Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to Sri Lanka during the final days of the country's civil war to see how one of the world's most powerful insurgencies, the Tamil Tigers, was finally defeated. While some security experts are hailing Sri Lanka as a case study in how to defeat an insurgency, Mariana finds that it comes at a steep price.
***Vanguard is Current TV's original documentary series. Led by correspondents Laura Ling, Mariana van Zeller, Christof Putzel, Adam Yamaguchi and Kaj Larsen, Vanguard features enterprising reports from around the globe. It airs every Wednesday at 10pm on Current TV. And you can view all Vanguard stories by visiting current.com/vanguard.***
Channel guide:
In the U.S.
DIRECTV 358
Comcast Nationwide 107
Dish Network 196
Time Warner: NY 103
Time Warner: LA 142
Time Warner: Other Cities: check local listings
AT&T U-verse Nationwide 189
Verizon FIOS 130
In the U.K.
Sky 183
Virgin Media 155
In Italy
Sky Italia 130Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to Sri Lanka during the final days... more
In the season premiere of Vanguard, correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to South Florida, the "Colombia of prescription drugs", to expose a bustling pill pipeline that stretches from the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale to the rolling hills of Appalachia. "The OxyContin Express" features intimate access with pill addicts, prisoners and law enforcement as each struggles with a growing national epidemic.
***Vanguard is Current TV's original documentary series. Led by correspondents Laura Ling, Mariana van Zeller, Christof Putzel, Adam Yamaguchi and Kaj Larsen, Vanguard features enterprising reports from around the globe. It airs every Wednesday at 10pm on Current TV. And you can view all Vanguard stories by visiting current.com/vanguard.***In the season premiere of Vanguard, correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to South... more
Security analyst Dr. Zachary Abuza bullet points the innovations of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. In recent weeks, the Sri Lankan Army has managed to beat back the group that many consider to be one of the most sophisticated and determined insurgencies in the world. We'll be examining if this is the end of the LTTE or if they'll live to fight and another day. Either way, Abuza argues, that their legacy is secured by the influence they've had on other organizations around the world.Security analyst Dr. Zachary Abuza bullet points the innovations of the Liberation... more
In "Chinatown, Africa", Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to Angola to investigate China's rapidly growing presence in Africa. While many welcome China's investment, others see reason for concern. Chinatown, Africa is revealing look at a growing superpower's adventures abroad.In "Chinatown, Africa", Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to... more
In "America's Secret War", Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels
to the Iraq-Iran border to investigate claims that the United States is
supporting militant groups that are attacking Iran. In the rugged Qandil mountains,
she meets with up with anti-Iranian guerillas who have been launching deadly
raids against the Islamic Republic. A good percentage of the fighters are women,
and Mariana accompanies a small group of them through what many believe has
become the frontline of the US's secret war with Iran.
***Check out "America's Secret War" on Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 10
p.m. on Current TV.***Is the US already at war with Iran?
In "America's Secret War",... more
In "America's Secret War", Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels
to the Iraq-Iran border to investigate claims that the United States is
supporting militant groups that are attacking Iran. In the rugged Qandil mountains,
she meets with up with anti-Iranian guerillas who have been launching deadly
raids against the Islamic Republic. A good percentage of the fighters are women,
and Mariana accompanies a small group of them through what many believe has
become the frontline of the US's secret war with Iran.
***Check out "America's Secret War" on Wednesday, March 4 at 10
p.m. on Current TV.***The new season of the "Vanguard" weekly series begins on Oct. 22 with this... more
As the number of lobsters decline, divers on the Miskito Coast are forced to dive deeper. Many have been crippled or killed. And as the region's traditional economy begins to run dry, some are turning to an even riskier shadow economy, known locally as the "white lobster".
Current TV's Mariana van Zeller travels to this remote corner of Nicaragua to examine some very visible effects of overfishing and dwindling ocean resources.As the number of lobsters decline, divers on the Miskito Coast are forced to dive... more
LAGOS, Nigeria — The governor’s son sits hunched at the bar, contemplating his nearly empty bottle of Hennessy. On the dance floor, the airline director’s daughter sways back and forth to a hip-hop beat. Nearby, the star soccer player, just in from London, tries to squeeze past his growing circle of fans and hangers-on. In the center of the club, the oil magnate’s son gets on top of a table and takes a swig from a bottle of Dom Pérignon.
Just another Saturday night in Lagos, one of Africa’s money- and contrast-rich boomtowns.LAGOS, Nigeria — The governor’s son sits hunched at the bar, contemplating... more
Vanguard's Mariana van Zeller travels to the "Saudi Arabia of Ethanol", and has a few drinks while she's at it. Vanguard's Mariana van Zeller travels to the "Saudi Arabia of Ethanol",... more
Ahead of the UK Prime Minister's meeting with the Nigerian leader, Reuters takes on the question: WHY IS THE DELTA IMPORTANT?
We tried to address this question last year with our piece, "Rebels in the Pipeline". Nigeria is the most important oil producer in a region that is expected to supply an increasing percentage of our energy needs. But 50 years of oil production has translated into very little for the people of Nigeria. I think what we're seeing with how all the unrest there is contributing to higher gas prices here demonstrates with sobering clarity how corruption, poverty and oppression in one country can have resounding effects in this increasingly interconnected world.
Ahead of the UK Prime Minister's meeting with the Nigerian leader, Reuters takes... more
Rebels in the Niger Delta called off a self-imposed ceasefire today in response to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's comment that the UK stands ready to provide backing to Nigerian security forces to battle lawlessness in the oil rich region.
The Movement for the Emanicapation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a "stern warning" to Mr Brown in an emailed statement: "Should Gordon Brown make good his threat to support this criminality for the sake of oil, UK citizens and interests in Nigeria will suffer the consequences."
The Nigerian press received the British offer as a declaration of war against rebel groups. The Daily Champion newspaper ran the headline "Battle Line! UK to Declare War on Delta Militants".
The renewed tensions in the delta helped push oil to another record high.
What do a small group of rebels in southern Nigeria have to do with your daily commute?
Oil analysts have been pointing to the growing violence in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta for a while now, but rarely with the frequency that they have over the last few weeks. In that time, militants have pulled-off about a half-dozen attacks on oil pipelines and facilities. With world oil supplies already stretched, Africa's largest producer -- and the US's fifth largest supplier -- has been forced to cut production. And if the rebels themselves are to be believed, the situation may only get worse.What do a small group of rebels in southern Nigeria have to do with your daily... more
Mariana van Zeller looks at the impact of the youth involvement in the 2008 presidential election.Mariana van Zeller looks at the impact of the youth involvement in the 2008... more
Professor Ike Universe and Dr. Spaulding Fast conduct a demonstrative lecture from a two year study in " The Human Consciousness of the Creative Left Brained Potential. "
Using Video and Documentary based Art as a medium of narrative exploration, the documentary displays several examples using hybrids of diverse creativity. Upon viewing the film, you, the viewer will have activated undiscovered strands of dormant DNA. Your life will now change as you have requested.Professor Ike Universe and Dr. Spaulding Fast conduct a demonstrative lecture from a... more
Oil pushed above $117 yesterday after rebels in the Niger Delta attacked two major pipelines. Shell confirmed the attacks and an expected output loss of 169,000 barrels of oil per day. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, claimed credit and in an email to reporters said it was a message to the United States to stop supporting "injustice" in the region.
For more on the situation in the Niger Delta, check out the Vanguard Special report Rebels in the Pipeline:
Your Perceptual Life is Infinite. Your conscious self is awakened by the perceptual illusions that surround you. Activate yourself and take control. Time is winning. Experimentation with the self as content is your birth right. What are the defining principles that govern our daily perceptions? Do we see things as they really are, or do we see a perceived illusion of our cognitive blue print?Your Perceptual Life is Infinite. Your conscious self is awakened by the perceptual... more
By next year, more than half the world's population will for the first time in history be living in cities. Current's Mariana van Zeller tours Lagos, Nigeria, the world's fastest-growing "Megacity."By next year, more than half the world's population will for the first time in... more
What's the true price of love? Current Vanguard Journalists head to Colombia and Sierra Leone to explore the unromantic stories behind two symbols of love.
Produced by: Evan B. Stone, Kaj Larsen, Jael de Pardo, Darren Foster & Mariana van ZellerWhat's the true price of love? Current Vanguard Journalists head to Colombia and... more
Blood Roses & Deadly Diamonds
A Current Vanguard Special
Wed. February 13
10PM ET & PTBlood Roses & Deadly Diamonds
A Current Vanguard Special
Wed. February 13
10PM... more
This is a particularly big deal here in Europe, where Mariana and I are as we speak. All the cars, trucks and motorcycles have been gathering here in Lisbon all week in anticipation of the big start of the race that was scheduled to begin tomorrow.
This highlights the growing terrorism threat in North Africa and comes after four French tourists were murdered allegedly by al Qaeda-linked gunmen in Mauritania on Christmas Eve.
From the BBC:
"The 2008 Dakar Rally has been cancelled because of safety concerns in the African republic of Mauritania.
Four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania on 24 December, which led to the French government advising against any travel to the country.
Eight of the rally's 15 stages were due to pass through Mauritania.
The event's organisers, the Amaury Sport Organisation, said there had been "direct threats against the race issued by terrorist groups".
The annual car and motorcycle marathon had been due to start in Lisbon on 5 January with the finish coming in Dakar on 20 January."This is a particularly big deal here in Europe, where Mariana and I are as we speak.... more
