Foreign Policy Focus

On FPF #96, I look at independence votes and movements around the world. Catalonia and Iraqi Kurds have upcoming votes for independence. Syrian Kurds are looking to form their own parliament. Taiwan and Palestine continue to fight for their own states. Several other countries also have populations looking for more freedom. 

Articles 

• US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has become a star neoconservative. [Link] 

• Senator Bernie Sanders said Saudi Arabia is not an ally of the US. [Link] 

• National Security Advisor McMaster said the Iran deal is fundamentally flawed. [Link] Secretary of State Tillerson admits Iran is complying with the deal. [Link] 

• The UN Security Council condemns the Iraqi Kurdish independence vote. [Link] 

• In a UN speech, the Palestinian president said a one-state solution in an option. [Link] 

• Iran’s President says the nuclear deal cannot be renegotiated. [Link] 

• Syrian Kurds will hold the first in a series of three votes on Friday. The second round of voting in November and the third round is in January. The January vote will form a Parliment for Syrian Kurdistan. [Link]

• This article has basic information on the Catalonian independence vote. [Link] 

• Catalonian leaders say the crackdown by Spanish police is a major blow to their independence vote. [Link]  

• Trump says he has made a decision on the Iran nuclear deal. Tillerson says no one knows what decision Trump made. [Link] 

• Daniel Larison explains how the Iran nuclear deal is a one-sided deal in favor of the US. [Link]

• The US Strategic Command Cheif has confirmed that Iran is following the nuclear deal. [Link]

• France’s President said, “the Iran deal is not enough.” [Link] 

• Spanish police continue to carry out raids and arrests to try to prevent the Catalonian independence vote. [Link]

Will Porter returns to Foreign Policy Focus to breakdown Trump's speech to the UN General Assembly. Trump's speech was hawkish and full of lies. Will debunks Trump's lies. Will also provides key insights into the real situation in Syria, Iran, North Korea, and Yemen. 

Trump gave a speech to the UN General Assembly. [Link]

On FPF #94, I discuss why US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, is awful. Haley continues to advocate for war and refuses to do her job as a diplomat. I also update Israel, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. 

Articles 

Harvard canceled plans to make Chelsea Manning a visiting fellow. The plans were canceled after CIA Director Pompeo refused to speak at the school. [Link] 

Congressman Rohrabacher attempted to offer Trump a deal where Assange provides Trump proof that Russia did not provide the leaked emails. In exchange, Trump would give Assange a pardon. [Link]

15 Marines were injured in a training accident. [Link]

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley advocates for war with North Korea and Assad. [Link]

Josh Stimpson argues Trump needs to go to North Korea to meet with King Jung Un. [Link]

A bomb exploded on a UK subway injuring 30. Two men have been arrested in connection with the bombing. [Link] 

Trump says the US is prepared to “defend our civilization” from North Korea. North Korea says it is seeking weapons to achieve equilibrium with the US. [Link] 

Isreali settlers destroyed 70 Palestinian olive trees in two raids. [Link] 

The CIA is looking for authority to carry out drone strikes in Afghanistan. [Link] 

The Iraqi government is beginning a military operation against the Islamic State in the Anbar Province. The US will support the operation. [Link] 

Bin Laden’s son calls for jihadists to continue the fight against Assad. [Link] 

US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria said they would not allow Assad government troops to cross the Euphrates River. Russia said Assad allied troops have already crossed the river. [Link] 

Reports have claimed that Russia carried out airstrikes against SDF forces outside of Deir Ezzor. Several SDF soldiers were injured. [Link] Russia disputes the claim they carried out the airstrikes. [Link] Syria Fyle

Reports claim that the US has given YPG and SDF militias $2.2 billion in Soviet-style weapons. [Link] Syria Fyle

On FPF #93, I discuss the US and Russia relations. A new story said Russia offered to reset relations with the US in March. While that offer was passed on, Russia's Foreign Ministry and the US State Department now agree there is no need to continue in the downward spiral in relations. I also update Syria, Yemen, North Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Articles 

Jerrod Labor argues no one should ever listen to John Bolton again. [Link]

After 9/11, the US developed a surveillance centers in Ethiopia to spy on Ethiopians and others in the Horn of Africa. [Link] 

An Army officer explains the harsh truths Americans must accept about the war in Afghanistan. [Link]

On FPF #92, I discuss the attempt by Senator Rand Paul to repeal the 2001 AUMF. The 2001 AUMF was passed in the week after 9/11 and was intended to be a war resolution for Afghanistan. Since 2001, the AUMF has been used to justify military actions in at least 14 countries. The repeal vote failed but gained some traction. I also update Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan. 

On FPF #91, I share my experience of growing up after 9/11 and the Terror War. I was 10 when the 9/11 attacks happened. I share some myths I believed, I debunk those myths, and talk about how I was led to believe them. 

On FPF #90, I discuss some recent reporting in the media. The fictions told be the media lead to a false understanding of foreign policy. I blast the media and reveal the truth. 

On FPF #89, I discuss the importance of understanding foreign policy. Nuclear war, Famine, disease, and death are all consequences of interventionist foreign policy. I also update North Korea, Myanmar, Yemen, and Syria. 

On FPF #88, I discuss several recent foreign policy stories. I cover several stories about wars coming to the homeland. I break down US/Russian relations. I explain what going on with North Korea's latest nuclear weapons test. I also update Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. 

On FPF #87, I look at the downward spiral of America's foreign policy. US foreign policy for Russia, North Korea, the Middle East, and Africa have created a worse situation for Americans. After making the situation worse, the US has fallen in a downward spiral and continues to make the situation worse with more interventions. I also give updates on Yemen, Syria, Turkey, and Iran.