Foreign Policy Focus

On FPF #384 I cover Tulsi Gabbard's positions on BDS, India's crackdown in Kashmir, and Iran possibly seizing an Iranian ship in the Gulf. Last week, Tulsi voted for a bill that condemned BDS. She received some criticism from her base and has now become a cosponsor of Ilhan Omar's bill affirming Americans' rights to boycott a foreign government.

India has started to take more control over Kashmir. The Indian government took legal steps to take some of Kashmir's autonomy. India has also cut phone and internet services in Kashmir. I explain how this can lead to a dangerous escalation with nuclear powers India and Pakistan. 

In the Middle East, Iran is claiming to have seized an Iranian oil tanker. Iran alleges the tanker was involved in smuggling. In Yemen, AQAP is carrying out attacks against the Saudi/US-backed government's forces. 

Links

• FPF - INF Treaty
• FPF - Turkey/US relationship
• Moon of Alabama - INF withdraw will not start an arms race 

Will Porter returns to the show to discuss Trump's nominee to be Director of National Intelligence. Congressman John Ratcliffe has drawn criticism for being unqualified for the job. Will explains that Ratcliffe has lied about his resume to look more qualified. Will and Kyle talk about the possible role of Ratcliffe could play in the investigation of the origins of Russiagate. The investigation could bring down deep state figures like Comey and Brennan. 

Will also shares his thoughts on the Mueller hearings, the IRA trial, and Afghan peace talks. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. 

Links

• Trevor Aaronson on Ratcliffe
• McGovern on what role Ratcliffe will play in Russiagate
• Daniel Larison Ratliffe is unqualified
• Ratcliffe has taken MIC money

On FPF #382, I discuss the House passing an anti-BDS bill and the impact of US sanctions on Iran. The bill, while stripped of most of its teeth, is an attack on the First Amendment. I explain why Americans have the right to boycott and BDS is not an anti-Semitic movement. The US sanctions on Iran are limiting the importing of medications. This could lead to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. I break down how the US sanctions become deadly. 

Links

• US sanctions will kill Iranians
• Scott Horton talks Israel on FPF

On FPF #381, I discuss the status of talks between the US and North Korea. North Korea recently tested some missiles, and the never-Trumpers attempted to make a show of the tests. Trump downplayed the tests and said that he continues to hope for talks with North Korea. I explain how it was the US policy against North Korea that led Kim to test these missiles. I argue the US should engage in step-by-step diplomacy with North Korea to normalize the relationship. 

Links

• Top Gun Movie
• No tears for Dan Coats
• Scott Horton Show NDAA

Steven Woskow returns to FPF for the July donors Livestream. Kyle and Steven start the show reviewing some highlight from Mueller's Congressional testimony. Mueller was a flop, appeared unknowable about his report, and disappointed many Russiagaters. Steven discussed some of his recent posts at the Libertarian Institute about Iran. Steven and Kyle explain the complexity of the Gulf tensions and how the actions of Western countries are pushing towards war.

Steven Woskow writes on the Libertarian Institute blog. 

On FPF #379, I discuss Russiagate and what we may expect from Mueller's House testimony. Mueller is unlike to give many important answers during his testimony. I debunk some big Russiagate myths and talk about what questions should be asked of Mueller. 

I also cover a lack of reporting on airstrikes, Trump's relationship with the Lockheed CEO, and Trump's Afghan War policy.

Links

• Andrew McCarthy on Mueller Time
• Trump's moving closer to Lockheed
• Alexa O'Brien on war reporting
• James North on Guaido
• Lee Fang on Google helping the government with AI

On FPF #378, I discuss increasing tensions in the Persian Gulf as Iran seized a British ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's action was in response to the UK taking an Iranian ship. The piracy is apart of the increasing tensions between the West and Iran piloted by the Trump Administration. I explain how the US and UK are the aggressors in this conflict. 

Links

• Sam Biddle on AI
• New problems with the F-35
• Moon of Alabama on Iran seizing the UK ship

On FPF #377, I discuss Senator Rand Paul's attempt to engage in talks with Iran. Rand played a round of gulf with Trump and got the go-ahead to talk with the Iranian foreign minister. While Trump still seems committed to his maximum pressure campaign, the realistic Paul and Zarif may be able to begin improving the US/Iranian relationship. 

I update the Eric Garner murder. The police-involved will not be held responsible. I use this story to look at who should be held responsible for enforcing state policy. 

Mike Maharrey returns to FPF to discuss further fallout from his appearance on RT. Polygraph.Info, the "fact-checking" wing of Voice of America, ran an article "debunking" Mike's analysis on SWIFT. Mike correctly argues that the US exercises control over SWIFT to wage economic warfare. Mike responds to the Polygraph.Info article. 

Michael Maharrey is the communications director at the Tenth Amendment Center. He hosts the God Anarchy, Friday Gold Wrap, and Thoughts from Maharrey Head podcasts. His website is MichaelMaharrey.com.

Links

• Mike Maharrey on RT
• Mike Maharrey talks Defend the Guard on FPF
• Polygraph.Info
• The Pre-Rebuttal

I start FPF #375 with a huge announcement. Then, I discuss Turkey starting to receive the S-400 air defense system from Russia. Turkey is deploying the system near the Mediterranean Sea. The US has threatened to sanction Turkey for buying the S-400. We are now waiting to see if Trump will follow through on the threat. 

Links

• FPF - Daniel Shaver 
• Moon of Alabama - S-400
• Curt Mills - Fred Fleitz