Trump-Bibi’s theater, Manifest Destiny, Ukraine’s targets, and Cuba – with Chris Helali
Published 9 Jun, 2026 12:38Olga Bataman and Tara Reade welcome political commentator and international observer Christopher Helali.
Drawing on his recent travels across Donbass and Iran, Chris shares firsthand observations from the ground – breaking down and challenging the rigid, institutionalized narratives that have come to shape Western foreign policy.
We discuss the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, ongoing US-Russia contacts, and the war in Ukraine. Why do Western media report only some civilian casualties and not others?
We also talk about tensions between Israel and Iran, Trump’s role in global diplomacy, the legacy of Manifest Destiny in American foreign policy, and Europe’s military buildup.
Finally, we cover Cuba’s resilience under sanctions – and the emergence of a more multipolar world.