Ian Masters
@ianmastersmedia.bsky.social
Rational, informed, and progressive analysis of national and international news and issues. Nationally syndicated community radio.
NOW at backgroundbriefing.org | @jeetheer.bsky.social - Senate Democrats Cave to Open the Government | Joshua Landis - Trump Cozies Up to Syrian President Despite his Past in Al Qeda | @jekavanagh.bsky.social - Hegseth Wants Defense Contractors on "Wartime Footing" as He Plans to Attack Venezuela
November 10, 2025 at 11:56 PM
NOW at backgroundbriefing.org | @jeetheer.bsky.social - Senate Democrats Cave to Open the Government | Joshua Landis - Trump Cozies Up to Syrian President Despite his Past in Al Qeda | @jekavanagh.bsky.social - Hegseth Wants Defense Contractors on "Wartime Footing" as He Plans to Attack Venezuela
We speak with @jekavanagh.bsky.social about Hegseth’s anouncement that defense contractors need to get on a “wartime footing” as he moves closer towards plans to attack Venezuela. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Hegseth Wants Defense Contractors on
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 10, 2025 at 11:55 PM
We speak with @jekavanagh.bsky.social about Hegseth’s anouncement that defense contractors need to get on a “wartime footing” as he moves closer towards plans to attack Venezuela. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We are joined by Joshua Landis to discuss Trump’s meeting today with the Syrian leader Ahmed as-Sharaa who only a year ago had a US bounty of $10 million on his head but is now getting the golden handshake in the Oval Office. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Can Trump Overcome Supporters of Israel in Congress to End US Sanctions and Stabilize Syria?
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 10, 2025 at 11:54 PM
We are joined by Joshua Landis to discuss Trump’s meeting today with the Syrian leader Ahmed as-Sharaa who only a year ago had a US bounty of $10 million on his head but is now getting the golden handshake in the Oval Office. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We are joined by @jeetheer.bsky.social to discuss how 8 Senate Democrats defected to end the government shutdown, with very little in return from Republicans. We discuss the growing calls inside the party for Chuck Schumer to step down from leadership. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Senate Democrats Defect to Open the Government on Republican Terms
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 10, 2025 at 11:54 PM
We are joined by @jeetheer.bsky.social to discuss how 8 Senate Democrats defected to end the government shutdown, with very little in return from Republicans. We discuss the growing calls inside the party for Chuck Schumer to step down from leadership. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We’re joined by @dgraham.bsky.social discussing his article at The Atlantic “Donald Trump’s Plan to Subvert the Midterms is Already Under Way” and Trump’s call to kill the filibuster announcing, “If we do it, we will.. never lose a general election.” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Trump's Announces That
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 9, 2025 at 11:17 PM
We’re joined by @dgraham.bsky.social discussing his article at The Atlantic “Donald Trump’s Plan to Subvert the Midterms is Already Under Way” and Trump’s call to kill the filibuster announcing, “If we do it, we will.. never lose a general election.” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
With the government shutdown now in a record 40th day as 13,000 air traffic controllers and 55,000 TSA agents work without pay, we speak with @jeffwise.bsky.social about his article at @nymag.com, “Get Ready For An Air Travel Meltdown.” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
An Assessment of Air Safety as Air Travel Melts Down
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 9, 2025 at 11:16 PM
With the government shutdown now in a record 40th day as 13,000 air traffic controllers and 55,000 TSA agents work without pay, we speak with @jeffwise.bsky.social about his article at @nymag.com, “Get Ready For An Air Travel Meltdown.” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Our producer Sasha Cohen is joined by @jwmason.bsky.social following up on the youth-driven Mamdani victory for Mayor of NYC and his recent article at @dissentmag.bsky.social, “What Can Zohran Accomplish?” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
A Followup on Mamdani's Victory on How He Will Deal With the Affordability Crisis
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 9, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Our producer Sasha Cohen is joined by @jwmason.bsky.social following up on the youth-driven Mamdani victory for Mayor of NYC and his recent article at @dissentmag.bsky.social, “What Can Zohran Accomplish?” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Now at backgroundbriefing.org | @jeffwise.bsky.social - An Assessment of Air Safety as Air Travel Melts Down | @dgraham.bsky.social - Trump Announces His Plan to Rig Elections | @jwmason.bsky.social - A Followup on Mamdani's Victory and How He Will Deal With the Affordability Crisis
November 9, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Now at backgroundbriefing.org | @jeffwise.bsky.social - An Assessment of Air Safety as Air Travel Melts Down | @dgraham.bsky.social - Trump Announces His Plan to Rig Elections | @jwmason.bsky.social - A Followup on Mamdani's Victory and How He Will Deal With the Affordability Crisis
We’re joined by @therickwilson.bsky.social discussing the possibility that the MAGA spell has been broken and that the obvious damage Trump is doing to America is finally arousing a silent majority to end his destructive reign of error, incompetence and chaos. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Mounting Evidence the MAGA Spell Has Been Broken
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 6, 2025 at 10:22 PM
We’re joined by @therickwilson.bsky.social discussing the possibility that the MAGA spell has been broken and that the obvious damage Trump is doing to America is finally arousing a silent majority to end his destructive reign of error, incompetence and chaos. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We’re joined by @electproject.bsky.social assessing how the recent election results indicate it will be harder for Trump to overcome a Blue wave that could sweep the Democrats into control of the House and possibly the Senate next year.
soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
As a Blue Wave Looms, What Will Trump Do to Rig the Next Election?
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
soundcloud.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:22 PM
We’re joined by @electproject.bsky.social assessing how the recent election results indicate it will be harder for Trump to overcome a Blue wave that could sweep the Democrats into control of the House and possibly the Senate next year.
soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
With former Speaker Nancy Pelosi announcing she is retiring, we speak with John Lawrence, who served as Pelosi's chief of staff for 8 years and has an op-ed in The New York Times, "Nancy Pelosi is an American Political Giant." on.soundcloud.com/74kfMiJovJsk...
Nancy Pelosi's Former Chief of Staff on Her Decision to Retire
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
With former Speaker Nancy Pelosi announcing she is retiring, we speak with John Lawrence, who served as Pelosi's chief of staff for 8 years and has an op-ed in The New York Times, "Nancy Pelosi is an American Political Giant." on.soundcloud.com/74kfMiJovJsk...
Now at backgroundbriefing.org | @therickwilson.bsky.social -Mounting Evidence the MAGA Spell Has Been Broken | @electproject.bsky.social - As a Blue Wave Looms, What Will Trump Do to Rig the Next Election? | John Lawrence - Nancy Pelosi's Former Chief of Staff on Her Decision to Retire
November 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Now at backgroundbriefing.org | @therickwilson.bsky.social -Mounting Evidence the MAGA Spell Has Been Broken | @electproject.bsky.social - As a Blue Wave Looms, What Will Trump Do to Rig the Next Election? | John Lawrence - Nancy Pelosi's Former Chief of Staff on Her Decision to Retire
As Trump and Miller keep spewing the absurdity that Democrats are communists and antisemites, we speak with @michaelehayden.bsky.social about the GOP civil war over Nick Fuentes and how it is clear that Republicans are harboring real radicals and have a Nazi problem. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
The Republicans Are the Real Radicals and They Have a Nazi Problem
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 5, 2025 at 10:56 PM
As Trump and Miller keep spewing the absurdity that Democrats are communists and antisemites, we speak with @michaelehayden.bsky.social about the GOP civil war over Nick Fuentes and how it is clear that Republicans are harboring real radicals and have a Nazi problem. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We're joined by @alexkeyssar.bsky.social looking into the warning from CA Gov. Newsom last night celebrating the overwhelming passage of Proposition 50 that Donald Trump will do anything and everything to rig the vote to deny Democrats a win in next year’s midterms. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
CA Governor Newsom's Warning That Trump Will Do Anything and Everything to Rig the Next Election
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
We're joined by @alexkeyssar.bsky.social looking into the warning from CA Gov. Newsom last night celebrating the overwhelming passage of Proposition 50 that Donald Trump will do anything and everything to rig the vote to deny Democrats a win in next year’s midterms. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We begin with our producer Sasha Linden Cohen speaking with @moiradonegan.bsky.social about Zohran Mamdani’s resounding victory in the race for Mayor of NYC which has overcome the hysterical lies of the monied establishment and backers of Andrew Cuomo like Elon Musk. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Having Shunned Mamdani, Will the Democratic Establishment Now Embrace Him?
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
soundcloud.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
We begin with our producer Sasha Linden Cohen speaking with @moiradonegan.bsky.social about Zohran Mamdani’s resounding victory in the race for Mayor of NYC which has overcome the hysterical lies of the monied establishment and backers of Andrew Cuomo like Elon Musk. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Now at backgroundbriefing.org | @moiradonegan.bsky.social - Having Shunned Mamdani, Will the Dem Establishment Now Embrace Him? | @alexkeyssar.bsky.social - Newsom's Warning Trump Will Rig the Next Election | @michaelehayden.bsky.social - Republicans Are the Real Radicals and Have a Nazi Problem
November 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Now at backgroundbriefing.org | @moiradonegan.bsky.social - Having Shunned Mamdani, Will the Dem Establishment Now Embrace Him? | @alexkeyssar.bsky.social - Newsom's Warning Trump Will Rig the Next Election | @michaelehayden.bsky.social - Republicans Are the Real Radicals and Have a Nazi Problem
NOW at backgroundbriefing.org | @marionnestle.bsky.social -Trump Turns Callousness Into Cruelty by Refusing to Fund SNAP | @ryanlcooper.com - The Billionaire-Funded Election For the Pennsylvania Supreme Court | Dr. Ashley Koning - The Mamdani Race Epitomizes the Struggle in the Democratic Party
November 5, 2025 at 12:23 AM
NOW at backgroundbriefing.org | @marionnestle.bsky.social -Trump Turns Callousness Into Cruelty by Refusing to Fund SNAP | @ryanlcooper.com - The Billionaire-Funded Election For the Pennsylvania Supreme Court | Dr. Ashley Koning - The Mamdani Race Epitomizes the Struggle in the Democratic Party
We speak with Dr Ashley Koning about the Mamdani race in NYC and Mikie Sherrill in NJ and how in different ways both races perfectly demonstrate the struggle currently being waged inside the Democratic Party. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
How the Mamdani race in NYC and Sherrill race in NJ Show Divisions in the Democratic Party
November 4, 2025 - Dr. Ashley Koning
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November 5, 2025 at 12:22 AM
We speak with Dr Ashley Koning about the Mamdani race in NYC and Mikie Sherrill in NJ and how in different ways both races perfectly demonstrate the struggle currently being waged inside the Democratic Party. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We speak with @ryanlcooper.com about a somewhat overlooked campaign this election day, in America’s largest swing state billionaire Jeffrey Yass is funding an effort to seize control of the Pennsylvania State Supreme court. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
The Billionaire-Funded Retention Election For the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
November 4, 2025 - Ryan Cooper
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November 5, 2025 at 12:21 AM
We speak with @ryanlcooper.com about a somewhat overlooked campaign this election day, in America’s largest swing state billionaire Jeffrey Yass is funding an effort to seize control of the Pennsylvania State Supreme court. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We are joined by @marionnestle.bsky.social to discuss Trump's reversal that he would half-fund the SNAP program by announcing today that “SNAP BENEFITS… will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Trump Refuses to Fund SNAP Until
November 4, 2025 - Marion Nestle
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November 5, 2025 at 12:21 AM
We are joined by @marionnestle.bsky.social to discuss Trump's reversal that he would half-fund the SNAP program by announcing today that “SNAP BENEFITS… will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
NOW at backgroundbriefing.org | @javiercorrales.bsky.social - A War with Venezuela Will not be as Easy as Trump Thinks | @glastris.bsky.social - The Democrats Need a ‘Project 2029’ Plan | Daniel Harawa - Will SCOTUS Shred Its Last Vestige of Legitimacy and Side With Trump on Tariffs?
November 3, 2025 at 11:34 PM
NOW at backgroundbriefing.org | @javiercorrales.bsky.social - A War with Venezuela Will not be as Easy as Trump Thinks | @glastris.bsky.social - The Democrats Need a ‘Project 2029’ Plan | Daniel Harawa - Will SCOTUS Shred Its Last Vestige of Legitimacy and Side With Trump on Tariffs?
We are joined by Daniel Harawa to discuss the Supreme Court’s drift into rulings based on warped views of reality, when the justices traditionally argued questions of legal theory, they increasing are disagreeing on basic facts. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Will SCOTUS Shred Its Last Vestige of Legitimacy and Side With Trump on Tariffs?
November 3, 2025 - Daniel Harawa
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November 3, 2025 at 11:34 PM
We are joined by Daniel Harawa to discuss the Supreme Court’s drift into rulings based on warped views of reality, when the justices traditionally argued questions of legal theory, they increasing are disagreeing on basic facts. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We are joined by @glastris.bsky.social to discuss how Democrats can win back voters by creating their own response to Project 2025. We discuss this new series at The Washington Monthly, including his article, “How the Democrats Can Play Offense” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Trump Has Project 2025 But the Democrats Have No Plan and They Need to Go On the Offensive With One
November 3, 2025 - Paul Glastris
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November 3, 2025 at 11:34 PM
We are joined by @glastris.bsky.social to discuss how Democrats can win back voters by creating their own response to Project 2025. We discuss this new series at The Washington Monthly, including his article, “How the Democrats Can Play Offense” soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We speak with @javiercorrales.bsky.social about the inner workings of Venezuela that has helped Maduro cling to power, including ceding power to rival military forces such as Colombian Guerrillas, as well as a sober look at the difficulties the US would face in war. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
Trump Wants to Take Out Maduro Without a War
November 3, 2025 - Javier Corrales
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November 3, 2025 at 11:33 PM
We speak with @javiercorrales.bsky.social about the inner workings of Venezuela that has helped Maduro cling to power, including ceding power to rival military forces such as Colombian Guerrillas, as well as a sober look at the difficulties the US would face in war. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
We’re joined by Fatemeh Jamalpour discussing her latest book co-authored with journalist @ntabrizy.bsky.social, For the Sun After Long Nights, released on the 3-year anniversary of the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
The Third Anniversary of the Women, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran
Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, ex
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November 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
We’re joined by Fatemeh Jamalpour discussing her latest book co-authored with journalist @ntabrizy.bsky.social, For the Sun After Long Nights, released on the 3-year anniversary of the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...