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.