Foreign Policy Focus

On FPF #524, I discuss Trump's announcement to make retired Col. Douglas Macgregor the US Ambassador to Germany. Macgregor has been a long time advocate for foreign policy restraint. His name has been floated for prominent positions in the administration for years. While it is great that Trump finally added Macgregor to his administration; however, it is not an important enough position, and Trump is nearly out of time with his first term.

Links

• Mark Perry - USS Bonhomme Richard

On FPF #523, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss the deteriorating relationship with China. Last week, the US forced China out of a consulate in Houston. China responded by evicting the US from a consulate in China. The breakdown in the relationship between the US and China - and the US maximum pressure campaign against Iran - is forcing Iran to rely more on China. The two countries are expected to sign a $400 billion agreement soon.

On FPF #522, I discuss the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The House has passed its version of the bill. The NDAA gives the Pentagon $740 billion and a black check for more war. One small victory is Tulsi's requirement to study sanctions. The Senate also passed its version of the NDAA; however, after the recording of this podcast. Both the House and Senate rejected amendments that would have cut the war budget by 10%.

On FPF #521, I update the ongoing conflict in Libya. In 2011, Obama aligned with NATO to help al-Qaeda linked militants overthrow the government of Gaddafi. After the long time dictator was murdered, the country predictably fell into chaos. Now, a multi-faction civil war rages as ISIS and other Islamist groups try to carve out room for themselves. As the civil war has escalated, outside countries have provided increasing military support to the warring factions. It appears Turkey and Egypt could quickly come to blows inside Libya.

Will Porter returns to FPF to discuss Trump's deployment of well-armed federal agents to Portland. The feds are carrying out mass abuses of protesters, including arresting people for an unnamed reason and throwing the detainees into unmarked minivans. Several journalists have been targeted. Police have disabled at least one man by shooting him in the head with a rubber bullet. City and state officials want the feds gone; however, Trump says they are deployed as part of his order to protest statues.

Will Porter returns to Foreign Policy Focus to discuss the new report that Trump gave the CIA approval to wage cyberwar. The approval was granted in 2018, after being denied by both Bush and Obama. The order allows for the targeting of countries including Russia, China, and Iran. Will details a recent series of disasters in Iran and how Trump's cyberwar may have played a role.

Links

• Intercept - Banks make $18 billion
• Yahoo - Cyberwar
• Nation - Army recruits with Twitch

On FPF #518, Dave DeCamp returns to the show. Dave talks about his recent articles on Iran and China. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has spun lies about both countries to justify a more aggressive foreign policy. He accuses Iran of attacking the US interests in Iraq and Yemen. Dave debunks Pompeo's lies and explains how America's aggressive policy is problematic for Iranians, Chinese, and Americans.

Links

• Pompeo's flimsy lies about Iran
• Dave's news articles

On FPF #517, I discuss top news, including Trump's commuting of Roger Stone's jail sentence. Democrats are attempting to roll this story into the Russiagate conspiracy theory, which now includes Bountygate. While the opposition to Trump is enraged by their own fake news, Trump is ramping up cold wars with Russia, and Congress is taking advantage of the distracted public to give away more of our tax dollars to their donors.

Links

• Gareth Porter on Red Lines
• Intercept - Bail Reform
• Intercept - Hawkish Super PAC enters Maine GOP race

On FPF #516, I discuss how Russiagate conditioned people to buy the fake Bountygate story. Russiagate has pushed a false narrative about Russia for four years. Now many Americans, believing Putin is the ultimate enemy, are willing to believe any lie spun about Russia. Recent polling shows a majority of Americans believe the Bountygate claims, even as an ever-increasing number of journalists poke major holes in the allegations. The political pressure created by the mainstream media has a majority of Americas seeking new sanctions on Russia.

On FPF #515, I discuss the latest push by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to have another meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un. The top US negotiator traveled to South Korea in an attempt to restart talks. Trump has now signaled he be open to talks. However, North Korea is taking a public stand against meeting with Trump before November's election. I explain why North Korea is refusing to meet with the US and the damage done by John Bolton.

Links

• John Dangelo - EARN IT