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Foreign Policy Focus

Foreign Policy Focus is a podcast hosted by me, Kyle! It covers current events overseas and how those events affect you at home. While US military operations in the Middle East seem like they are on the other side of the world, they have real impacts on the everyday lives of Americans. Wars are the most costly of all US government actions and politicians use them to strip away rights of Americans. Knowing what your government is doing around the globe will give you insight into what they are doing at home.
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Now displaying: August, 2019

Foreign Policy Focus is a podcast hosted by me, Kyle! It covers current events overseas and how those events affect you at home. While US military operations in the Middle East seem like they are on the other side of the world, they have real impacts on the everyday lives of Americans. Wars are the most costly of all US government actions and politicians use them to strip away rights of Americans. Knowing what your government is doing around the globe will give you insight into what they are doing at home.

Aug 30, 2019

Adam Graham returns to the show for the Patreon's Q & A Livestream. Adam and Kyle answer questions about Venezuela, Cuba, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Yemen, and Syria. They explain why Trump's policies have failed across the globe and he has entered the US into several economic wars. Adam and Kyle explain why sanctions do not lead to people rising up and overthrowing their repressive governments. 

Adam's work has been published at the Libertarian Institute and he runs the No King But Christ blog. 

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FPF #292 - Hong Kong protests

FPF #316 - Remember the Maine

Aug 28, 2019

On FPF #392, I discuss a string of Israeli bombing across the Middle East. In Iraq, the US has disclosed Israel is targeting the Popular Mobilization Forces. The PMF is a Shia fought against IS and received support from the US and Iran. In Syria, Israel targeted Iranians supporting Assad's fight against jihadists. Israel has now admitted to bombing Assad 100s of times throughout the Syrian War. In Lebanon, Israeli drones targeted Beirut and a Palestinian. The Lebanese president said the attacks are like an act of war and Hezbollah said they would respond. Israeli has also suggested joining the fight against the Houthi in Yemen.

All the Israeli attacks risk starting a larger war that will drag the US into a war with Iran. The attacks are occurring in the leadup to the Israeli election. I explain that Israeli prime minister Netanyahu is likely trying to spin up nationalism in hopes it will help him to get reelected. 

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Aug 26, 2019

On FPF #391, Scott Horton returns to the show to discuss the ongoing genocide in Yemen. Scott explains that the US is backing the Saudi's brutal war, and the war is not going well for Saudi Arabia. The UAE - a critical member of the Saudi coalition - recently announced they are no longer using their own troops to fight the Houthi. The UAE-backed southern separatists broke away from the Saudi coalition and seized the second capital of Yemen. The Saudi's are now bombing their former allies in an attempt to retake the city. Scott explains why the Saudi/US war amounts to genocide and describes the relationship between the Houthi and Iran.  

Aug 22, 2019

On FPF #390, I discuss a US drone being shot down over Yemen. The US claims that Iran supplied the Houthi with the weapons. The US media has focused their attention on the relationship between Houthi and Iran. However, the more important question is what was a US drone doing over Houthi held Yemen. Trump has no authority to wage a war against the Houthi, who oppose al-Qaeda. I explain how the downing of a US drone and Saudi losing Aden to separatists show the US needs to end its involvement in Yemen. 

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Aug 16, 2019

On FPF #389, I talk about how calls to regime change other nations ignore the human rights abuses of the US empire. The US has waged several wars of aggression since the start of the century, leaving millions dead. The US ran a massive torture and drone program where the victims are often innocent and never receive justice. The US has the highest prison population, and whistle-blowers face more severe consequences than the criminals they expose. Police in the US gets to commit crimes with impunity. I argue Americans should focus on changing their own regime, rather than waging war against others. 

Aug 14, 2019

On FPF #388, I talk about the peace process in Colombia and Afghanistan. In Colomba, the new president Ivan Duque has opposed the peace agreement with the FARC. Now he plans to end funding for a program key to keeping the peace in Colombia. If the program end, the FARC could start to remilitarize. 

Official statements from both sides of the talks to end the Afghan War indicate the US and the Taliban are moving towards an agreement. However, there is some disappointment as the 8th round of talks did not end in a signed agreement as some expected. I break down some possible obstacles to peace. 

Aug 12, 2019

On FPF #387, I discuss Saudi losing the second capital of Yemen to southern separatists. The southern separatists were long allies of the Saudis in the war against the Houthi. However, the separatists recently went to war against the Saudi-backed government in Yemen and seized the city of Aden. Losing a capital city of Yemen for the second time is the latest in a long string of failures for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Saudi - with essential US backing - continues to wage the failing war in Yemen, and the people of Yemen are suffering under the worst humanitarian crisis on the planet. 

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Eric Margolis on Kashmir

Aug 9, 2019

Joanne Leon returns to the show to talk about the race for the Democratic Party nomination. Joanne breaks down the horrific plan offered by Mayor Pete in response to mass shootings. She explains his plan is likely to lead to the oppression of more Americans. 

Kyle and Joanne update the Tulsi Gabbard campaign. While Tulsi remains the favored candidate for most people in the antiwar movement, Rep Gabbard recently voted in favor of an anti-BDS bill. Joanne gives her take on why Tulsi casts the vote and how the vote was rejected by the candidates base.

Joanne also discusses the highlight of the second debate, Tulsi smashing Kamala Harris' disturbing record as an Attorney General. In response, Harris attacked Tulsi support of Assad. Joanne and Kyle take down the myth that talking for foreign leaders is an immoral policy. 

Joanne Leon is the host of the Around the Empire podcast. 

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Aug 8, 2019

On FPF #385, I cover the US economic war against Venezuela. The US imposed sanctions on Venezuela under Obama. After John Bolton joined the Trump administration as National Security Adviser, the US ramped up the economic war against Venezuela by sanctioning the state oil company, and by supporting Juan Guaido's coup attempt. Trump slapped new sanction on Venezuela this week. Bolton says the sanctions can be used to punish anyone who trades with the Maduro regime. I discuss possible consequences of the reckless foreign policy and how Trump has used sanctions against other countries. 

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Caitlin Johnstone  

Aug 6, 2019

On FPF #384 I cover Tulsi Gabbard's positions on BDS, India's crackdown in Kashmir, and Iran possibly seizing an Iranian ship in the Gulf. Last week, Tulsi voted for a bill that condemned BDS. She received some criticism from her base and has now become a cosponsor of Ilhan Omar's bill affirming Americans' rights to boycott a foreign government.

India has started to take more control over Kashmir. The Indian government took legal steps to take some of Kashmir's autonomy. India has also cut phone and internet services in Kashmir. I explain how this can lead to a dangerous escalation with nuclear powers India and Pakistan. 

In the Middle East, Iran is claiming to have seized an Iranian oil tanker. Iran alleges the tanker was involved in smuggling. In Yemen, AQAP is carrying out attacks against the Saudi/US-backed government's forces. 

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Aug 2, 2019

Will Porter returns to the show to discuss Trump's nominee to be Director of National Intelligence. Congressman John Ratcliffe has drawn criticism for being unqualified for the job. Will explains that Ratcliffe has lied about his resume to look more qualified. Will and Kyle talk about the possible role of Ratcliffe could play in the investigation of the origins of Russiagate. The investigation could bring down deep state figures like Comey and Brennan. 

Will also shares his thoughts on the Mueller hearings, the IRA trial, and Afghan peace talks. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. 

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