Will Porter joins Foreign Policy Focus to analyze foreign policy in 2017. We review all the big stories from Russia, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Africa, and North Korea. Will and I break down Trump's first year as Commander in chief and biggest blunders. We discuss the media's lack of critical coverage of Trump's foreign policy. Then, we give some big stories to watch in 2018.
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Muhammad Sahimi on the Iran deal [Link]
On FPF #135, I discuss the big news from over the Christmas weekend. Saudi Arabia is increasing airstrikes in Yemen. Saudi airstrikes killed at least 70 civilians on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The US announced, under the cover of Christmas, that the US would begin supplying Ukraine with lethal weapons. I examine the article Scott Ritter released of his analysis of Nikki Haley claim that Iran is supplying missiles to the Houthi.
Will Porter returns to Foreign Policy Focus to discuss Trump's National Security Strategy. In the report, Trump lays out his plan to secure America. Trump calls for lots of interventions around the world. Trump mentions China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran by name as threats to America. Will helps me explain how Trump's policy is more of the same and it will fail in creating a safer world for Americans. Will also assists is debunking some of the worst lies in the NSS.
On FPF #133, Biran Saady comes on the show to discuss the drug war and how it devastates Mexico. Brian explains how the American drug habit creates a $100 billion black market for deadly cartels to get rich on. Brian describes how the cartels influence Mexican politics, media, and police. Brian focuses on the impact of the drug war on Mexican citizens.
Brian is a freelance writer and he has been published in the American Conservative, The Libertarian Insitute, and The Mises Institute. Brian is the author of several books including America's Drug War is Devastating Mexico and The Drug War: A Trillion Dollar Con Game. Brian's website, Twitter, and Facebook.
On FPF #132, I discuss the Yemen war at 1,000 days. Iona Craig is now working on a Yemen database revealing key stats about Saudi's war in Yemen. I explain how US Amb to the UN Nikki Haley is trying to provoke a war with Iran. I talk about the US sharing intelligence with Russia to prevent a terror attack. I also update North Korea, Libya, and Egypt.
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On FPF #131, I address several claims of Russian Aggression. I refute a tweet from Mitt Romney. I explain how the Crimea crisis started with a US coup. I detail how Russia was welcomed into Syria, and the US continues to stay in the country without an invitation. I talk about Putin's trip to the Muslim world. I also update Yemen and North Korea.
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On FPF #130, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss his new article on Yemen and the situation in Israel. Will's article explains how deaths in Yemen have been undercounted during the Saudi/US war against Yemen. Will talked with several sources to gain a better understanding of the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen. Will also discussed the NY subway terror attack and how that it was blowback from Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
On FPF #129, I take questions for the first Q and A show. I answer questions on Yemen, Trump, and Israel. I explain Trump's possible reasons for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital. I also discuss CNN's fake bombshell report on a connection between Wikileaks and the Trump Campaign.
On FPF #128, I discuss the execution of Daniel Shaver by police officer Phillip Brailsford. The shooting occurred in January 2016 and Brailsford has been acquitted by a jury of all charges. A judge finally allowed the body cam footage to the public. I react to the video and give some analysis. I also explain how America's are not holding out military and police to a high enough moral standard.
On FPF #127, I look at current events from the perspective of people in other countries. I explain how US war games create fear among North Koreas. I describe how the US moving of the US Embassy in Israel impacts the Palestinians. I update Lebanon's Prime Minister Hariri announcing his resending of his resignation and how the could delegitimize him in the eyes of the Lebanese people. I also detail how the current US occupation of Syria could upset the Syrian people.
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On FPF #126, I discuss three states were Hillary Clinton played a large role in the direction of the country's future while she was Secretary of State. In Honduras, Hillary Clinton gave legitimacy to a military coup and helped elected a leader against the will of the Honduran people. A recent election stoled by a president supported by Hillary Clinton lead to protests. The protesters are being suppressed by forces trained by the US. In Yemen, a one-man election organized by Hillary Clinton set off a chain of events leading to civil war and famine. Recent fighting has lead to the split of the Houthi/Salah alliance and the death of the former president of Yemen Salah. In Libya, Hillary Clinton pushed for war against the Libyan leader Gaddafi. The death of Gaddafi led to a failed state in Libya. Competing government in Liyba are weaponizing rape and salves are openly sold.
On FPF #125, I explain the recurring failure of US foreign policy through the lens of the massacre in Bariire. In the missions that lead to the massacre, the SEALs allied themselves with former al-Shabaab fighters and used a translator know for giving false information. The SEALs failed to understand the local politics and warring tribes complicated the situation on the ground. In the end, the mission ended in a massacre, and a terror attack in October is possible blowback. These are just a few of the several reasons this mission, like all COIN operations, failed. Daily Beast Article.