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.
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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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.
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.
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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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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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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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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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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On FPF #382, I discuss the House passing an anti-BDS bill and the impact of US sanctions on Iran. The bill, while stripped of most of its teeth, is an attack on the First Amendment. I explain why Americans have the right to boycott and BDS is not an anti-Semitic movement. The US sanctions on Iran are limiting the importing of medications. This could lead to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. I break down how the US sanctions become deadly.
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On FPF #381, I discuss the status of talks between the US and North Korea. North Korea recently tested some missiles, and the never-Trumpers attempted to make a show of the tests. Trump downplayed the tests and said that he continues to hope for talks with North Korea. I explain how it was the US policy against North Korea that led Kim to test these missiles. I argue the US should engage in step-by-step diplomacy with North Korea to normalize the relationship.
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Steven Woskow returns to FPF for the July donors Livestream. Kyle and Steven start the show reviewing some highlight from Mueller's Congressional testimony. Mueller was a flop, appeared unknowable about his report, and disappointed many Russiagaters. Steven discussed some of his recent posts at the Libertarian Institute about Iran. Steven and Kyle explain the complexity of the Gulf tensions and how the actions of Western countries are pushing towards war.
Steven Woskow writes on the Libertarian Institute blog.
On FPF #379, I discuss Russiagate and what we may expect from Mueller's House testimony. Mueller is unlike to give many important answers during his testimony. I debunk some big Russiagate myths and talk about what questions should be asked of Mueller.
I also cover a lack of reporting on airstrikes, Trump's relationship with the Lockheed CEO, and Trump's Afghan War policy.
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On FPF #378, I discuss increasing tensions in the Persian Gulf as Iran seized a British ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's action was in response to the UK taking an Iranian ship. The piracy is apart of the increasing tensions between the West and Iran piloted by the Trump Administration. I explain how the US and UK are the aggressors in this conflict.
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On FPF #377, I discuss Senator Rand Paul's attempt to engage in talks with Iran. Rand played a round of gulf with Trump and got the go-ahead to talk with the Iranian foreign minister. While Trump still seems committed to his maximum pressure campaign, the realistic Paul and Zarif may be able to begin improving the US/Iranian relationship.
I update the Eric Garner murder. The police-involved will not be held responsible. I use this story to look at who should be held responsible for enforcing state policy.
Mike Maharrey returns to FPF to discuss further fallout from his appearance on RT. Polygraph.Info, the "fact-checking" wing of Voice of America, ran an article "debunking" Mike's analysis on SWIFT. Mike correctly argues that the US exercises control over SWIFT to wage economic warfare. Mike responds to the Polygraph.Info article.
Michael Maharrey is the communications director at the Tenth Amendment Center. He hosts the God Anarchy, Friday Gold Wrap, and Thoughts from Maharrey Head podcasts. His website is MichaelMaharrey.com.
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I start FPF #375 with a huge announcement. Then, I discuss Turkey starting to receive the S-400 air defense system from Russia. Turkey is deploying the system near the Mediterranean Sea. The US has threatened to sanction Turkey for buying the S-400. We are now waiting to see if Trump will follow through on the threat.
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On FPF #374, I discuss the Syrian War. The war crawls on as regional and global powers via to assert their influence in Syria. I update the ongoing battles in Syria and the geopolitical conflicts prolonging the war. The UK recently seized an Iranian oil tanker and alleged the ship was breaking European sanctions against Assad.
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On FPF #373, I discuss how Trump has used Twitter to make threats and conduct diplomacy. Trump famously tweeted an invitation to Kim Jong-un to meet at the DMZ. The tweet led to a meeting of the two leaders and Trump being the first president to cross into North Korea. The meeting ended with plans for new talks. I explain why the reports of a 'freeze' agreement and Stephen Biegun leading the talks make me optimistic.
Trump also used Twitter to threaten more sanctions against Iran. Trump claimed the Iranians were secretly enriching and the JCPOA was going to expire. I debunk Trump's lies about the nuclear deal.
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On FPF #372, I discuss the mainstream reaction to Iran's small increase in uranium enrichment. Many are pushing the false claim that Iran is now breaking the nuclear deal and is on the path to building a bomb, but I explain what is actually happening with the country's civilian nuclear energy program. The US already violated the nuclear pact by withdrawing from the agreement and reimposing sanctions on Iran.
The US uses the SWIFT payment system to keep adversaries in line. Mike Maharrey of the Tenth Amendment Center has done hard work to expose the little known international financial system, for which he is now drawing fire from the likes of Voice of America.
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On FPF #371, Mike Maharrey and Will Porter return to the show for a discussion on US economic warfare. Mike recently appeared on RT to discuss how the US uses SWIFT to enforce sanctions. Will and Mike highlight the importance of SWIFT in the Americans Empire.
The Libertarian Party chair criticized Mike for his appearance. Mike and Will explain why they use RT to spread the antiwar message.
Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. He has bylines at Antiwar.com, Consortium News, and the Libertarian Institute.
Michael Maharrey is the communications director at the Tenth Amendment Center. He hosts the God Anarchy, Friday Gold Wrap, and Thoughts from Maharrey Head podcasts. His website is MichaelMaharrey.com.
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On FPF #370, I address the claim that Iran broke the JCPOA or Nuke Deal. The Nuke Deal was implemented under Obama and placed additional limits/inspections on Iran's civilian energy program. In 2018, Trump left the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. The US sanctions broke the agreement, and now Iran is starting to abandon some of its commitments in response.
I cover some recent diplomacy the US is engaged in. Zalmay Khalilzad is leading the US in the 7th round of talks with the Taliban. Trump met with Kim Jong-un at the DMZ. The President also met Xi and Putin at the G20.
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Joanne Leon returns to the show to breakdown the first Democratic debate. Joanne and Kyle cover Tulsi's highlights from the debate. Tulsi seems to have the strongest ani-intervention policy. They discuss the candidates with the worst answers to questions about war. Joanne gives some of her takes on the field and what we can expect from the 2020 race.
Joanne Leon is the host of the Around the Empire podcast.
On FPF #368, I discuss Afghan peace talks, Iran, and Yemen. The US is about to enter the seventh round of peace talks with the Taliban. The upcoming round of talks will focus on a timeline for US troops to leave Afghanistan. Secretary of State Pompeo said he hopes for a deal by September first.
US and Iranian tensions continue to simmer this week as the US placed new sanctions on the Iranian leadership. Iran has set deadlines for the European to hold up their end of the Nuke Deal. So far, Europe has not taken actions against the US sanctions, and Iran may follow through with threats to enrich more uranium.
The world's worst crisis is getting worse because the World Food Program is cutting some aid to the Houthi held areas of Yemen. The region is on the brink of starvation and blockaded by the US/Saudi coalition. The Houthi have been carrying out more strikes in Saudi Arabia.
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FPF #367 is a roundtable discussion with Joanne Leon of the Around the Empire podcast and Kyle. They break down the dangerous situation that has been escalating between the US and Iran. Joanne and Kyle uncover the hawks within the administration who seem to be pushing this war the hardest.