On FPF #416, I discuss tech companies' ties to the military. Tech companies often present themselves as being 'progressive,' and some even have human right statements. Last year, Google employees quit in protest over the company contracting with the Pentagon to provide AI recognition for drones. Google said it would not renew the contract for the program. However, Google now seeks more business with the Pentagon. 

Links

• Google will continue to contract with the Pentagon. [Link]
• Two Twitter employees are charged with spying for Saudi Arabia. One employee has been arrested, and the other is in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi citizen has been charged as well. [Link]
• A State Department official says Russian trolls are to blame for the protests in Chile. [Link] 

IS?

• An Islamic State affiliate is blamed for an attack near the Tajikistan/Uzbekistan border. Fifteen militants have killed as well as a soldier and a police officer. [Link]

Kashmir

• At least one person was killed and several injured by a grenade attack in Kashmir. Some of the injured were Indian soldiers. [Link]

Israel

• The Israeli high court upholds a ruling that bars a Human Rights Watch official from the country because of his past support for BDS. [Link]

Syria

• Israel says it is providing diplomatic and humanitarian assistance to the Syrian Kurds. [Link]  
• At least 30 people were killed in fighting between Syrian Kurds and Turkish-backed Syrian rebels. [Link]
• Syrian government forces are moving into areas near the oil fields the US claims to be controlling. [Link]
• The State Department says the oil produced from the US-occupied oil fields in Syria is going to local communities. [Link]
• The US is building two bases in the region of the Syrian oil fields. [Link]

Iraq

• Protesters blocking an Iraqi port have caused a $6 billion loss in commerce. [Link[ 
• Iraqi officials say the prime minister has authorized increased violence against protesters. [Link]
• The UN reports 97 Iraqi protesters have been killed since October 25th. [Link]
• The backing of Sadr? - SHS w/ Elijah

Africa 

• Egypt claims to have killed over 80 jihadists in the Sinai over the past month. [Link]
• Gunmen killed at least 37 people in Burkina Faso. The dead were workers for a Canadian mining company. [Link]
• The Islamic State claims responsibility for an attack in Mali that killed 53 soldiers and one civilian. [Link]
• Militants killed ten people in the Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo recently launched an offensive against a major rebel group. [Link]

On FPF #415, I cover important new dealing with US foreign policy. The House is moving forward with impeaching Trump. I argue that Trump's decision to give military aid to Ukraine is more of a scandal than the alleged quid-pro-quo. A UN investigator said Julian Assange's life is in danger because of the conditions he is being held in. I discuss the importance of getting Assange out of jail; for his own health and the rights of all journalists. The US policy in Syria remains unclear. I update some recent development and the problems with Trump's 'stay for the oil' plan. 

Links

• The House votes for rules in the impeachment hearings. [Link]
• Steve Beigun has been named the number two at the State Department. Beigun will retain his duties negotiating with North Korea. [Link]
• Tulsi Gabbard introduced a War Powers bill to remove US troops from Syria. [Link]
• US veterans are increasingly suffering from cancer. [Link]
• Russia says it is too late to negotiate a replacement agreement to the New START Treaty. Russia says there is still time to extend New START. [Link]

Assange

• An independent UN investigator into human rights says the UK is putting Julian Assange’s life at risk with arbitrary detention. [Link]

Mexico

• Trump says he will surge to fight violent crime. His new push will include $600 million in military equipment to police forces. [Link]
• Mike Maharrey explains Trump’s law enforcement surge is unconstitutional. [Link]
• Thomas Knapp

Sanctions

• The Treasury Department announces sanctions on five Venezuelans. [Link]
•  The US imposed sanctions on Iran’s construction sector. The US announced it would extend waivers on sanctions for 90 days for work on redesigning Iran’s nuclear facilities. [Link]
• The US places sanctions against nine Iranians described as being the Ayatollah's inner circle. [Link]
• • Iran announces they will being using Uranium gas in centrifuges at the Fordow nuclear facility. Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to only use the facility for research. The US broke the JCPOA last year and Iran has been reducing its commitments to the broken deal. [Link]
  • Iran announces installing new advanced centrifuges and developing a new, more advanced centrifuge. [Link]

Catalonia 

• The Spanish high court reissues arrest warrants for three members of the former Catalan government that held an independent vote in 2017. [Link]

Afghanistan

• Nine children were killed by a landmine in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. [Link]

Israel

• A leaked video shows an Israeli police officer shooting a Palestinian man in the back as he walked away from the officer. The officer was released from the police but joined the army. She may face charges. [Link]

Iraq

• At least 13 protests have been killed in Iraq since Monday. [Link]
• Protesters in Iraq blocked a main port over the weekend. The protesters also attacked an Iranian consulate. [Link]
• Six more people were killed during protests in Iraq. The protesters are being killed with live fire, rubber bullets, and from being directly hit with tear gas canisters. [Link]

Syria

• Turkey says it will send captured foreign ISIS fighters back to their home countries. [Link]
• Twelve people were killed by a car bomb in a Turkish controlled area of northeastern Syria. The dead included Turkish backed rebels and civilians. Turkey blames Syrian Kurds for the attack. [Link]
• Turkey releases 18 captured Syrian soldiers to Russia. [Link]
• US troops report lacking order and not understanding the mission. [Link]
• Turkish backed Syrian rebels attacked Syrian Kurdish positions south of the safe zone. [Link]
• Turkey says the US continues to hold joint patrols with Syrian Kurds in an agree the US agreed it would clear of armed Kurds. [Link] 
• Iran signs contracts with Syria to rebuild the country’s power grid. [Link]

Yemen

• Saudi Arabia is inflicting a famine on Yemen. [Link]
• The Houthi claim to down a US-made ScanEagle drone near the Saudi border. [Link]
• Trump tweeted about Yemen today

Niger

• AFRICOM says the US will begin armed and unarmed air operations in Niger. [Link]

Kalmen Barkin joins Foreign Policy Focus to talk about Israeli elections. Israel has now had two elections without picking a new prime minister and it is possible Israel will soon have a third election. The front runners in the election are Netanyahu and Gantz. Kalmen breaks down what is happening in Israel, who the frontrunners are, and what it means for the Palestinians. 

Kalmen Barkin is a New Hampshire based libertarian who spent a significant amount of time in the Israeli right before becoming a libertarian.

Links

Is Netanyahu Finally Going to Lose Power? Does it Even Matter?

On FPF #413, I discuss the importance of international watchdog groups, the OPCW [chemical weapons] and IAEA [nuclear technology]. Two whistleblowers have come out and exposed lies and misleading information in the OPCW's report on the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma. One critical report released by a whistleblower showed the suspected scene of the chemical weapons attack was staged. The IAEA just selected a new head that is backed by the US. The IAEA fills important roles like inspecting and certifying the Iran Nuclear Deal. 

Links

Caitlin Johnstone on Douma report

On FPF #412, I break down the death of ISIS leader al-Baghdadi. Baghdadi is reported to have killed himself - and three of his children - after being cornered by US forces. I discuss what his death means for the future of ISIS. Trump gave a speech announcing Baghdadi's death. I examine some of the highlights from the speech. 

Phil Gibson returns to the show to talk about Trump's Syria speech and cryptos. Trump said the ceasefire the US created along the Turkish/Syrian border has become permanent and the US is to thank for the new peace in the region. Phil and Kyle explain how other forces are working to stabilize a region that is in part in chaos because of endless American wars. In his speech, Trump signaled his opposition to America being the world policemen and the forever wars. However, he also said some American troops will remain in eastern Syria to guard the oil. 

On FPF #410, I discuss Hillary Clinton's suggestion that Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian agent out to undermine the DNC by running the third party. In Tulsi's brilliant response, she addressed Hillary as "Queen of the warmongers." Tulsi's decision to take the gloves off and go after Clinton's war hawk record is essential. The conflict could help Tulsi's candidacy and bring her message of 'ending the wars' to the spotlight. 

Links

• Canada’s president Trudeau wins reelection. [Link]
• Protests continue in Chile over public transportation. So far, at least 15 people have been killed and 2,600 arrested. [Link]

Afghanistan 

• The Pentagon is drawing up plans to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan. [Link]
• The Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan says 2,000 troops have left Afghanistan this year. [Link]

Iraq

• The Iraqi government says US forces leaving Syria have no permission to stay in Iraq. [Link]
• Six Iraqi security forces were killed by an IS attack in northern Iraq. [Link]
• A report finds that 157 people were killed during Iraqi protests. Eight of the dead were members of the Iraqi security forces. The report found evidence of security forces targeted protesters with sniper fire. [Link]

Kashmir

Two soldiers and one civilian were killed in clashes between India and Pakistan. [Link] 

On FPF #409, I cover Assange, Afghanistan, and Syria. Assange's legal team requested an extension on his extradition hearing date. Assange is locked in solitary confinement at a UK prison with limited access to his legal team. 

Secretary of Defense Esper traveled to Afghanistan, possibly on the mission of restarting talks with the Taliban. Esper said the US could reduce US troops levels from 14,000 to 8,600 without impacting counter-terrorism operations. 

The ceasefire continues to hold in northern Syria as some US troops exit Syria into western Iraq. The troops remain in western Iraq to fight ISIS. Trump is now considering keeping 200 troops in eastern Syria to keep oil fields from Assad's control. 

Links

US News

• Secretary of Energy Rick Perry resigns. Trump nominates Dan Brouillette to replace Perry. 
• Three US soldiers were killed in a training accident. [Link]
• US Warships are being built over budget and years beyond the initial project completion date. Even when ships are finished, they often have critical issues that keep them from being ready for combat. [Link]
• The US imposed sanctions against Cuba for human rights violations and support for Venezuela. The sanctions target Cuba’s access to commercial airlines. [Link]
• The US extends sanctions waivers for Iraq to import Iranian energy for another 120 days. [Link]
• CNN reports US weapons sold to the UAE were transferred to southern separatists in Yemen and used against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. [Link]
• The US restores aid to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvidor. The aid was cut because Trump felt these countries were not doing enough to help stop refugees from coming to the US. [Link]
• The US sent a warship into the Black Sea. This is the 7th US warship to enter the sea this year. Last year the US sent five warships into the Black Sea. [Link]

Assange

• A UK judge denies Assange’s request to delay his extradition hearing for three months. [Link]

Protests

• 20 South Korean students were arrested for attempting to enter the US ambassador's home in protest of US troops in South Korea. [Link]
• • The US is reported to have offered North Korea partial sanctions relief in exchange for North Korea getting rid of key parts of its nuclear program. [Link]
• At least three people have died during protests and riots in Chile. The three deaths are reported to have come in a supermarket arson fire. Police are reported to have shot two protesters. [Link]
• Lebanon’s prime minister says a deal has been reached for economic reforms. Protesters have been gathered in Lebanon demanding reforms. [Link]
• Protests continue to Catalonia as the Spanish government has imprisoned the region’s former leadership. The protests have seen over 100 injured a dozen people arrested. The Catalan leadership has now called for a new independence referendum. [Link]

Israel

• Netanyahu says he cannot form a government. His political rival, Gantz, will now attempt to form a government. [Link]
• Senator Warren suggests that if she becomes president, she may make Israeli aid conditional on stopping building settlements in the West Bank. [Link]
• Jared Kushner will travel to Israel at the end of the month to meet with Netanyahu and his main political challenger, Gantz. [Link]
• Israeli forces shot a Palestinian dead in the West Bank. The man ran at the soldiers with a knife. [Link]

Afghanistan 

• Record 4,000 Killed/Injured July-September. [Link]
• Sixty-two people were killed in the bombing of a mosque. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. [Link]
• Secretary of State Mark Esper traveled in Afghanistan in an effort to restart talks with the Taliban. Esper said the US could cut troop levels to 8,600 without impacting counter-terror operations. An administration official said people in the administration did not realize Trump maybe serious about pulling troops out of Afghanistan until he withdrew troops from Syria. [Link] 

• Secretary of Defense Esper says the US has long-standing commitments to Afghanistan, unlike with the Syrian Kurds. [Link]

Syria 

• At least some US troops have moved from eastern Syria into western Iraq. [Link]
• All US troops withdrawing from Syria will go to western Iraq for anti-Islamic State operations. [Link]
• Trump may keep 200 US soldiers in eastern Syria for anti-Ismalic State operations and to prevent Assad from reclaiming Syrian oil fields. [Link]
• Erdogan says if all Kurdish forces are not out of the agreed-upon safe zone by Tuesday evening, Turkey will resume the invasion of Syria. [Link]

On FPF $408, Will Porter returns to the show to update what is happening in Syria. There is a lot of conflicting reports about what is happening in Syria. Will dives into all the rumors and explains what is the actual situation in Syria. 

Will and Kyle discuss Trump's decision to leave Syria. Trump has received nearly universal condemnation from the establishment. However, he did make the correct choice in taking US troops out of harm's way. Will and Kyle look at the bills taken up in Congress that object to Trump's move. 

On FPF #407, I discuss the impact of US weapons is having around the world. In FY2019 the US sold over $54 billion in weapons. Some of those weapons aided the slaughter of Yemen. In a recent article, Stu Smallwood highlights how US F-35 sales to South Korea are harming the Korean peace process. For years, the US gave weapons to the Syrian Kurds. Now, the US-NATO allies Turkey are fighting against the US-armed Syrian Kurds. 

Links

• The US sold over $54 billion in weapons during the fiscal year 2019. [Link]
• Spain is seeking to extradite the former Catalan president from Belgium. The Spanish government made two previous requests that were rejected by Belgium. Spain is looking to extradite the president because he held an independence referendum for Catalonia. [Link]
• Both frontrunners in Afghanistan’s recent presidential election are accused of major voter fraud. [Link]
• The UN reports 85 civilians were killed in last month’s election. [Link]
• At least three people were killed by a truck bomb in Afghanistan. [Link]
• Two US officials say the US carried out a cyberattack against Iran after Saudi oil facilities were attacked on September 14th. [Link]
• Daniel Larison explains the Yemeni government policy of charging duties at the Port of Aden before ships can dock at the Port of Hodeidah has increased fuel prices by 100%. Larison says this will likely make the cholera outbreak worse. Over 600,000 Yemeni have contracted cholera in 2019. [Link]
• Saudi forces have taken control over Aden after UAE forces withdrew. [Link]
• More than 1,000 Palestinians have developed bone infections after being shot by Israeli forces. [Link]
• Turkey says it will start taking offers on replacements for the F-35. After Turkey bought the S-400 air defense system from Russia, the US blocked F-15 sales to Turkey. [Link]
• Pompeo and Pence are expected to travel to Turkey to meet with Erdogan. [Link]
• Turkey says it will retaliate against US sanctions. [Link]
• Russia is now carrying out patrols to keep Syrian and Turkish forces from clashing near the border. [Link] Trump said he is fine with Russia assisting Assad in Syria. [Link]
• Turkey’s president said an attack from the Syrian army killed a Turkish soldier. [Link]
• The US announces it has withdrawn from Manbij. [Link]
• Italy bans weapons sales to Turkey. [Link]
• Turkey’s leader Erdogan says he will never declare a ceasefire in northeastern Syria and he is not concerned about US sanctions on Turkey. [Link]
• A senior Pentagon says the US soldiers assisted Russia in moving through dangerous areas outside of Manbij as the US soldiers were leaving the area. [Link] The Syrian Army took over several bases that were abandoned during the US withdraw. [Link]
• Senator Graham said the US must remain in Syria so 200 Israeli troops can remain in Syria to combat Iran. [Link]

Foreign Policy Focus and Around the Empire's latest swapcast covers the borg's meltdown because some US troops are leaving Syria. Joanne and Kyle recap what has happened in the past two weeks in Syria. The US announced pulling some troops from the Turkey/Syria border. In response, Turkey carried out its long-threatened invasion of Syrian Kurdistan. The Syrian Kurds then cut a deal with Assad, brokered by Russia, to move in and prevent the Turkish invasion. Trump finally announced all US troops in northeast Syria are withdrawing. 

The foreign policy establishment has condemned the move by Trump as betraying the Kurds and helping ISIS. The borg has failed to accept any responsibility for the position of the Kurd. It was Obama's establishment-approved Syria policy that created the problem for the Kurds to begin with. 

On FPF #405, I discuss the country's nearly $1 trillion dollar deficit in 2019. The US war state continues to spend massive amounts of money as the country drowns in debt. I explain that the money on the military is waster and is harming the living standards of Americans. I also look at the role of the FED in hiding the true cost of the war state. 

Show Notes

Out of Money

• The federal deficit for this year is $984 billion. [Link]
• The State Department approved $68 billion in weapon sales in 2019. [Link]
• The UN warns of a huge budget shortfall that may mean employees not getting paid in the coming months. The budget shortage has already delayed some meetings and limited travel. [Link]

US News

• A Customs agent refused to allow a Defense One writer to enter the US until he said he wrote propaganda. [Link]
• A key figure in Trump’s maximum pressures policy - Sigal Mandelker - is leaving the administration. [Link]
• The FBI detained a Russian lawmaker for an hour after she arrived in the US. [Link]

-gates

• Attorney General Barr has been traveling to other countries in the investigation into the origins of Russiagate. [Link]
• Trump told former UK Prime Minister Thersa May that he had doubts if Russia was behind the poisoning of the Skripals. [Link]

Europe

• A US F-16 crashed in Germany. [Link]
• The US and Grease sign a new defense pact. The US will build a naval and airbase in northeast Greece. [Link]

NK

• Japan rescued 60 North Korean fishermen after the North Korean fishing ship collided with a Japanese patrol ship. [Link]

Afghanistan 

• The UN reports the US airstrikes on Afghan drug targets are unlawful. The UN is investigating a strike that caused at least 39 casualties. [Link]

Iraq

• At least 110 people have been killed during protests in Iraq. Violent protests started last Tuesday. This Tuesday’s night protests had no new reports of deaths. [Link]

Syria

• Mike Pompeo claims the Iranian oil tanker - that was seized by the UK and then released - sold its oil to Syria. [Link]
• Syrian Kurds signal they are willing to talk with Assad and Russia about the likely Turkish invasion of northeast Syria. [Link]
• A Turkish official says Turkish forces with allied Syrian rebels will start to move into northeast Syria. [Link]
• The Syrian government says it will oppose Turkish aggression into Syria and signaled a willingness to talk with the Kurds. [Link]
• Daniel Davis

On FPF #404, I discuss several protests movements and peace talks happening around the world. The US talks with North Korea fell apart. According to the North Koreans, it is because the US isn't offering anything new. The US also spoke with the Taliban in Pakistan. Pakistan is hoping to revive talks to end the Afghan War after Trump declared they were dead. In Ukraine, it appears the new president is looking for a path to peace and says he will enter four-party talks. 

In Hong Kong, the government is enacting emergency powers in an attempt to curb the protest movement. The government banned masks as violent clashes with the government continue. Anti-government protests in Iraq have left over 100 people dead. In Egypt, the dictator al-Sisi continues to round up those who protest against him. So far over 2,000 have been arrested. President Marino in Ecuador has also rounded up hundreds of protesters. The protesters there are demanding he undoes a $2 billion austerity deal. 

Show Notes

• Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger gets ten years for murdering an unarmed man. [Link]
• Pentagon
• • A Pentagon employee says he was forced out after attempting to expose defense companies overcharging the Pentagon. [Link]
  • The Pentagon has taken over background checks for most security clearance. [Link]
• Customs and Border Patrol is spending $1.2 million on anti-drone systems for the southern border. [Link]
• The brother of Honduras' President is on trial in the US for drug trafficking. [Link]
• Pompeo says the US calls on North Korea to stop provocations in response to the most recent missile test. [Link]
• China displays new weapons at its military parade. The new weapons suggest China has a nuclear triad. [Link]
• Hong Kong may enact other emergency laws that will remove some of the restrictions on force police can use. [Link]
• Turkey says not enough progress has been made to establish safe zone in northeast Syria. [Link

• Iran
• • Iran’s President nearly had a phone call with Trump. However, Trump saying he wanted increased sanctions against Iran caused the call not to happen. [Link]
  • Iran closes two border crossing with Iraq because of the protests in Iraq. [Link]

• Africa
• • Twitter suspended the accounts of several Egyptian activists protesting Egyptian President Sisi. Egypt has arrested over 2,000 protesters. [Link]
  • The US reopened its embassy in Somalia for the first time since 1991. [Link]

On FPF #403, I discuss some of the recent Houthi victories over Saudi Arabia. Saudi has been waging a brutal air and starvation war against Yemen for four years. The Houthi, likely, retaliated by major strikes against Saudi oil facilities. Recently, the Houthis claimed to have captured nearly 2,000 Saudi soldiers. I explain what likely happened in the Houthi successful raid against Saudi forces.

Links

• Caitlin Johnstone - Twitter replies
• Caitlin Johnstone - Twitter editor 
• Scott Horton Show Nasser Arraybee 

On FPF #402, I discuss the impeachment push against Trump. The new impeachment call says Trump tried to leverage US aid to Ukraine to get Ukraine to investigate corruption by Joe Biden's son. Trump has released the transcript of the call showing he did not offer a quid pro quo with Ukraine's president.

While it appears the allegations against Trump are false or overblown, the Ukraine scandal has put Biden's role in the 2014 coup in Ukraine back in the spotlight. Biden was a leader in the Obama White House for the coup that sparked a civil war, empowered white supremacists, caused the people of Crimea to vote to be annexed by Russia, and deepened the divide between NATO and Russia. After the coup, Biden used US aid to pressure the former Ukrainian president to fire a prosecutor that was investigating a company that his son was on the board of. 

Links

• Moon of Alabama - New CW lie
• Jimmy Dore and Aaron Mate 
• The Hill - John Solomon

On FPF #401, I argue that the war on terror is not about stopping and killing terrorists. From Afghanistan to the TSA at your local airport, what the government is doing to "prevent terrorism" is not about stopping the next 9/11. Most Americans still believe the reason why we have to be groped by the TSA and why we must send Americans to Afghanistan to get killed are the required sacrifices to prevent being killed by a radical Muslim. However, the TSA does not prevent terror attacks, and the US war in Afghanistan makes them more likely. The war and the TSA are apart of the establishment's propaganda machine is pushing the US empire. 

On FPF #400, Will Porter returns to the show to breakdown the attack on Saudi oil infrastructure that took half of the Saudi's oil production offline. Will describes the attack and evidence produced by Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have claimed they carried out the attack. However, the US has pointed the finger at Iran. Will and Kyle look at the competing claims and describe why the Houthi are more likely behind the attack. They also explain why either Iran or the Houthi have a reason to attack Saudi Arabia, Trump would be foolish to start a war with Iran, and how the new NSA - Robert O'Brien - could impact the future discussion of war with Iran. 

Links

• Around the Empire - Nasser Arrabyee
• Moon of Alabama 

On FPF #399, Phil Gibson comes on the show to talk about 9/11 and the 'War on Terror.' Kyle and Phil are both young enough to have grown up during the 'War on Terror' and discuss what that experience was like. They look at some of the wars that started since 9/11 and debunk the lies that started the wars. 

Phil Gibson is the host of the Boy Named Pseu Podcast. 

Joanne Leon - host of the Around the Empire podcast - returns to the show to discuss the firing of John Bolton. Kyle and Joanne look at some the wars he attempted to stir up during his time as Trump's NSA. They explain Bolton's legacy will be a war hawk who destroyed arms control deals. Joanne and Kyle examine the list of possible replacements for Bolton. 

Links

• Trump Oval Office press conference on Bolton firing
• Pushback with Aaron Maté: Ex-CIA analyst on why he predicted John Bolton’s firing
• Around the Empire: Ep 111 John Bolton and Escalation With Iran feat Kyle Anzalone
• Washington Post: How clashes with Trump led to John Bolton's firing

Scott Horton returns to FPF to discuss his new book, The Great Ron Paul: The Scott Horton Show Interview 2004-2009. Scott explains why Ron Paul record of standing against the empire makes him the greatest American Hero. Scott's new book shows that Dr. Paul has been right on foreign policy for decades. However, Ron has been largely ignored or smeared by the establishment. Scott and Kyle describe what Congressman Ron Paul has meant to the liberty and antiwar movements. 

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

On FPF #396, I discuss Trump's firing of John Bolton. Bolton served as Trump's National Security Adviser for the past year and a half. Bolton used his position to push for more war and destroy nuclear agreements. This should not have come to as a surprise to anyone, Bolton's legacy is starting wars and killing agreements that encourage diplomacy. In the Trump administration, he was influential in ruining the Hanoi summit with North Korea, killing the INF Treaty, starting an economic war against Venezuela, and increasing the maximum pressure campaign against Iran. 

On FPF #395, I discuss Pamela Anderson's defense of Julian Assange on The View. Co-host Meghan McCain smeared Julian Assange as a "cyber-terrorist," who exposed US secrets, and endangered innocent people. In her response, Anderson went on the attack against McCain and the war state. She argued that Wikileaks has not harmed anyone and that the US military harms civilians all around the world. Anderson also debunked other lies about Assange; such as Wikileaks withheld publishing documents about Donald Trump, that Hillary lost the election because of Wikileaks, and that Wikileaks is not a news organization. 

Links

Common Dreams - Pamela Anderson takes on McCain

On FPF #394, I cover several essential stories. The protests in Hong Kong continue, and the Western media continues with its biased coverage. Groups of protesters continue to act violently; however, only the violence from the police is ever discussed. 

Hezbollah has responded to Israeli strikes in Lebanon by destroying an Israeli military vehicle. The rising tensions provoked by Israel could spark a broader conflict in the Middle East. 

In Yemen, the Saudi's have deployed additional forces to southern Yemen to fight the UAE-backed separatists. I explain how it has become a new proxy war between Saudi and the UAE. 

Links

• Moon of Alabama
• Elijah Magnier 
• Iranian Sanctions
• Israel and ICE detain children

Adam Graham returns to the show for the Patreon's Q & A Livestream. Adam and Kyle answer questions about Venezuela, Cuba, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Yemen, and Syria. They explain why Trump's policies have failed across the globe and he has entered the US into several economic wars. Adam and Kyle explain why sanctions do not lead to people rising up and overthrowing their repressive governments. 

Adam's work has been published at the Libertarian Institute and he runs the No King But Christ blog. 

Links

FPF #292 - Hong Kong protests

FPF #316 - Remember the Maine

On FPF #392, I discuss a string of Israeli bombing across the Middle East. In Iraq, the US has disclosed Israel is targeting the Popular Mobilization Forces. The PMF is a Shia fought against IS and received support from the US and Iran. In Syria, Israel targeted Iranians supporting Assad's fight against jihadists. Israel has now admitted to bombing Assad 100s of times throughout the Syrian War. In Lebanon, Israeli drones targeted Beirut and a Palestinian. The Lebanese president said the attacks are like an act of war and Hezbollah said they would respond. Israeli has also suggested joining the fight against the Houthi in Yemen.

All the Israeli attacks risk starting a larger war that will drag the US into a war with Iran. The attacks are occurring in the leadup to the Israeli election. I explain that Israeli prime minister Netanyahu is likely trying to spin up nationalism in hopes it will help him to get reelected. 

Links

• Around the Empire - Hong Kong
• Twitter censorship
• Peace Agreement with the Taliban?
• Revolving Door
• Thomas Harrington - Catalonia V Hong Kong
• Lyle Goldstein - Ukraine V Hong Kong