The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr. Belal Alakhras is a lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) who was born and raised in Gaza. His research focuses on settler colonial studies, conflict resolution, and the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East and Southeast Asia and the escalating war on Iran. In this episode, he talks about his experience watching the genocide unfold in Gaza from afar and how it feels heavier than he'd imagined. He also offers his expert perspective on geopolitics in the Middle East and the impact of the ongoing war and the centrality of Gaza in this equation. Tune in for more details. Rory Hearne on joining the dots from the Fuel Protests to the Cost of Living Crisis:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155282335 Run for Teddy:https://www.patreon.com/posts/short-message-155503232 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Timmy Facciola is a freelance journalist who worked previously with the New York Times and Politico. He now covers the new Mayor Zohran Mamdani from his excellent substack https://judgestreetjournal.substack.com/ He made his first ever podcast appearance on the shack earlier and we discussed his work, the mad king Trump, the Jewish communities feelings towards Mayor Mamdani and why local journalism is so important in this global news obsessed era. Rory Hearne on joining the dots from the Fuel Protests to the Cost of Living Crisis:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155282335 Run for Teddy:https://www.patreon.com/posts/short-message-155503232 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Solicitor and Digital Rights expert, Simon McGarr re-joins me to discuss the recent legal woes for Big Tech, the novel legal argument that challenges their business model, the Government's attempts to improve online safety and why what Ireland is planning to do with its EU Presidency is at odds with tackling online disinformation and misinformation. Spoiler: It's deeply ironic that we're arguing for less Big Tech regulation, while complaining that the streets are blocked up by people who were "radicalised online." Rory Hearne on joining the dots from the Fuel Protests to the Cost of Living Crisis:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155282335 New York journalist Timmy Facciola on Mamadani and Trump is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155024173 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editors Note: Contains strong language from a part of the protest The fuel protests have caused havoc to people's travel plans and made many turn on the protests. But Dublin City Councillor, Conor Reddy went along twice and despite what you see in the video at the start, he was able to find common ground with many there and engage in civil debate and conversations even with those of whom he disagreed. We have many crises facing this country and if we don't show up to support and offer solutions, another side will and they'll be peddling division and misinformation. It is not Left vs Right; it's Have's vs Have Not's. I'm glad Conor and Paul showed up. New York journalist Timmy Facciola on Mamadani and Trump is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155024173 The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please visit AFSC.org "We cried with my mother every time. She cried from pain and agony, and we cried from our helplessness and inability to provide assistance, medication, or relieve her pain. My mother suffered all the time, and our hearts were crushed with pain. This is our mother whom we love dearly, whom we do not want to lose, and who loves life and wants to continue it with us in good health." My Mother Returned Home to Die: The Injustices against Elderly Patients in the Gaza Strip is written by Ali Al Owisi and narrated by Irish Parliamentarian and lifelong Palestinian Rights Activist, Richard Boyd Barrett. To purchase Displaced in Gaza click:https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2620-displaced-in-gaza All proceeds go to We Are Not Numbers in Gaza. Production by Tony Groves @ the tortoise shack

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editor's note: I'd recommend watching this episode as Noor shares some glimpses of Gaza now. Noor Alhinnawi is a Palestinian writer from Gaza. She is graduating this semester and planning to start her career. After multiple displacements and attempts to cross to the south, she now lives in her relatives home after their own home was destroyed by Israel. She shares stories of displacement and surging death with us. Tune in for the full story. Simon McGarr on Meta and Google's legal losses:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154840735 The ShedSit Pod with Sustainable Urbanism expert Phil Lawton:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154676562 The YouTube stuff:https://www.youtube.com/@tortoiseshack9314

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Rejoining me on the shack to delve into Iran, the US, Big Tech, the interlinked global financial system and the economic troubles ahead is author of Tax Haven Ireland and editor of the Irish Marxist Review, Dr Brian O'Boyle. This is a deep dive into the economics of this idiotic war, shadow banking, tax avoidance and the long-term geopolitical game behind the game. Simon McGarr on Meta and Google's legal losses:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154840735 The ShedSit Pod with Sustainable Urbanism expert Phil Lawton:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154676562 The YouTube stuff:https://www.youtube.com/@tortoiseshack9314

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CEO of Emergency Logistics Team, Will Holden has spent years in some of the most dangerous places in the world. From Yemen to Syria and the then ISIS run Iraq, he’s seen a lot. He joined me from Erbil, Kurdistan to talk about the current situation, the supply chain issues created by the war and why this situation has him more concerned than anything he’s encountered previously. Iran, Shadow Banking, Shadow Fleets and the two week war podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154596249 Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329 SpiceBag Hind Jajab Centre Jersey:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The Government has sought to limit Access to Justice via their public consultation on the regulation of costs payable in matters prescribed on foot of section 294 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Scale of Fees). But it turns out that the public are overwhelmingly (98%) opposed. So what now for the planning eejitry? Solicitor Fred Logue joins me to talk about the report that has given the government the results it did not want and what the implications might and might not be for planning, climate action, bohs jerseys and access to justice. I made up the bohs jersey bit, but would support a bill to ban them. The Report is here:https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/c168d034/Report_Summary_-_Scale_of_Fees_Submissions.pdf Will Holden joins us from Ebril, Kurdistan, Iraq:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154305070 Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329 SpiceBag Hind Jajab Centre Jersey:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Shahd Ismail Mahmoud Miqdad , is a PhD student from Gaza, who dreams of a life beyond the genocide where she will complete her education and life a an independent life safe, far from anything that hurts or touches her or her loved ones. Will Holden joins us from Ebril, Kurdistan, Iraq:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154305070 Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329 SpiceBag Hind Jajab Centre Jersey:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode journalist with El Pais in Latin America, Nicholas Dale Leal talks Cuba and the impossible choice facing its citizens, the Trump regime’s mafia style bullying of its neighbours and the lack of support for Cuba from her traditional allies. We also discuss the US-Ecuador attacks on “narco-terrorists” that killed innocent dairy farmers and what is happening in the Colombian presidential election. Will Holden joins us from Ebril, Kurdistan, Iraq:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154305070 Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Former US Green Beret and Gaza Humanitarian Foundation whistleblower and now US Senate candidate, Anthony Aguilar rejoined me to discuss the current situation in Cuba, Iran and the US. He outlines the military situation and, not to be all doomer, gives a stark assessment of where things are heading. A must listen/watch Vijay Prashad podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/jwe-iran-crisis-153857539 Lynn Boylan MEP Pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153100794

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This Reboot Republic again delves into Ireland's housing crisis, government policies, and the influence of international investment on the economy. Rory and Tony analyse the systemic issues, the role of private sector interests, the government fund festival vs the mass evictions that are occuring and the potential solutions for sustainable, green and public owned development. Cuba podcast with El Pais journalist in Latin America, Nicholas Leal here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153943715 Former US Green Beret, Anthony Aguilar podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153986148 Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Martin Leahy is a real one. The dedicated housing protester, activist and musician shares his journey from housing struggles to completing a one-man a 200-week housing crisis protest. We talk about the power of activism, protest songs, community building, and the ongoing fight to make housing a human right. Hope to see lots of you outside the Dáil on Thursday at 1pm!

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Prof of Economics, Constantin Gurdgiev, rejoins us from an unseasonably warm Colorado to talk US politics, global economics and polarising geopolitics. We delve deeper into the cracks in the social contract and ask what it means for a world that is more war focused than solution oriented. Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house Latest Reboot Pod on the Rise in Evictions:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153505035 Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The campaign to kick Israel out of football got A LOT spicier this week when FIFA President Gianni Infantino disagreed with international law over the Israeli illegal occupation of Palestinian lands. Re-joining me to talk about this, the awkward Slovenian dinner table discussions and what is going to happen next is cofounder of #GameOverIsrael Ashish Prashar. Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house Latest Reboot Pod on the Rise in Evictions:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153505035 Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Emma Ward is a disability rights activist, a freelance journalist, an Irish Traveller and a person with a disability. She is also unapologetically outspoken, mischievous, ambitious and just great to talk to. She speaks about her struggles honestly and her passion to leave the world a better place than she found it. Her love of family, friends and community is obvious. As is her ability to get things done. Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house Latest Reboot Pod on the Rise in Evictions:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153505035 Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Author of Tax Haven Ireland, editor of the Irish Marxist Review and listener favourite, Dr Brian O'Boyle has written an excellent piece of analysis on the US-Israel war on Iran. He joins us to talk through the many narratives, underlying motivations and the overarching hegemonic battle central to these awful events. MEP Lynn Boylan on Gaza, Iran and the EU: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153100794 Read the piece here:https://rebelnews.ie/2026/03/14/trumps-attack-on-iran-four-lessons-on-us-imperialism/ Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Heba Zeineddin holds a Bachelors Degree in English language and Teaching Methods from Alaqsa University in Gaza. She shares details of her life of displacement and loss in Gaza, where she has displaced with her family, including brother who has a disability, to a tent 12 times. Her family’s home was destroyed. Now she is trying to get back to normal by teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. She joins us from her tent in Gaza to tell her story. Tune in for the full story. Trump's war on Iran podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153166120 Donate to the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/152402329

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack We have one very big podcast about two very important stories both covered superbly by freelance journalist and soon-to-be author, Tommy Greene. Both are a testament to good old fashioned journalism. Tommy explains how it’s taken almost 8yrs to get some traction with the case of NHS Whistleblower, Dr Chris Day and then we get into the latest for-profit suggestions regarding Lough Neagh, Stormont's inaction and the PR interview given by the Lord of Shaftesbury. Note: C4 updated their piece to credit the work of Tommy NHS Story:https://www.livpost.co.uk/a-doctor-takes-on-the-nhs-and-its-liverpool-law-firm/ Lough Neagh latest: https://thedetail.tv/articles/lough-neagh-future-plans-wind-farms-carbon-credits The Immigration Reality Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-152732273 Latest PalCast with Heba Zeineddin in Gaza is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-152695708 Donate to the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/152402329