Podcast appearances and mentions of Reese Erlich

This week on Voices from the Frontlines: We honor Reese Erlich! Our dear friend Reese helped to initiate the Stop the Draft Week in Oakland, who worked for the Unity Newspaper of the League of Revolutionary Struggle, and became a well-respected journalist in support of the people of the Third World, died on April 6th, 2021. Eric & Reese remained friends for more than 40 years and Eric will be playing the last interview they did together, telling his reminiscences of him and Reese. Reese was a prolific author, with his most popular publication being Dateline Havana: The Real Story of US Policy and the Future of Cuba. Eric will also tell the story of how he organized a successful group insurgency at the DMV.

Author and foreign correspondent Reese Erlich has just revealed he is dying of cancer, in a candid and somewhat amusing … Continue reading From the Archive: Journalist Reese Erlich on Sonic Weapons in Cuba and the War in Syria

Eric Mann in Conversation with Reese Erlich The 2020 elections -- What is at stake for those who want peace and non-U.S. intervention with China, Russia, Venezuela, Iran, and the Third World September 29, 2020 | 3PM PST September 29th at 6pm is the debate between Joseph Biden and Donald Trump. Much is at stake for the movement, and the country. But for those who support a Biden presidency, and those who care about the lives of people in the Third World (and some are both), this conversation is important as to what we can hope for, and what we can expect. This afternoon, Eric Mann and Reese Erlich will examine the 2020 elections, specifically: what is at stake for those who want peace, and non-U.S. intervention with China, Russia, Venezuela, Iran, and the Third World? Reese Erlich is a long-time activist/organizer/writer whose work goes back to the 1965 Stop the Draft Week in Oakland, and continues to this day. In 1968, he went to the Republic of Cuba, and has been a friend of their democratic, socialist, and anti-imperialist revolution ever since. This is reflected in his important book Dateline Havana: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba that Reese wrote with Stephen Kinzer.

This week, we're joined by Peabody award-winning journalist Reese Erlich who talks to us about why Cuba is handling the COVID crisis much better than America, why he travels wherever the government tells him not to, and that the two things you can find anywhere in the world are Coca Cola and the Kardashians.

Scott interviews Reese Erlich about his latest antiwar.com column, which describes the dangerous game being played by the war hawks in Washington as they ratchet up tensions with Iran. The Trump administration has retaliated several times against Katib Hezbollah targets in Iraq for alleged attacks on U.S. military bases there, and of course ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in January. These acts of force could easily blossom into full-scale war, but even if they don’t, they still put American troops in unnecessary danger. The safest thing for these soldiers, and for the rest of the country, would be to end all hostilities and bring everyone home. Discussed on the show: “US Beats War Drums in Middle East” (Antiwar.com Original)“How To Lose An Army” (The American Conservative) Reese Erlich is a freelance journalist who has reported from the Middle East for decades. His nationally distributed column, Foreign Correspondent, appears every two weeks. He is the author of The Iran Agenda Today: the Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Middle East Crisis. Find him on Twitter at @ReeseErlich or at his website. This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; Listen and Think Audio; TheBumperSticker.com; and LibertyStickers.com. Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD3w4maqYJk

0:08 – Monday's with Mitch We discuss the US escalation on Iran and Iraq with airstrikes and Trump threatening retaliation, including on Iranian cultural sites, which is a war crime. And, in the context of the impeachment – Congress is scrambling to check executive war powers; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has given no indication on when she'll pass the articles of impeachment over to the Senate, a political strategy in order to ensure a fair trial. 0:34 – David K Randall is a senior reporter at Reuters. His latest book is Black Death at the Golden Gate: The Race to Save America from the Bubonic Plague. 1:08 – We spend the hour discussing what's going on with the US and Iran, plus we take listener calls. Reese Erlich (@ReeseErlich) has been reporting from Iran for 18 years. His new book is The Iran Agenda Today: the Real Story Inside Iran and What's Wrong with US Policy. Erlich's Foreign Correspondent column appears every two weeks in 48Hills.org. Follow his work at ReeseErlich.com.   The post Behind Trump's major escalation on Iran with journalist Reese Erlich; Plus: What's next in the impeachment process appeared first on KPFA.

Reese Erlich has won numerous journalism awards including a Peabody award. He’s also a freelance journalist who writes for CBS Radio, Australian Broadcasting Corp., NPR and VICE News, and his Foreign Correspondent column distributed nationally in the US. Last year he published his latest book with the title The Iran Agenda Today: The Real Story … Continue reading "CO120 Reese Erlich on Tensions with Iran"

Reese Erlich has won numerous journalism awards including a Peabody award. He’s also a freelance journalist who writes for CBS Radio, Australian Broadcasting Corp., NPR and VICE News, and his Foreign Correspondent column distributed nationally in the US. Last year he published his latest book with the title The Iran Agenda Today: The Real Story … Continue reading "CO120 Reese Erlich on Tensions with Iran"

Two federal court rulings in Georgia will mean potentially thousands of additional votes will be counted in the highly contested elections.  And in Florida today a federal court starts a hearing to decide recount timetables, ballot disqualification rules and whether GOP Gov. Rick Scott can sit on a panel that will certify who wins the race. To talk more about the situation of these elections we are joined by Steven Rosenfeld. Then, we talk to journalist Reesse Erlich about the latest on the US-Iran relationship. Guests: Steven Rosenfeld is a senior writing fellow of the Independent Media Institute, where he covers national political issues. He is the author of several books on elections, most recently Democracy Betrayed: How Superdelegates, Redistricting, Party Insiders, and the Electoral College Rigged the 2016 Election. His latest writings can be found on Alternet.  Reese Erlich is a journalist who has cover the Middle East since 1987 and reported from Iran since 2000. He is the author and co-author of many books including Target Iraq: What the News Media Didn't Tell You. Most recently The Iran Agenda Today: The Real Story Inside Iran and What's Wrong with U.S. Policy. The post Federal Courts Ruling on Vote Counting in Georgia and Florida. Then, The Latest On the US-Iran Affairs appeared first on KPFA.

The great and innovative jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove passed away Nov 2 at the age of 49. Jazz Perspective producer Reese Erlich interviewed him several times. Here is his JazzCorner.com Jazz InnerViews Perspective produced in 2006 at the Barbados Jazz Festival.

Pianist Danilo Perez can pound out a mean montuno or tickle the ivories with a silky ballad. In his most recent CD, "Children of the Light," he emphasizes the jazz side of his multi-faceted career. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich discusses how Perez creates new music through what he calls "comprovization" - a combination of composition and improvisation.

In his first few weeks in office, the Trump administration has escalated US aggression towards both Syria and Iran. He is asking for more US military presence on the ground in Syria, which may increase tension with Russia, and signed an Executive Order for more sanctions against Iran, which received bipartisan support in Congress. Trump's National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, stated last week that Iran has been "put on notice" and that the US would consider military action in response to Iran's legal test of a non-nuclear missile. We speak with foreign correspondent Reese Erlich and retired Colonel Ann Wright about the current situation between the United States and countries in the Middle East and Asia. For more information, visit www.ClearingtheFOGRadio.org.

Reese Erlich is a foreign correspondent and book author. The paperback edition of Erlich's book Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War and What the World Can Expect, has just been published this week. See https://reeseerlich.com Coleen Rowley is an FBI whistleblower, peace activist, retired FBI agent, former legal counsel who taught law enforcement ethics, and member of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity and of Sam Adams Associates for Integrity in Intelligence. See http://coleenrowley.com Coleen Rowley will be participating in No War 2016. See http://worldbeyondwar.org/nowar2016

Pianist Kenny Barron has excited jazz audiences since the early 1960s. As both performer and educator, Barron has popularized a melodic and straight ahead style. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich caught up with Barron at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and they discussed Barron's 2016 CD "Book of Intuition."​

One the busiest musicians on the New York scene, saxophonist and composer Chico Freeman decided to move to Europe more than 10 years ago. While there, he explored the musical traditions of Eastern Europe and Africa. With a new record, Freeman returned to the United States this year. In this special 30 minute JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich talks to Freeman about his experiences and his return.​

We often hear from the upper middle class, educated youth of Iran complaining about the dictatorship. But what about the majority of youth, the working class young people who live in South Tehran and similar neighborhoods? Reese Erlich explores how young people compare President Rouhani’s government with the populist rule of Ahmadinejad. We’ll also hear about how they are responding to conservative hardliners who are tapping into frustrations with high unemployment, and threatening to cancel the nuclear deal. Thank you to the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting for granting Reese Erlich funding to produce this piece.

We often hear from the upper middle class, educated youth of Iran complaining about the dictatorship. But what about the majority of youth, the working class young people who live in South Tehran and similar neighborhoods? Reese Erlich explores how young people compare President Rouhani’s government with the populist rule of Ahmadinejad. We’ll also hear about how they are responding to conservative hardliners who are tapping into frustrations with high unemployment, and threatening to cancel the nuclear deal. Thank you to the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting for granting Reese Erlich funding to produce this piece.

Cuban born pianist Omar Sosa is always full of surprises. In his 2015 CD Ile, he masterfully combines elements of Cuban son, jazz and flamenco. In this podcast Sosa tells Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich how he gets inspired to make such unique music.​

Composer and arranger Maria Schneider also conducts one of the country's finest jazz orchestras. It's not the big band sound of years gone by. She creates a contemporary sound that mixes elements of jazz and classical styles. JazzCorner.com's Jazz Perspective producer Reese Erlich spoke with Schneider at her home in New York about a new CD and how she gets inspiration for new compositions.​

1895 Nicaragua Canal Cartoon Officially opening in 1914, the Panama Canal connected the Atlantic and Pacific creating a short-cut for ships. It was the biggest infrastructure project of its time. But originally the United States wanted to build the canal in Nicaragua. The plans shifted largely after French engineer Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla convinced U.S. lawmakers otherwise. Well now the Nicaragua canal plans are back on the table. Nicaragua plans to build a $50 billion canal to connect the Caribbean and Pacific. Supporters argue it will create more than 250,000 jobs. But small farmers and environmentalists say the project will destroy Lake Nicaragua. On this edition, we ll take a look at the economic, political and environmental controversies surrounding the Nicaragua canal. Reporter Reese Erlich has the story. Featuring:  Maria Mercelin, fisherman s wife; Michael Healey, head of an agribusiness association; Monica Lopez, anti-canal activist and lawyer; Lionel Teller, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the EU; Rosibel Lope, owner of snack bar on Ometepe Island; Jairo Carrilon, anti-canal coalition leader; David Quintana, spokesperson for Foundation for Nicaraguan Sustainable Development; Benjamin Lanzas, member of the canal s governing body; Juana Juarez, resident of Ometepe Island; Osvaldo Navas, Ometepe Island leader; and Antonio Granados, land owner whose property lies directly along the canal route. Host: Laura Flynn Producers: Andrew Stelzer, Laura Flynn, George Lavender, Jasmin Lopez Contributing Producers: Reese Erlich Executive Director: Lisa Rudman Web Editor: Kwan Booth More information: Foreign correspondent Reese Erlich is author of five books, most recently, “Inside Syria: the Backstory of Their Civil War and What the World Can Expect,” foreword by Noam Chomsky. Twitter: @ReeseErlich Facebook: Reese Erlich Foreign Correspondent Home page:  www.reeseerlich.com MUSIC: “Simon Mathewson – Spectacled Cobra” (by Simon Mathewson) “Wash Out” (by Broke For Free) The post The Controversial Nicaragua Canal appeared first on KPFA.

Clark Terry, who was born in 1920, was one of the elite group of jazz artists who played with both Duke Ellington and Count Basie. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective he doesn't take sides, saying one was better. Count Basie was the master of timing, says Terry, Ellington was the master musician. Clark Terry became famous for playing the trumpet upside down and performing his "mumbles" scat singing routine. Clark Terry, a true jazz treasure, passed away on February 21, 2015. Reese Erlich produced this Jazz Perspective in 2006.​

More than a decade after the start of the second Gulf War, the United States has embarked on a bombing campaign targeting Islamic State forces inside Iraq and Syria. It’s the third U.S. military action inside Iraq in as many decades. But the reasons for the new war keep shifting, from protecting ethnic and religious minorities, to preventing terrorist attacks on the U.S. As independent producer Reese Erlich reports from Northern Iraq, this latest conflict, and the future of the region is tightly connected to the oil industry and international politics. Featuring: Antonia Juhasz, author The Bush Agenda, The Tyranny of Oil, and Black Tide Fauzi Ali and Aiwa Majdal, Yazidi refugees Chenar Rozbyani, photographer Richard Nabb, oil company advisor Kemal Afaraci assistant district manager Tak Tak oil field Shirin Jabar, demonstrator at KDP rally.

More than a decade after the start of the second Gulf War, the United States has embarked on a bombing campaign targeting Islamic State forces inside Iraq and Syria. It’s the third U.S. military action inside Iraq in as many decades. But the reasons for the new war keep shifting, from protecting ethnic and religious minorities, to preventing terrorist attacks on the U.S. As independent producer Reese Erlich reports from Northern Iraq, this latest conflict, and the future of the region is tightly connected to the oil industry and international politics. Featuring: Antonia Juhasz, author The Bush Agenda, The Tyranny of Oil, and Black Tide Fauzi Ali and Aiwa Majdal, Yazidi refugees Chenar Rozbyani, photographer Richard Nabb, oil company advisor Kemal Afaraci assistant district manager Tak Tak oil field Shirin Jabar, demonstrator at KDP rally.

Carmen Lundy's latest CD "Soul to Soul," drawing on blues and gospel influences, ​with all original compositions. ​JazzCorner.com ​Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich explains, ​"​Lundy plays multiple instruments and has a major role in the recording process. She talks about the creative inspirations for writing, playing and recording her own CD.​

Pianist Oscar Hernandez, leader of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, can get down with a salsa beat or play a lilting Latin Jazz tune. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, Hernandez says Latin music should get the same respect as straight ahead jazz. It's not always party time. This Perspective was produced by Reese Erlich.

Multi-Grammy Award winner Arturo Sandoval is most famous for his jazz and Latin trumpet playing. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich asks Sandoval how he composed music for 12 films. Arturo says sometimes you get only 20 seconds for a music cut, but you learn how to do it. He is also featured on the "Spiderman" soundtrack.

Reese Erlich is an award winning journalist and author, and a frequent visitor to the Middle East over the past 10+ years. We start with a talk he gave at FNVW about Libya & Syria and the Arab Spring, and continue on to an visit with Reese addressing his goals in seeking out truth, starting from his organizing against Vietnam.

Pulitzer Center grantee Reese Erlich interviewed Syria's Minister of Justice and visited the Rukaya Shrine in Damascus to get a better understanding of the balance of power between the government and rebels. He filed this report for CBS Radio News. Learn more: http://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/middle-east-syria-assad-balance-power-politics-government.

Fighting between government troops and rebels continues in Syria. Christian areas of Damascus are under attack from rebel mortars, and tens of thousands of Christians have fled the country. Pulitzer Center grantee Reese Erlich filed this story for CBS Radio News from Damascus. Learn more: http://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/middle-east-syria-christian-extremist-rebels

Tens of thousands of Christians have fled Syria with many more internally displaced. Christian areas of Damascus are under attack from rebel mortars and rockets. In this story for the English language service of German state radio, Radio DW, Reese Erlich reports from Damascus about why Christians back Assad. Learn more: http://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/middle-east-syria-christian-islam-religion-assad-migration

The great saxophonist and flutist Frank Wess ​died on Oct 30, 2013. He became famous playing with the Count Basie Band in the 1950s. His incredible career spanned both the big band and bebop eras. In this Jazz Perspective from 2007, Wess tells ​JazzCorner.com ​producer Reese Erlich that he really didn't have any problems playing bebop – except the drumming was so different. "Art Blakey was dropping those bombs," he said with a laugh. This Jazz Perspective includes Wess' playing from the Count Basie days as well as his CD 'Hank and Frank'.

Pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa paid his dues studying and performing in Cuba before bursting onto the international jazz scene, winning top honors at the Montreux Jazz Festival. He artfully combines the modern rhythms of Havana with an acute jazz sensibility. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich caught up with Lopez-Nussa at the Montreal Jazz Festival and provides this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective.

Pianist Jason Moran electrified the jazz scene as a young man in the late 1990s. He became known as one of the best interpreters of the music of Thelonious Monk. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich spoke with Moran recently at the Montreal Jazz Festival about his new work celebrating the life of Fats Waller.

Reese Erlich is a rare voice coming out of Syria during this turbulent time. As one of very the few journalists able to get into Syria to report on the uprising, Erlich explains the tactics used by anti-regime demonstrators as well as their goals: free elections, a parliamentary system and an end to corruption. His reports give voice to all sides: regime loyalists, anti-government activists, businessmen, bazaar merchants, Kurdish refugees and other ethnic and religious minorities.

Libyans overthrew hated dictator Muammar Gaddafi last October, but the country remains chaotic. Armed militias once allied with the US and NATO now attack government offices and engage in extortion rackets. While the west proclaimed a great victory for so-called “humanitarian military intervention,” the Libyan aftermath is far more sobering. On this edition, independent producer Reese Erlich brings us a special report from Libya. Featuring: Ibrahim el Mayet*, Libya Progress Association leader; *Master Sergeant Hamid Hijazzi,* Benghazi Air Force officers spokesperson; *Elhabib Alamin*, poet & Ministry of Culture official*; Abdul Azzuz*, translator; *Ahmed Alkoshli,* Minister of Economy; *Khalifa Sahli*, Zawiya Oil refinery operations manager; *Ibrahim Ali*, Libyan Transparency Association chair; *Ibrahim Layas*, MedcoEnergi Oil and Gas official; *Ahmed Ali*, grocery store owner; *Guma Assaiti*, pro-Federalist political group leader; *Fathiya Steita*, retired English professor; *Nadia Nour Mohammad, Abdul Wahab, Mohammad Riad*, protestors. For More Information: Feb 17th http://feb17.info/ Libyan Herald http://www.libyaherald.com/ Al Jazeera Libyan Live Blog http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/topic/libya-135 Libyan S.O.S. http://libyasos.blogspot.com/ Voices 4 Libya http://voices4libya.com/ Libyan High National Election Commission http://www.hnec.ly/en/ The Libyan Interim National Council http://www.ntclibya.org/english/ Elhabib Alamin http://emnetpalm.blogspot.com/ Reese Erlich www.reeseerlich.com Articles, Reports: In Libya, Western-backed militias fuel poetics, politics http://www.latitudenews.com/story/libyan-poet-fights-western-militias/ Review of Vijay Prashad's book “Arab Spring, Libyan Winter” http://peoplesworld.org/arab-spring-libyan-winter-has-timely-lessons-for-nato-summit The post Making Contact – The Struggle for Libya's Future appeared first on KPFA.

As the Arab spring enters its second year, the popular uprising against the Syrian government continues.  Scores are being killed by government forces, but international condemnation has not been enough to stop the violence.  Foreign correspondent Reese Erlich is one of the few foreign reporters who got into Syria to interview opposition demonstrators, Kurdish refugees, government officials and impassioned supporters of President Bashar al Assad. On this edition, An Inside look at the Syrian Uprising, produced by Reese Erlich. The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting provided a grant to Reese Erlich for his reporting from Syria.  Special thanks to Azad Diwani and Nabaz Shwani for translation and arranging interviews.    Featuring: Leen, Ahmad, Taim, Mahmood, Syrian activists; Bouthaina Shaban, Syrian Presidential advisor; J. Toumajian, translator; Feras Dieb, Alawite businessman; Mohammad al Habash, Syrian Parliament member; Rana Issa, marketing and advertising business owner; Barkhodan Balo, Kurdish refugee; clothing store owner in Damascus souk   For More Information:  Syrian American Council http://sacouncil.com/   Local Coordination Committees of Syria http://www.lccsyria.org/   Al-Jazeera spotlight on Syria http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/syria/   Free Syria http://www.free-syria.com/en/   Razaniyyat http://razanghazzawi.com/   Syrian Arab News Agency http://www.sana.sy/index_eng.html   The Arab League http://www.arab.de/arabinfo/league.htm   Syria Comment http://syriacomment.com/   Human Rights Watch Syria: End Persecution of Kurds     Pulitzer Center http://pulitzercenter.org/projects/arab-spring-gaza-egypt-mubarak-tahrir-square   Books/Articles: Flash Mob For Syrian Freedom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVuFYzz5QUI The post Making Contact – Inside the Syrian Uprising appeared first on KPFA.

In February a mass movement overthrew the hated dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt. But a military council now rules the country. Critics say the new regime has kept much of Mubarak's repressive apparatus. Meanwhile extremist Islamist groups are pressuring the government to adopt undemocratic, right-wing policies. On this edition, independent producer Reese Erlich brings you this special report “Who Won the Egyptian Revolution?”   Reese Erlich received a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting for his reporting in Egypt.   Featuring:   Tarek Shalaby, Tahrir Square leader; Shimaa Helmy, biotechnology student; Khalid Shalid, Tahrir square protestor; Salma Shukrallah, Al Ahram Online journalist; Dr. Mohammad Shafik, doctor at Manshiet el Bakry hospital; Ellis J. Goldberg, University of Washington political science & American University in Cairo visiting professor; Ahmad Fathi, Truck driver; Salah Hamid, barber; Rabab El Mahdi, American University in Cairo political science teacher; Mohammad Said Mohammad, Muslim Brotherhood supporter; Father Antonius, Coptic Christian leader; Dr. Milad Ismail; Manshiet el Bakry hospital administrator     For More Information:   Al-Ahram online http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/   Moslem Brotherhood http://www.ikhwanweb.com/    Pulitzer center on Crisis Reporting http://pulitzercenter.org/   Al-Masry Al-Youm http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/487697   Angry Arab http://angryarab.blogspot.com/   Jadaliyya http://www.jadaliyya.com/   The Arabist http://www.arabist.net/   The post Making Contact – Who Won the Egyptian Revolution? appeared first on KPFA.

Jewish settlers in the Palestinian city of Hebron wear skull caps and carry pistols (Get the best airsoft pistols). They have forcibly expanded their settlements, closed Palestinian shops and expelled residents. After initially calling for a freeze on such settlements, the Obama Administration has changed course – and the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace have dimmed. Right wing nationalists currently hold sway in Israel, but both Palestinians and progressive Israelis say that will change. On this edition, producer Reese Erlich takes us from the Jewish settlements of Hebron to the streets of Ramallah. Featuring: David Wilder, Committee of The Jewish Community of Hebron Spokesman; Shawan Jabarin, Al Haq Human Rights Organization Director; Ronny Perlman, Checkpoint Watch Leader; Yair Stern, Former Israeli Journalist; Dani Dayan, Yesha Council Leader; Feris Bader, Palestinian College Student; Mashd Betazhi, Palestinian Center for Peace and Democracy; Yuri Shevach, Jeruselum Tourist Shop Owner. Special thanks to Rabie Abulatifah for translation.   The post Making Contact – Settlers or Meddlers? A Divided Palestine appeared first on KPFA.

Marine corporal Rick Reyes fought in Afghanistan, but now strongly opposes the war.  He and other anti-war activists traveled to Afghanistan, to meet with government officials, women's rights activists and ordinary Afghans. They learned that despite a supposed change in policy, the US military continues to bomb civilians. Independent producer Reese Erlich accompanied the group, as they met critics of both the US government and the Karzai administration.   Featuring: Marine Corporal Rick Reyes, Afghan War Veteran; Najibullah Sedeque, Journalist and Translator; Tawaz Khan, Refugee Headman; Khan, Helmand Province Farmer; Norman Solomon, Institute for Public Accuracy Executive Director (and one of the founders of Making Contact); Samun Tasmim, Abdul Mahmood, Abdul Tawab, Arif Hussein, Hosay Kasmi, Azila, Tavana, Students; Satwana Dasgupta, Afghans4Tomorrow Executive Director; Fatima Gailaini, Afghan Red Crescent Society and Woman's Rights Activist; Ebadullah Ebad, Farmer; Jean Luc Lemahieu, UN Organization on Drugs and Crime in Kabul; Afzal Rashid, Afghan Finance Ministry Former Senior Advisor;   Reese Erlich's book, "Conversations with Terrorists" is due in bookstores in 2010.   Special thanks to Najibullah Sedeque for translation. And to Dan Turner, Alfonso Hooker, Joe Pascual and Megan Martenyi.   The post Making Contact – American Peace Activists on the Streets of Kabul appeared first on KPFA.

"Eyewitness Iran" with Investigative Journalist, Reese Erlich, who was in Teheran covering the recent elections.  He gives a firsthand account of the demonstrations before and after the elections; the politics of the candidates; election fraud; and provides historical context.   The post Behind the News with Doug Henwood – June 6, 2009 at 10:00am appeared first on KPFA.

In 1997, the "Buena Vista Social Club" CD took the world by storm. Two years later, a documentary film about the musicians became even more popular earning an Oscar nomination.  And while the movie was a hit, it may also have created some myths about Cuba and the musicians themselves.  Independent producer Reese Erlich spent years interviewing members of the Buena Vista Social Club and separates fact from fiction. Erlich¹s new book is Dateline Havana: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba. Featuring:Eliades Ochoa, Cuarteto Patria guitarist; Ruben Gonzalez, pianist and original Buena Vista Social Club pianist; Eneida Lima, Ruben Gonzalez' wife; Ibrahim Ferrer, original Buena Vista Social Club singer; Mario Jorge Munoz, Havana newspaper "Juventud Rebelde" cultural reporter; Barbarito Torres, original Buena Vista Social Club virtuoso laoud player; Manuel Galban, modern Buena Vista Social Club Band guitarist; Pablo Menendez, Mezcla guitarist; Magda Gutierrez, Manuel Galban's wife. For More Information: Buena Vista Social Clubhttp://www.pbs.org/buenavista About:  An award winning documentary featuring the music of the Cuban ensemble the Buena Vista Social Club.   The post Making Contact – What Ever Happened to the Buena Vista Social Club? appeared first on KPFA.

Interview with Reese Erlich/author of DATELINE HAVANA: THE REAL STORY OF US POLICY AND THE FUTURE OF CUBA discussion about Cuban History, US Policy, the Cuba Lobby, and possible changes in US-Cuba policy. Hosted by Walter Turner.   The post Africa Today – February 2, 2009 at 7:00pm appeared first on KPFA.

Cuba had a long history of segregation and racism before 1959. The revolutionary government ended the old system of segregation but racism remains a problem in Cuba. On this, the 50th anniversary of the Cuba Revolution, we look at how Cuba brought about equality for symphony musicians. We'll also look at Cuba's efforts to feed itself through the world's largest organic farming experiment. This program was written and produced by Reese Erlich. His recent book is Dateline Havana: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba. Featuring:Louis Aragu, son of the founder of The National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba; Yvonne Fernandez, The National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba bassoon player; Esteban Morales, University of Havana sociologist and professor; Dr. Devyn Spence, Cuban race relations author; Lester Benavides, violin and viola player; Eliades Ochoa, Buena Vista Social Club guitar player; "Rochy" Rosa Maria Amemeiro, singer, guitarist and composer; Bill Martinez, Cuban musicians' attorney; Lázaro Valdés, Bamboleo founder and leader; Humberto Hernandez, Havana fruit vendor; Raul Ruiz, Cuban Ministry of Agriculture official; Santiago Yanez, Agricultural Ministry official; Jose Casimiro, Cuban farmer; Fernando Funes, Government agronomist promoting organic techniques. The post Making Contact – Dateline Havana: The Future Of Cuba appeared first on KPFA.

Musicians, Migrants and All That Jazz On the next Making Contact…Musicians have always been the heart and soul of New Orleans. And like everyone else in the flood damaged city, they're struggling to survive. On this edition, correspondent Reese Erlich talks with musicians to learn how the historic New Orleans music scene plays on and how new influences are bringing hope to the struggling city. Musicians have always been the heart and soul of New Orleans and like everyone else in the flood damaged city, they're struggling to survive. Two years after the disaster, only half of the residents have returned, and large swaths of the region remain as uninhabitable as the day the levees broke. And yet the bands play on. On this edition, correspondent Reese Erlich talks with musicians to learn how the historic New Orleans music scene endures and how new influences are bringing hope to the struggling city. The post Making Contact – August 10, 2007 appeared first on KPFA.

Plan Colombia: Drug War Without End Plan Colombia began in 2000 as an effort by the Clinton administration to reduce cocaine production in Colombia and stop the growing leftist guerrilla insurgency. The Bush administration says Plan Colombia is a big success. On this edition, independent producer Reese Erlich visits rural farmers and urban shanty towns, and talks with high ranking Colombian politicians to learn about the serious problems with the Plan. The post Making Contact – April 1, 2005 appeared first on KPFA.

Hiroshima and its Legacy Today In August 1945, in an action that has provoked controversy ever since, the US dropped the first atomic bombs on Japan. On this special edition of Making Contact, producer Reese Erlich looks at how the Hiroshima bombing set the moral and political tone for future aggression. We'll hear from both Japanese and American atomic bomb survivors, and from today's anti-nuke activists. – www.radioproject.org The post Making Contact – December 10, 2004 appeared first on KPFA.

Some follow-up with author Reese Erlich on his former co-worker Robart Scheers reports on the Jessica Lynch propaganda effort by the Bush administration

Bay Area journalist Reese Erlich talks about his book Target Iraq, co-authored with Norman Soloman