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Dear all,
I started hearing rumours about Blackwater founder Erik Prince wanting to exploit resources in Afghanistan more than a year ago. After reporting on Afghan minerals for many years (including in my film and book, Disaster Capitalism), it’s taken me this long to secure publication of an exclusive story, confirm all the details, reassure and protect sources in multiple countries, Afghanistan and elsewhere, and navigate a very sensitive issue.
The story was recently published by TRT World, a Turkish, Al-Jazeera English, 24/7 international TV news channel which reaches 260 million homes across 190 countries. Here’s my interview about it on TRT’s flagship current affairs program.
Full details behind the making of the story here.
There have been some articles on this subject in Buzzfeed and the New York Times but my-2000 word piece is the most comprehensive yet on Prince’s plans and Trump administration collusion.
Since publication, my investigation has ricocheted around the world. Kabul sources tell me that it’s being read by senior officials close to Afghan President Ghani, perhaps even Ghani himself.
Prince was interviewed on TRT World and asked directly about my reporting. He didn’t deny or refute anything and basically confirmed it all.
Investigating and breaking these kinds of stories as an independent, freelance journalist is tough for a range of reasons, not least because you’re challenging the turf held by mainstream, foreign correspondents. This story has required huge amounts of patience, persistence, frustration and eventual relief. Please support my independent journalism, if you’re able, for more investigations (and there are many on the way including my next book, on the global drug war, out in late 2019).
– I was recently invited to speak at a major Palestine conference in Istanbul, Turkey, I’m based in East Jerusalem these days, with nearly 1000 attendees and speakers from over 60 countries. One of the keynote speakers was going to be murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, recently killed in his country’s consulate in Istanbul. He was discussed and remembered.
Here’s my speech and TV interview on TRT World.
– Book review in the Weekend Australian newspaper on writer Jeff Sparrow’s sparkling examination of the culture wars.
– Interview on US radio program Loud and Clear about climate change and disaster capitalism.
– My film Disaster Capitalism has screened around the world this year, with more on the way, and after a recent Sydney screening this fine review was published in Green Left Weekly.
Thanks for reading.
Until next time.
Antony
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