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Afshan and Rutansi host Going Underground from the UAE, discussing Gaza hunger amid Western actions and the wider US-Israeli war context in West Asia, alongside references to Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. They introduce Melvin Goodman, a former CIA officer and whistleblower who criticized politicization of intelligence, and now a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, a Johns Hopkins government professor, and Counterpunch columnist.
Netanyahu’s White House visit is highlighted: Israeli Channel 14 claims Netanyahu demanded complete cancellation of Iran’s nuclear program, zero uranium enrichment, removal of enrichment capabilities, limits on ballistic missiles to 300 kilometers, and intensive, genuine oversight of Iran. The hosts question Netanyahu’s influence and the ease with which an Israeli prime minister can press a US president.
Speaker Goodman notes Netanyahu has a very good relationship with Trump, citing Netanyahu as a “houseguest” of the Kushner family in the past, and asserts the ceasefire is a joke as people die. He suggests Netanyahu will push for military force, with targets possibly concentrating on Iranian ballistic missile sites rather than nuclear facilities, based on satellite imagery of reconstruction. Goodman calls Netanyahu a “war president” and warns the government could move further right; he says the US continues to provide and may increase military aid to Israel despite civilian harm.
Afshan and Goodman discuss US policy under Trump and Biden, agreeing that both have cooperated with genocide in Gaza. They contrast Netanyahu’s alignment with Trump and US arms support to Israel, noting heavy tonnage bombings and ongoing military aid.
The conversation shifts to US intelligence and leadership: Goodman discusses CIA director John Ratcliffe as a political appointee, the broader claim that Trump’s administration is the worst cabinet in US history, and the need for the CIA to tell truth to power. Goodman states Ratcliffe has kept CIA out of the news regarding Venezuelan, Caribbean, and Pacific intelligence activities, aiding US military actions, while criticizing Trump’s overall approach to intelligence and governance.
Ukraine is addressed briefly: Bill Burns as Moscow ambassador is argued to have not gone quiet, having warned both sides. They discuss genocide labels for Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the Gaza situation, with a back-and-forth about whether similar terms apply to Ukraine and Gaza. Goodman argues NATO expansion is a root cause of the war, and that Trump’s approach lacks a clear long-term disarmament strategy. He recalls participating in SALT I and ABM treaty contexts and critiques the Trump administration’s handling of arms control negotiations, blaming the absence of seasoned negotiators and the influence of non-experts like real estate billionaires on policy.
The START treaty expiry is mentioned, with expectations of renewed talks and the importance of limits on new weapons from Russia and China. Goodman emphasizes the need to negotiate, noting past successes like the partial test ban treaty and INF/ABM treaties, and warns that the current US trajectory risks an arms race and destabilization, especially given China’s rapidly growing arsenal.
The interview broadens to Epstein-related political pressure, noting Trump’s use of the Department of Justice and alleged pressure from various sources, including claims about Epstein files. Goodman discusses domestic pressures on Trump, including personnel changes and public opinion.
Toward the end, Goodman cautions that the US aims to “be king of the Western Hemisphere,” and warns of dark days for Cuba and Venezuela, as Latin American governments move right in response to US policy. He observes a lack of coherent diplomatic channels and disarmament engagement, concluding that the near term is not optimistic.
The program ends with condolences for Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran victims, and a teaser for a Saturday episode.