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Between the Lines
"Between the Lines" is a national, half-hour program that provides a platform for individuals and spokespersons from progressive organizations generally ignored or marginalized by the mainstream media.
“This is an extraordinarily important development: the victory of diplomacy over war. … It sets the stage for greater gains in terms of potential engagement between the U.S. and Iran, something that really hasn’t existed in a formal way since 1979. The possibility of new kinds of diplomacy aimed at ending the war in Iraq and Syria, that are giving rise to these huge flows of refugees out of the region. “
– Phyllis Bennis, director of the New Internationalism project at the Institute for Policy Studies, commenting on the success of supporters’ defense of the international Iran Nuclear Agreement in Congress.
Listen to the entire program using these links, or to individual interviews via the links appearing prior to each segment description below.
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International Nuclear Agreement with Iran a Victory for Diplomacy Over War
Interview with Phyllis Bennis, director of the New Internationalism project at the Institute for Policy Studies, conducted by Scott Harris
Senate Republican opponents of President Obama’s six-nation nuclear agreement with Iran failed to muster enough votes on Sept. 15 to overcome supporters of the deal, who succeeded in blocking consideration of a resolution of disapproval for the second time in less than a week. On Sept. 10, the House of Representatives passed a measure stating that Congress’s 60-day review clock to consider the nuclear deal had not started because they charge the administration hadn’t provided lawmakers with copies of all documents related to the agreement, a charge the White House denies. Story continues
Women Disproportionately Affected by Climate Change Offer Unique Solutions to Address Climate Crisis
Interview with Osprey Orielle Lake, executive director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network, conducted by Melinda Tuhus
The visit of Pope Francis to the U.S. in late September offers climate justice groups a megaphone to air their concerns and call for changes needed to put the earth on a path to sustainability. After speaking with President Obama and to a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., the pope will speak at the annual opening of the United Nations General Assembly, which takes place at the UN’s New York headquarters on Sept. 25. Given the pope’s outspoken support for addressing global warming, the issues of the climate crisis and justice for the world’s poor, who are disproportionally affected by climate change, will be high on the agenda. Story continues
Guatemalan President Resigns Amid Corruption Charges, Implicated in Mass Murder
Interview with Allan Nairn, award-winning U.S. investigative journalist, conducted by Scott Harris
Guatemala’s president Otto Pérez Molina was forced to resign from office on Sept. 3 in the face of a major corruption scandal and demands for his removal from power by a growing protest movement. The scandal, under investigation by Attorney General Thelma Aldana, involves allegations that businesspeople paid kickbacks to public officials in order to avoid import duties through Guatemala’s customs agency. Perez Molina’s former vice president, Roxana Baldetti, has already been jailed and faces charges that she received as much as $3.7 million in bribes. Story continues
This week’s summary of under-reported news
Compiled by Bob Nixon
- Spain’s insurgent political party Podemos, meaning “We Can” in Spanish, emerged two years ago out of large urban assemblies of activists frustrated with double-digit unemployment and austerity policies. The leftist party, led by 37-year-old political science professor Pablo Iglesias surprised the political establishment by winning five seats in recent elections for the European Parliament. (“Rural Spain: the challenge for Podemos, the country’s new left,” In These Times, Aug. 24, 2015)
- Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi opened up her campaign for this fall’s historic parliamentary election in the home base of top Myanmar political insider Soe Thein, the architect of the Southeast Asian nations’ recent economic reforms. (“Campaign begins in Myanmar election set to decide scope of democratic change,” Reuters, Sept. 7, 2015; “Myanmar’s candidate controversies,” The Diplomat, Sept. 7, 2015; “Anti-Muslim Buddhist group gains political clout in Myanmar,”Huff Post, Sept. 2, 2015)
- Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has laid out a new five-year plan for debt relief that includes teacher layoffs and austerity measures. Still, the plan won’t balance the books and bond holders, led by vulture hedge funds, are likely to launch lawsuits to get full payment for their bonds. (“Puerto Rico lays out 5-year plan for restructuring its debts,” The New York Times, Sept. 9, 2015; “Clinton, Rubio clash over Puerto Rico economic crisis in high profile visits,” The Associated Press, Sept. 5, 2015)
