
The second hour begins with former Pentagon official Michael Maloof, who shares his perspective on the ongoing escalation in the Middle East, and if Biden will attack Iran. 
 
The show closes with Rev. Gregory Seal Livingston, a civil rights leader in New York City, who discusses Trump’s civil fraud trial.

DMZ America Podcast Ep 132: Middle East War, Could Biden Lose New Hampshire?, Dead Tree Publications Even Deader

Editorial cartoonists and political analysts from the Left (Ted Rall) and the Right (Scott Stantis) discuss and explain the latest news and events in a unique format where disagreement and debate occurs without yelling or stupid insults.

First up this week: War across the Middle East assumes a “Guns of August” vibe as Iran and Pakistan become the latest countries to launch crossborder missile attacks, with the victims being ethnic Balochis. Ted lays out how Iran is emerging as the big winner from the Israel-Hamas War. Scott pushes back from the American perspective, questioning whether the Islamic Republic is committing diplomatic suicide.

Second: The 2024 Presidential Campaign moves from Iowa to the bizarre New Hampshire primary, which is being skipped both by President Biden and Governor Ron DeSantis. All GOP eyes will soon turn to South Carolina—will the Palmetto State be the last stand for Haley, or DeSantis, or both? Meanwhile, New Hampshire threatens to torpedo Biden for his Big Snub.

Third topic: More depressing news from the world of dead trees, where the Washington Post is losing $100 million a year and the Los Angeles Times is down $50 million despite their deep-pocketed and supposedly brilliant owners. Ted asks Scott, who has worked at numerous papers, why can’t these supposed genius billionaires turn these sinking watchdogs of democracy around?

Watch the Video version of the DMZ America Podcast: here.

The Final Countdown – 1/18/24 – Under Scrutiny: Roger Stone Faces Investigation Over Alleged ‘Assassination’ Remarks

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall cover a range of topics domestically and abroad including Roger Stone’s alleged death threats to Democrats. 

Tyler Nixon – Counselor-at-Law
Scottie Nell Hughes – RT Host 
Lauren Fix – Auto Expert, Car Coach Reports Analyst 
Hamza Azhar Salam – Pakistani journalist 
 
The show begins with counselor-at-law Tyler Nixon, who weighs in on the investigation into Trump confidante Roger Stone for alleged death threats to Democrats. 
 
Then, RT Host Scottie Nell Hughes shares her perspective on the ongoing accusations against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. 
 
The second hour begins with auto expert Lauren Fix who discusses electric vehicles failing to start in the cold weather. 
 
The show closes with Pakistani journalist Hamza Azhar Salam, who shares his insights on Pakistan’s retaliatory strike against Iran. 
 
 

The Final Countdown – 1/11/24 – South Africa Takes Israel to Court for War Crimes in Gaza

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall break down topics from around the world, including South Africa 

taking Israel to court. 
Andrew Langer – President of the Institute for Liberty, Founder of the Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement 
Scott Stantis – Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune 
Esteban Carrillo– Journalist  
Dan Kovalik – Human Rights Lawyer 
 
In the first hour, Andrew Langer, the President of the Institute for Liberty, shares his perspective on the presidential elections, including Trump’s town hall, Christie’s departure, and the Haley vs. DeSantis debate. 
 
Then, cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune, Scott Stantis weighs in on Hunter Biden defying his subpoena. 
 
The second hour starts with Ecuadorian journalist Esteban Carrillo who shares his perspective on the latest out of the Ecuador crisis. 
 
The show closes with Dan Kovalik, a Human Rights Lawyer, breaking down the situation in the Middle East amid Iran’s capture of an oil tanker, and South Africa taking Israel to the ICJ. 
 
 

DMZ America Podcast #130: Another Ivy League President Fired, Israel Gone Wild and America’s 250th Birthday

In the first DMZ America Podcast of 2024, editorial cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) discuss the world in politics and current events.

First, Claudine Gay resigned as president of Harvard University after drawing criticism for failing to clearly condemn antisemitism at a Congressional hearing, and then being exposed as allegedly having plagiarized dozens of times in her academic career. Right-wing conservatives are celebrating having claimed a scalp and dealt a blow against DEI, but should liberals mourn her departure?

Second, Israel claims responsibility for the drone assassination of a leader of Hamas in a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. On the same day, two bombs killed over 100 people attending a memorial service for an Iranian general assassinated by an American drone in 2020. Are the two events linked? Will there be repercussions in the form of a larger regional conflict?

Finally, we are coming up to the 250th anniversary of America. It’s anybody’s guess what it will be called.

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast here.

DMZ America Podcast #121: Israel Playing Into Hamas’ Plans, House Speaker Crisis, Biden’s Terrifying Speech

Editorial Cartoonists Ted Rall (from the political Left) and Scott Stantis (from the political Right) discuss national and international events of the week.

First up: as we enter the third week of the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, there are rising fears of regional escalation. Has Hezbollah agreed to open a second front against Israel? Will Iran attack Israel? How long will it take Israel to overthrow the Hamas government and what kind of regime do they plan to install if and when they succeed? Right now, it looks like they are poised to repeat the mistakes America made in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.

In the second segment of the podcast, Ted and Scott discuss the constitutional crisis created by the Republican Party’s inability to choose a Speaker of the House of Representatives. Steve, Scalise and Jim Jordan are both out. Will the speakership ultimately wind up in the hands of an obscure congressman? In the meantime, congressional business has ground to a standstill.

Finally, Ted and Scott react to President Biden’s second Oval Office speech since he became president. Squinting, unable to read the Teleprompter, tripping over his words and slurring, this was an extremely disturbing performance that seems to belie Democrats’ claim that he is a viable candidate for 2024. Will he resign? Step aside mid-campaign? Or try to muddle through somehow to reelection? Scott and Ted also discuss the substance of Biden’s speech: his attempt to link the Ukraine and Israel conflicts.

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 121 Sec 1: Israel Playing Into Hamas’ Plans

DMZ America Podcast Ep 121 Sec 2: House Speaker Crisis

DMZ America Podcast Ep 121 Sec 3: Biden’s Terrifying Speech

The Final Countdown – 9/13/23 – Poor Coverage of Biden Impeachment Inquiry Raises Questions Regarding Trump’s Treatment

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss hot topics, including the Biden impeachment inquiry. 
 

Chris Widener – Motivational Speaker & Writer

Armen Kurdian – Retired Navy Captain, Former City Council Candidate & Political strategist 
Dan Kovalik – Human rights lawyer, peace activist 
Elijah Magnier – Veteran War Correspondent 
 
The show kicks off with motivational speaker and writer Chris Widener joining to discuss the impeachment inquiry into Biden and how it will affect the President’s 2024 candidacy.
 
Then, Retired Navy Captain and politician Armen Kurdian shares his perspective on Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s pardoning of a father who was arrested in a school board meeting. 
 
The second hour begins with human rights lawyer Dan Kovalik sharing his insights on the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin and what this alliance means for the West. 
 
The show closes with Veteran War Correspondent Elijah Magnier, who breaks down the purpose of a prisoner deal between the U.S. and  Iran. 
 

The Final Countdown – 7/19/23 – Meta’s Threads Experiences Setbacks After Hot Start

On this episode of The Final Countdown, the hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan discuss hot topics, such as Threads’ setbacks.

Armen Kurdian: Retired Navy Captain, Entrepreneur, Investor 

Ted Harvey: Former State Senator in Colorado  

Steve Gill: Attorney and CEO of Gill Media 

Mohammad Marandi: Professor, University of Tehran 

The show kicks off with Armen Kurdian, Retired Navy Captain, Entrepreneur, and Investor to discuss the FBI investigation of the Biden family. 

In the second half of the first hour, the hosts speak with Former State Senator of Colorado Ted Harvey, Joe Manchin’s No Labels appearance. 

The first half of the second hour is joined by Attorney and CEO Steve Gill to discuss Tucker Carlson’s deal with Public Square and the social media court ruling. 

The show closes with Mohammad Marandi, an English literature professor at the University of Tehran, to discuss the U.S. envoy to Iran’s criminal charges. 

The Final Countdown – 6/15/23 – Grand Jury to Indict Daniel Penny in Jordan Neely Chokehold Death

On this episode of The Final Countdown, the hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan discuss hot topics, including the indictment of Daniel Penny.  
 

Angie Wong: Journalist 

Rory Riley Topping: Attorney, broadcaster, former Congressional staffer 
Elijah Mangier: Veteran war correspondent, political analyst 
John Kirakou: Cohost of Political Misfits  
 
The show kicks off with journalist Angie Wong, joining to discuss New York City’s minimum wage for delivery workers.
In the second half of the first hour, the hosts spoke to Rory Riley Topping, attorney, broadcaster, and former Congressional staffer to discuss the indictment of Daniel Penny. 
 
In the first half of the final hour, Veteran War correspondent and political analyst Elijah Mangier joins to discuss the mini-Iran Deal. 
 
The show wraps up with Political Misfits Co-Host and Former CIA Whistleblower John Kirakou to discuss the UN report on the record number of displaced people. 
 

Erdogan Retains Turkish Presidency While Kosovo Witnesses Upheaval

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Manila Chan and Ted Rall discuss top news, such as Erdogan retaining the Turkish presidency and clashes between Serbia and Kosovo. 
 
Melik Abdul: Conservative commentator, Cohost of Fault Lines 
Nebojsa Malic: Serbian-American journalist, blogger and translator
Mark Sleboda: International Relations and Security Analyst 
Scott Stantis: Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune 

In the first half hour, the hosts were joined by Conservative commentator and Cohost of Fault Lines Melik Abdul to discuss the debt ceiling deal. 
 
In the second half of the hour Serbian-American journalist Nebojsa Malic discusses Serbia’s clashes with Kosovo.  
 
In the last hour, International Relations and Security Analyst Mark Sleboda joins to discuss an array of topics, including drone attacks on Moscow, the Turkish elections, and Zelensky requesting Ukraine to sanction Iran. 
 
The show wraps up with Scott Stantis, Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune, on Memorial Day weekend gun violence. 
 
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