Foreign Policy Focus

On FPF #374, I discuss the Syrian War. The war crawls on as regional and global powers via to assert their influence in Syria. I update the ongoing battles in Syria and the geopolitical conflicts prolonging the war. The UK recently seized an Iranian oil tanker and alleged the ship was breaking European sanctions against Assad. 

Links

• How to Think About Internation Relations
• Caitlin Johnstone on opposing war
• Doug Bandow on China

On FPF #373, I discuss how Trump has used Twitter to make threats and conduct diplomacy. Trump famously tweeted an invitation to Kim Jong-un to meet at the DMZ. The tweet led to a meeting of the two leaders and Trump being the first president to cross into North Korea. The meeting ended with plans for new talks. I explain why the reports of a 'freeze' agreement and Stephen Biegun leading the talks make me optimistic. 

Trump also used Twitter to threaten more sanctions against Iran. Trump claimed the Iranians were secretly enriching and the JCPOA was going to expire. I debunk Trump's lies about the nuclear deal. 

Links

Kamala Harris's disturbing record

Scott Ritter on North Korea

On FPF #372, I discuss the mainstream reaction to Iran's small increase in uranium enrichment. Many are pushing the false claim that Iran is now breaking the nuclear deal and is on the path to building a bomb, but I explain what is actually happening with the country's civilian nuclear energy program. The US already violated the nuclear pact by withdrawing from the agreement and reimposing sanctions on Iran.

The US uses the SWIFT payment system to keep adversaries in line. Mike Maharrey of the Tenth Amendment Center has done hard work to expose the little known international financial system, for which he is now drawing fire from the likes of Voice of America.

Links

Ray McGovern deep state investigations

Mike Maharrey on SWIFT

On FPF #371, Mike Maharrey and Will Porter return to the show for a discussion on US economic warfare. Mike recently appeared on RT to discuss how the US uses SWIFT to enforce sanctions. Will and Mike highlight the importance of SWIFT in the Americans Empire. 

The Libertarian Party chair criticized Mike for his appearance. Mike and Will explain why they use RT to spread the antiwar message. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. He has bylines at Antiwar.com, Consortium News, and the Libertarian Institute. 

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

On FPF #370, I address the claim that Iran broke the JCPOA or Nuke Deal. The Nuke Deal was implemented under Obama and placed additional limits/inspections on Iran's civilian energy program. In 2018, Trump left the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. The US sanctions broke the agreement, and now Iran is starting to abandon some of its commitments in response. 

I cover some recent diplomacy the US is engaged in. Zalmay Khalilzad is leading the US in the 7th round of talks with the Taliban. Trump met with Kim Jong-un at the DMZ. The President also met Xi and Putin at the G20. 

Links

Ben Norton on NYT getting government approval

Moon of Alabama on Iran not breaking the deal

Joanne Leon returns to the show to breakdown the first Democratic debate. Joanne and Kyle cover Tulsi's highlights from the debate. Tulsi seems to have the strongest ani-intervention policy. They discuss the candidates with the worst answers to questions about war. Joanne gives some of her takes on the field and what we can expect from the 2020 race. 

Joanne Leon is the host of the Around the Empire podcast. 

On FPF #368, I discuss Afghan peace talks, Iran, and Yemen. The US is about to enter the seventh round of peace talks with the Taliban. The upcoming round of talks will focus on a timeline for US troops to leave Afghanistan. Secretary of State Pompeo said he hopes for a deal by September first.  

US and Iranian tensions continue to simmer this week as the US placed new sanctions on the Iranian leadership. Iran has set deadlines for the European to hold up their end of the Nuke Deal. So far, Europe has not taken actions against the US sanctions, and Iran may follow through with threats to enrich more uranium. 

The world's worst crisis is getting worse because the World Food Program is cutting some aid to the Houthi held areas of Yemen. The region is on the brink of starvation and blockaded by the US/Saudi coalition. The Houthi have been carrying out more strikes in Saudi Arabia. 

Links

FPF - INF Treaty 

SHS - Revenge of the Kurds 

FPF #367 is a roundtable discussion with Joanne Leon of the Around the Empire podcast and Kyle. They break down the dangerous situation that has been escalating between the US and Iran. Joanne and Kyle uncover the hawks within the administration who seem to be pushing this war the hardest. 

For FPF #366, I play an episode of the Peace and Liberty Podcast hosted by Steven Clyde. Steven interviewed Will Porter and me on the potential war with Iran. We cover the recent developments and possible future tripwires for war. 

Steven Clyde is the host of the Peace and Liberty Podcast and works with the Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. He has bylines at Consortium News, Antiwar.com, and the Libertarian Institute. 

On the first FPF Patreon's Livestream, I'm joined by Will Porter and Steven Woskow to talk about Iran, the new Defense Secretary, and Venezuela. Iran shot down the unmanned US spy drone in (or near) Iranian airspace. The Trump administration has responded with hawkish rhetoric. We give our take on the possibility and dangers of a war with Iran. 

Will Porter is a staff writer at RT. His work has been published at Antiwar.com, Consortium News, and the Libertarian Institute. 

Steven Woskow's publishes on the blog at the Libertarian Insitute.