Foreign Policy Focus

Scott Horton returns to FPF to discuss the first year of Trump's policy for the Afghan War. Scott explains how the drug war in Afghanistan has been a failure. He looks at the US goal of securing the capital Kabul and how the additional US troops have been unable to curb violence in the city. Scott gives his analysis of the recent talks between the US and Afghanistan.

Scott argues that the US efforts in the Afghan War are futile and we should just come home. 

Links 

Scott's book Fool Errand 

SHS - Eric Margolis on Imran Khan

SHS - Andrew Cockburn on the Afghan opium trade 

Scott Horton on the Ron Paul Liberty Report

On FPF #233, I discuss Trump signing the 2019 John McCain National Defense Authorization Act. The overly costly and hawkish Pentagon spending bill is a perfect reflection of John McCain's horrific foreign policy record. I explain how parts of the bill will move the US towards more war. 

I also update the Syrian Civil War and recent US reports on the strength of ISIS. 

Links

FPF #228 - A $700 Billion Waste

UN report on ISIS fighters

Russia supports bilateral trade in national currencies

Will Porter returns to FPF to discuss a Saudi massacre of Yemeni children on a school bus. The US continues to back Saudi's slaughter of Yemen children. Will discuss his updated numbers of Yemenis killed in the civil war. Will and Kyle also debunk the most common myths of the Yemen Civil War. 

Links

SHS - Nasser Arrabyee

SHS - Iona Craig

Will Porter returns to FPF to discuss renewed US sanctions on Iran. Will explains the logistics of sanctions and what could happen if states defy US demands. Will and Kyle review the history of American sanctions against Iran and the Iran Nuclear Agreement. They provide analysis on the potential effectiveness of the new sanctions and what could happen if other states, including allies, don't comply.

Will Porter is a freelance journalist who focuses on Mid East affairs and US foreign policy. His work can be found at Consortium News, AntiWar.com, and LibertarianInstitute.org.

Links

Iranian Sanctions Aren't Just Counterproductive, But an Act of War - Will Porter

On FPF #230, I discuss Senator Rand Pau's recent trip to Russia. Rand's trip to Russia is a good thing and could help lawmakers in both countries realize their common goals. 

I also break down Saudi's diplomatic split with Canada. The Saudis have kicked the Canadian ambassador out of the kingdom and announced that Saudi students would be moved out of Canada. 

Links

Saudi provocative Tweet

SHS - Andrew Cockburn

On FPF #229, I look at the difference between the US media portrayal of the Korean peace process and what is actually happening in the region. The US media has focused on stories that indicate North Korea and Trump are ruining the peace process. However, North and South Korea military leaders are meeting to discuss reducing conventional weapons near the DMZ. Japan is removing anti-missile systems citing a reduction in the threat from North Korea. 

Links 

SHS - Nassar Arraybee

On FPF #228, I discuss the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. Congress recently passed the 2019 NDAA, authorizing $716 billion in defense spending. The spending is largely for offensive purposes and does not benefit the protect the American people. I break down some of the mandates Congress placed on the money. 

Links 

FPF #226 - NDAA with Will Porter

On FPF #227, I discuss Trump's foreign policy. It appears Trump is using the same plan with Iran that he believes brought North Korea to agree to denuclearize. I explain how Trump misunderstands how the peace process developed in North Korea and why a similar US policy in Iran will have far different results. 

I break down recent talks between the US and the Taliban and how Pakistan's new prime minister may impact the Afghan War. 

Links

Moon of Alabama - Afghan Talks

Rand Paul's Middle East Peace Plan

Moon of Alabama - Imran Khan

SHS - Eric Margolis on Imran Khan

On FPF #226, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss Israel's continued bombing of Assad's forces in Syria. The Syrian Civil War has continued to drag on, and the Israeli actions are effectively protecting ISIS. The Syrian Kurds are looking to make a deal with Assad. Will provides the analysis. 

Will and Kyle update the horrific situation in Israel for the Palestinians. The Israelis continue to carry out a bombing campaign against Gaza. In some rare good news, Ahed Tamimi has been released from prison.

Links

Will Porter's FPF YouTube Playlist  

Will Porter returns to FPF to discuss Donald Trump and foreign policy. Inflicted with Trump derangement syndrome, the mainstream media is writing headings suggesting the soccer ball Putin gave Trump had a device inside of it. The dishonesty of the headlines pushes America's policy away from peace with Russia. 

Kyle and Will break down the proposed 2019 NDAA. The NDAA has several new mandates that impact Turkey, Yemen, and Syria. 

Will Porter is a freelance journalist who covers US foreign policy and Mideast affairs. Will's work can be found at AntiWar.com, ConsortiumNews.com, and the Libertarian Institute.