Fortress On A Hill (FOH) Podcast

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...

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...

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...

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 internatio...

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 highlight...

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...

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...

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...

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 wit...

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 enfor...

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 implic...

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...

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 crit...

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 A...

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,...

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 Syri...

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.fortresson...

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 resi...

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 Ir...

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. inf...

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 hi...

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...

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 servic...

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 me...

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 fo...