On FPF #166, I discuss Max Boot's Washington Post article North Korea and South Korea Snooker Trump. Boot argues that Trump talking with Kim Jong Un is very dangerous. Boot even claims that a deal with North Korea could lead to North Korea conquering the Korean Peninsula. I debunk all of Boot's fearmongering in the article.
This is the first episode of my bonus podcast where I take down Max Boot's articles. For those who support the show at Patreon.com/ForeignPolicyFocus, I will put out two bonus shows a month.
Links
Peter Van Buren: What Critics Get Wrong About North Korea
Jonathan Marshall: Whos Afraid of Talking with Kim Jong Un
On FPF #165, Will Porter joins the show to discuss the Afghanistan War. Will and Kyle co-authored an article at Consortium News on the subject, Record Afghan Opium Crop Signals Violent Year for US Forces. The article focuses on the growing Afghan opium market which, combined with Trump's Afghan policy, will lead to added violence for US forces in the country. The Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan admits the Trump policy will be more dangerous for US troops, while the Taliban continue to use profits from record opium crops to fund their offensives.
Will Porter is a journalist who specializes in U.S. foreign policy and Middle East affairs. He writes for the Libertarian Institute and tweets at @WKPancap.
On FPF #164, I discuss peace talks in Korea. South Korea sent high-level officials to North Korea to talk with Kim Jong Un. The Koreans agreed to work towards talks with the countries leaders and the US. The South Koreans are also signaling to the US that North Korea is willing to denuclearize. I give Justin Raimondo's take on Putin's new nuclear weapons. I also update Syria, ISIS, Iran, and Libya.
On FPF #163, I discuss several events occurring around the world. Trump has proposed new steal and aluminum tariffs. Putin announced that Russia has developed nuclear-armed cruise missiles. At the UN, the US is looking to punish North Korea and Assad. I also update the Syrian battlefield.
Links
US moves Afghan Army to M4/M16
On FPF #162, I discuss Congress looking to limit presidential war powers. Senators Sanders, Lee, and Murphy have introduced S.J. Res. 54 to end the US war in the Yemen Civil War. The bill has bipartisan support, and Senator Sanders explains the importance of the bill. In the House, Representatives Lee and Amash hosted a hearing on the use of military power. The hearing allowed for several Representatives and experts to speak on the overreach and failures of the 2001 AUMF.
Link
FPF #159 - Yemen Cheat Sheet
On Foreign Policy Focus, I discuss the failures and evils of the United Nations. In Syria, the UN imposed a ceasefire that no one is listening too and UN aid workers forcing women to have sex for aid. In Yemen, the UN targets Iran while the war crimes of Saudi Arabia get ignored and covered up. The UN also provides the US with an opportunity to demonize Russia and China. I also update Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Somalia.
On FPF #160, I breakdown Trump's CPAC Speech. In the speech, Trump celebrates increased military spending and moving the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Trump also makes threats and announces new sanctions against North Korea. I point out Trump's lies and explain why non-intervention is a better path.
Links
Mark Perry on the Tom Woods Show
On FPF #159, I discuss a Bloomberg article claiming to be a summary of the Yemen Humanitarian Crisis. I break down who all the players in the Yemen Civil War. I debunk some of the most common myths from the US media and government about Yemen. I explain why the humanitarian crisis in Yemen has gotten so bad. I also update the Assad bombing of East Gouta and Operation Olive Branch.
Links
US looks to pass UN Resolution against Iran
On FPF #158, I discuss the mainstream media's attention turning back to Syria. The Assad bombing of East Gouta has allowed the mainstream media to push the "Assad must go" line. The mainstream media have used Iran's and Russia's role in Syria to claim those states are looking to expand their power. The media ignores cases when Syrian civilians are killed by groups other than Assad, Russia, ISIS, or Iran. I also update Nigeria, the Olympics, Iraq, the Iran Nuclear Agreement, and Operation Olive Branch.
Links
Dangerous History: Grunts Perspective
FPF #59 - The Putin Interviews
Will Porter returns to Foreign Policy Focus to discuss the new indictments by the Mueller Probe. Will and Kyle debunk the lies that surround the claim "Russia hacked the election." We break down the responses to the new incidents by Leon Panetta, Rachel Maddow, Brian Williams, Tucker Carlson, Chris Hayes, Peter van Buren, and Rob Reiner. We also look at possible future of the Russiagate story.
Links
Gareth Porter on hacking voter rolls
On FPF #156, I discuss the peace process in Korea and Afghanistan. On the Scott Horton Show, Peter van Buren explained why there was a reason to be optimistic about the hope for peace in Korea. The Taliban have offered to have peace talks with the US. I also update Syria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Iraq.
Links
On FPF #155, I breakdown Senator Rand Paul's interview on Fox News. Senator Paul takes advantage of the government budget process to call out American's 7 wars, the huge Defense budget, and the futility of American Interventionism. I discuss Mike Pence's statement on North Korea. I also update the Afghanistan War, the Riyadh Ritz-Carlton, and the Syrian Civil War.
Thank you to all my listeners who have tuned into the first year of Foreign Policy Focus!!
Links
On FPF #154, I discuss the Olympics and Syria. The Koreans entered the games under a unified flag. Mike Pence and Kim Yo-jong have received a lot of attention for their appearance at the opening ceremony. John Bolton claims the sanctions against North Korea have failed and its time for the US to make "hard choices." Kim Jung Un has offered to have talks with South Korea's President.
In Syria, the Syrian Army downed an Israel F-16. Mike Huckabee responded by saying all North Koreans and Iranians are evil. Turkey continues to push into Afrin. I also break down a speech by Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on her Syria policy.
On FPF #153, I discuss Trump's plan to have a military parade. The Left reacted in a hysteria, claiming Trump is now a dictator. However, this ignores that past presidents have given Trump dictatorial powers. Bush tortured people, Obama had secrete kill lists, both presidents waged endless and unauthorized wars. I also update Operation Olive Branch, Syrian allied troops being killed by the US, and the war in Yemen.
Links
Trey Weaver joins Foreign Policy Focus to discuss war propaganda. The war propaganda changed Americans minds on the Syrian Civil War. Bush used fear to scare Americans into the Iraq War. A media blackout masks the genocide in Yemen. Kyle and Trey also identify some key war propaganda words and how the state and media use those words.
Links
Corbett Report Fake News Award
May Jeong on Afghan Drone Strike
On FPF #151, I break down the new National Defense Strategy and the Defense Secretary's speech. Mattis declares that "Great Powers" like Russia and Chian are a higher threat to Americans than jihadists. He says the American military ability is eroding but the US plans to make a more lethal force that no country can even think to compete with. Mattis makes clear that he believes the way for world peace is for American to have the strongest military ever. I debunk several of these false claims and explain how the NDS is a plan for more instability.
Link
Scott Horton and Gareth Porter on Coercive Diplomacy
On FPF #150, I discuss the new war that broke out between tribes in southern Yemen. A group of tribes known as the Southern Separatists are attacking the Saudi backed government. The UAE is providing support to the Southern Separatists. The Southern Separatists have taken the southern capital city of Yemen. I also discuss the humanitarian situation in Yemen, Operation Olive Branch in Syria, the US troop role in Afghanistan, and the growing Islamists control in Libya.
Will Porter returns to Foreign Policy Focus to respond to Trump's SOTU. Trump hit on several foreign policy issues including ISIS, Iran, North Korea, Guantanamo Bay, and Afghanistan. Will and Kyle debunk myths, explain how Trump gets it wrong, and analyze his proposed foreign policy.
Links to past shows
The Rise and Fall of ISIS
On FPF #148, I start with updates on Operation Olive Branch and Afghanistan. Turkey continues to threaten the US and allied Kurdish forces in Syria. In Afghanistan, a Taliban suicide bombing has killed over 100. I break down an interview of retired Admiral General James Stavridies by MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle. In the interview, Stavaidies presents the myth that Iran is dangerously expanding its influence in the Middle East. I explain how it was the actions of the US, Israel, and the Gulf States that is causing Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq to look to Iran.
On FPF #147, I discuss the enemies of the American people. North Korea seeks security from the US. In Syria, the US identifies Russia, Iran, and the Syria government as enemies. However, those countries fight the jihadist groups that look to harm Americans. American interventionism could cause Turkey to attack the US. In Yemen, al-Qaeda and IS are the only enemies of the American people and are the benefices of the US military actions. In Afghanistan, the Taliban seek independence, not war with America. The groups in Afghanistan who do wish to harm the American people are there as a result of past American interventionism. Accusations of Russian aggression is a myth. In Ukraine, the US government arms neo-nazis.
FPF #146, I discuss Operation Olive Branch. Operation Olive Branch is Turkey's invasion of Afrin, a Syrian Kurd held area of Syria. The Syrian Kurds make up the majority of the US-backed fighting force in Syria. Turkey carried out airstrikes against Kurdish positions before moving in with tanks and seizing villages. The Kurds have been able to push back and retake some villages. The Americans have urged Turkey to exercise restraint in attacking the Kurds. I also update government spying, the US embassy in Jerusalem, and Yemen.
On FPF #145, Will Porter returns to the to discuss Tillerson's speech on US policy in Syria. Will explains how the Trump Administration's narrative of the Syrian Civil War is biased and based on lies. Will and I layout the current battlefield in Syria. We update Turkey's invasion of Syria. Will evaluates Tillerson's desired outcomes in Syria. We also demonstrate how Tillerson's policy in action will work against US goals and prevent peace in Syria.
On FPF #144, I discuss the war's cost on Americans. 1,000s of Americans have been killed overseas. Many veterans suffer from lasting physical, psychological, and moral injuries from the war. The war has cost every American freedom. The cultural decay created by the war has led to mass fear of immigrants by Americans. The wars have also cost Americans trillions of dollars of wealth.
On FPF #143, I look at the Turkish position on the geopolitical stage. Turkey is a NATO member state and houses US nuclear weapons. Turkey has recently moved closer to Russia and bought the Russian S-400 missile system. In Syria, Turkey backed rebels linked to Jihadists, calls for Assad to step down, and plans to attack the US-backed Kurds. I discuss how Turkey's coming decisions will have big consequences. I also update the Neocon takeover, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia.
On FPF #142, I discuss the war in Syria. Israel has continued to bomb the Assad regime. Turkey is now threatening to invade Syria to attack the Kurds. Syria and Russia are waging a brutal air war against the Syrian rebels. The US says we are staying in Syria out of concern of Iranian influence. The US also announced plans to create a huge border army to defend the Kurdish state in eastern Syria. I cover the false alarm in Hawaii and Tulsi Gabbard's demand the US engage in talks with North Korea. I also update Korean peace talks and Panama.