Detecting language using up to the first 30 seconds. Use `--language` to specify the language Detected language: English [00:00.000 --> 00:09.120] 10 p.m. here in Moscow this New Year's Day, a warm welcome to you if you've just joined [00:09.120 --> 00:10.120] us. [00:10.120 --> 00:11.120] My name is Kevin Owen. [00:11.120 --> 00:12.120] This is RT. [00:12.120 --> 00:17.160] And our top story, U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed in the New Year by signing in a tough [00:17.160 --> 00:20.520] new law about a set of sanctions for Iran. [00:20.520 --> 00:24.600] Anyone doing business with Tehran's central bank will now face punishment thanks to the [00:24.600 --> 00:28.000] new measures directly targeting the financial sector. [00:28.000 --> 00:32.320] This move comes at a time of heightened tension over Iran's nuclear program, and the threat [00:32.320 --> 00:38.240] of sanctions has already seen Tehran threaten to block off a key oil export route in response. [00:38.240 --> 00:42.880] Well adding to the situation as well is Iran's plan to test long-range missiles during naval [00:42.880 --> 00:43.880] drills in the Gulf. [00:43.880 --> 00:46.560] That's led to U.S. warships being sent to the area. [00:46.560 --> 00:51.120] A researcher at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, Shirin Shafey, [00:51.120 --> 00:55.760] told us America's playing a dangerous game right now. [00:55.760 --> 01:03.040] Iran said that if an oil embargo is imposed against Iran and Iranian livelihood, its economy [01:03.040 --> 01:10.560] is threatened, then Iran would take considerable measures to respond to that. [01:10.560 --> 01:12.720] So that is not a provocation. [01:12.720 --> 01:19.240] But in terms of real provocation, I think that what is provocative is the United States [01:19.240 --> 01:24.960] sending its warships thousands of miles away from its homeland into the Persian Gulf and [01:24.960 --> 01:31.400] also waging wars surrounding Iran, with wars in Iraq, in Afghanistan, military bases, all [01:31.400 --> 01:32.720] around Iran. [01:32.720 --> 01:33.720] That is provocative. [01:33.720 --> 01:40.480] And Iran is trying to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. [01:40.480 --> 01:44.320] To Syria now, with violence that began in March has spilled over into the new year. [01:44.320 --> 01:47.840] Arab League observers on a mission to the country have warned Damascus against cracking [01:47.840 --> 01:48.840] down on protesters. [01:48.840 --> 01:53.880] At least 13 were reportedly killed in the past day, despite efforts to oversee the implementation [01:53.880 --> 01:55.320] of a peace plan. [01:55.320 --> 01:59.320] An advisory group linked to the Arab League has now called for observers to pull out, [01:59.320 --> 02:03.640] claiming the mission is distracting attention from the ongoing crackdown. [02:03.640 --> 02:08.320] The advice is non-binding, with the observers due to stay in Syria for three more weeks. [02:08.320 --> 02:12.520] Journalist Ashin Ratanzi says the conflict is a powder keg that could ignite the entire [02:12.520 --> 02:13.520] region. [02:13.520 --> 02:20.680] It is certainly the Western media's viewpoint that we must believe opposition groups. [02:20.680 --> 02:24.820] It seems that any mobile footage is now accepted as a source. [02:24.820 --> 02:31.320] What is in no doubt is that thousands of Syrian soldiers are dying, and they haven't died [02:31.320 --> 02:32.720] because of peaceful protests. [02:32.720 --> 02:35.120] But this isn't a Libya. [02:35.120 --> 02:40.120] Syria is a linchpin of the Middle East, and the United States and other countries, some [02:40.120 --> 02:44.780] of their more intelligent people, realize that there will be turmoil right across the [02:44.780 --> 02:50.560] Middle East if anything happens to destabilize the Assad government from outside forces. [02:50.560 --> 02:55.280] But certainly the Syrian government itself has to step up the pace, because it's certainly [02:55.280 --> 02:57.160] losing the propaganda battle. [02:57.160 --> 03:02.400] Well, the Syrian regime claims it's fighting an armed insurgency funded from abroad. [03:02.400 --> 03:06.160] That's yet to be independently confirmed, but what is fact is that rebel fighters who [03:06.160 --> 03:10.480] helped overthrow Colonel Gaddafi in Libya are now eager to take the revolution to President [03:10.480 --> 03:12.520] Assad's door, too. [03:12.520 --> 03:17.000] Hundreds of Libyan mercenaries are reportedly already gunning for regime change in Syria. [03:17.000 --> 03:20.720] Ateez Oksana Boyko reported from Tripoli in the week. [03:20.720 --> 03:24.120] A butcher or dead meat. [03:24.120 --> 03:28.880] The owner of this kebab shop in Tripoli still undecided what's the most fitting term for [03:28.880 --> 03:29.880] Syria's Bashar al-Assad. [03:29.880 --> 03:36.520] Bashar al-Assad is the biggest criminal in the world, not in Syria. [03:36.520 --> 03:37.520] Not in Syria. [03:37.520 --> 03:43.440] And he killed our people in Syria. [03:43.440 --> 03:47.960] Out of solidarity with their Arab brothers, the owners of the shop have even put on display [03:47.960 --> 03:53.680] the Syrian rebels' tricolour, but they are very firm on where the revolutionary support [03:53.680 --> 03:54.680] should end. [03:54.680 --> 03:57.240] We don't want in Syria any soldiers. [03:57.240 --> 04:04.600] We have enough people and soldiers in Syria, free soldiers, only free soldiers. [04:04.600 --> 04:05.600] We have, only. [04:05.600 --> 04:06.600] We have enough. [04:06.600 --> 04:10.740] But I think we want weapons. [04:10.740 --> 04:16.000] In less than three months, Libyan rebels have gone from being celebrated as liberators to [04:16.000 --> 04:18.480] being called occupiers. [04:18.480 --> 04:23.880] Tripoli residents rally almost every week, calling on the armed militia to leave. [04:23.880 --> 04:28.560] And for some of these young men hooked on adrenaline and unwilling to part with their [04:28.560 --> 04:34.160] rifles, Syria seems like the next logical destination. [04:34.160 --> 04:36.400] We're all ready to join the Syrian revolution. [04:36.400 --> 04:40.280] And with the help of Allah, we will make sure that what happened in Libya will repeat itself [04:40.280 --> 04:43.480] in Syria. [04:43.480 --> 04:48.440] The portraits of Sheikh Guevara are now ubiquitous on the streets of Tripoli, with some rebels [04:48.440 --> 04:53.980] even styling themselves to resemble the famous revolutionary. [04:53.980 --> 04:58.360] With the help of Allah, we can all be like Che Guevara, fighting for peace and freedom [04:58.360 --> 05:01.840] around the world. [05:01.840 --> 05:07.120] And it seems that Che Guevara's idea of exporting revolutions have gotten a second birth in [05:07.120 --> 05:08.120] the Middle East. [05:08.120 --> 05:13.720] The Arab Spring has created a buoyant marketplace for soldiers of fortune. [05:13.720 --> 05:19.840] They move from one revolution to another, some motivated by personal gain, some by conviction, [05:19.840 --> 05:20.840] others by adventure. [05:20.840 --> 05:23.960] They fight for their own vision of freedom. [05:23.960 --> 05:28.940] And for now, at least, it's the freedom to live by the gun. [05:28.940 --> 05:33.880] As romantic and spontaneous as it may appear, aiding the Syrian uprising with mercenaries [05:33.880 --> 05:36.400] may not be such a genuine move. [05:36.400 --> 05:42.200] Videos of women and children in Syria gunned down by snipers are abound on YouTube, while [05:42.200 --> 05:45.960] it's still unclear who is pulling the trigger. [05:45.960 --> 05:51.240] There are terrorist snipers who are shooting at civilians, men, women and children, blind [05:51.240 --> 05:57.400] terrorism, random killing, simply for the purpose of destabilizing the country. [05:57.400 --> 06:02.560] They're from Libya, they're from Afghanistan or Pakistan. [06:02.560 --> 06:08.760] Human fighters have been brought in here by the CIA and the other Western services. [06:08.760 --> 06:12.760] One man's terrorist could easily be another man's freedom fighter, but for the United [06:12.760 --> 06:15.640] States, it's now two in one. [06:15.640 --> 06:20.960] Abdel-Hakim Belhaj, one of the leaders of Tripoli militia, was once on the CIA most [06:20.960 --> 06:22.120] wanted list. [06:22.120 --> 06:27.780] Today, he's a face of the democratic Libya, who, according to artist sources, led a group [06:27.780 --> 06:49.080] of several hundred Libyan rebels to Syria just last month. [06:49.080 --> 06:53.400] The use of soldiers of fortune is hardly new in this troubled region. [06:53.400 --> 06:58.680] Middle Eastern rulers hired them for centuries as safeguards against their own populations. [06:58.680 --> 07:03.880] And it now looks like the history of mercenaries in the Middle East has got to its new and [07:03.880 --> 07:09.520] no less bloody chapter, Aksandar Boyko RT Tripoli. [07:09.520 --> 07:13.120] Still ahead for you this hour, the year in brief, we take a look back at just a few of [07:13.120 --> 07:19.680] the momentous stories that made the headlines in 2011 around the world. [07:19.680 --> 07:24.160] In Egypt, pro-democracy protesters held a candlelight vigil in Cairo's Tahrir Square [07:24.160 --> 07:28.400] on New Year's Eve in memory of those killed during the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak. [07:28.400 --> 07:33.440] Meanwhile, the U.S. says Egypt's current leaders have agreed to halt raids on pro-democracy [07:33.440 --> 07:34.440] rights groups. [07:34.440 --> 07:38.360] Earlier this week, soldiers and police stormed offices of non-governmental organizations, [07:38.360 --> 07:40.840] including some funded by Washington. [07:40.840 --> 07:44.880] Documents and computers were seized as part of investigations into the foreign funding [07:44.880 --> 07:46.440] of organizations. [07:46.440 --> 07:50.000] The groups accused the ruling military of using the same tactics of repression as the [07:50.000 --> 07:51.760] Mubarak regime. [07:51.760 --> 07:55.200] Foreign policy analyst Dr. Adil Shamu told me he thinks the generals want to make sure [07:55.200 --> 08:01.000] they hold on to power, but that the people won't stop until they oust them. [08:01.000 --> 08:07.320] This is part of the military, the SCAF, the Supreme Council of Armed Forces, way of making [08:07.320 --> 08:15.920] sure that the revolution basically is molded to the type of government they want because [08:15.920 --> 08:23.240] that's—those are the same generals, by the way, who worked for Mubarak, the dictator. [08:23.240 --> 08:28.320] So that's really basically, as part of that struggle, is the revolution going to go forward [08:28.320 --> 08:35.200] or is the revolution going to be molded and subdued into submissive role to the military? [08:35.200 --> 08:41.360] But really, the military has to step aside and let the civilian government come to power [08:41.360 --> 08:46.120] once the election are held, and the election should be held as soon as possible. [08:46.120 --> 08:51.800] They will not give up the power that easily, but I think the Egyptian people and the Arabs [08:51.800 --> 08:58.720] in general have lost their fear from corrupt government, and they have restored their dignity, [08:58.720 --> 09:02.880] and they will not tolerate another military dictatorship in their country. [09:02.880 --> 09:07.840] I think all the evidence indicate that, despite the sacrifices they have given. [09:07.840 --> 09:12.760] World News and Brief this hour in Nigeria First, the country's leaders declared a state [09:12.760 --> 09:16.680] of emergency in areas hit by a wave of Islamist attacks. [09:16.680 --> 09:20.520] President Goodluck Jonathan shut borders with neighboring countries after a string of Christmas [09:20.520 --> 09:23.080] Day blasts, which killed over 40. [09:23.080 --> 09:27.360] He's vowed to crush Boko Haram militants who claimed responsibility. [09:27.360 --> 09:30.880] Violence has continued since churches throughout the country were first attacked a week ago [09:30.880 --> 09:31.880] now. [09:31.880 --> 09:36.520] Tens of thousands have fled their homes, fearing further conflict. [09:36.520 --> 09:40.760] South Sudan's government is sending army and police to an area at the center of a violent [09:40.760 --> 09:42.080] tribal conflict. [09:42.080 --> 09:46.240] The town of Pibor was attacked by thousands of fighters from a rival tribe who torched [09:46.240 --> 09:49.680] buildings, stole livestock and forced scores to flee. [09:49.680 --> 09:53.120] UN troops deployed in the region were unable to enforce security. [09:53.120 --> 09:57.640] In recent months, ethnic infighting caused by cattle rustling has left around a thousand [09:57.640 --> 09:58.640] people dead. [09:58.640 --> 10:05.560] A former member of the Japanese cult behind an attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995 turned [10:05.560 --> 10:09.320] himself into police just before midnight last night, New Year's Eve. [10:09.320 --> 10:14.080] He'd been in hiding for 17 years since the group released sarin gas on the underground [10:14.080 --> 10:16.280] system at the time, killing 13. [10:16.280 --> 10:20.800] Aung Shinreku started as a spiritual movement, mixing Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, but then [10:20.800 --> 10:25.840] developed into a doomsday cult, obsessed with Armageddon. [10:25.840 --> 10:30.280] U.S. President Barack Obama signed into effect a law which means that any person can be detained [10:30.280 --> 10:32.680] indefinitely without charge. [10:32.680 --> 10:35.960] The major defense bill is aimed at dealing with terrorist suspects, and it comes with [10:35.960 --> 10:41.680] a massive $662 billion price tag, too, but critics say the military will now have more [10:41.680 --> 10:47.920] authority to interrogate people denying them their basic constitutional rights. [10:47.920 --> 10:52.320] This is RT Live from Moscow, still ahead in the program with me, Kevin Owen, down with [10:52.320 --> 10:53.320] knowledge. [10:53.320 --> 10:56.320] What's the capital of Iran? [10:56.320 --> 10:57.320] Who cares? [10:57.320 --> 10:58.320] Do you know what the president of Iran is? [10:58.320 --> 10:59.320] No. [10:59.320 --> 11:00.320] All right. [11:00.320 --> 11:01.320] Do you know his name? [11:01.320 --> 11:02.880] Is it Jeddah Jaff or something? [11:02.880 --> 11:06.440] Well, we set out for the streets of New York to discover what Americans know about their [11:06.440 --> 11:12.440] country's policy at home and across the globe. [11:12.440 --> 11:16.200] There's not much New Year cheer from economists predicting a return to recession in Europe [11:16.200 --> 11:17.200] for 2012. [11:17.200 --> 11:22.240] In fact, leaders used New Year messages to warn of hard times ahead in their respective [11:22.240 --> 11:23.240] countries. [11:23.240 --> 11:27.200] German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Europe was facing its most severe test in [11:27.200 --> 11:31.400] decades, while French President Sarkozy has warned that the debt crisis blanketing the [11:31.400 --> 11:33.640] continent was far from over. [11:33.640 --> 11:36.960] Many governments have been forced to slash their spending to meet debt obligations as [11:36.960 --> 11:39.920] economic growth in Europe has been at a standstill. [11:39.920 --> 11:43.560] Some analysts believe that the EU leaders' attempts at keeping the eurozone together [11:43.560 --> 11:47.040] is only deepening the crisis. [11:47.040 --> 11:52.920] European leaders are trying to shore up the eurozone by having greater degrees of centralization [11:52.920 --> 11:57.840] and more having countries like France and Germany have the final say, in a sense, over [11:57.840 --> 12:03.160] the budgets of those EU member states that have excessive budget deficits. [12:03.160 --> 12:05.960] But that really isn't the answer to the problems. [12:05.960 --> 12:11.280] What's really needed is either a massive injection of cash into countries like Greece and Italy [12:11.280 --> 12:12.520] to shore up their economies. [12:12.520 --> 12:16.360] Of course, another option would, of course, to recognize that the single currency has [12:16.360 --> 12:20.640] hurt competitiveness in many rim nations of the eurozone. [12:20.640 --> 12:25.160] So really there's a number of options, either to transfer funds from the north to the struggling [12:25.160 --> 12:29.760] south or, of course, have an orderly breakup of the eurozone. [12:29.760 --> 12:33.360] Israeli militaries confirmed it carried out an airstrike on Gaza on Friday. [12:33.360 --> 12:37.120] One Palestinian was killed in the attack, which Tel Aviv claims was aimed at preventing [12:37.120 --> 12:39.760] militants from firing rockets into Israel. [12:39.760 --> 12:44.000] The country's been stepping up its airstrikes in recent months, leaving dozens dead. [12:44.000 --> 12:48.160] Three years after the Jewish state briefly invaded Gaza, military officials are now saying [12:48.160 --> 12:52.640] that they have to start what they call a, quote, war of necessity. [12:52.640 --> 12:57.000] Attempts at brokering a peace deal have so far proven fruitless, but Israeli columnist [12:57.000 --> 12:58.400] Gideon Navy spoke to us. [12:58.400 --> 13:03.840] He thinks Tel Aviv isn't really trying to avoid a conflict. [13:03.840 --> 13:08.040] Three years ago, Israel had a carte blanche, and not only a carte blanche, the West had [13:08.040 --> 13:15.720] plowded Israel and didn't say a word against this attack, but this time we are facing a [13:15.720 --> 13:17.160] new Egypt. [13:17.160 --> 13:23.080] And Gaza is in the backyard of Egypt, and I'm not sure that Egypt will remain indifferent [13:23.080 --> 13:25.160] vis-a-vis another attack. [13:25.160 --> 13:31.280] But having said this, I'm not sure that this is enough to prevent an attack, because, unfortunately, [13:31.280 --> 13:37.560] Israeli politicians and generals not always react in the most rational and logical way. [13:37.560 --> 13:44.800] The current government of Israel has no serious intention about a serious dialogue with the [13:44.800 --> 13:48.960] Palestinians, maybe some photo opportunities, but nothing more than this. [13:48.960 --> 13:55.240] And the PA, the Palestinian Authority, had just launched another proposal for Israel [13:55.240 --> 13:58.360] to get back to the negotiation table. [13:58.360 --> 14:05.020] They even gave up the precondition of freezing the settlements, which is a minimum condition. [14:05.020 --> 14:12.480] And they had suggested just a symbolic release of 100 Palestinian prisoners to get back to [14:12.480 --> 14:14.160] the negotiation table. [14:14.160 --> 14:16.040] And what did Israel say? [14:16.040 --> 14:17.040] No? [14:17.040 --> 14:22.240] OK, well, on a happy note, Russia welcomed 2012 in with a bang last night, being the [14:22.240 --> 14:23.240] world's biggest country. [14:23.240 --> 14:26.800] It celebrated New Year nine times, as you can see on the map there, thanks to its nine [14:26.800 --> 14:27.880] time zones. [14:27.880 --> 14:33.920] All kickstarted off in the Far East and then swept through Russia's, to Russia's western-most [14:33.920 --> 14:38.240] point, the Baltic city of Kaliningrad, finishing off with some great fireworks there. [14:38.240 --> 14:42.160] While hundreds also gathered in Moscow's Red Square, of course, to toast in the New Year's [14:42.160 --> 14:46.560] great show from Moscow, and the whole rest of the world was treated in mass celebrations [14:46.560 --> 14:47.560] around the globe as well. [14:47.560 --> 14:52.040] That was the scene in New York, thousands packing Times Square for the ceremonial ball [14:52.040 --> 14:53.560] dropping at midnight. [14:53.560 --> 14:56.600] Australia, beautiful fireworks, it was an iconic sight from them. [14:56.600 --> 15:00.280] Among the first, of course, to open its doors to the New Year with glittering fireworks [15:00.280 --> 15:02.240] over Sydney Harbour. [15:02.240 --> 15:06.300] Great fireworks in Asia, too, picking at the bat, and a spectacular show is held across [15:06.300 --> 15:07.300] the region. [15:07.300 --> 15:11.400] And Dubai also putting on a spectacle, hundreds gathering at the world's tallest building [15:11.400 --> 15:13.720] to watch an amazing illumination there. [15:13.720 --> 15:17.360] And a super show from London, I don't know if you caught it or not, millions of revelers [15:17.360 --> 15:22.880] packing cities throughout Europe, but a particularly good show there from London last night. [15:22.880 --> 15:25.680] The London Eye and fireworks coming out from Big Ben as well. [15:25.680 --> 15:32.600] So a celebration sweeping the globe, Artisa Nisanoui looks back at what made 2011. [15:32.600 --> 15:39.120] 2011 could easily go down as the most eventful year in years. [15:39.120 --> 15:44.760] The killing of Bin Laden after a decade-long manhunt, Libya's Gaddafi after months of NATO [15:44.760 --> 15:57.840] bombing and the death of North Korea's Kim Jong-il don't even begin to illustrate 2011. [15:57.840 --> 16:00.880] Time chose the protester as person of the year. [16:00.880 --> 16:07.000] And although there were different slogans, signs and demanded solutions, 2011 will ultimately [16:07.000 --> 16:12.260] be remembered as the year people came out onto the streets. [16:12.260 --> 16:18.440] The Arab Spring bloomed into a European summer, which harvested an American autumn. [16:18.440 --> 16:25.840] From Cairo to California, Moscow to Madrid, Tahrir to Occupy, global rallies shared common [16:25.840 --> 16:26.840] themes. [16:26.840 --> 16:31.880] But if one thing stood out in the Mideast and North Africa alone, it was protests that [16:31.880 --> 16:34.680] led down one road. [16:34.680 --> 16:40.080] Time change. [16:40.080 --> 16:46.760] Tunisia and Egypt got rid of their dictators without war, but Libya was not so lucky. [16:46.760 --> 16:51.980] NATO and allies began a humanitarian mission with a fierce bombing campaign, but critics [16:51.980 --> 16:57.000] called it a mislabeled invasion to take down Gaddafi for benefits. [16:57.000 --> 17:00.080] The only reason they're interested with Libya is about the oil. [17:00.080 --> 17:04.340] You hear anybody screaming and yelling about all those people last week that were killed [17:04.340 --> 17:07.080] in the Ivory Coast or the Sudan? [17:07.080 --> 17:13.120] Gaddafi was brutally killed in October, as the world watched the graphic video go viral. [17:13.120 --> 17:16.560] Thousands of civilians were killed over months of bombing. [17:16.560 --> 17:23.320] And as 2012 neared, Syria found itself in a similar setup for intervention, Russia and [17:23.320 --> 17:29.220] China fearing a repeat of the situation in Libya as civil war intensifies. [17:29.220 --> 17:38.200] This is a direct clash between the U.S. and NATO on one side and Russia and China on the [17:38.200 --> 17:41.320] other side, much more than it was in Libya. [17:41.320 --> 17:51.160] Protests continue in Egypt, Libya, Syria and many more Arab countries as the year ends. [17:51.160 --> 17:56.920] The battle to save the drowning single currency left boardrooms and banks in 2011 and flooded [17:56.920 --> 18:01.680] the streets of Europe, most commonly and violently in Athens. [18:01.680 --> 18:04.880] Greek debt became the centerpiece of the euro crisis. [18:04.880 --> 18:10.560] Protests raged against desperate austerity cuts to qualify for IMF bailouts, while Germany [18:10.560 --> 18:14.240] and France vied for influence in the debt-ridden zone. [18:14.240 --> 18:19.720] I think we will see an exit of Greece, given the situation in which the Greek economy finds [18:19.720 --> 18:22.680] itself that has become really unavoidable. [18:22.680 --> 18:26.880] Draining the economy of big euro brother Germany can't go on forever. [18:26.880 --> 18:31.920] Greece and Italy are now led by unelected Brussels-backed technocrat leaders who are [18:31.920 --> 18:35.360] trying to curb the crisis coming into a new year. [18:35.360 --> 18:41.800] Critics say 2011, bailouts or bust, was the beginning of the end for the single European [18:41.800 --> 18:42.800] currency. [18:42.800 --> 18:50.400] There's every chance the euro is going to crash and burn. [18:50.400 --> 18:56.200] London burned for days in the summer of 2011, what began as a peaceful protest demanding [18:56.200 --> 19:01.640] justice over the death of a 29-year-old man who was shot by police, turned into days of [19:01.640 --> 19:04.800] riots and left authorities helpless. [19:04.800 --> 19:10.120] Talks of possibly bringing out the military buzzed as shops were looted, cars set on fire [19:10.120 --> 19:13.160] and windows smashed across the UK. [19:13.160 --> 19:19.000] The police, the job center, the banks, everything that's happening, the recession, you know, [19:19.000 --> 19:21.360] there's a lot of anger about that. [19:21.360 --> 19:27.600] Financial experts also threw a failed multi-culti program and racism into the mix. [19:27.600 --> 19:33.440] The abuse of stop and search and a sense that the police are certainly institutionally against [19:33.440 --> 19:38.600] young urban people and probably institutionally racist as well. [19:38.600 --> 19:42.400] The riots faded but the problems are still pressing. [19:42.400 --> 19:50.480] Some say only a spark is needed to set the public off again. [19:50.480 --> 19:55.440] Street by Wall Street became a household name in the US and around the world but when the [19:55.440 --> 19:59.040] protest began in September, few were talking about it. [19:59.040 --> 20:05.040] The mainstream media stayed silent until 700 people were arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge [20:05.040 --> 20:06.040] and then... [20:06.040 --> 20:10.320] It's really based in the anarchist roots of American politics. [20:10.320 --> 20:12.920] The crowd is easy to mock. [20:12.920 --> 20:13.920] They are disorganized. [20:13.920 --> 20:14.920] They look funny. [20:14.920 --> 20:17.200] What are they protesting? [20:17.200 --> 20:18.560] Nobody seems to know. [20:18.560 --> 20:25.280] But negative coverage didn't stop OWS from spreading from small towns to huge ports occupied [20:25.280 --> 20:27.680] was not going anywhere. [20:27.680 --> 20:33.760] Raids on camps, heavy-handed police and burning pepper spray only helped Occupy grow and spread [20:33.760 --> 20:39.360] their message of the need for economic equality and an end to corporate greed. [20:39.360 --> 20:46.120] Their slogan became, we are the 99% and they, the rich, the 1%. [20:46.120 --> 21:03.600] From Oakland to Boston, the more people occupied, the more brutality became more evident. [21:03.600 --> 21:06.640] Our police forces have been militarized. [21:06.640 --> 21:09.440] They are working more in cooperation with the Pentagon. [21:09.440 --> 21:15.880] They're buying and being given military surplus equipment that has been kind of designed for [21:15.880 --> 21:22.600] use in war and this is something that leads to treating the public as you would treat [21:22.600 --> 21:23.600] an enemy. [21:23.600 --> 21:33.840] A public that has promised to come out in full force in 2012. [21:33.840 --> 21:37.560] Parliamentary elections were the push behind tens of thousands of people coming out onto [21:37.560 --> 21:45.200] the streets of Moscow after allegations the December Duma vote was rigged. [21:45.200 --> 21:51.320] The protest, at least 50,000 strong, the largest in recent history, called for free and fair [21:51.320 --> 21:54.720] elections and remained peaceful. [21:54.720 --> 21:59.040] Ruling party United Russia lost popularity in the vote with official results putting [21:59.040 --> 22:01.960] their numbers at almost 50%. [22:01.960 --> 22:08.200] But experts say a 16% drop from 2007 should be taken as a warning. [22:08.200 --> 22:15.160] I think a lot of people wanted to punish United Russia for having power for so long and maybe [22:15.160 --> 22:18.040] not doing everything they could. [22:18.040 --> 22:23.440] Protests organized by vast groups of opposition members are set to continue in 2012. [22:23.440 --> 22:28.400] Next year Russia, along with the U.S. and France, hold presidential elections, which [22:28.400 --> 22:34.680] makes it a safe bet people will be out on the streets in 2012 in Europe, America and [22:34.680 --> 22:36.280] around the world. [22:36.280 --> 22:38.960] In Isinaue, RT, Moscow. [22:38.960 --> 22:43.880] Well, we've got more on all the events that shaped 2011 waiting on our website as well, [22:43.880 --> 22:44.880] RT.com. [22:44.880 --> 22:48.160] So there, if you see how the world celebrated the arrival of 2012. [22:48.160 --> 22:52.360] The next year you can find some spectacular footage of the New Year celebrations and fireworks [22:52.360 --> 22:53.360] around the globe. [22:53.360 --> 22:55.680] We've compiled them all for you there. [22:55.680 --> 23:01.920] Also the end of the year saw U.S. troops wave farewell to Iraq, RT.com explores the implications [23:01.920 --> 23:06.000] and consequences of nine years of conflict. [23:06.000 --> 23:09.920] And a look at the uprisings, the demos, the disasters indeed of 2011 as seen through the [23:09.920 --> 23:11.280] eyes of our correspondents. [23:11.280 --> 23:14.960] Interesting series we brought you last week, if you didn't catch it, it's online. [23:14.960 --> 23:20.040] You can hear their testimonies at RT.com. [23:20.040 --> 23:26.200] Witnesses to history in the making. [23:26.200 --> 23:33.080] Testimony, 10 stories that shaped 2011 on RT. [23:33.080 --> 23:36.840] The men and women hoping to become the next president of the U.S. appear to spend as much [23:36.840 --> 23:41.000] time demonstrating their ignorance to the world as they do their political credentials. [23:41.000 --> 23:45.200] But as our teaching list is here choking and found out, that could just be a reflection [23:45.200 --> 23:48.120] of society. [23:48.120 --> 23:53.800] It's three agencies of government when I get there that are gone, commerce, education, [23:53.800 --> 23:56.920] and the, what's the third one there, let's see. [23:56.920 --> 24:02.200] He's looking to actually fire tens of thousands of federal workers and eliminate an entire [24:02.200 --> 24:05.000] cabinet level position and he couldn't even remember its name. [24:05.000 --> 24:09.200] They ask me who's the president of you, Becky, Becky, Becky, Becky, Stan, Stan, I'm going [24:09.200 --> 24:11.400] to say, you know, I don't know, do you know? [24:11.400 --> 24:15.640] It's not the fact that he doesn't know, it's the fact that he doesn't think he should [24:15.640 --> 24:16.640] look it up. [24:16.640 --> 24:22.600] Do you agree with President Obama on Libya or not? [24:22.600 --> 24:26.800] Okay, Libya. [24:26.800 --> 24:32.000] The basic knowledge of those attempting to spearhead a country can leave much to be desired. [24:32.000 --> 24:35.920] Where does this leave Americans choosing their politicians and their country's potential [24:35.920 --> 24:36.920] future? [24:36.920 --> 24:40.920] Let's find out. [24:40.920 --> 24:43.960] Uzbekistan, I've heard of it through Borat. [24:43.960 --> 24:46.600] For some reason, I don't know anything about Libya. [24:46.600 --> 24:48.080] Do you know what Uzbekistan is? [24:48.080 --> 24:50.880] No, I do not know what Uzbekistan is. [24:50.880 --> 24:51.880] Uzbekistan? [24:51.880 --> 24:52.880] No. [24:52.880 --> 24:55.680] Do you know the U.S. is an air base there? [24:55.680 --> 24:56.680] No idea. [24:56.680 --> 24:58.640] What do you know about Libya? [24:58.640 --> 24:59.640] Not much. [24:59.640 --> 25:01.680] Do you know how to spell Libya? [25:01.680 --> 25:02.680] Yes. [25:02.680 --> 25:03.680] Yes. [25:03.680 --> 25:07.480] Do you know the U.S. was involved in a war with Libya? [25:07.480 --> 25:08.480] Okay. [25:08.480 --> 25:11.960] Do you know why? [25:11.960 --> 25:13.120] Nope. [25:13.120 --> 25:15.360] I know absolutely nothing about Libya, honestly. [25:15.360 --> 25:16.720] What about New Mexico? [25:16.720 --> 25:18.360] Is that a state or a country? [25:18.360 --> 25:20.360] Uh oh, what is that? [25:20.360 --> 25:23.360] I think we should be on TV because we're so dumb. [25:23.360 --> 25:26.360] Who's the Vice President now? [25:26.360 --> 25:27.360] It's the old man. [25:27.360 --> 25:28.360] Under Bush? [25:28.360 --> 25:29.360] Wow. [25:29.360 --> 25:34.080] I actually... [25:34.080 --> 25:35.320] Come on, it was not that long ago. [25:35.320 --> 25:36.320] Oh, oh, oh, Cheney. [25:36.320 --> 25:37.320] Yeah. [25:37.320 --> 25:38.320] Who is the Vice President of the U.S.? [25:38.320 --> 25:39.320] You know, I have no idea. [25:39.320 --> 25:40.320] I know it's Barack Obama, but... [25:40.320 --> 25:41.320] The Vice President? [25:41.320 --> 25:42.320] Cheney? [25:42.320 --> 25:43.320] So who is the Secretary of State? [25:43.320 --> 25:44.320] Condoleezza Rice? [25:44.320 --> 25:45.320] Still, no. [25:45.320 --> 25:55.480] We would be fools and nays to ignore their purpose and their plan. [25:55.480 --> 26:00.120] Some countries are at the top of politicians' list to attack verbally and literally. [26:00.120 --> 26:03.640] But how much do people really know about those faraway places? [26:03.640 --> 26:05.840] What's the capital of Iran? [26:05.840 --> 26:06.840] Give it to me. [26:06.840 --> 26:07.840] Tehran? [26:07.840 --> 26:08.840] Yeah, Tehran, yeah. [26:08.840 --> 26:09.840] Who's the president? [26:09.840 --> 26:10.840] I'm with your dad. [26:10.840 --> 26:11.840] Who? [26:11.840 --> 26:12.840] I'm with your dad. [26:12.840 --> 26:13.840] Do you know what the president of Iran is? [26:13.840 --> 26:14.840] No. [26:14.840 --> 26:15.840] The capital? [26:15.840 --> 26:16.840] The capital of Iran? [26:16.840 --> 26:17.840] No. [26:17.840 --> 26:19.320] Do you know the capital city of Iran? [26:19.320 --> 26:21.320] Um, negative. [26:21.320 --> 26:22.880] Do you guys know what Iran is? [26:22.880 --> 26:23.880] Of course, yes. [26:23.880 --> 26:24.880] Yeah? [26:24.880 --> 26:25.880] Who's the capital of Iran? [26:25.880 --> 26:26.880] Who cares? [26:26.880 --> 26:27.880] Who's the president? [26:27.880 --> 26:28.880] Who's president? [26:28.880 --> 26:29.880] He just died. [26:29.880 --> 26:30.880] What about the capital of Iran? [26:30.880 --> 26:31.880] The capital? [26:31.880 --> 26:32.880] Yes, I do. [26:32.880 --> 26:33.880] What is it? [26:33.880 --> 26:34.880] You're asking me? [26:34.880 --> 26:35.880] I can't tell you that either. [26:35.880 --> 26:36.880] Top secret. [26:36.880 --> 26:37.880] Come on! [26:37.880 --> 26:38.880] I don't know why he's bothering me. [26:38.880 --> 26:39.880] It's not Libya. [26:39.880 --> 26:40.880] It's, uh, Pakistan. [26:40.880 --> 26:41.880] Anything? [26:41.880 --> 26:42.880] Any guesses? [26:42.880 --> 26:43.880] No. [26:43.880 --> 26:44.880] He's like Osama. [26:44.880 --> 26:45.880] He's the president of Iraq. [26:45.880 --> 26:54.880] Iran. [26:54.880 --> 26:55.880] Iran. [26:55.880 --> 26:56.880] Right. [26:56.880 --> 26:57.880] All right. [26:57.880 --> 26:58.880] Do you know his name? [26:58.880 --> 26:59.880] Medajed-e-Jaff or something. [26:59.880 --> 27:05.480] When it comes to picking a future for the U.S., choosing what comes next may be tough, without [27:05.480 --> 27:09.080] the knowledge of what has gone on in the past and even the very present. [27:09.080 --> 27:12.080] I'm Stasia Cherkina, RT, New York. [27:12.080 --> 27:15.000] I like that they can't tell you a top secret response. [27:15.000 --> 27:16.000] All right. [27:16.000 --> 27:17.880] Sport live from Moscow a little bit later this hour. [27:17.880 --> 27:21.960] Union's got news of why English football team Manchester City's New Year's celebrations [27:21.960 --> 27:25.600] are extra special today, but it's headlines next in just under two minutes. [27:25.600 --> 27:53.600] In fact, you're on RT with me, Kevin Alley. [27:53.600 --> 28:09.600] All right. [28:09.600 --> 28:24.600] All right. [28:24.600 --> 28:39.600] All right. [28:39.600 --> 28:54.600] All right. [28:54.600 --> 29:09.600] All right. [29:09.600 --> 29:27.600] All right. [29:27.600 --> 29:28.600] Hello again. [29:28.600 --> 29:31.600] The headlines from RT Moscow at 10.30 p.m. New Year's Day. [29:31.600 --> 29:35.800] President Obama signed a bill which imposes new tough sanctions on Iran over its disputed [29:35.800 --> 29:41.200] nuclear program, despite Tehran's threats to shut off a key oil supply route in the Gulf, [29:41.200 --> 29:45.600] as tension between the two countries continues to build. [29:45.600 --> 29:50.700] The Syrian regime's crackdown on demonstrators carries on unabated, forcing Arab League observers [29:50.700 --> 29:53.320] to warn Damascus to rein in the violence. [29:53.320 --> 29:56.920] The monitors are overseeing the implementation of a peace plan that the president has said [29:56.920 --> 29:59.600] agreed to. [29:59.600 --> 30:06.440] In the world.