The Chris Hedges Report: Ukraine and the 'worthy' and 'unworthy' victims of war

Rulers divide the world into 'worthy' and 'unworthy' victims; those we are allowed to pity, such as Ukrainians enduring the hell of modern warfare, and those whose suffering is minimized, dismissed, or ignored. This bifurcation of the world into worthy and unworthy victims is a key component of propaganda, especially in war. In this episode of The Chris Hedges Report, award-winning journalist Peter Oborne joins Chris Hedges to examine how worthy victims are used to allow citizens to see themselves as empathetic, compassionate, and just; how they are an effective tool to demonize the aggressor; and how they are used to obliterate nuance and ambiguity.
Peter Oborne is a former political commentator of The Spectator, The Daily Telegraph, and Daily Mail, who covered the war in Yemen. He currently writes about politics for openDemocracy and Middle East Eye, and is the author of "The Triumph of the Political Class" and "The Rise of Political Lying."
Chris Hedges interviews writers, intellectuals, and dissidents, many banished from the mainstream, in his half-hour show, The Chris Hedges Report. He gives voice to those, from Cornel West and Noam Chomsky to the leaders of groups such as Extinction Rebellion, who are on the front lines of the struggle against militarism, corporate capitalism, white supremacy, the looming ecocide, as well as the battle to wrest back our democracy from the clutches of the ruling global oligarchy.
Studio: Adam Coley, Cameron Granadino, Dwayne Gladden
Post-Production: Cameron Granadino
Watch The Chris Hedges Report live KZbin premiere on The Real News Network every Friday at 12PM ET: therealnews.com/chris-hedges-...
Listen to episode podcasts and find bonus content at The Chris Hedges Report Substack: chrishedges.substack.com/
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[@MessyMuzz]

The day when American imperialism disintegrates, the world will breathe a sigh of relief..

[@MountaineeringSense]

Agreed! However, it is not when, it is happening now. The greed of unsustainable capitalism will have untold casualties mostly among the poor. Teach your children well and plant your garden now if you can.

[@humboldthammer]

10/12/26. "You have destroyed yourselves with your endless wars of Gods. Now bow down and worship YOUR BEAST." That's what Xi says. ONE LAST CHANCE: Epochal eclipse April 8th 2024. Don't stare at the sun. Matthew 16: 4 Jonah 3: 4 Jonah 4: 11

[@seandavies5130]

I eagerly await that day. Only hope no other country takes their place

[@skatesuperbaby]

When American Empire disintegrates, someone else will take its space. And there is no guarantee they will be benevolent.

[@GlobeHackers]

I'm glad you have a new home, Chris. Excellent conversation.

[@nerodehero1]

8V

[@ajc5479]

King of WhatAboutism Chris Hedges lol

[@GlobeHackers]

@@ajc5479 a good one ;-)

[@julianciahaconsulting8663]

cant see the KZbin censors putting up with him for too long.

[@GlobeHackers]

@@julianciahaconsulting8663 He's been around for ages. Read his books. I think they think that he's irrelevant. They can point to him and say he's a nut.

[@Zaki-lj1co]

Long live Chris hedges for speaking the TRUTH!!!!!!

[@JosephKulik2016]

Isn't the World a Sad and Pathetic Place when someone is rightfully considered a Hero for simply speaking the Truth ??? What does it tell us about the Pitiful Condition of Humanity in the 21st Century when Lying and Deception is accepted as the Norm ???

[@MountaineeringSense]

@@JosephKulik2016 “In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell

[@humboldthammer]

The People are starving for truth. Only Truth will win an argument. And never before in the entire history of humanity have so many educated people lived so freely, so abundantly, and so CONNECTED to a SHARED Worldwide Experience with near-instant communication. It is GUARANTEED to Wake THIS Generation Up.

[@humboldthammer]

@@MountaineeringSense Do you think Twitter will become the Daily Dose of HATE? All in the NAME OF Free speech and truth? Or will TRUTH prevail and somehow drown out the dross? I'm a wait-and-seer.

[@elysium619]

So very, very glad to see Chris Hedges back on a KZbin site. His voice, analysis, insight is indispensable and nearly irreplaceable.

[@pezeron24]

Chris Edges is everywhere on KZbin, dude, repeating what John Mearsheimer said a decade ago.

[@Vodichka9]

@@pezeron24 I see that Univ of Chicago students were trying to get Mearsheimer fired a while back. Idiots.

[@MC-in8mc]

@@pezeron24You've even got his name wrong. 😒

[@Hugh-Glass]

@@MC-in8mc lol

[@yvonnem.langlois5197]

So am I.

[@mgrimble3975]

Whilst i disagree with much of Peter Oborne's beliefs (extremely conservative) He was one of the only people that called out the treatment of Jeremy Corbyn for what it was, he's done numerous articles debunking the smears and lies about him that get chucked round daily within the UK media, for this he will always have my profound respect.

[@fatdaddy1996]

I agree, I do not share his opinions, but equally I do not doubt his honesty and humanity.

[@Nine-Signs]

As he has gotten older I think he may have had a few epiphany's, not enough to make him admit to himself that he has wrong thinking regarding economic matters but enough for him to realise a good chunk of what he was raised to believe = bullshit. I am British, it only took me 25yrs from birth to understand that ^ which I have now understood for 15 years, for him, due to a comfortable life and an in built willingness to believe right wing = right by default, it has taken considerably longer. But even though I would disagree with him on such topics, I would be ever glad of his company, as he is a man you can politely and constructively debate and discuss with in a meaningful way who will take from your input as much as you would from his own contributions. As we see here. i mean I am certain on political and economic history he would be a wealth of information from a different perspective to my own. He is probably one of the few actual conservatives left, all the rest post Thatcher have become ever growing shades of Ayn Rand libertarian whom the entire country is presently ran by, to utter disaster and ruin.

[@neilcomley7854]

@@Nine-Signs I agree with your assessment of Oborne. It irks me though - and this is apparent yet again in this interview - that even now, quite a few years after having begun to see the light, he seems incapable of realising (or accepting?) that his belief that Britain and the USA were originally the bright, shining beacons that he was taught they were as a child was NEVER the reality. It is clear that Oborne believes that, for some reason he doesn't seem to quite understand, they were, and just that they have over time become corrupted. I find this naivete almost unbelievable - to me it seems slightly childlike. And, although on the one hand one feels that slightly loath to disillusion a child, on the other hand he IS an adult and I do wish that those who interview or debate with him would try to expose this blind spot. Partly in order to challenge the narrative of the fallen but essentially noble liberal democratic and capitalist myth, and partly because it may also be good for Oborne personally to continue his journey.

[@spoonfulofdreams]

I could feel myself shifting in my seat at times as Peter shared his feeling of pride in British values. I do feel England in particular is imploding as those values are trodden underfoot by the political class and I believe he is genuine and honest and someone I could do business with. His openness to other perspectives is refreshing, yet at the same time, as a conservative, he is a prisoner of his class. It struck me, at the end of the interview, that he and Chris met common ground like passing trains.

[@naveed210]

@@neilcomley7854 I agree with you. His take is incredibly naive, Britain never has adhered to "fair play", these are just fairytales we're told n then perpetuated to obscure us from understanding Britain's real role in the world. This was a difficult interview to watch because though Oborne is very well intentioned, he was struggling to find the words for what I thought were pretty easy questions to answer. The one on Ukraine's perceived loftier civilisation than that of the Arab world, he proceeded to answer the question by complimenting Yemeni architecture and presumably their journalists or high rank members of the society rather than just saying the disparity in coverage and treatment is due to racism.

[@neilfriedman]

Hi Chris, thanks for being a truthfull voice of reason. From south africa🇿🇦

[@antifazisbonifaz6964]

I agree totally with you. From southeurope 🇪🇸🇪🇸 or northafrica as you wants 😉😉

[@numap4701]

@@antifazisbonifaz6964 Simple answer: The WASP are the Scum of the earth...demons from hell

[@neilfriedman]

@North Korea Is Best Korea america is the biggest terrorist organization in the world, they have killed more people and started more wars than any country on the planet, but we must condemn Russia?

[@jb2736]

@North Korea Is Best Korea Everybody has been doing it so...what's is international law really means? The usual offenders are crying the loudest, lol😌

[@jb2736]

@North Korea Is Best Korea who's determining who is violating international law? All the major countries do what they want to do anyway...Look what happen to Iraq, Lybia, Afghanistan, etc.

[@MouseSF]

Big thanks to TRNN for providing a home for Chris. It is deeply appreciated!!

[@MountaineeringSense]

I Agree! However, Mr. Hedges has and will always had a home! And do not kid yourself;... they fucking hate him! And as he states from his many of his speeches regarding Nixon and H. Kissinger ~ this is exactly where you want the seats of power to be! Now do your part!

[@nash984954]

Really? Outstanding

[@drphilgood05]

good to see you back in your element Mr. Hedges! Look forward to more interviews

[@martinrad4773]

I have to admit, Real News was about to lose me for ever, before they gave Chris Hedges a show. The only good administrational decision in years, among a torrent of wrong decision.

[@25lighters91]

They've been giving voice to the things that matter to those on the fringe of society and I will always support the real news

[@doktormcnasty]

@@25lighters91 I found they were really good on local issues but not being in the area made it so they rarely captured my interest. Having Chris on should help to balance things out, though.

[@davidpeppers551]

PAR??

[@DJosAmmel]

I'm *so* glad to see you carrying Chris Hedges' journalism / commentary. He's one of the most important voices we have, especially since the establishment has done so much to silence him.

[@andrelaschet3957]

I’m so glad Chris found a new home! We need his voice so much!!! Could someone in charge please ask him to look into the case of Jessica Resnicek!? We need her story to be shared!!!

[@cheri238]

We love you Chris!! You cannot be beat! ❤️

[@plugnut4713]

I swear to God since I found Chris Hedges my lowly political IQ has shot up 20 or 30 points. So appreciative of Chris, Ralph Nader, Dr. Cornel West, Marianne Williamson, Prof. Richard Wolff, Christiane Amanpour, Ian Bremmer, Al Franken.

[@notamurderer6226]

So listen to those who spew Russian propaganda or just want to world bow down to Russia and china ya they didn’t help you learn anything about geopolitics

[@proletariatprincess1]

@@notamurderer6226 it is not propaganda when it is the truth. The Empire of lies is so good at manufacturing war propaganda, that it has conditioned the population to see the inconvenient truth as propaganda. Harry Truman said, "I dont give 'em hell, I just tell the truth and it seems like hell." Putin could say the same. Russia is winning, and no matter how it is spun, there is no escaping that conclusion.

[@abelflores1593]

I'm glad you're finally waking up we need more people to wake up

[@likuidmethod]

A new Chris Hedges show thank the gods!!!!!

[@lenuvian]

Damn. That is the most rosy picture of US and British empire I have ever heard. How did he swallow the propaganda fully AND make it on this show. Kind of impressive. News flash: They were never about values, only power and wealth. What a shocker.

[@kuriadams9138]

I'm assuming you are referring to the statement about "values" at 17:36. And you're are correct. All the wars, all the coups, none of them were grounded in any well intentioned values.

[@poesie6279]

He’s basically a Conservative; I was disappointed in the way he dodged about. He didn’t seem comfortable talking to Chris who comes across as formidable, because he is formidable. However Peter is one of the old school and far superior to the motley band that govern the U.K. during such disturbing times as we are living through. And by the way the opposition, the Labour party is hardly any better.

[@alvesboreckimila]

The brit obviously does not know his history, shame on him

[@ElisabethArana]

@@poesie6279 I agree but regarding Yemen war he was on the ground as a reporter and don't forget he still works for the propaganda media, so he has to be cautious but he's honest and dares speak out about some issues.

[@poesie6279]

@@ElisabethArana I was talking about Peter Oborne, not Chris Hedges who I really admire, even though I’m an atheist. Chris was invited to Julian and Stella’s wedding, but the prison authorities would not allowed him to attend. That was another expression of cruelty.

[@jessehull1612]

“Power without love is reckless and abusive and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice and justice at it’s best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” -MLK jr.

[@kingofthecatnap5780]

Excellent reference, Jesse.

[@doktormcnasty]

unfortunately what we've seen though is that it's much easier for hate to obtain power.

[@georgefurman4371]

And the most defeating righteous battle against the powers that be is the war of a non identity people as a class of oppressed working mass separated by confused issues such as race and national origin forgetting that real power resides in the daily having their hands on the wheels of the system. The workers that could realize that the Achilles heel of the wealthy class is in the power to Strike and stop those wheels in a future to find unity of purpose.

[@user-vp1vl6yp9t]

MX and MLK jr.

[@mikeporro3311]

We were told " the love of many will run cold" Turns out it was our fear full sold out corrupt leaders HE was talking about.

[@jsmdnq]

He fails to realize that a large portion of the populations of these societies are not lunatics and do not support the psychopaths that have taken over. The problem is how do you stop the psychopaths when they control everything?

[@grb1969]

How? Non-violent systemic Revolution that offers means Social Management that negates the asymmetrical power of game-theoretical warfare. This can be done through global consensus processes of mutual accountability where each individual and their group affinities are represented through liquid-democratic block-chain systems. Values and principles can signal and reinforce political intersections of solidarity while projecting an apportionment of power in alignment with both a sovereign plurality and individual autonomy. Protecting and empowering cultures, nations and individual’s rights against the moral and ethical corruption of Economic Liberation and antisocial totalitarian ideologies is our common goal. This non-Utopian Structural Anarchy serves to eliminate illegitimate hierarchy and psychopathic governance, which has been the foundation of Civilization thus far.

[@hughdawkins2845]

I would say you are correct my friend they are many psychopaths ruling over the vast majority of the populations. How do you stop them ,you ask?. Well I guess you have to find the lunatics to deal with the psychopaths.

[@brianwheeldon4643]

This is simply a brilliant discussion. Thanks both, very much appreciated

[@crinklecut3790]

I used to dismiss Chris Hedges out of hand, as I would a lot of people I considered to be “ideologues”. Then I listened to him and he really opened my eyes. So glad I did finally listen to what he has to say.

[@user-qn6yt3zx3w]

It’s amazing how many people defend Blair on the basis that he was acting upon bad intelligence.

[@7777wilson1]

utterly NO EXCUSE, especially when he had a hand in conjuring up & propagating said 'bad intelligence' to the world with foreknowledge & glee!! AND IMPUNITY TOO?? NO WAY!!

[@basfinnis]

They knew it was all nonsense. The English public just wanted an easy war. The tub thumpers in the UK were stoking this up for months and the UK population have a low education standard.

[@jb2736]

You could see he was lying by his facial expressions....😒

[@humboldthammer]

In 2012, all the intelligence agencies, the CFR, Henry Kissinger, The Club of Rome, the UN -- just about everybody -- agreed that the Zionist Agenda for an Independent State of Israel surrounded by 100 million angry Arabs, had proven a failure, and that Likkud's policies were in conflict with both US and UN humanitarian concerns. Israel failed. Ukraine was proposed as a new Israel, with Kiev to be rebuilt as NEW JERUSALEM. THEN, Trump, and Kushner, and Netanyahu, and the Evangelical Zionists came to power and pushed hard rebuild the Temple, but they failed to bomb Iran into oblivion. If ONLY McCain had been President instead of Obama. The US would have already bombed Iran. Now that the Secular, Liberal Jews are back in power -- Schiff, Schumer, Obama, Pelossi -- the resettlement of Ukraine can continue as planned. But, of course, "THEY" must keep things SECRET from ewes. Putin is under contract to displace 8 million Ukrainians to make room for the Israelis. Russian and Ukrainian Oligarchs -- many of them Jews currently living in Israel -- will received lavish, no-bid contracts to rebuild. What better buffer between NATO and Russia than Jews? Win-Win-Win-Win. Little Israel will remain. The Ultra-Orthodox will never leave. They will still be battling centuries from now. WIN? Great Re-Set on 09/23/26. hint: China gets Taiwan. T. Tippity Top says, "I control ALL the currencies. They do whatever I want."

[@Jarjarjar21]

Adenda: he was bad intelligence acting

[@whakatu4life285]

Man, this guy is so right, wtf has happened to our mainline media, they have no credibility left now!

[@jacpratt8608]

none for quite a while

[@minismith7329]

@@jacpratt8608 I remember main stream media promoting and justifying Iraq war. I was loosing my mind of the insanity😢

[@yvonnem.langlois5197]

Their job now is to push the war.

[@GladysAlicea]

I spend my days reading, watching and listening past and present history. My friends are concerned that I'm too immersed in what's happening in the world. We've known each other since junior high, and grew up with the same values. They see a different lady than the girl I once was, so involved with the world and its tragedies that I don't see God's blessings, (which I do). IOW, I should be happy. What they don't see is that the only difference in me is themselves. They've forgotten that no one is an island, that each one of us is affected by what the other does or doesn't do. I try and share what I've found through my little peephole in a thick steel window of lies, made, built and buried by many. I think it's difficult for them to hear. I understand, because it's heart shattering for me to learn and repeat. In spite of everything, I'm deeply grateful to those like Chris, who bravely speak the truth for those brave enough to hear it. Thank you, Chris, for widening my tiny peephole.

[@l.w.paradis2108]

You have GOT to find new friends, to add to the old, not replace them. Please take it from someone who didn't . . . Well, I made a real start just in 2018 and 2019. You know what happened next. :/ Trust me on this. It is essential.

[@TruthHurtsbtheals100]

My world exactly ma’am. Sad reality. I think they don’t want to face reality because they don’t want their illusions destroyed

[@treefrog3349]

It is a very telling and tragic reality that voices like Chris Hedges cannot be heard broadly across the information spectrum. The truths he shares and his unabashed humanitarian intentions are educational and inspirational.Just as importantly, he represents to me and many others the type of America that we could and should be - IF we were actually as great as we say we are.

[@Sabiola007Mr]

SUCH WELL COMPOSED WORDS WHICH REFLECT THE INNER THOUGHTS OF MANY!

[@abelflores1593]

The one percenters don't like him so they try to shut him up

[@SoFondaMayles]

What a relief! That The Real News has welcomed you and your "Report" is a piece of Good News. In my elderly life, I continue to attend carefully to you & your guests. Whenever I think of the media's disparagement of you, I remember the Hebrew Professor in Div. College (a delightful eccentric!) saying that no one was going to be inviting Jeremiah home for Sunday dinner after he guest-preached at their Church. As with so much else, "Christ"-ians have gravely misunderstood the ancient prophets which frees them, I suppose, from having to be bothered by them in the here & the now. Yours is a truly prophetic voice in the here and now. I don't need to elaborate on the Biblical Prophets with you. As with Micah, they live Justice, as inconvenient, dis-comforting & dis-easing as that is among those preferring the easier way of self-grandiosity through duplicitous mendacities. Thank you. Your life experiences keep you grounding & centring for those of us who choose to be as aware as possible of the Spirit blowing where it wills, not where we insist it must be.

[@EarthColonyNet]

Easy question to answer: they are less concerned about Yemeni because they are not 'white'. Aryanism is a factor. Why doesn't he just say it?

[@thomashahn631]

They are also not confronting Russia or China; if they were, the atrocities would be well documented, and some even invented for good measure. Assad and his alleged chemical attacks were front page news. Obama issued his 'line in the sand' comment over it.

[@ileanahernandez1709]

Agree!

[@chinogambino9375]

Because its just not true. It matters more just due to proximity. Russia can strike at the heart of Europe, its a world ending prospect to the people there. A genocide in Asia is a statistic, something abstract.

[@pseudo_ra]

I know lol he doesn’t want to face the reality of it because his identity is tied to “whiteness” and thus to admit it is to accept blame.

[@NikoHL]

Great to see you back on the air Chris. Excellent analysis of global affairs as usual.

[@Deepbluecat]

You can't keep a good man down. Great to see you Chris...keep on keepin on!

[@chrischristenson7987]

Real reporting...thanks for pointing out the hypocrisy.

[@darrenw2890]

Everyone is a hypocrite. Saints do not exist. I see people online who support Palestine and Putin. Go figure. We have entered a phase in human consciousness where there is a race for the morality throphy. The best thing we coukd all do now is throw away our phones and spend more time talking to our neighbours. Millons of people decry how the world mistreats women, yet watch P0rnography. Inequality is disgusting, yet who these days is not indulging in Conspicous Consumpsion. If you think you don't have that mindset, just look at the comments on here. My morality is better than yours. We are all trying to do our best. We can't all be Noam Chomsky. Ditches have to be dug.

[@j.w.2391]

More Chris Hedges please ! One of the few White guys worth listening to cause he gets it !

[@davidpeppers551]

Varufakis? Graeber? Who are the others?

[@thisis62]

@@davidpeppers551 Noam Chompsky Vijay Prasad

[@jacpratt8608]

@@davidpeppers551 Richard Wolff.

[@davidpeppers551]

@@jacpratt8608 Wolff!

[@humboldthammer]

T. Tippity Top says, "I control ALL the currencies. So they all do exactly what I want."

[@gb5834]

I'll echo the sentiments here. So glad you found a platform, Chris. We need your voice.

[@freddibnah1830]

Thanks for that Chris, lots to think about; shame this sort of reporting never reaches out TVs here in the UK

[@justme.1st]

So happy to find you on a new format Chris, the world would be bereft w/o your voice, so needed in the face of so much hypocrisy around the world. It seems a voice of reason has quickly become hidden under so much corruption & duplicity everywhere. You are one of my heros for your temerity to speak truth to corrupted power, Thank you! 💕

[@minismith7329]

Love Chris! Met him at Washington for Free Assange event and love him even more❤

[@comsatangel3522]

I am still extremely upset to see On Contact get disappeared. I love Chris Hedges' content. I hope On Contact returns to youtube. One of the best programs of all time. I'm ecstatic over Chris Hedges return to KZbin. Looking forward to more top notch content.

[@lindacalza4114]

That's what I was thinking already. Thank you for putting voice to it. Sucks about RT's American staff, Chris Hedges and Lee Camp in particular to my mind, being off the air. Worse is the entire archive of shows like Redacted Tonight and On Contact being, well, Redacted.

[@ajisenramen888]

Faran Balanced has fault lines on YT.

[@kingofthecatnap5780]

These voices will not be silenced. Chris, Lee and other important journalist have reemerged on several channels, the messages are clear.

[@pezeron24]

RT is Putin's propaganda channel, dude!

[@cathjj840]

@@pezeron24 Right, but he was clever enough to use the truth as his tool, the truth that the western (especially US) mainstream/establishment want to keep from us. Too bad he wouldn't allow much truth in his own society. And too bad for us that too many were led to believe that everything on RT was lies.

[@The_Jas_Singh]

Brilliant as usual Chris - thanks so much!

[@estherqueen6214]

God have mercy on Yemen. Ukraine and Russia.

[@ihs51]

Palestine, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Lebanon etc

[@humboldthammer]

Ukraine becomes Big Israel; Kiev becomes NEW JERUSALEM. It's a done deal. Little Israel will remain -- perhaps called Palestine again. The Ultra-Orthodox will never leave . . . surrounded by 100 million angry Arabs. Everybody gets paid. T. Tippity Top says so.

[@IrishDimsum77]

Thank you, Chris, for your powerful words and insights at our “Hands Off Assange” Surround the DOJ event on Oct 8th. As always your words are truly appreciated!

[@kurtaikido2889]

Remember when US forces Gunship helicopter strafed Doctor without Borders hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan in 2016? US forces failed to “follow basic laws of war..” while “admitting there were no armed combatants and no fire from the hospital compound” per US military’s own investigation? Without any disciplinary actions and without apology or recompense? 14 doctors and nurses murdered and 30 patients? Pots call kettles black but one war crime begets another… they (not WE) are all war criminals. Taxation & prosecution of war for commercial gains without representation sounds like a declaration moment.

[@MonaLisa-lu8zi]

Never heard of this. TY.

[@Patricia-dl8jh]

Finally got into some of Dostoevsky’s work. So brilliant... I thank you for always mentioning his name & I finally has some time. You are a rare gem Chris Hedges. 💯✌️💕

[@WhoOneIs]

Love Chris Hedges, a great journalist, a much needed sane voice in an insane world.

[@sylvainmichaud2262]

"Whataboutism" is the new fashionable word to reject any criticism of the disparity shown in the treatment of war victims and the relative importance given to a conflict.

[@xmaverickhunterkx]

Yes. It's like "Indeed, it's OK when we do it".

[@AndrewJSmith]

How is this different when there was no discussion of Ukrainian and other border nations, which are democracies & let alone their citizens, in favour of blaming their own nations; domestic politics applied to geopolitics?

[@khunmikeon858]

@@xmaverickhunterkx correct, when USA does it…no issue: it’s called delivery freedom and democracy. USA is THE global thug and bully

[@simontattersall8373]

A real reporter with integrity speaking truth to power, if only more people listen to your words

[@abelflores1593]

I've been listening to his words for the past 15 years and everything he says is coming true

[@abelflores1593]

You should listen to his speech Trump fascism it is mind opening

[@peterwoods2974]

I respectfully disagree with your conclusion that 'they" value Ukrainian lives more, as far as I can see they're being used as cannon fodder in a proxy war.

[@angelawalters7608]

both statements can be true my friend

[@humboldthammer]

"They" value the value of human fodder in the propaganda war. Dead Ukrainians currently have more "propaganda" value. The TRUE value of Life did not change -- just the value of the Dead. Fodder AND Propaganda Win-Win. Yep, that's why I get the Big Bucks. hint "THEY" are generations ahead of you with both a Vision AND a Plan. I suspect that you have neither. heh-heh

[@TeeTee-zm2re]

They don't care about Ukrainian lives. The USA play games with people's lives to further their own agenda

[@Somersetman100]

proxy implies a plan. So often events are the product of muddle and mistake. I don't see convincing evidence that America planned a war of provocation. Even people like Scott Ritter didn't expect a Russian invasion.

[@RudeBoy77777]

It's refreshing to hear a voice not just driven by propaganda - it's sad that the people following this voice are usually on the same page already. It should be broadcasted on Fox News and NBC and all major news networks all over the world!

[@luukdeboer1974]

Thanks for having Chris on

[@celesteholmes6725]

Delighted you found a new broadcasting home so quickly! Thank you Real News!!!

[@zarni000]

The analogy of putins crime of aggression to Bush and Blairs in Iraq is lacking. Putin had a clear reason. The 8 year old war against the civilians of donbas and lugansk. Bush and Blair even if their lie was true still had no justification. They should have been tried then and there.

[@notamurderer6226]

What it was a civil war started by Russian separatists Jesus y’all ain’t even trying to hide the stupid

[@whoever6458]

It certainly is ironic for a country to say they believe in democracy, which is supposed to mean that everyone has a say in things, but to then prevent certain information from being accessible by the citizenry, ostensibly because those same people don't trust we, the people, to be able to make up our own minds about said information. Anyone who doesn't believe in free speech also doesn't believe in democracy and vice versa.

[@susanraby-dunne8180]

It is simple racism.

[@lincolnpork9357]

Hegemonic ( culturally inculcated ) racism.

[@alicecooper8529]

Good to see Hedges back in action.

[@numbersix8919]

Great to have you back, pastor Chris!

[@kittehjuice]

Thank you Chris Hedges! I'm glad you found a new platform.

[@kuriadams9138]

It's not about race, ethnicity or religion. Uighurs are Muslims and they are not White. Why is it that the US cares so much about the Uighurs but cares so little about the plight of Palestinians and Yemenites? The answer to that question is the same as to the question of why the US cares so much about Ukraine. US foreign policy (and domestic policy for that matter) has nothing whatsoever to do with protecting people or upholding international laws and everything to do with ensuring the world domination of US capitalists. It's why we can be fighting al-Qaeda one year and then arming them the next, or arming Saddam Hussein one decade and executing him a couple decades later. The US views the world like a chess board, with the people, regardless of their characteristics, being the pieces that are attacked, manipulated, and sacrificed at its whim. 17:36 The US/UK never had those values. All the wars, all the coups, not one of them was grounded in well intentioned values.

[@goozebump]

The US only cares about Uighrs because the US views China as an enemy.

[@biologicalentity7153]

It's not the victims, it's the aggressor.

[@EuphoricImpact]

Even world domination for all predatory capitalist is influenced by the concept of racial hierarchical presence. To easily be dismissive of this nuance speaks loudly.

[@Pomegranate_David]

@@EuphoricImpact Agreed, we can see the big picture of the imperialists pursuing world domination and stealing of other countries resources and acknowledge there is a racist viewpoint these elites possess that overrides their consciences. Though I also believe it is only by uniting on class lines that we might be able to defeat them.

[@janklaas6885]

Thats why the ICC is in The Hague and not in NY.

[@RanjitSingh-ul1xk]

Do you folks remember the Israel's 6-day war? If you don't, then let me remind you. Israel, acting on intelligence of an imminent invasion by its neighbours, preemptively wiped out the air force of Egypt, Syria, Jordan...to gain air superiority. And it worked. The iconic Israeli war is cited as a paradigm of tactical warfare. NATO in general, and the US in particular has been arming and training some paramilitary outfits of questionable disposition in Ukraine. These outfits had been brutalizing the Russian ethnic minorities in the Dobass region for over eight years. Ukraine has been vying for NATO membership, an apparently hostile act towards Russia. It was a provocation, I believe. Russia preempted the seemingly imminent Ukrainian hostility. Russia had attempted to lodge its complaint against Ukraine's willingness to Join NATO, the act Russia interpreted as an existential question. So, why the hue and cry?

[@rhonda6791]

Hi, I’m very glad you said this. Of course I wish humans would not have wars but they do and always will. While I respect Chris very much for his moral integrity he does gloss over the why, the Minsk agreement, the Nazis he almost never mentions, these omissions distort the situation especially when people tend to follow blindly. Anyway thank you for your important comment.

[@millerstation92]

I’m just tired of this song and dance where people go “look what Putin is doing isn’t optimal BUT *spends all their time and energy saying US/NATO are actually at fault and Ukraine are a bunch of Nazis and the US is holding up peace deals and Zelenskyy is evil for not surrendering and Russian war crimes are probably overstated if not fake and also WHATABOUT IRAQ?!!”. As if Russia never backed with troops and weapons the separatists, and never sent their troops to Crimea. Ukraine wasn't even eligible to enter NATO to due to conflicts orchestrated by Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine will be among the worst crimes in modern history. Doesn't matter how much mental gymnastics is used to justify it and cover up their crimes.

[@moestietabarnak]

"Russia preempted the seemingly imminent Ukrainian hostility." from what I saw elsewhere, Putin REACTED to already increased shelling in the Donbass, a genocide in the making...

[@RanjitSingh-ul1xk]

@@moestietabarnak There had been an ongoing clamor to forcibly repossess Crimea!

[@moestietabarnak]

@@RanjitSingh-ul1xk /sigh .. forget it, won't happen

[@redsbluesdontwalkinmyshoes7604]

Chris, is truly a titan of delivery of perspective.

[@HarrryClaudeLaBar]

EXCELLENT PROGRAM. Thank You.

[@ianwinter100]

The introduction of this interview by Chris was extremely grounding. The interview itself was very enlightening. Thank you.

[@k3vh1c30]

I love Chris and just the way he presents himself. Well switched on. And an overall brilliant journalist. Pity all his content & himself was "cancelled" of KZbin. But you can still which him on Substack.

[@kuriadams9138]

Are his OnContact shows on Substack?

[@k3vh1c30]

@@kuriadams9138 I haven't seen them podcasts on substack but I do know that he managed to copy all them before being cancelled with all podcasts gone.

[@yawejoe]

Respect from UGANDA 🇺🇬

[@diankreczmer6595]

Truth to power, Chris hedges!

[@kurtlowder3276]

yes. I imagine it does not pay as well, but the real news is a better fit for Chris hedges than RT.

[@mikecopeland933]

Please keep doing what you're doing Chris. You're a voice in the wilderness outside of the echo chambers we find ourselves living in. Its very easy for me to be smug living in NZ, however, there are forces here that would like us to emulate the USA as quickly as possible. Your dedication to reality is inspiring!

[@yvonnem.langlois5197]

Forces here in Canada as well. What's being lost, is the belief in the common good.

[@geoffreynhill2833]

Peter Oborne is one of the few Tories still worth listening to. 🤔 (from Green Fire, UK) 🌈🦉

[@docfinger9320]

Thanks Chris. I appreciate how articulate you are, such a pleasure to the ears and brain.

[@michelefernandez2240]

Much Respect !

[@AntonStampfl]

Glad to see you back Chris and thanks for a great program. I have to say i do think there is an underlying problem of humanity that has in the past been written copiously about. For example by Koestler in many of his books "The Ghost in the Machine" comes to mind. You know the English disease isn't rickets, it's Xenophobia. Along with the terrible class system in England is no wonder why there is such a response to the current wars around the world. Koestler does try to link this type of visceral response to the brain is actually physically organised. Whether his view is right or wrong is a matter for further analysis but these potential feelings of hate for one another do run deep and we shouldn't ignore them.

[@cosmicmariner6621]

The "system" everyone keeps looking to fix can never be fixed b/c it is NOT a system at all. It is an IQ problem in which those who are above water were born with an ability to swim, the vast majority are underwater grasping at their ankles b/c a tiny minority are directing their struggle in order to build a raft out of their dead bodies. Marx's flaw is that he believed everyone is born with the same brain. They always shoot the wrong oppressor b/c they are not smart enough to see that they should shoot themselves. If IQ was prevalent there would be no "oppressor."

[@realnaveen]

Voice of sanity! Opening statements is powerful!

[@jeremyreagan9085]

One of the few Journalists I respect or follow. Do not go quietly in that good night.

[@dannyferguson9415]

Thank you Real News for giving Chris a platform again.

[@conantdog]

I came here to confirm my moral imperatives. "This America is a culture and economy of death to all who seek real freedom and justice" Chris Hedges writings are my Bible.

[@bascogolfer5210]

my at most respect to Chris Hedges

[@davidleomorley889]

Thanks again Chris Hedges.

[@MarkbyMarkAFosterPhD]

Chris, I am very pleased that you got picked up by _The Real News Network._ Hopefully, your earlier shows will eventually find a home, too. In addition to the reasons given, I think that the unbalanced focus on Ukraine is due to ostensible cultural similarities between Ukrainians and, in particular, Americans. Both countries appear to have similar views of liberty and nationalism. Of course, that is not an excuse. I agree that we should all be ashamed over the lack of international consistency.

[@bucketiii7581]

For the algorithm

[@MrMojoRisin71]

Excellent piece, excellent assessment.

[@desmondmccabe8321]

holding one leader accountable for war crimes while deliberately refusing to hold another accountable for the same crimes means that the relevant system of adjudication and punishment is not impartial, legal or just - it turns a potentially legal system of adjudication into a prejudiced vendetta so that the process cannot be publicly upheld.

[@cathjj840]

Most Ukrainians don't seem to agree with you. Even among the separatists of the Donbass, not all want to be part of Russia.

[@khunmikeon858]

@@cathjj840 disagreeing does not make them right in regard to this matter!

[@timtrewyn453]

Yes. War crimes are used to rationalize the victor's terms of settlement. In Ukraine's case they may be used to award seized Russian assets to plaintiffs charging wrongful death or property damage. War crimes are cited in a declaration of a nation being a state sponsor of terrorism, simplifying the adjudication of claims for seized assets.

[@tyd8077]

Glad you're back. TRNN is a better fit for your content anyway, I think.

[@jessd4048]

Excellent conversation with a great guest

[@orpheuscreativeco9236]

Yes!!! Hold them ALL ACCOUNTABLE!!! 🙌

[@blacknight5107]

When the US could apologize to the world for its war crimes and stop going after journalist that expose her war crimes, when the US is held accountable... then maybe the US message of morality and human rights would get my attention...

[@eriknorberg6154]

It is very easy to get confused nowadays, because today there is a huge flow of opinions and thoughts that emanate from a series of so-called experts of various kinds. And there is no doubt that they are experts in their fields, but there is also no doubt that they contradict each other, nonetheless. Now during the war in Ukraine, I think it has become clearer than before. It is also clear that the vast majority of people listen to one side of the story, as it is presented by one, as I would call it, propagandistic media. And therefore it is not possible to have an educated discussion about what is happening in Ukraine. I partly listened to a report from the BBC that was done long before the so-called the invasion from Russia, which raised the Ukrainian army's acceptance of the Azov Battalion and other right-wing extremist groups. But, even though you know what happened during WW2, it is as if this fact is seen as something that can be neglected. Nothing is said about the fact that people are treated differently depending on where you come from, if you have yellow and blue eyes, versus dark skin, black hair and brown eyes. Where is our memory somewhere? Nothing is said about how Ukrainian soldiers treat captured soldiers. If you want to know what happened to Gonzalo Lira, you have to listen to alternative media, etc. Many, such as Noam Chomsky, Stephen Cohen (who died 2020, but told what probably would happen if...), John Mearsheimer, who, I suppose, are among the foremost assessors of a relative 'truth' approaching an absolute, in comparison with us ordinary mortals, says that it is a fact that Baker together with European leaders promised not to expand NATO an inch east of the river Oder. But since then, 14 countries have been involved in NATO, which happens to be 14 too many in relation to the promise made (including in the light of the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact). So where is the honesty in the reporting? Why is Putin responsible for the aggressions? Is it acceptable to provoke in absurdum, without expecting a reaction? And, as the interviewed suggests, it is considered acceptable to impose all sorts of sanctions on Russia, even though it is known how sanctions harm those who are worst off in a country. Madeleine Albright's statement that it was okay for 500,000 children to die under the age of five is classic, and shows which psychopaths we are behind the well-groomed façade, just as Carl G. Jung probably would have claimed. There is so much to be said about the unspeakable hypocrisy of the West that one feels so enormously disillusioned, but I say no more now, because it is already far to long. I only want to finish by saying that Yemen, where I was working 1969, at the Save the Children Hospital i Taiz, is a wonderful (or was), and that I think it is inconceivable what is happening their!

[@elfraser3538]

As always thank you.

[@01017400]

Love & pray for you Chris ! good to see you again !

[@julianbrown1092]

During the Iraq War or other imperialist actions by the US, it never gave me solace for someone to point out that Russians and others have done it was well.

[@julianbrown1092]

@North Korea Is Best Korea lol yes

[@Nine-Signs]

As he has gotten older I think he may have had a few epiphany's, not enough to make him admit to himself that he has wrong thinking regarding economic matters but enough for him to realise a good chunk of what he was raised to believe = bullshit. I am British, it only took me 25yrs from birth to understand that ^ which I have now understood for 15 years, for him, due to a comfortable life and an in built willingness to believe right wing = right by default, it has taken considerably longer. But even though I would disagree with him on such topics, I would be ever glad of his company, as he is a man you can politely and constructively debate and discuss with in a meaningful way who will take from your input as much as you would from his own contributions. As we see here. i mean I am certain on political and economic history he would be a wealth of information from a different perspective to my own. He is probably one of the few actual conservatives left, all the rest post Thatcher have become ever growing shades of Ayn Rand libertarian whom the entire country is presently ran by, to utter disaster and ruin.

[@annemwaniki2979]

Respect from Kenya!

[@timmc8444]

Good to see real news have given Chris a show!

[@rayperry3832]

I deeply appreciate your continuing accurate criticism of the ruling class around the world and your necessary challenging of "we the people " but i think there is a better way to describe "who" really makes the decisions on the world stage than "all of us". Yes, we have the responsibility and power to force the ruling classes by constant education, vigilance and targeted, sustained action to do our will. The majority of we the people, have had our consent manufactured for over a century and before that by most major religions and fill in the blank. And god cursed adam and eve and the children of all who came after them??? For me the abusers of power, are the ones who deserve the majority of responsibility for leading the bewildered herd, to do what we have been trained to do, accept the judgements and disdain of those who mostly force, lie and murder themselves into power . I did not disobey a leader who was in power and subsequently caused suffering and death here. Nor was there ever such people that disobeyed a non-existent ruler/leader. I don't believe, from the marrow of my bones, that I and the majority of people deserve to be categorized with people who lust for "power and fame ". I deserve no "fictional sins" nor does anyone else. For me these leaders are responsible, we are responsible for re-educating ourselves and stopping them or being led by them any longer. Blaming ourselves for their sins is poisonous. We don't start wars etc. they do. I apologize if I am not as clear as I tried to be, but I hope my intentions came through enough. I am greatly educated and encouraged by all the work you do, thank you and for having a place to articulate ideas.

[@Elisa-mg3rc]

I don't think that the primary cause of western commotion regarding the Ukrainians situation in opposition to the indifference to Palestinians' and Yemenis' suffering is motivated by emphaty with Ukranians. That sounds a bit naive, it's much more likely that the main difference is the fact that the perpetrators of human rights violations against Palestinians and Yemenis are US allies and in the Ukrain's case it is the archi enemy of the US. I deeply desbelieve that there's any moral or human motivation behind the reaction of western countries. The evidence for that is that little or none effort is being made to get into negotiations and stop the war and spear lives in both sides, much on the contrary, the only action taken so far is to pour more weapons and escalate the conflict.

[@kuriadams9138]

I agree with you completely. Uighur Muslims are not White, and the US cares soooo much about them. It has nothing to do about race, ethnicity or religion. US foreign policy (and domestic policy for that matter) has nothing whatsoever to do with protecting people or upholding laws and everything to do with ensuring the world domination of US capitalists.

[@Elisa-mg3rc]

@@kuriadams9138 Exactly, human rights are weaponised by the US and UK. It's laughable the argument that NATO attacked Libia and Syria out of the kindness of their heart just to protect the people of those countries.

[@ttheway2life157]

Escalate? that would be Russia invading their country. seriously?

[@franklinwilkerson2061]

love you Chris!!! keep up the great work 👍!

[@stevenwilliams9359]

Amazingly better. The lighting and the screen banner are a real nice addition. My ears and brain said ty for the eargasms.

[@rgzhaffie]

The problem today is that neoliberal capitalism is so weak and hollow in its own citadels now, it can't afford to entertain even the mildest challenges, in fact far weaker ones than it could tolerate in the past.

[@dmytrosednev9867]

I’m confused… why is it so hard to figure out the difference between the Yemeni and Ukrainian people. If a person is killed by the west’s geopolitical enemy, then that person is a worthy victim. If the west or their friends kill a person, then it is an unworthy victim. What makes a victim worthy or unworthy is who does the killing. What make war a war crime or not depends on who starts the war.

[@GeorgiosMichalopoulos]

Great conversation! In future interviews, better sound would be much appreciated.

[@survivaldictionary]

Great to see you here

[@Justin_Watson23]

I'd love to know when bourgeois leaders in either country have ever stood for any admirable principles. The people/working class around the world do, but saying "we're betraying values" insinuates Americans or British have any say in what happens, western democracy is & has always been a myth & ruling classes through history have never had any "values" outside valuing the wealth & power they've pillaged from their people. This was highly disappointing & I usually really value Hedges's contributions.

[@timothywilson1493]

I lay blame for war in Ukraine squarely with usa and all nato members who refused to abide by treaties signed with Russia, refuse to acknowledge war crimes committed by our pals and continue to supply weapons to a non elected regime.

[@jennyrokeach523]

Thank you for this wonderful conversation.

[@tommytentoes3270]

Thank you Chris.....keep on trucking.....

[@goldenoriolesilverbirch8220]

Although I don't agree with everything that Chris Hedges ( or his guest ) says, but I respect the honesty & consistency of their perspective. A constructive & useful debate can be conducted with such honourable people. Unfortunately however, the politicians & majority of MSM journalists that make or influence policies that impact so forcefully upon the citizens of regions blighted by war are mainly distinguished by their self interest & hypocrisy.