Foreign Policy Focus

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]

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]

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

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]