Eyes Left Podcast

A "mercenary Army of the poor"? Right-wing think tanks, as well as some on the left, have sought to disprove that framework. Professor Jodi Dean joins the show to critique the most recent study which portrays the rank-and-file military as a Warrior Aristocracy. SUPPORT this podcast by making a tax-deductible donation the The Empire Files at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles

It's much easier than the Pentagon wants you to think. Whether you're in the military or know someone who is, this is the definitive guide to walking away. And as Biden's support for genocide spins out into new US wars across the Middle East, from the Red Sea to Iraq, now would be a good time to walk away. Featuring special guest Maria Santelli, longtime counselor with the GI Rights Hotline, which provides secure, free and expert support to any service member who wants to leave the military. CALL the hotline anytime at 1-877-447-4487 for advice, or visit them online at https://girightshotline.org Maria is Executive Director of the Center on Conscience and War: https://centeronconscience.org SUPPORT this podcast by making a tax-deductible donation the The Empire Files at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles

Major developments with Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Iran increase the potential for new wars for the US as it facilitates Israel's genocide in Gaza. All the urgent updates, plus a deeper look at the forces involved, with journalist Rania Khalek. FOLLOW Rania at https://twitter.com/raniakhalek WATCH her show at https://www.youtube.com/breakthroughnews KNOW YOUR RIGHTS to refuse to participate in the the US/Israeli war machine by calling the GI Rights Hotline at 1-877-447-4487 or visiting them online at https://girightshotline.org EYES LEFT is a production of Empire Files. Support our work here: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles

Biden plays with fire sponsoring the Gaza genocide, as US troops get hit with blowback, reinforcements rush to the Middle East, and the Pentagon escalates by bombing Iranian forces. Iran, Hezbollah, and other armed groups have a red line; how far can the US push before it's crossed? This episode includes critical information for soldiers about why and how they can resist being party to this genocide, and prevent themselves from being sacrificed by Washington.

Dozens of American soldiers captured during intense fighting in the Korean War came to understand the true reason for the US invasion, and sympathized with their so-called enemies. 24 chose to stay with their captors rather than participate in the prisoner swap–six who are immortalized in a photograph with a banner reading "We Stay For Peace." Their story on this first full episode of Radical Military History. SUPPORT Eyes Left at Patreon.com/EmpireFiles FOLLOW us on Twitter & IG @EyesLeftPod

After decades of fighting, victims of the Marine Corps mass poisoning at Camp Lejeune will finally get settlements–so an array of billionaires, hedge funds, and their far-right attorneys have wormed into the leadership of the case, attempting to loot the majority of the settlement funds. Joining the show is Lejeune survivor, advocate and journalist Lori Freshwater Follow EYES LEFT on Twitter & IG at @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT our work with a tax deductible donation to https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles [Eyes Left is now a production of Empire Files, a 501(c)(3) media non-profit.]

The story of how a Special Forces soldier quit his legendary unit to join the anti-racist mass movement in the streets. EYES LEFT is a project of The Empire Files, a 501(c)(3) media non-profit—support our work with a tax-deductible donation on Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles or on PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/empirefilesinc FOLLOW us on ⁠Twitter⁠ & ⁠Instagram⁠ @EyesLeftPod All music by ANAHEDRON

Six months after EYES LEFT broke the Ron DeSantis GITMO torture story (which has now become a national scandal for the presidential hopeful) we have exclusive new eyewitness corroboration of his participation in human rights abuses. Story by Mike Prysner. TRANSCRIPT available at ⁠empirefiles.substack.com EYES LEFT is a project of The Empire Files, a 501(c)(3) media non-profit—support our work with a tax-deductible donation on Patron or on PayPal FOLLOW us on Twitter & Instagram @EyesLeftPod All music by ANAHEDRON

In this first installment of our “Wake Ups” series, former Navy Petty Officer Erica Gordon shares her journey from a homeless shelter, to a hidden war, to creative forms of resistance while still in uniform. EYES LEFT is a project of The Empire Files, a 501(c)(3) media non-profit—support our work with a tax-deductible donation here: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles or on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/empirefilesinc Check out Erica's anti-recruitment efforts at https://twitter.com/LeftFlankVets All music by ANAHEDRON

In this debut episode of our new monthly segment, Mike Prysner and SFC (Ret.) Jeff Sauter cover a range of stories that deal with the economic hardships facing active-duty troops and potential recruits—contrasted with a behemoth new Pentagon budget that funnels hundreds of billions to corporations. Plus: abortion rights for troops, the potential renaming of 9 major Army bases named after Confederate bastards & the problems with the new PACT Act. SUPPORT Eyes Left at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles [this podcast is a project of Empire Files, a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible.] MUSIC by Anahedron FOLLOW us @EyesLeftPod on Twitter and Instagram CONTACT us at eyesleftpod[at]gmail.com

A journey into Ron DeSantis's shadowy military career reveals shocking new details about his complicity in illegal torture. Featuring exclusive never-before-heard testimony from former Guantanamo prisoner Mansoor Adayfi about DeSantis's actions at the prison camp. Support this show at https://www.patreon.com/EyesLeft Eyes Left is a project of The Empire Files: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles

After a long absence, let's talk about where the show went and where it is going.

Interview with Sergeant Kevin Benderman, sentenced to 15 months in military prison for refusing to return to Iraq on moral grounds.

The harrowing story of a VA long-term care facility where veterans watched friends die of Covid, then sentenced to a solitary-confinement lockdown. Special guest Spencer Ackerman joins to discuss this story, his new book Reign Of Terror, and more.

Spenser and Mike discuss the BLM upsurge, the role of the National Guard in suppression, and looking inward to find new paths. PLUS: Radical Military History - The story of the 'Fort Hood 43'

Retired Major Danny Sjursen joins Eyes Left for part II of his interview, explaining his research uncovering the West Point Class of 1986 and the powerful positions it's alumni control in the Trump Administration.

Spenser and Mike interview Army Major Danny Sjursen about his journey from West Point officer in Iraq and Afghanistan to an anti-war author, commentator and activist. Sjursen is host of 'Fortress On A Hill' podcast and author of several books. Find his work at https://skepticalvet.com/

Spenser & Mike get deep in pandemic brain with philosophy and updates on COVID warfare at home & abroad. Show notes: - Join upcoming May 30 national actions to Cancel The Rents @ www.canceltherents.org/ - Get the new album 'Rend Wake' by our audio engineer Anahedron: condinarecords.bandcamp.com/album/rend-wake - Learn about this 72nd anniversary of the Nakba: english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indept…nexation-looms

Spenser and Mike discuss Bernie leaving the presidential race: why & what's next for the movement

Spenser & Mike discuss the science of COVID-19, the political implications of the pandemic, and the need to come together as a community (just, not in person please!)