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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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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.

Nov 10, 2017

On FPF #116, I update the geopolitical mess in Arabia and the Levant. In Yemen, the US now blames Iran for supplying the Houthi with the missile that targeted Saudi Arabia. The Lebanon Prime Minister remains under house arrest in Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince bin Salman continues to arrest officials and princes on corruption charges. I also update Catalonia, Russiagate, and ISIS. 

Articles

  • The US has spent $5.6 trillion on conflict since 2001. [Link]
  • Philip Giraldi explains how the US can be trapped into more interventions in the Middle East. [Link]
  • Reports from North Korea claim soldiers are looting food form the civilians. [Link] 
  • The US carried out a drone strike against an al-Shabaab target in Somalia. [Link]
  • Lebanese sources say Lebanon's Prime Minister is being held under house arrest in Saudi Arabia. [Link] 
  • Saudi Arabia orders its citizens out of Lebanon. [Link]
  • The US is carrying out more airstrikes in Afghanistan. [Link]
  • The US claims the missile fired from Yemen at Saudi Arabia is Iranian made. [Link]
  • The USA LIBERTY ACT passes its House committee. The bill will renew the FISA 702 program and expand the government’s ability to spy on Americans. [Link] 
  • Trump was unable to visit the DMZ due to weather. [Link]
  • The US could have almost 16,000 troops in Afghanistan next year. [Link] 
  • Spain claims to have annulled the Catalan independence. Catalans continue to strike and protest against the Catalan government. [Link]
  • ISIS lost control of their last stronghold in Syria. ISIS only controls a few villages in Syria. [Link] 
  • The UN says Saudi Arabia must lift the blockade of Yemen to avoid a massive famine. [Link]
  • William Binney met with CIA Direct Mike Pompeo to discuss the DNC Leaks. Trump requested Pompeo take this meeting. [Link]
  • Israel tells diplomats to follow Saudi Arabia’s narrative on Lebanon’s prime minister resigning. [Link] 
  • Nikki Haley said the UN needs to take actions against Iran because of the Yemeni missile fired at Saudi Arabia. [Link] 
  • Saudi Arabia kills 30 people in Yemen. Children, women, and paramedics were among the dead. [Link] 
  • Saudi Arabia has not blocked humanitarian aid from reaching Yemen. [Link]
  • Trump will ask Congress for another $5.9 billion in defense spending. The money is for more THAAD missiles in South Korea and for 3,500 troops to be sent to Afghanistan. [Link] 
  • Iran will allow India to use a port in southern Iran. The access to the port will give India a trade route to central Asia and Afghanistan. [Link]
  • Trump voices support for the Saudi purge. [Link]
Nov 8, 2017

Will Porter returns to FPF for ep. 115. Will discuss the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Will starts with the origins and founders of the group that would one day declare a caliphate. Will analyzes the US role in Iraq, Libya, and Syria led to the rise of IS. Will then explains the narrative of IS as it reaches its peak and anti-ISIS coalitions start to build. 

This is part one of a two-part series of the rise and fall of ISIS. 

Will Porter is a journalist and commentator with a focus on U.S. foreign policy and Mid East affairs.

His freelance work can be found at the Libertarian Institute and Antiwar.com.

Articles 

The Redline and the Rat Line [Link] 

2012 DIA memo [Link] 

Press report of U.S. weapons in militant hands [Link] [Link]

Nov 6, 2017

On FPF #114, I discuss all the news from a significant foreign policy weekend. Yemen shoot a ballistic missile at Saudi's capital. Lebanon's Prime Minister resigned. Saudi's Crown Prince arrested several members of Saudi's royal family. Shortly after, several high ranking Saudi officials were killed in a helicopter crash. The Catalan President has also turned himself into Belgian authorities. 

Further reading 

Rand Paul

Paradise Papers

Catalan Independence

Syria Terror Attack

Yemen Ballistic Missile

Lebanon Prime Minister Resigns

Saudi Shake-Up

 

Nov 3, 2017

On FPF #113, I look at some recent wins for the empire. The empire makes a significant gain by getting Nigerien government permission to carry out drone strikes in Niger. A new lie linking Iran to al-Qaeda will help the empire win US support for war with Iran. The House also killed H.Con.Res 81, preventing an end to the war in Yemen. 

Articles

  • Trump says NYC attacker should get the death penalty. [Link]
  • Twitter hid 48% of tweets that included #DNCLeaks. [Link]
  • Facebook and YouTube deleting user-uploaded content is destroying the only copies of evidence of war crimes. [Link]
  • Boris Johnson will travel to the US to try to convince the Senate to say in the nuclear agreement with Iran. [Link]
  • Moon of Alabama debunks new claims that Iraq is allied with al-Qaeda. [Link]
  • Catalonia’s president says he will not go to Spain to stand trial. [Link] 
  • A Spanish court has imprisoned Catalonia’s Vice President and cabinet members. [Link] 
  • The US continues to have diplomatic connections with North Korea. [Link] 
  • South Korea’s president said his country will not develop or host nuclear weapons. [Link]
  • Niger’s Defense Minister announced the US can use armed drones in Niger. [Link] 
  • Nigerien officials claim the US forces killed in Niger were on a raid hunting ISIS-linked groups. [Link] 
  • The Turkish army clashed with the PKK along the Iraqi border killing 25. [Link]
  • The Syrian Army has liberated Deir Ezzor city from the Islamic State. [Link]
  • A Pakistani woman was arrested for killing 17 people with poisoned milk. The woman was attempting to only kill her husband. [Link]
  • Turkish forces are surrounding the Kurdish Afrin enclave. [Link] 
  • Israel attacked a Syrian weapons depot in the Homs Province. Syria fired surface to air missiles in response. Israel reported none of its aircraft were hit. [Link]
  • In Yemen, 29 civilians were killed when Saudi Arabia bombed a market. [Link]
Nov 1, 2017

On FPF #112, I give my initial thoughts on the terror attack in NYC. I also cover the other important news of the day. Iran has self-limited their ballistic missile range to 2000 km. Mattis and Tillerson tell Congress that the 2001 AUMF allows for war in Africa. In Iraq, the central government looks to end Kurdish autonomy. I also update H.Con.Res 81, Syria, and Lebanon. 

Articles

  • Joe Lauria looks at the Democratic money behind the Russiagate conspiracy. [Link]
  • Eight people were killed by a terrorist in New York City. [Link]
  • The House Minority Whip is pushing Democrats to not sign onto H.Con.Res 81. [Link] 
  • The US gave two A-29 light attack aircraft to Lebanon. [Link] 
  • US Maj. Gen. James Jarrard said the US has 4,000 troops in Syria. [Link] 
  • The Catalan President gave a press conference in Belgium. He said he was not seeking asylum in Belgium and will return to Catalonia when conditions allow him to. The Spanish court ordered the president and his cabinet to appear in court in Madrid. [Link] 
  • Cave-ins at North Korea’s nuclear testing site may have killed up to 200 people. [Link] 
  • Five Malian soldiers and one civilian was killed by militants. Jihadist groups like IS and al-Qaeda operate in the area. [Link] 
  • Israel’s Public Defense Minister announces the creation of a new police force to guard the Temple Mount. The new police force will have 200 members. [Link]
  • Iran has self-imposed a range of 2000 km for their ballistic missiles. [Link] 
  • The US has spent over $1.5 billion to arm and train Lebanese troops. [Link]
  • James Mattis testified before Congress that the US will remain in Iraq with or without the permission of the Iraqi government. [Link] 
  • The Iraqi government has taken a border crossing with Turkey from the Kurds. [Link]
  • Paul Manafort and his former deputy Rick Gates have surrendered to the FBI. The Muller investigation filed 12 changes against Manafort/Gates. [Link] Manafort/Gates were placed under house arrest. [Link]
  • Special forces captured a militant who was in part behind the 2012 Benghazi attack. He will be tried in federal court. [Link] 
  • Mattis and Tillerson testify before Congress that they do not need a new war authorization for the US expansive interventions in Africa. [Link] Mattis testified that the US troops killed in Niger were not in Niger under authority from the 2001 AUMF. [Link] 
  • The State Department issues a travel warning for Americans traveling to Niger. [Link]
  • The US coalition in Afghanistan killed two civilians at an engagement party. [Link] 
  • Iraqi militia commander, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, says Iraqi militias will ignore the order from Rex Tillerson to disband. [Link] 
  • The Iraqi government will look to end Kurdish autonomy. [Link]
Oct 30, 2017

On FPF #111, I discuss House Concurrent Resolution 81. H.Con. Res 81 is a bill invoking the War Powers Act to end US support for Saudi Arabia's war against the people of Yemen. The US is currently providing vital support to Saudi Arabia's war effort. The US is selling Saudi Arabia billions of dollars worth of weapons, providing ships to support the blockade, and providing mid-air refueling to Saudi warplanes. Ending the US support will help the people of Yemen and weaken al-Qaeda in Yemen. 

Articles 

  • Kuwait's Prime Minister announces his resignation. [Link] 
  • The Taliban kill 15 Afghan police in two attacks. [Link]
  • The US coalition in Afghanistan killed two civilians at an engagement party. [Link]
  • The Syrian army continues to liberate areas around Deir Ezzor from the Islamic State. Around 1,500 civilians remain in IS-held areas of the city. The Syrian army and allied forces continue to kill civilians with bombs. [Link]
  • A man, who traveled to Syria to join the Islamic State then was captured, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. [Link]
  • Harvard-Harris polling that showed 70% of Americans support renegotiating the Iran nuclear deal was based on a biased question. [Link]
  • Raytheon won a $1.5 billion contract from the Pentagon. [Link] 
  • The IAEA Cheif confirms Iran is living up to the nuclear agreement. [Link] 
  • The Spanish government has dismissed the Catalan Parliment, president, the president’s cabinet, and chief of police. [Link] 
  • A US service member was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. [Link] 
  • The US gave the Afghanistan military 6 additional A-29 attack planes. [Link] 
  • The leader of the Kurdish Regional Government, Barzani, will resign from office. [Link] 
  • Moon of Alabama highlights inconsistencies in the UN report on the April 4th chemical attack in Khan Sheikhoun. [Link] 
  • The Syrian government killed 11 civilians and destroyed a school outside of Damascus. [Link]
Oct 27, 2017

On FPF #110, I discuss the Catalan Parliment declaring independence from Spain. The Catalan Parliment voted in the face of several threats from the Spanish government. The Spanish President is hoping to invade Catalonia in response. I also call on my audience to contact their Representative and ask them to support H.Con.Res 81. 

Articles 

  • The Trump administration is imposing new screening and interviews on travelers coming into the US. American citizens are subject to the searches and interviews. [Link]
  • Twitter banned Russia Today and Spudnik News from running ads. [Link]
  • Vice President Pence said the US will provide more aid and protection to Christians living in the Middle East. [Link] 
  • Senator Chris Murphy will introduce a bill to prevent Trump from attacking North Korea without Congressional approval. [Link] 
  • Peter Van Buren argues mutually assured destruction will prevent war between the US and North Korea. [Link] 
  • Nick Turse lays out the history of US interventionism in Niger. [Link] 
  • Trump says China is helping the US in North Korea and Russia is hurting American efforts. [Link] 
  • The Catalan Parliment will vote on declaring independence. [Link] 
  • The Iraqi army has announced they are attacking Islamic State targets on the border with Syria. Peshmerga forces are reporting they are being attacked by the Iraqi army as well. [Link] 
  • Turkey and Iraq say the Kurds freezing their independence referendum isn’t good enough. [Link] 
  • Tillerson says Assad is on his way out in Syria. [Link]
  • The FEC has filed a complaint against Hillary Clinton for failing to disclose payments related to the Trump dossier. [Link]
  • In March 2013, a Saudi price provided arms to the Free Syrian Army and ordered them to attack Damascus. The attack included shelling of the Assad palace and Damascus airport. [Link]
  • US F-35s will be deployed overseas for the first time. 12 F-35s will be stationed in Japan. [Link]
  • The House passed a bill with the harshest sanctions ever against North Korea. The sanctions prevent anyone with ties to the US from doing business with North Korea. [Link] 
  • The US has been pushing the Niger government to be able to carry out drone strikes in Niger. The deaths of the four US soldiers could be enough to talk the Niger government into allowing drone strikes. [Link]
Oct 25, 2017

On FPF #109, I discuss the expanding US war in Africa. US operations in Africa have greatly expanded since AFRICOM was created in 2008. The US now has 6,000 troops in Africa and the troops are involved in 3,500 military operations every year. Now Sen Lindsey Graham says the US will expand the war to Africa. 

Articles 

  • After meeting with Defense Secretary James Mattis, Senator Lindsey Graham said the global war on terror will be explaining. Graham also said the war is moving to Africa. [Link] 
  • Nick Turse on the expanding role of the US military in Africa. [Link] 
  • The US is using Niger as a hub for military operations in West Africa. [Link] 
  • Afghani warlord Hekmatyar has returned to the capital city of Kabul and is giving a series of political speeches. [Link] 
  • Afghan President Ghani traveled to India to meet with Indian Prime Minister Modi. [Link]
  • The Kurdistan Regional Government issues a statement to the Iraqi government. The Kurdish government will freeze the referendum on independence. [Link]
  • Marcy Wheeler reports on Congress’s attempt to expand spying on Americans. [Link]
  • 70% of Americans believe the nuclear agreement with Iran should be renegotiated. [Link]
  • Some US Senators were stunned to learn US troops were in Niger. [Link] 
  • The UN added 32 items to the list of goods prohibited from being sold to North Korea. [Link]
  • Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made an unannounced stop in Afghanistan. [Link] Tillerson says the US will look to work with moderate members of the Taliban. [Link] 
  • The president of Iraq rejects Tillerson calls to disband Shi’ite militias. [Link] 
  • ISIS kills 70 civilians in a Syria town. [Link] 
  • US airstrikes on Deir Ezzor kill 22 civilians. [Link] 
  • The US returned diplomats to Venezuela that were recalled during unrest in Venezuela. [Link]
Oct 23, 2017

On FPF #108, I discuss several current news events. CIA Director Pompeo said the CIA will become a more vicious agency. The CIA will also begin an operation in Afghanistan against Taliban leadership. The US is preparing to put nuclear bombers on 24-hour alert. The USS John McCain has taken on additional damage. The story of how US soldiers died in Niger is becoming clear. I also update Iran, Syria, Rex Tillerson's trip to the Middle East. 

Articles 

  • The US is preparing to put nuclear armed bombers on 24 hour alert. [Link]
  • CIA Director Pompeo said the CIA will become a more vicious agency. [Link] 
  • Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pushes European countries to adopt sanctions against the IRGC. [Link] 
  • Iran’s Foreign Minister says Iran will not renegotiate on the nuclear agreement. [Link] 
  • Tillerson took a trip to the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia, he called for the kingdom to have closer relations with Iraq. In Qatar, he called for a quick resolution to the split between Qatar and other GCC countries. Tillerson also called for Iranian backed militants in Iraq to go home or integrate with the Iraqi army. [Link] 
  • The USS John McCain has taken on additional damage. [Link] 
  • Spain’s prime minister calls on the government to grant him the power to dissolve the Catalan government. Catalonia’s president called for the Catalan government to have a strong response. [Link] 
  • The US has 8,000 troops deployed to Africa. [Link]
  • Jason Ditz explains how US soldiers were killed in Niger. [Link]
  • The US is expanding the drone war against jihadists in West Africa. [Link] 
  • A senior Congressional aide blames a lack of intelligence for the death of four American soldiers in Niger. The aide said there was no overhead drone during the operation. The Pentagon denies the soldiers died because of a lack of intelligence. [Link] 
  • The CIA is expanding its role in Afghanistan. The CIA will now have a team of agents in Afghanistan hunting terrorists. [Link] 
  • The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for two suicide attacks on Shi’ite mosques in Afghanistan. 72 people were killed in the attack. [Link] 
  • 13% of Afghan soldiers brought into the US to train go AWOL. 83 Afghans have never been found. [Link] 
  • Eric Margolis on the rise and fall of ISIS. [Link] 
  • US backed forces in Syria have been ordered to kill foreign Islamic State fighters. [Link]
  • Israel destroyed a Syrian Army outpost in southern Syria after mortar fire landed in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights. It is not clear the mortar fire came from the Syrian Army and the mortars landed in empty area. [Link]
Oct 20, 2017

On FPF #107, I look at the Neocons pushing Trump to war with Iran. The push has lead Trump to decertify the Iran nuclear deal. The Neocons are now claiming Iran destabilizes the Middle East by making up a fake narrative about the Iraqi Kurds. The Neocon push will be based on lies and half-truths. In this show, I expose some of the lies. 

Articles 

  • CIA Director Pompeo said the connection between Iran and al-Qaeda is an open secret. [Link]
  • CIA Director Pompeo said North Korea is rapidly moving towards having the ability to hit the US with a nuclear weapon. [Link] 
  • 64% of Americans favor diplomacy with North Korea. [Link] 
  • Spain announced it will revoke Catalonia’s autonomy and impose direct rule over Catalonia. [Link]
  • A Saudi airstrike killed six Yemeni civilians. Four of the dead are children. Only one member of the family survived the attack. [Link]
  • Patrick Cockburn explains how the US could lose by Trump decertifying the Iran nuclear agreement. [Link] 
  • Catalonia’s president said Catalonia will secede from Spain if Spain removes Catalan autonomy. [Link]
  • Moon of Alabama explains how internal Kurdish politics played in role in the Kurdish withdraw from Kirkuk. [Link]
Oct 18, 2017

On FPF #106, I discuss the terror attack in Somalia that killed over 300 people. I look at blowback and how US policy possibly motivated the bomber. I explain that while Americans may not care about dead Somalis, people in the Muslim world do. I update Marawi, Kurdistan, Syria, and Israel. 

Articles

  • The US shipped Saudi Arabia $70 million more in weapons during the first eight months of 2017 than during the first eight months of 2016. [Link]
  • Two leaders of the Catalan independence movement have been jailed while they are investigated for sedition. [Link] 
  • The two leaders of the Islamic State-linked jihadist group controlling the city Marawi have been killed. [Link]
  • The US has spent $3.9 billion per month for 16 years in Afghanistan. [Link] 
  • Taliban suicide bombers targeted a police training building killing at least 33. [Link]
  • The Iraqi government forces have taken several positions in and around the city of Kirkuk. The Kurdish forces previously held Kirkuk. Some fighting has been reported, but Kurdish forces have mostly withdrawn. [Link] 
  • Kurdish families fled Kirkuk as the Iraqi army advanced on and took control of the city. [Link]
  • The leader of Iraqi Kurdish forces said the Iraqi government’s offensive against Kirkuk amounts to a declaration of war. [Link]
  • The Syrian Arab Army is quickly advancing against the Islamic State in the Deir Ezzor Province. [Link] 
  • Israeli warplanes hitting Syrian targets were fired on by Syrian anti-aircraft weapons. Israeli responded by bombing Syrian anti-aircraft weapon. [Link]
  • Iran’s foreign minister said Iran would remain in the nuclear deal so long as European countries remain in the deal. [Link]
  • Spain plans to seize Catalonia if Catalan leadership does not end the attempt at independence. [Link]
  • At least 300 people have been killed by a truck explosion in Somalia’s capital city Mogadishu. [Link]
  • The former president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai is warning the US the Trump’s new Afghanistan policy will not work. [Link] 
  • US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces allowed 275 Islamic State fighters and their family members leave Raqqa. The SDF now plan their final assault on the remaining Islamic State fighters in Raqqa. [Link] 
  • The Iraqi government says the Iraqi Kurds has declared war against them by allowing PKK fighters into Kirkuk. Iraqi Kurdish officials deny these claims. [Link] 
  • The Iraqi army is advancing on Kirkuk. [Link] 
  • The Syrian government is demanding that Turkish troops withdraw from Syria. Additional Turkish troops entered the Idlib Province of Syria as part of a deal to establish deconfliction zones. Turkish troops are thought to be working with the al-Qaeda backed Syrian rebel groups. [Link] 
  • Recent Saudi airstrikes kill 29 children in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has been criticized several times for killing Yemeni children. [Link]
Oct 16, 2017

On FPF #105, I discuss Trump's Iran policy speech. Trump's speech was filled with lies and half-truths meant to make Americans scared of Iran. Trump then uses the lies to justify decertifying the P5+1 Nuclear Agreement. I debunk the lies and explore why Trump's policy will fail. 

Trump's Speech

Gareth Porter's Book

Oct 13, 2017

On FPF #104, I update the news on all of American's wars. In Syria, the Islamic State continues to kill civilians. The US is moving a second aircraft carrier to the Korean Peninsula. Trump is looking at a new more hawkish Iran policy. In Afghanistan, Pakistan is attempting to build a border wall. The House Resolution to end US support for Saudi's war in Yemen was postponed to November 2nd. 

Articles 

  • Trevor Aaronson explains how the FBI attempted to bully a man into becoming an informant. [Link]
  • Jason Ditz explains how the US government uses the word suspect to dehumanize its victims. [Link]
  • North Korea’s Foreign Minister said Donald Trump “lit the wick of war” and the US risks a “hail of fire” with rhetoric. [Link]
  • The Spanish Prime Minister issued an ultimatum to Catalonia. The ultimatum gives the Catalan government eight days to drop the independence bid or else the Spanish government will seize Catalonia and dissolve the government. [Link] 
  • The Israeli government approved the building of another 3,700 settlement homes. [Link]
  • The Syrian Foreign Minister said that the Syrian Kurds are drunk off US assistance and are looking to capture Syrian oil fields. [Link] 
  • H.Con.Res 81 now has 27 cosponsors. The bill looks to end US involvement in the Yemeni Civil War. [Link]
  • Ron Paul interviews Robert Perry on the state of journalism in the US. [Link]
  • Trump is expected to reveal his new policy for Iran today. [Link] Trump is not expected to decertify the P5+1 nuclear deal with Iran but will place more sanctions on the IRGC. [Link]
  • The Pentagon spends half of its budget on contractors. [Link] 
  • The US announced troop arrivals to Poland near the border with Russia. [Link]
  • The US is moving a second aircraft carrier to the Korean Peninsula. [Link] 
  • The UN says the US and Afghan militaries airstrikes in Afghanistan have caused a 50% increase in civilian casualties in the past year. [Link] 
  • In Northeast Syria, at least 50 people were killed by Islamic State suicide car bombs. [Link]
  • The vote on H.Con.Res 81 has been postponed until November 2. [Link]
Oct 11, 2017

On FPF #103, I discuss how we can prevent some disasters. I base my discussion on Jason Ditz's article The Hurricanes You Control Vs. The Hurricanes You Don’t. In this article, Jason explains how some disasters, like hurricanes, are uncontrollable. While some disasters, like Yemen, are very controllable. I also discuss burn pits, Iraq, Syria, and North Korea. 

Articles 

 

  • The US flew B1-B bombers over South Korea in a show of force. [Link] 
  • The President of Catalonia has signed a declaration of independence from Spain but suspended the independence process to allow talks with the Spanish government. [Link]
  • Hundreds of Islamic State fighters are surrendering to the Iraqi Kurds. [Link]
  • Kelley Vlahos discusses a new documentary about burn pits from the Iraq War. [Link]
  • South Korea has added a graphite bomb to their arsenal. The graphite bomb is also known as a blackout bomb and targets electric infrastructure. [Link]
  • Aid groups report that over 2,000 people in Yemen, including unborn babies, have died from cholera. [Link] 
  • Education in Yemen continues to suffer because of the civil war. Many teachers have not been paid in months and some are going on strike. Over 1,700 schools are unfit because of damage from the conflict. [Link]
  • The US will not participate in war games with Saudi Arabia because of Saudi’s blockade of Qatar. US CENTCOM in the Middle East is located in Qatar. [Link] 
  • Trump says that the US will develop a “broad strategy” to punish Iran. [Link]
  • The State Department approved a $15 billion weapons sale to Saudi Arabia. The weapons deal includes THAAD missile defense systems. [Link] 
  • Gareth Porter explains the importance of supporting the bill to end support for Saudi’s war in Yemen. [Link] 
  • The Spanish government will lift restrictions on companies who move from Catalonia to other parts of Spain. [Link]
  • An estimated 350,000 people took to the streets in Catalonia to protest Catalan independence. There are some reports that some of the protesters were bused in from other regions of Spain. [Link] 
  • Kim Jung Un says nuclear weapons are a powerful deterrent against the US. [Link] 
  • The body of a special operations soldier has been found in Niger. He is the fourth US soldier to die in last weeks ambush attack in Niger. The US now believes an Islamic State affiliate group was responsible for the attack. [Link] 
  • The Red Cross will scale back operations in Afghanistan after being targeted by militias. [Link]
Oct 6, 2017

On Foreign Policy Focus #102, I discuss the Yemeni Civil War. I review the history of the war and the destruction of Yemen. Americans remain apathetic about Yemen as it is destroyed with American weapons. Saudi Arabia was blacklisted for a second year for killing Yemeni children. 

Articles 

  • Saudi Arabia was put on a UN blacklist for murdering Yemeni children. [Link] 
  • CNN has released new footage showing the conditions in some Yemeni hospitals. Nearly 800,000 Yemeni have now contracted cholera. [Link]
Oct 4, 2017

On FPF #101, I discuss the Catalan independence vote. 90% of people who were able to vote, voted for independence. The Spanish police brutally cracked down on people trying to vote. Catalans have responded with massive peaceful protesters. 

Articles

  • The US ordered 15 Cuban diplomats to leave the country. The US also withdrew 60% of US diplomats from Cuba. [Link] 
  • The US voted against a ban on the death penalty being made illegal as a punishment for homosexuality. [Link] 
  • General Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the US should stay in the Iran nuclear deal.
  • John McCain criticized the Trump administration for not being transparent enough about its Afghanistan policy. [Link] 
  • Mattis said about 3,000 US troops in Afghanistan will be in combat roles. [Link] 
  • Catalans protested and were on strike against police abuse for a second day. [Link] 
  • Catalonia’s president said Catalonia would declare independence from Spain within a few days. [Link] 
  • Iraqi Kurds will have parliamentary and presidential elections on November 1. [Link] 
  • US warships will now travel with their Automatic Identification System turned on. The AIS alerts other ships in the area on the size and speed of a ship to prevent coalitions. [Link]
  • The White House confirms that they are unwilling to engage in talks with North Korea. [Link]
  • Justin Raimondo argues the Catalan independence vote revealed the true nature of government. [Link]
  • The Catalan President has submitted the results of the referendum to the Catalan Parliment. The president is also seeking international mediation to help with a peaceful split from Spain. The Spanish government is refusing to acknowledge the referendum happened and refusing to negotiate with Catalonia. [Link]
  • On Monday, Catalans took to the streets to protest the brutal police crackdown on the Catalan independence vote. [Link]
  • An American soldier was killed and another was injured in Iraq. [Link]  
  • Iran has deployed tanks and artillery to the border they share with Iraqi Kurdistan. [Link]
  • The Trump administration has set a cap of 45,000 refugees to be admitted to the US in 2018. [Link] 
  • The Trump administration is urging Congress to renew and make permanent some sections of the Foreign Intelligence Survalience Act. [Link] 
  • Senators McCain and Lee have introduced a bill to permanently exempt Puerto Rico from the Jones Act. [Link] 
  • Julian Borger explains why the CIA is not helping Donald Trump to undermine the Iran nuclear deal. [Link] 
  • Trump Tweeted that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was wasting his time trying to negotiate with North Korea. [Link] 
  • Catalans held their independence referendum in spite of a brutal crackdown by Spanish police. Police were filmed beating and abusing peaceful voters. Police beat elderly women and firefighters attempting to protect voters. In total, 844 Catalans were injured yesterday. Police seized some ballot boxes and closed some polling stations. 90% of Catalans voted for independence. [Link] 
  • The Spanish government will do everything possible to stop Catalonia from declaring independence. [Link] 
  • A US missile malfunctioned and killed several civilians near Kabul Afghanistan. [Link]
  • Senator Bob Corker said the US was likely to have ground troops in Afghanistan for the next decade. [Link] 
  • Rex Tillerson issues a statement saying the US does not recognize the Iraqi Kurdish independence vote. [Link]
  • A Turkish soldier was killed fighting the PKK in Iraq. Three PKK militants were also killed in the fighting. [Link]

 

Oct 2, 2017

Scott Horton joins me on Foreign Policy Focus #100 to discuss his new book Fool's Errand. Scott debunks the idea that 9/11 was the start of US interventionism in the Middle East. Scott explains Bush's war in Afghanistan and what happened at Tora Bora. Scott discusses ISIS in Afghanistan and where these jihadist came from. Scott also analyzes Trump's strategy for the American's longest war.

The web page for Fool's Errand FoolsErrand.Us

Scott Horton, managing director of the Libertarian Institute, is the host of Antiwar Radio on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, and Opinion Editor of Antiwar.com. Scott is the host of the Scott Horton Show.

Articles 

No Good Men Among the Living (Anand Gopal) http://anandgopal.com/

Afghan Analyst article on ISIS. Afghanistan-analysts.org

 

Sep 29, 2017

On FPF #99, I provide quick updates on several big current events. In Catalonia, the Spanish government is trying to censor the independence movement. In Iraqi Kurdistan, the Iraqi government has shut down airspace as a punishment for voting for independence. In Afghanistan, Mattis made a visit and had to be rushed to safety.

 

This is a short show because I am not feeling well. 

Sep 27, 2017

On FPF #98, I discuss Trump bombing Libya. This is the 6th country that Trump has bombed during his presidency. Congress has not authorized Trump to carry out any military actions. I discuss Trump's tweet on Iran's missile test. I also update Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. 

Articles

  • US officials say Iran did not test a ballistic missile over the weekend. A Trump Tweet from the weekend claimed Iran had tested a ballistic missile. [Link] 
  • Trump said the US is totally prepared for devastating military action against North Korea. [Link]
  • Chelsea Manning has been barred from entering Canada. [Link] 
  • General Dunford answered questions to a Senate committee for his reappointment to as the head of the Joint Cheif of Staff. In the session, Dunford said the US must influence Pakistan to change the situation in Afghanistan and China would be the greatest enemy to the US by 2025. [Link]  
  • Trump said the Catalan independence vote was foolish. [Link] 
  • The Spanish government says there is a plan to have police officers at every voting station in Catalonia to prevent the independence vote. [Link] 
  • The US lost track of $700 million in ammunition sent to Afghanistan. [Link] 
  • The Saudi Arabian King issued a decree that will begin a process that will allow women to drive in June 2018. [Link] 
  • The Syrian government says they are willing to negotiate Syrian Kurdish autonomy. [Link]
  • Arab media sources are reporting Israel fired on a Syrian military aircraft near the Golan area. [Link] 
  • Saudi Arabia published a letter threatening nations that support the UN resolution that creates an independent investigation into war crimes in Yemen. [Link] 
  • H.R. McMaster said North Korea must allow inspections and declare it is committed to getting rid of nuclear weapons before the US will negotiate with North Korea. [Link] 
  • Jimmy Carter says the US needs to talk to its enemies and warns against provoking North Korea. [Link] 
  • North Korea says a tweet posted by Donald Trump is a declaration of war. North Korea also threatened to shoot down US aircraft in international airspace. [Link]  
  • The Iraqi Kurds have voted overwhelmingly to form a new state. [Link] 
  • In response to the Kurdish independence vote, Iran has closed the border with Iraqi Kurdistan. [Link] The Syrian government has refused to validate the vote. The Iraqi Parliament has voted send troops to the Kirkuk Province and other disputed areas. The Turkish government has threated to stop oil exports from the Iraqi Kurds. [Link] 
  • The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces claim they were hit by a Russian airstrike outside of Deir Ezzor. Russia denies the claims. [Link] 
  • Dozens of children were killed by a US airstrike in Syria that hit a school. [Link]
Sep 25, 2017

On Foreign Policy Focus #97, I discuss Trump calling Kim Jung Un a madman on Twitter. This is Trump's most dangerous Tweet so far. If Trump thinks Un is a madman, then Trump could decide to wage preemptive war North Korea. I review the road that led us to the mess in North Korea. I also update Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar. 

Articles 

  • The Russian Zapad wargames have ended. Several news outlets used the wargames to create fear of Russian aggression. [Link] 
  • The US flew B1-B nuclear-capable bombers and F-15s in airspace very close to North Korea. [Link] 
  • Trump called Kim Jung Un a madman on Twitter. [Link] Trump made a threat to Kim Jung Un and North Korea’s Foreign Minister. North Korea held an anti-US rally. [Link] 
  • 62% of Americans do not trust Trump to handle the North Korea situation. [Link] 
  • Islamist fighters in Marawi continue to hold out against the Philippine military. The Islamists control about ten blocks and are estimated to have about 60 fighters left. [Link]
  • Bangladesh reports that the flow of Rohingya refugees has stopped. [Link] 
  • The Taliban have claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing attack on NATO troops in Afghanistan. Three civilians were killed in the attack. No NATO troops were killed or injured. [Link] 
  • A Russian general was killed fighting the Islamic State in Deir Ezzor. [Link] 
  • US-backed SDF fighters claim to have captured Syria’s largest gas field from the Islamic State. [Link] 
  • The US has killed 2,617 civilians in Syria. [Link] 
  • The Israeli military carried out airstrikes in near Damascus. Israel claims it was targeting Hezbollah. [Link] 
  • Yemen’s President Hadi says that he only sees a military solution in the Yemen Civil War. [Link] 
  • Saudi Arabia claims to have shot down a missile launched from Yemen. [Link] 
Sep 22, 2017

On FPF #96, I look at independence votes and movements around the world. Catalonia and Iraqi Kurds have upcoming votes for independence. Syrian Kurds are looking to form their own parliament. Taiwan and Palestine continue to fight for their own states. Several other countries also have populations looking for more freedom. 

Articles 

  • US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has become a star neoconservative. [Link] 
  • Senator Bernie Sanders said Saudi Arabia is not an ally of the US. [Link] 
  • National Security Advisor McMaster said the Iran deal is fundamentally flawed. [Link] Secretary of State Tillerson admits Iran is complying with the deal. [Link] 
  • The UN Security Council condemns the Iraqi Kurdish independence vote. [Link] 
  • In a UN speech, the Palestinian president said a one-state solution in an option. [Link] 
  • Iran’s President says the nuclear deal cannot be renegotiated. [Link] 
  • Syrian Kurds will hold the first in a series of three votes on Friday. The second round of voting in November and the third round is in January. The January vote will form a Parliment for Syrian Kurdistan. [Link]
  • This article has basic information on the Catalonian independence vote. [Link] 
  • Catalonian leaders say the crackdown by Spanish police is a major blow to their independence vote. [Link]  
  • Trump says he has made a decision on the Iran nuclear deal. Tillerson says no one knows what decision Trump made. [Link] 
  • Daniel Larison explains how the Iran nuclear deal is a one-sided deal in favor of the US. [Link]
  • The US Strategic Command Cheif has confirmed that Iran is following the nuclear deal. [Link]
  • France’s President said, “the Iran deal is not enough.” [Link] 
  • Spanish police continue to carry out raids and arrests to try to prevent the Catalonian independence vote. [Link]
Sep 20, 2017

Will Porter returns to Foreign Policy Focus to breakdown Trump's speech to the UN General Assembly. Trump's speech was hawkish and full of lies. Will debunks Trump's lies. Will also provides key insights into the real situation in Syria, Iran, North Korea, and Yemen. 

Trump gave a speech to the UN General Assembly. [Link]

Will Porter is a journalist and commentator with a focus on U.S. foreign policy and Mid-East affairs.  
His freelance work can be found at the Libertarian Institute and Antiwar.com.
 
Articles 
 
Trista Parsi explains how Trump conflated Iran and North Korea in his speech to the UN. [Link] 
Sep 18, 2017

On FPF #94, I discuss why US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, is awful. Haley continues to advocate for war and refuses to do her job as a diplomat. I also update Israel, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. 

Articles 

Harvard canceled plans to make Chelsea Manning a visiting fellow. The plans were canceled after CIA Director Pompeo refused to speak at the school. [Link] 

Congressman Rohrabacher attempted to offer Trump a deal where Assange provides Trump proof that Russia did not provide the leaked emails. In exchange, Trump would give Assange a pardon. [Link]

15 Marines were injured in a training accident. [Link]

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley advocates for war with North Korea and Assad. [Link]

Josh Stimpson argues Trump needs to go to North Korea to meet with King Jung Un. [Link]

A bomb exploded on a UK subway injuring 30. Two men have been arrested in connection with the bombing. [Link] 

Trump says the US is prepared to “defend our civilization” from North Korea. North Korea says it is seeking weapons to achieve equilibrium with the US. [Link] 

Isreali settlers destroyed 70 Palestinian olive trees in two raids. [Link] 

The CIA is looking for authority to carry out drone strikes in Afghanistan. [Link] 

The Iraqi government is beginning a military operation against the Islamic State in the Anbar Province. The US will support the operation. [Link] 

Bin Laden’s son calls for jihadists to continue the fight against Assad. [Link] 

US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria said they would not allow Assad government troops to cross the Euphrates River. Russia said Assad allied troops have already crossed the river. [Link] 

Reports have claimed that Russia carried out airstrikes against SDF forces outside of Deir Ezzor. Several SDF soldiers were injured. [Link] Russia disputes the claim they carried out the airstrikes. [Link] Syria Fyle

Reports claim that the US has given YPG and SDF militias $2.2 billion in Soviet-style weapons. [Link] Syria Fyle

 

Sep 15, 2017

On FPF #93, I discuss the US and Russia relations. A new story said Russia offered to reset relations with the US in March. While that offer was passed on, Russia's Foreign Ministry and the US State Department now agree there is no need to continue in the downward spiral in relations. I also update Syria, Yemen, North Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Articles 

Jerrod Labor argues no one should ever listen to John Bolton again. [Link]

After 9/11, the US developed a surveillance centers in Ethiopia to spy on Ethiopians and others in the Horn of Africa. [Link] 

An Army officer explains the harsh truths Americans must accept about the war in Afghanistan. [Link]

 

Sep 13, 2017

On FPF #92, I discuss the attempt by Senator Rand Paul to repeal the 2001 AUMF. The 2001 AUMF was passed in the week after 9/11 and was intended to be a war resolution for Afghanistan. Since 2001, the AUMF has been used to justify military actions in at least 14 countries. The repeal vote failed but gained some traction. I also update Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan. 

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