In the 60th installment of Global Majority for Peace, Ileana Chan interviews journalist and author Finian Cunningham to expose a persistent myth in contemporary politics: the notion that the West, spearheaded by the United States, serves as a champion of democracy, human rights, and international legal standards. Drawing upon his recent publication, “Killing Democracy: Western Imperialism, A Legacy of Regime Change and Media Manipulation”, Finian outlines how the U.S. and its allies engineered a worldwide framework of secret interventions, fabricated stories, and media collusion that has influenced global affairs for almost a century.
The dialogue delves into the post‑World War II international system, which claims to be founded on the UN Charter and sovereign equality, but was significantly weakened by covert actions, cooperation between the CIA and MI6, and a regime‑change mechanism targeting over 100 nations. Finian details the progression of this system from the early Cold War until today, culminating in flagrant incidents such as the U.S. invasion of Venezuela and the abduction of President Maduro.
Ileana and Finian discuss the erosion of Western trustworthiness, the media’s enabling role in imperialistic violence, and the alarming resurgence of unapologetic, early‑20th‑century style imperialism. They further consider changes in the global order, highlighting China’s and Russia’s emphasis on multilateralism and adherence to the UN Charter, and explore the implications for the future of international law, sovereignty, and worldwide stability.
Finian Cunningham is a seasoned editor and journalist with extensive experience at prominent news outlets. He has authored numerous pieces on international issues, translated into multiple languages, and is the writer behind the new book “KILLING DEMOCRACY: Western Imperialism’s Legacy of Regime Change and Media Manipulation”.
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