Foreign Policy Focus

On FPF #186, I talk current events from the fronts of the American empire. At home, the US has introduced a new drone warship. In Libya, chaos continues to thrive as General Haftar returns to the country. Assad continues to reclaim territory in Syria. The Taliban have announced the start of their spring offensive. I also explain how war hawks will look to exploit the war in Yemen to demonize Iran. 

Links 

FPF #182 - Expanding Trump's War Powers

FPF #162 - The Deadly Afghan Opium Crop with Will Porter

Peace and Liberty #20 - Libya 

On FPF #185, I give my take on the establishment's glorification of past presidents. Then, I address the most important stories in the news. Rand Paul endorsed Pompeo to be Secretary of State. The Koreans continue to move towards peace. In Afghanistan, a voter registration drive has spurred attacks by the Taliban and ISIS-K. I update Cuba, Syria, and Yemen. 

Links

FPF #167 - Tillerson out, Pompeo in

Adam Johnson on the media's reaction to Syria

75% of South Koreans support peace

MSM Against Korean peace

Child killed by Israeli sniper

On FPF #184, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss his recent articles. Will published Ukraine's NATO Bid Risks Even Worse US Russian Ties at Consortium News. He explains the history of NATO's expansion to the Russian border and reviews the events in Ukraine in 2014. Now Ukraine is on the path to NATO membership; Will explains what this could mean for the US/Russian relationship. 

Will published Chemical Facility Hit in Syria Strike Cleared Twice by Inspectors in 2017 at Libertarian Insititute. On FPF #181, Will discussed his research into the past OPCW inspections at sites the US bombed in Syria. Wil updates us on his work on this story. 

Will is a freelance journalist who specializes in US foreign policy and Mid East affairs. Will's work can be found at Consortium News, Antiwar.com, Libertarian Insitute, and the Daily Sheeple. 

Link

FPF #115 - The Rise of ISIS with Will Porter 

On FPF #183, I discuss the Korean peace process. Recently, South Korea said the Koreans will look end the Korean War and Trump gave his 'blessing' to Korean peace. Trump then announced CIA Director Mike Pompeo traveled to North Korea to meet with Kim Jung Un. South Korean President Moon announced that North Korea will agree to denuclearization without US troops withdrawing from South Korea. 

I breakdown Trump's interpretation of the Korean peace process he presented at a recent press conference. I also update Turkey's geopolitical position. 

On FPF #182, I discuss a new AUMF that has been proposed in the Senate. The AUMF increase Trump's powers to wage expansive and endless war. The AUMF authorizes war against the Taliban, al-Qaeda, ISIS, and those associated groups. The AUMF authorizes war in Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. However, the President is not limited to only fighting war in those countries and against those groups. The President will be able to add any group or expand the war to any country just by notifying Congress. The AUMF has no sunset, and the power to wage war will only end if Congress passes a resolution ending it. 

Links

FPF #162 - Congress Moves on War

Robert Fisk visits Douma

Moon of Alabama on the success of the US attack on Assad

On FPF #181, Will Porter joins the show to discuss Trump ordering an attack on the Syrian government. Will and I breakdown speeches by Trump, Secretary of Defense Mattis, Pentagon spokesperson Dana White, and General McKenzie to explain the attack and give our analysis. 

Will Porter is a freelance journalist who writes on American foreign policy. His work can be found at The Libertarian Institute, AntiWar.com, The Daily Sheeple, and Consortium News. 

Links

US Killing Civilians in Battle for Mosul

Will's research on OPCW

On FPF #180, I discuss the geopolitical fallout from the Western accusation that Assad used chemical weapons in Douma, Syria. The US has floated forming a coalition for military actions against Assad, with France and the UK suggesting they would be participants. Trump is looking to end the Gulf Corporation Council split between Saudi Arabia in Qatar signaling the US may be trying to align its Arab allies for an attack. I examine what the possible US military actions against Assad may be and the possible responses from Russia.  I also break down some highlights of Mike Pompeo's confirmation hearing and the coming protests in Gaza. 

Links 

• Peace and Liberty #28
• Weapon sale to Qatar 
• Trump threatens Russia on Twitter
• Trump suggests the US may not take action in Syria
• OPCW to Douma 
• Around the Empire Daniel L Davis 

On FPF #179, journalist Will Porter returns to the show to discuss Syria. Allegations that Assad used chemical weapons have presented the hawks with an opportunity to push Trump deeper into the Syrian quagmire. Trump seems to be taking the bait, as he says he believes Assad carried out the attack.

Will breaks down Trump's statement and explains the flaws in the president's argument. Will helps debunk common lies about the Syrian Civil War and chemical weapons by dissecting Nikki Haley's speech at the UN. Will and Kyle also discuss Tucker Carlson's recent heroic monolog. 

Will is a freelance journalist who writes on Mid East Affairs and American Foreign Policy. His work has been published at AntiWar.com, The Libertarian Institute, The Daily Sheeple, and Consortium News. 

On FPF #178, I discuss recent allegations that Assad used chemical weapons. The al-Qaeda linked White Helmets claims that over 40 people were killed in the attack. In response, Trump took to Twitter to call Assad an animal and blame the situation in Syria on Obama. I debunk past claims that Assad used chemical weapons. I also update the Gaza Protests, Taiwan, and Afghanistan. 

Links

• Minds.com
• Seymore Herson on Khan Sheikoun
• FPF #176 - Palestinian Protests End in Murder
• Moon of Alabama on the new chemical weapon allegation
• Around the Empire - Elijah Magnier
• Free Man Beyond the Wall - Pulse Shooting

On FPF #177, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss Syria, Russia, and North Korea. In an Ohio speech, Trump suggested the US should remove troops from Syria. Trump has since said US troops will remain in Syria for now. On a March 20th phone call, Trump suggested to Putin a arms control summit at the White House. Trump has committed to talks with North Korea. Will discusses how the appointment of John Bolton as NSA will impact Trump's instincts to do the right thing.

Will Porter is a freelance journalist whose work can be found at Libertarian Institute, Antiwar.com, and Consortiumnews.  

Show Notes 

Scott Horton on Sergei Skripal poisoning

Immersion News John Bolton archive