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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: September, 2018

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.

Sep 28, 2018

On FPF #252, I discuss how to fight war in Congress. Two different methods have been proposed to end wars, passing a more restrictive AUMF or by invoking the War Powers Act. I argue the War Powers Act method is more effective. 

I also break down an article by Turkey's President on how to fix the UN. 

Links

Erdogan on the UN

Why an AUMF is an ineffective method to end a war

Sep 26, 2018

On FPF #251, I discuss the goals set by CIA Director Gina Haspel. I explain some of Haspel's and the CIA's dark History. Many of Haspel's goals call for expanding the CIA. 

I update the Syrian Civil War, Yemeni Civil War, Afghan War, and US arms sales. 

Links

Intercept - Rayethon Lobbyist

NYT - 57 Afghan troops killed a day

Moon of Alabama - S-300 missiles to Syria

 

Sep 24, 2018

On FPF #250, Will Porter returns to the show to evaluate how Trump's foreign policy has achieved the goals set in the National Security Strategy. The Strategy called for the US to combat great powers, including Russia. Will breaks down the results of Trump's policies in Poland, Ukraine, Syria, and Iran. Will and Kyle give analysis on US foreign policy has bolstered the influence of Russia. 

Will Porter is a freelance journalist. He specializes in US foreign policy and Mideast affairs. His work can be found at Consortium News, AntiWar.Com, and LibertarianInstitute.Org. 

Links

FPF #134 - National Security Strategy guest Will Porter  

Sep 21, 2018

On FPF #249, I discuss how Trump's policy with Venezuela and Iran has pushed those nations closer with China. Trump's National Security Review highlight as great power struggles with Russia and China to be the cornerstone to his foreign policy goals. 

Trump's administration has leaked several stories to the media about Trump's desire for regime change in Venezuela. His Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has taken public statement against the Maduro regime. China is now investing in Venezuelan oil and gold industry. 

Links

Ben Norton - UN report on Uyghers 

Sep 19, 2018

On FPF #248, I discuss recent developments in the Syrian Civil War. An attack by Israel led to the Syrian government accidentally downing a Russian surveillance plane. Turkey and Russia reached an agreement to put the Syrian government offensive in Idlib is on pause. The US carried out live-fire exercises in southern Syria to warn the Assad government against retaking the area. 

Links

Around the Empire - Elijah Magnier 

Moon of Alabama - Idlib Offensive on hold 

Sep 17, 2018

On FPF #247, I discuss the possibility of another round of talks with Kim Jong Un and the Taliban. Trump and Kim have said they would like to meet again. The Taliban said they want a second round of talks with the US. I break down demands of the US and the Taliban.

I answer criticism about why I am optimistic about Korean Peace. 

Links

Daniel L Davis on North Korea

Sep 14, 2018

On FPF #246, Matt Bankert joins the show to discuss music and war. Matt goes through a short history of American wars and music that opposed them. Matt highlights some of the great antiwar songs. 

Matt Bankert is a musician. His work is featured in the introduction to the show

Links

AntiWar Playlist

MattBankert.com - Link for bonus songs 

Matt Bankert Facebook

Matt Bankert Twitter

Matt Bankert YouTube

Matt Bankert Liberty Playlist 

Sep 11, 2018

On FPF #245, I discuss 9/11 and the US War on Terror. I explain how the 9/11 terror attack was blowback for US attacks on the Middle East. I argue the US War on Terror has failed to make the world safer and more stable. 

Links

NYT - Misleading Americans about Afghanistan

SHS - Daniel Elisburg 

FPF - 9/11

FPF - #WhyImAntiWar

Sep 10, 2018

Will Porter returns to FPF to cover the alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Will debunks the common lies about Ghouta 2013, Khan Sheikhoun 2017, and Douma 2018. Will and Kyle discuss the Syrian Army offensive in Idlib and the potential for another alleged chemical weapons attack. 

Will Porter is a freelance Journalist specializing in US foreign policy and Mid East Affairs. Will's work can be found at AntiWar.com, Consortium News, and LibertarianInstitute.Org

Links

Seymour Hersh - Rat Line

Seymour Hersh - Trump's Red Line

Will Porter's Syrian CW reading List

Rick Sterling - Khan Sheikhoun

 

Sep 7, 2018

On FPF #243, I discuss the UK announcement that 2 Russians have been identified as suspects in the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal. I review the development of the evidence and accusations related to the poisoning. I break down an article published on Moon of Alabama that questions the new allegations made by the UK. I also update the Afghan War, the Syrian Civil War, and Israel. 

Links

Moon of Alabama on the Skripal poisoning 

Jason Ditz on Israeli arming of Syrian rebels

Sep 5, 2018

On FPF #242, Tricia Stuart joins to the show to discuss her effort to raise money for Yemen children. Tricia tells us about her “Put your money where your memes are” drive. She makes the case to donate to the charity she selected, Save the Children. We explain the US role in causing so many Yemeni children to be in need of aid. 

On the second part of the show, I discuss the ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. Two Journalists were sentenced to seven years in jail and the Myanmar government is working to mask the extent of the genocide. 

Links

Liberty Network

Save the Children 

Eric Margolis on Myanmar

Sep 3, 2018

On FPF #241, I discuss the US role in continuing the Syrian Civil War. David Ignatius of the Washington Post reports that a Trump official said the US policy is to draw Syria and Russia into a quagmire in Idlib. Ignatius argues for the US to do more to assist the rebels. I explain the results of the US arming the Sunni resistance to Assad under Obama and why the policy will fail again. 

Links

David Ignatius Washington Post article 

WSJ on Myanmar 

 

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