Moderate Rebels

Moderate Rebels was a political podcast and video show hosted by journalists Max Blumenthal and Benjamin Norton. It ended in January 2022.

Last refreshed: March 1st, 2026 at 2:29 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

The Kafkaesque trial and torture of political prisoner Julian Assange - with Randy Credico

Ben Norton joins Randy Credico to co-host his program "Julian Assange: Countdown to Freedom," dedicated to exposing the prosecution and persecution of the WikiLeaks founder, a political prisoner who is being tortured for the "crime" of publishing truthful information. We discuss the extradition trial in London, the dangerous implications for press freedom, CIA surveillance, and the campaign against Chelsea Manning. Guests: Thomas Drake, Jesselyn Radack, Rebecca Vincent, and Robert Boyle...

Mar 07, 2020•1 hr 46 min

Joe Biden, same old wars, same old interventionism: Ex-State Dept adviser warns of VP's hawkishness

Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden has for decades supported wars and military interventions across the planet. Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton speak with former State Department Russia adviser James Carden about his experience in the Obama administration. We discuss the ex vice president's role in the wars on Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Yugoslavia; his hawkishness against Russia and China; his destructive policies in Latin America; and the Biden family's corruption in Ukraine. (This inter...

Mar 04, 2020•1 hr 29 min

After US terrorist war and sanctions, Nicaragua fights for justice at international court

In Managua, Ben Norton interviews Nicaragua's representative to the UN's International Court of Justice, Carlos Argüello Gómez, who speaks about his country's case against the US over its terrorist Contra war, the 2018 coup attempt, and why Washington's unilateral sanctions are an illegal form of warfare on civilians. WATCH the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jo-_0xH2Vw

Feb 21, 2020•43 min

Max Blumenthal on the imperial NGOs that ignore Julian Assange - and the billionaires behind them

Moderate Rebels co-host and The Grayzone editor Max Blumenthal speaks about the witch hunt against WikiLeaks publisher and political prisoner Julian Assange, and how billionaire-funded "human rights" and "press freedom" non-profit organizations have refused to support him. This talk was hosted by the Courage Foundation in New York City on February 15, 2020. WATCH the talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT1-tbJ9Mak...

Feb 16, 2020•16 min

What the US attacks on Iran and military occupation of Iraq mean for the Axis of Resistance

As the US escalates its military aggression in the Middle East, we speak with journalist Elijah Magnier about the future of the Axis of Resistance. After the assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iraq's parliament voted unanimously to expel American troops. But the Trump administration is refusing to withdraw.

Jan 20, 2020•1 hr 24 min

Max Blumenthal on his false arrest, US gov't persecution, and the takeover of Venezuela's embassy

Max Blumenthal describes his arrest and imprisonment on false charges (which were later dropped), the persecution he faced by the US government, and the real story of how the Trump administration helped violent right-wing coup-mongers besiege and eventually seize Venezuela's embassy in Washington, DC. Read more at the article we discuss: https://thegrayzone.com/2019/12/07/us-government-dropped-charges-max-blumenthal-arrest/...

Jan 13, 2020•1 hr 17 min

Trump escalates US war on Iran and Iraq with execution of top general Soleimani

Donald Trump has in effect declared war on Iran and Iraq by assassinating IRGC general Qasem Soleimani and PMF commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton discuss the dangerous consequences in this The Grayzone livestream with Aaron Maté and Rania Khalek. You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeQ_dx452WM

Jan 05, 2020•2 hr 2 min

Jeremy Corbyn's greatest 'sin' was anti-imperialism: UK Labour centrists seek new pro-war leader

After sabotaging Jeremy Corbyn, centrists from Britain's Labour Party are looking for a new leader without principled anti-war views. Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton continue with activist Joshua Y. Jackson, discussing how Corbyn was viciously smeared because of his committed anti-imperialism and support for Palestinian rights. We also talk about the massive media propaganda campaign, and the prospects of an independent Scotland and united Ireland. PART 2 OF 2 Follow Josh on Twitter at https://twi...

Dec 27, 2019•50 min

Behind the historic defeat of Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party: The UK election and Brexit backlash

Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party suffered a historic defeat in the UK general elections. Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton speak with Labour activist Joshua Y. Jackson, who says the failure of the party to get behind Brexit destroyed it, and handed victory to the far-right Conservatives and Boris Johnson. Josh talks about how the centrists who still dominate Labour sabotaged Corbyn's campaign, and how the media-savvy "middle-class left" abandoned socialist working-class policies to not lose the approval...

Dec 17, 2019•42 min

What was Pete Buttigieg doing in Iraq?: US gov whistleblower on war profiteering and corruption

What was Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg doing in his safe house in Iraq — and why is he hiding it? Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton speak with Peter Van Buren, a longtime US State Department employee turned whistleblower. Van Buren explains how corporate contractors profited from the war and built a shielded bubble of corruption in Baghdad's Green Zone. We also address McKinsey & Company's work with the CIA and Mayor Pete's links to American intelligence agencies. Peter Van Bu...

Dec 05, 2019•1 hr 7 min

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