The Critical Hour

Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "The Velvet Coup: The Constitution, the Supreme Court and the Decline of American Democracy," joins us to discuss the worldwide effects of Russia's clash with the Nato alliance. Also, we talk about Russia's split from the US empire ruled Western alliance. Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss the State of the Union address. President Biden's spokesperson has said tonight's state of the union speech will focus on Ukraine. The speech seems likely to briefly address economic issues at home and zero in on foreign policy. Jack Rasmus, professor in economics and politics at St. Mary's College in California, joins us to discuss the economic effects of the Ukrainian military operation. The French finance minister has said that the EU will wage an all-out economic war on Russia. Also, we discuss the emergence of new alternative international payment systems and the economic future of the United States. Ted Rall, political cartoonist and syndicated columnist, joins us to discuss censorship. The US-run social media platforms and other technology firms are working in alignment with the EU and US State Department to wage an online information war against Russia. This now includes labeling the private accounts of RT employees as Russian State Media accounts. Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, joins us to discuss the Middle East. Syria's permanent representative to the UN is claiming that Washington is working to discredit his nation by manipulating OPCW reports. Also, President Biden is getting significant heat for taking half of the Afghanistan sovereign fund. Margaret Kimberly, editor and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and author of "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents," joins us to discuss issues of racism related to the Ukraine crisis. Videos are leaking out of Ukraine showing that African and Indian people are being refused entrance to trains and held up and beaten at the border. Gerald Horne, professor of history at the University of Houston, joins us to discuss Africa. A "Mothers and Fathers" march in Sudan is meant to show support for young people who are resisting the nation's military junta. Also, France withdraws from Mali but continues its imperial machinations in the Sahel. KJ Noh, activist, writer, and teacher, joins us to discuss China. White House officials argue that they can focus on their aggressive foreign policy against both China and Russia simultaneously. Also, China says that it will not abandon its principles to repair ties with the US.

Gerald Horne, professor of history at the University of Houston, joins us to discuss Africa. A "Mothers and Fathers" march in Sudan is meant to show support for young people who are resisting the nation's military junta. Also, France withdraws from Mali but continues its imperial machinations in the Sahel.

Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, joins us to discuss the Middle East. Syria's permanent representative to the UN is claiming that Washington is working to discredit his nation by manipulating OPCW reports. Also, President Biden is getting significant heat for taking half of the Afghanistan sovereign fund.

Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, joins us to discuss the Middle East. Iran has advised that they will not accept any deadlines for ending talks on the revival of the JCPOA. They also say that they will no longer accept questions centered around accusations that they consider politically motivated.

Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss the implications of the Ukraine conflict on great world powers. The Russian operation to rid its border of a major NATO military base of operations will have major implications on changing the power dynamics of the three great world powers. The unipolar hegemony of the US empire is being challenged by Russia as Iran, Venezuela, and China watches and waits.