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.
Links
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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