Jovanni and Monisha are joined by Leonardo Flores, a Code Pink Land American campaign spokesperson and coalition organizer, a Venezuela American political analyst and activist with a degree in philosophy. Leonardo has was born in Venezuela and maintains close ties to the social movements that have transformed the country over the past 27 years. He served as a media analyst and later policy advisor at the Venezuela Embassy in Washington, DC before joining Code Pink as Latin American Campaign coor...
Apr 06, 2026•1 hr 8 min•Season 8Ep. 180
Jovanni is joined by Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink and other advocacy coalitions, to discuss the third week of what he calls the US–Israel war of aggression against Iran, sparked after the killing of Ayatollah Khomeini and the collapse of reportedly positive US–Iran negotiations, with the conflict expanding beyond what the Trump administration claimed would be a four-day incursion. Guest , argues the US entered a quagmire with no strategy or exit plan, notes reports of a 2,500-Marine d...
Mar 26, 2026•30 min•Season 8Ep. 179
Jovanni, Keagan, and Monisha are joined by returning guest Jake Tucker, an Iraq War veteran and organizer, to discuss the Feb. 28, 2026 US–Israel offensive against Iran, following a June 2025 12-day war that began with assassinations and escalated through Israeli strikes and Iranian missile/drone retaliation. They touch on reported attacks on civilian infrastructure, fears of a Gaza-style campaign, and uncertainty amid “fog of war,” while noting signs the war is lasting longer than promised, Isr...
Mar 23, 2026•1 hr 6 min•Season 8Ep. 178
Jovanni and Monisha dive into the rich history and complex current issues surrounding Puerto Rico's colonial status with guest Alexis Colon de Jesus, a Puerto Rican activist and Marxist theorist, shares his political journey and thoughts on the island's shifting political consciousness, the impact of neoliberal policies, and the island's role as a U.S. military asset. They also explores international solidarity, the intersection of nationalism and class consciousness, and the importance of educa...
Feb 08, 2026•1 hr 17 min•Season 7Ep. 177
Jovanni joins William Camacaro, a Venezuelan-American activist and scholar, for an in-depth discussion about the U.S. military attack on Venezuela on January 3rd, 2020, which led to the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. They cover U.S. foreign policy, explores the legacy of the Bolivarian Revolution, and discusses the broader impact on Latin America. Furthermore, William highlights the historical instances of U.S. intervention and the ongoing struggle for sovereignty and justice...
Jan 11, 2026•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 176
Jovanni and Keagan sit down with guest KJ Noh, a journalist and political analyst, explore the complex web of US foreign policy and its attempts to contain China, covering the intricate dynamics of localized conflicts such as the Cambodia-Thailand border tension and the role of US proxy states in the Pacific. They delve into China's abstention on the Gaza Trump plan at the UN Security Council, and dissect what the latest US National Security Strategy reveals about Washington's long-term prioriti...
Dec 31, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 175
Jovanni and returning guest Matthew Ho, a former US Marine officer and associate director of the Eisenhower Media Network, discusses the recent UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which sets forth a new US-led plan for the governance, security, and reconstruction of Gaza. The resolution, which involves the establishment of an international transitional authority called the Board of Peace chaired by Donald Trump, aims to demilitarize Gaza and shifts humanitarian coordination away from the United...
Dec 09, 2025•40 min•Season 7Ep. 174
Jovanni and Shiloh are joined by special guest Meital Yaniv to discuss the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Israeli state ideology, and the U.S.'s crucial role in supporting Israeli military actions. They delve into the assimilation and erasure of cultures within Israel, the parallels between Israeli and U.S. militarization, and the vital need for solidarity and systemic change. Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review...
Nov 17, 2025•48 min•Season 7Ep. 173
Jovanni and Monisha converse with Zuleyka Morales Rivera, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and activist, about her recent participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla, consisting of over 450 volunteers from 40 countries, aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza but was intercepted by Israeli forces. Zuleyka shares her harrowing experience of being detained under harsh conditions, along with delving into the parallels between the occupation of Palestine and Puerto Rico, the impact of geop...
Oct 29, 2025•48 min•Season 7Ep. 172
Jovanni and Keagan delve into a wide-ranging discussion on the ongoing crisis in Gaza. They dissect the 20-point Gaza peace plan proposed by President Trump and highlight the perceived biases against Palestinians, contrasting the international community's reactions and the lack of meaningful action by states. The conversation covers historical context, the contradictions of international law enforcement, the role of various countries, and potential future implications of the proposed peace plan....
Oct 24, 2025•49 min•Season 7Ep. 171
Jovanni is joined by Rachel Tucker and Maxine Roboles, who recount their recent delegation trip to Cuba. They delve into Cuba's history, including its resilience against US sanctions, its noteworthy contributions to global medical and liberation efforts, and the lifestyle and struggles of its citizens, alongside observing Cuba's socialism, experiencing Cuban culture and hospitality, and the implications of their military backgrounds on their perspectives. Main website: https://www.fortressonahil...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 170
Jovanni dives into the pressing issue of immigration, exploring its historical roots, ongoing impacts, and the political climate exacerbating the crisis today, joined by three activists: Cynthia Rodriguez, Juana Guzman Mata, and Maxine Rebles. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the displacement caused by U.S. foreign policy, the criminalization of immigration, immigrant labor rights, and the role of large corporations in migration. The episode emphasizes the importance of un...
Mar 15, 2025•49 min•Season 7Ep. 169
Jovanni and guest host Jake Tucker discuss the decline of American global hegemony, the unraveling of late-stage capitalism, and the erosion of U.S. dominance with Professor Danny Shaw. They cover how the rising powers of China and Russia are challenging American supremacy and the moral bankruptcy of Western capitalism. Professor Shaw also shares his journey into anti-imperialist activism and critiques systemic issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing particularly on the economic and social strug...
Mar 04, 2025•56 min•Season 7Ep. 168
Jovanni and guest host Jake Tucker is joined by Dr. Anis Germani, a health policy specialist and activist from Lebanon, who provides an in-depth analysis of Lebanon's sectarian political system, the impact of its economic collapse, and the broader implications of regional conflicts. The discussion also delves into the use of depleted uranium by Israel, the situation in Palestine, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the broader resistance against Zionism and western imperialism. Main websi...
Feb 23, 2025•58 min•Season 7Ep. 167
Jovanni is in the spotlight by returning guest Lia Tarachansky for an interview recorded on November 6, 2024, just after the U.S. elections. They explore Jovanni's political consciousness, connection to West Asia, and his military background. Topics range from American imperialism, partisan politics, and Trump’s presidency, to personal insights on organizing and activism. Additionally, they discuss the role of being a parent and sharing their anti-imperialist beliefs with their children. Main we...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 166
Henri and Jovanni are joined by anti-war activist and friend of the podcast Jake Tucker as they discuss the recent collapse of the Syrian state on December 6th, 2024. They reflect on U.S. foreign policy, anti-imperialism, and the historical context of state collapses including those in the Soviet Union, Somalia, Rwanda, Yugoslavia, Libya, and Iraq. The discussion covers the complex history of Syria, its leaders, and involvement in regional conflicts, in addition to the role of U.S. policies, san...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 7Ep. 165
Jovanni is joined by a long-time friend of the podcast, Matthew Hoh, former Marine Corps captain, anti-war activist, and associate director of the Eisenhower Media Network to discuss the outcome of the 2024 election, the Biden administration’s foreign policy horror show in Ukraine and Gaza, the power and challenges of third-party politics, and a lot more. Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://loveth...
Nov 19, 2024•52 min•Season 7Ep. 164
Henri and Jovanni mark the first anniversary of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and the ongoing Israeli genocide against Palestinians with Dr. Sara Masoud, an organizer with San Antonio Justice for Palestine and Assistant Professor at UT Health San Antonio. We cover the broader implications for Palestinian-Israeli relations, Israel's extreme measures, international reactions, and the collective resistance efforts globally and locally. Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com Let me guess. You’re en...
Oct 31, 2024•46 min•Season 7Ep. 163
I picked a great classic FOH episode to share with you all, especially with the ongoing Israeli sieges in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Ross Caputi and Scott Spaulding join us to discuss The Sacking of Fallujah, both the event and the book which Ross co-wrote.; Fallujah is seen by the American empire as a great victory over the burgeoning Sunni insurgency during the early years of Operation Iraqi Freedom, but for the people of Fallujah and their descendants, it is nothing less than the entir...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Season 7Ep. 163
Jovanni and Monisha are joined by Dr. Bahman Azad , President of the United States Peace Council , who shares his experiences as an international election observer in Venezuela. They explore the complexities of Venezuela's electoral system, the effects of U.S. sanctions, and U.S. interventionism, comparing the situation in Venezuela to those in Nicaragua, Cuba, and other nations resisting U.S. influence. Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 7Ep. 162
Jovanni and Mike discuss the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine and its controversial principles with guest Nina Ng, an aid worker from Gaza. The conversation explores historical interventions under R2P, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and inconsistencies in international responses to conflicts. Nina shares her experiences conducting operations of her NGO, Help Me Live USA, while highlighting the immense challenges faced in Gaza. The episode also delves into the global media's por...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 7Ep. 161
Jovanni hosts journalist and author Xelena González, to discuss her experiences in Palestine, performing anti-war plays and meeting Palestinian-American diaspora folks in San Antonio, and the personal backlash she’s received as a journalist covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Xelena González is a journalist graduating from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Now she is an author of children's books, poet, storyteller, essayist, and creator of the curative card ...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 7Ep. 160
Suzanne Gordon and Jasper Craven from the Veterans Health Care Policy Institute join Henri to discuss critical issues surrounding VA policy, particularly privatization. The discussion highlights the staffing shortages in the VA, the implications of the Veterans Choice and Accountability Act, and the complications arising from Project 2025, including its policies on privatization and cuts in service-related benefits and care, alongside the challenges around the PACT Act and the influx of for-prof...
Aug 20, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 159
Jovanni is joined by Lia Tarachansky, an Israeli-Canadian journalist and filmmaker. Lia shares her journey from being born in Soviet Ukraine to her family's move to Israel and later to Canada, her career in journalism, and her engagement in Palestinian solidarity work. The discussion delves into the complex layers of the Israel-Palestine conflict, systemic discrimination, and the role of media in decolonizing narratives. Tarchansky also speaks about her latest academic work focusing on the use o...
Aug 08, 2024•42 min•Season 7Ep. 158
Jovonni and “Mia” discuss how America's focus on global dominance affects its citizens. “Mia” shares her struggles with the U.S. healthcare system after a lung cancer diagnosis. The discussion highlights various crises like infrastructure, healthcare, and housing, exacerbated by political neglect and resource allocation for overseas conflicts, including critiques of both major political parties for failing to address these pressing issues while spending extravagantly on international interventio...
Jul 30, 2024•27 min•Season 7Ep. 157
Jovanni and Shiloh are joined by Levi and Rogue to discuss their roles at campus protests in Michigan and the larger student-led protests across the US in the now 268-day-long siege on Gaza. The discussion covers the parallels of student-led protests reminiscent of the Vietnam War era, their demands for divestment from Israeli apartheid, increased Jewish participation in the anti-Zionist struggle, and the responses from university administrations. Levi is a student at the University of Michigan,...
Jul 04, 2024•50 min•Season 7Ep. 156
Jovanni and Keagan join About Face folks Jack Tucker, Rachell Tucker, and Ramon Mejia to discuss the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell, the historical context of self-immolation as a form of protest, and the mainstream media’s pathological reaction to it. Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill Email us at fortressonahill@protonmail.com Check out our online store on ...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 7Ep. 155
Jovanni sits down with independent journalist Olesya Orlenko, a Russian historian, who provides on-the-ground perspectives from Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. They discuss the roots of the conflict tracing back to the 2014 coup in Ukraine, the role of Western media in shaping narratives, and the views from both Russian and Ukrainian sides. Olesya Orlenko is a Russian historian, researcher, and reporter. She studied at the Institute of Russian and Archive in Russia, History Archive Russia, and at th...
Mar 07, 2024•45 min•Season 7Ep. 154
ClandesTime host Tom Secker joins Henri to discuss the 1998 World War 2 film, “Saving Private Ryan.” We spend ample time discussing that “horrific” opening scene and whether it’s as honest as Steven Spielberg would like it to be, as well as Spielberg’s tendency to sanitize and simplify so much of the combat. We cover the actual history of that section of Omaha beach, as well as the true story of the four brothers who were the inspiration for the film’s plot. Finally, we tackle the film’s religio...
Feb 18, 2024•1 hr 46 min•Season 7Ep. 153
Jovanni hosts political analyst K.J. Noh for a deep dive into the historic decision by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un not to pursue reconciliation with South Korea, the escalating tensions involving Pyongyang, Seoul, and Washington, and the impact of international geopolitics on North Korea’s future. They also weigh in on the recent International Court of Justice ruling regarding Israel. Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to ...
Feb 13, 2024•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 152
