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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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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.

Jun 24, 2019

For FPF #366, I play an episode of the Peace and Liberty Podcast hosted by Steven Clyde. Steven interviewed Will Porter and me on the potential war with Iran. We cover the recent developments and possible future tripwires for war. 

Steven Clyde is the host of the Peace and Liberty Podcast and works with the Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. He has bylines at Consortium News, Antiwar.com, and the Libertarian Institute. 

Jun 21, 2019

On the first FPF Patreon's Livestream, I'm joined by Will Porter and Steven Woskow to talk about Iran, the new Defense Secretary, and Venezuela. Iran shot down the unmanned US spy drone in (or near) Iranian airspace. The Trump administration has responded with hawkish rhetoric. We give our take on the possibility and dangers of a war with Iran. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. His work has been published at Antiwar.com, Consortium News, and the Libertarian Institute. 

Steven Woskow's publishes on the blog at the Libertarian Insitute. 

Jun 19, 2019

Scott Horton returns to FPF to discuss Will Grigg's new book, hitting the 5,000 interview mark, and who may be behind the attacks on ships near the Persian Gulf. The Libertarian Insitute published a book of Will Grigg's essays. Scott explains why every libertarian needs to read No Quarter: The Ravings of Will Grigg

Scott recently recorded his 5,000th interview. Kyle asks Scott about why he does the show and what are some of his takeaways. Scott and Kyle highlight some of the most important interviews in Scott's archive. 

Scott looks at recent news in the Middle East and provides analysis for a theory that Iran may be behind the attacks on ships near the Persian Gulf. 

Scott Horton is the author of Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan, host of the Scott Horton Show, Editorial Director of Antiwar.com, and he runs the Libertarian Insitute. 

Links

Jun 17, 2019

On FPF #363, I discuss the US taking an offensive approach in a cyberwar with Russia, protests in Hong Kong, and the US blaming Iran for everything. The New York Times reports US Cyber Command is preparing to have the ability go on the offensive against the Russian power grid. However, Trump is unaware of the plan. 

Protests in Hong Kong are growing and demanding the region's leader step down. Last week, protesters won a battle against a proposed extradition law. US NGOs are playing a role in the protests. The LP Chair Nick Sarwark has used this as an opportunity to attack Ron Paul for being too kind to authoritarian governments. I explain why Sarwark is wrong. 

The US continues to blame Iran for everything. I break down the accusations and the evidence to support them. I also look at the breaches - by the US and possibly Iran - of the JCPOA. 

Links

 

Jun 14, 2019

On FPF #362, I discuss how Iran is being blamed for the attack on two cargo ships in the Gulf of Oman. There are still many actors who may have had the incentive to attack the ships, and no one who is accusing Iran of carrying out the attack has presented any evidence to prove their claim. 

I also talk about how libertarians should be able to use foreign policy and advocating nonintervention to our advantage. However, libertarians lack of knowledge on the issue often leads to embarrassing gaffes. 

Links

Moon of Alabama -  2 cargo ships attacked 

Jun 12, 2019

On FPF #361, I discuss recent news about China. In Hong Kong mass protests have broken out to oppose a new law that allows extraditions to China. China appears to be seeking to oppose more control over Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the South China Sea. The US has grown its relationship with Taiwan and will sell the island $2 billion in weapons. 

I also update the 2020 NDAA, Turkey, and Kim Jong-un's half brother's connection with the CIA. 

Jun 10, 2019

On FPF #360, I discuss some misleading and incorrect stories that appeared in the mainstream media. Recent articles about Venezuela featured headlines suggesting four million people fled Venezuela this year. The reality is a UN report said less than three and a half Venezuelans have left Venezuela since 2015. The MSM recently ran stories that claimed Kim Jong-un purged his nuclear negotiation team. Days later the negotiator was pictured with Kim. 

I also cover the US taking steps to prevent Turkey from buying the F-35 and Israeli treatment of Palestinians. 

Links

Ben Norton - Fake Purge

Moon of Alabama - Rules of the Water 

Jun 7, 2019

Will Porter returns to FPF to talk about Assange, Russiagate, and Yemen. A Swedish judge rejected a prosecutor's request to ask the UK extradite Assange to Sweden for questioning about sexual assault allegations in 2010. Will explains this may be some of the first good news Assange has gotten in some time. 

Robert Mueller gave a brief press conference about his Russiagate probe. Mueller used language that has allowed Russiagate conspiracy theorists to falsely claim that Trump was only not charged because he is a sitting president. Will and Kyle debunk Mueller's distortions of the truth - that no conspiracy with Russia exists. 

Will and Kyle discuss the ongoing genocide in Yemen and the considerable role the US, France, and the UK play in the war. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. His work can be found at Antiwar.com, Consortium News, and the Libertarian Institute. 

 

Jun 5, 2019

On FPF #358, I discuss the effort to make a deal with North Korea and instability in some African countries. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said he sees no reason to restart war games with South Korea. I explain this is a good sign that the US intends to remain in the freeze for freeze agreement with North Korea. Staying in the agreement will allow South Korea to continue to try to provide aid and economic development with North Korea.  

In Sudan and Algeria, popular uprisings had setback against the ruling military councils in both countries. The Algerian ruling council canceled elections scheduled for next month. In Sudan, government forces entered a protest camp and killed over 30 people. The killing is a significant escalation in violence against the Sudanese protesters. In the Congo, government forces battled militants in an active Ebola zone. 

Links

Counties beef up militaries in response US/China

Pompeo/Trump temper excitement about the Deal of the Century

Jun 3, 2019

On FPF #337, I discuss news in the relationship between the US and China. Taiwan has become a more source of more tension as the US has increased ties with Taiwan. The US is also putting more pressure on the Chinese company Huawei. Tump's nominee for Defense Secretary is very hawkish towards China, and that is earning him praise from Democrats. 

Links

May 31, 2019

Will Porter returns to FPF to discuss Turkey's drone program and drone proliferation. Turkey has developed surveillance and armed drones that are being used to target the Kurdish insurgents. Turkey is flying drones over its own citizens and has killed over 400 within Turkey. Will and Kyle talk about the significance of a government using drones on its own civilians. Will explains the dangers of drone proliferation. China, Israel, and Iran have also developed and sold advanced drones. 

Will and Kyle also update Julian Assange's health and efforts by activists to prevent Saudi ships from receiving weapons. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. He has bylines at Antiwar.com, Consortium News, and The Libertarian Insitute. 

Links

The Intercept - The Second Drone Age

Assange's Health

Jonathan Cook on the rape allegations against Assange

May 29, 2019

On FPF #355, I talk about Memorial Day being used as propaganda for the wars. Common phrases like "they died for our freedoms" and "we are safe because of their sacrifices" are uttered by nearly everyone. The propaganda is effective in reducing criticism of US foreign policy because the legacy of the Americans who died fighting the wars is tied to the legacy of the war. I explain the best way to honor America soldiers is to not send them into meaningless wars. 

Links

May 27, 2019

Scott Horton returns to FPF to talk about Assange, weapon sales to Saudi Arabia, and the new deployment of troops to the Middle East. Scott 'Fisks' the Assange indictment and explains who Julian Assage is a journalist. Scott and Kyle talk about Trump declaring a national emergency to sell more weapons to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The weapons will likely be used to commit genocide in Yemen. Scott breaks down Trump's announcement of sending 1,500 troops to the Middle East to combat the Iranian threat. 

Scott Horton is the host of the Scott Horton Show and the author of Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan. He is the Editorial Director of Antiwar.com and the Managing Director of The Libertarian Institute.  

Links

Scott Horton - Assange Indictment 

May 24, 2019

Will Porter returns to FPF to break down events in the Middle East that could cause a larger conflict between the US and Iran. In Syria, the US is again claiming the Iran-backed Assad government is using chemical weapons against its own civilians. In Iraq, the US government is warning that Iran-backed Shia militias will attack US forces. The US, Saudi, and UAE continue to blame Iran for any attacks carried out by Yemen's Houthis. Will and Kyle discuss the potential for one of these events to be used to spark a war. 

Links

Around the Empire - Elijah Magnier 

May 22, 2019

On FPF #352, I discuss the military power of the Libyan Field Marshal Haftar. Haftar came to power in the vacuum left by Obama's war in Libya and now controls most of Libya. The strongman has acquired a fleet of fighter jets and 10,000s of troops. He has also built up a navy. Most of the military equipment was given to him by allies of the US like UAE, Egypt, and France. 

Links

May 20, 2019

On FPF #351, I discuss weapon sales and their impact on geopolitics. Turkey said it will buy the S-400 and S-500 air defense systems from Russia. The US approved $1 billion in Raytheon made missiles to Canada, Japan, and South Korea. Google is funding a company that is developing targeting AI for the Pentagon drones. I break down how global nuclear weapons are becoming more advanced and dangerous. 

Links 

Defense One - Nuclear Weapons

SHS - Muhammad Sahimi

May 17, 2019

On FPF #350, I argue that the armed US government agents are often the bad guys with guns on American streets and overseas. A recent editorial in the NYT explains how cops in Baltimore became the bad guys. I explain how US troops end up becoming the bad guys with guns during our wars. 

I also discuss Chelsea Manning, Africa, Iran, and Yemen. 

Links

May 15, 2019

Will Porter returns to FPF to discuss his recent writing on events in the Persian Gulf. Will breaks down the deployment of US forces to the Gulf and the alleged sabotage against four ships at a UAE port. Will and Kyle give their analysis on the events and the potential for war. 

Will is a staff writer at RT. His work has been published at Antiwar.com, Consortium News, and Libertarian Institute.  

May 13, 2019

On FPF #348, I update the persecution of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. The UK sentenced Assange to a 50-week sentence for violating bail. The US is seeking his extradition on charges related to the Manning Leaks. Now Sweden is also seeking his extradition. 

Chelsea Manning is now free from jail. Manning served over two months for invoking her 1st, 4th, and 6th Amendments rights. She now faces another subpoena that forces her to testify or be arrested. 

Links

Caitlin Johnson - Rape allegations against Assange

FPF - Patrick Shanahan

May 10, 2019

On FPF #347, I discuss the reckless actions the US is taking against China, Iran, and Venezuela. Trump new tariffs could restart the trade war with China. He is also increasing challenges to Chinese territorial claims in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. Bolton made a big show of the US deploying the USS Abe Lincoln to counter threats from Iran. The deployment of the aircraft carrier is routine, however, the hawks in Trump's administration seem determined to provoke a war with Iran. The regime change effort in Venezuela is ongoing. I review the one-sided media coverage of the events. 

Links

May 8, 2019

Will Porter and Joanne Leon return to FPF to do more debunking of the Russiagate conspiracy theory. Joanne, Will, and Kyle focus in on the story of George Papadopoulos. According to the conspiracy theory, Papadopoulos was connecting Trump's campaign to Russia for receiving secret information about Hillary Clinton's emails. Papadopoulos claims he was the mark of some deep state actors who were attempting to set him up. Joanne and Will make sense of competing claims and changing narratives. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. He has bylines at Antiwar.com. Consortium News, and Libertarian Institute.  

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

May 6, 2019

Marko Marjanovic returns to FPF to talk about Venezuela and Syria. Kyle and Marko discuss how US regime change efforts in Venezuela have failed to topple Maduro. The US actions have hurt the Venezuelan people and increased Maduro's popularity. In Syria, Assad is continuing to work to retake all of his country. Currently, he is battling with jihadists in Idlib. Kyle and Mark break down how Assad's fight and the role of the US trying to prevent Assad from retaking Syria. 

Marko Marjanovic runs Checkpoint Asia.

Links

 

May 3, 2019

On FPF #344, I discuss how Trump is expanding the President's powers.  The US joined the Yemen War without Congressional approval under Obama. Trump's veto of the Yemen War Powers bill proves Congress has no ability to check the war powers of the president. The Pentagon is adding 300 more troops to the southern border. The troops continue to break American military tradition by expanding their roles and putting the troops in more contact with suspected illegal immigrants. The DoJ's persecution of Julian Assange is an attack on journalism and truth. The attack makes it easier for the government to control the media narrative and decide what information is allowed to reach the public. 

Links

May 1, 2019

On FPF #343, I discuss Juan Guaido's latest failed coup attempt against Maduro. Guaido posted videos with a few Venezuelan soldiers and they took control of a small area outside of an airbase. Thousands of protesters joined Guaido. Maduro called for Venezuelans to take to the streets to show support him and massive crowds turned out to protect the presidential palace. The coup was broken up with some violence from the government. 

Links

Apr 29, 2019

On FPF #342, I discuss DNC Chair Tom Perez statement, 'we are at war' with Russia. I explain how this hysterical thinking is reflective of the current DNC political leadership. The Democrats are at fault for losing the 2016 election. However, they continue to try to blame Russia for the loss. The hysteria is doing damage to the critical US/Russian relationship. I update Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and Pentagon corruption. 

Links

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