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On FPF #221, I discuss potential peace talks between the US and the Taliban. The US signaled its willingness to directly talk with the Taliban in statements from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan General Nicholson. Talks could finally bring an end to America's longest war. 

Links

SHS - Jason Ditz

Report on killing of Palestinian Medic

Elijah J Magnier is a Senior Political Risk Analyst with over 32 years’ experience covering Europe & the Middle East. Acquiring in-depth experience, robust contacts and political knowledge in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan and Syria. He is on the show to update us on the latest developments in the Syrian conflict. Specialized in political assessments, strategic planning and thorough insight in political networks. Created and coordinated network of decision makers to provide key insight into the complex political developments of the Middle Eastern region. Experienced in dealing with intrinsically difficult situations in a broad spectrum of situations when interacting with leaders and fundamentalist movements in war zones and areas of growing instability.

 

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Zen Cash; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; LibertyStickers.com; and ExpandDesigns.com/Scott.

Check out Scott’s Patreon page.

Foreign correspondent Reese Erlich comes back on the show to discuss Syria, the deep state, and President Trump's foreign policy so far. Erlich explains how the war in Syria has devastated the lives of the Syrian people, and that there are basically no good actors there—the U.S., Assad, Russia, and the rebels have all committed horrible atrocities. Still, lots of Syrians are glad to have Assad's forces regain territory from the rebels, just because it means an end to the fighting. In this regard, reports of Aleppines happily "celebrating Christmas" have some truth behind them. Erlich goes on to describe an ideological split in the U.S. government: is the main enemy of the U.S. Sunni extremism, or is it Iran? Under President Obama the answer was Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and ISIS—but for Trump, and more importantly the people he surrounds himself with, it seems to be Iran. This has consequences for United States policy toward Syria, because if you see Iran as the main threat, then pulling out of Syria and allowing Assad to reassert control in the region, as Trump has shown inclinations of doing, isn't such a bad thing.

Discussed on the show:

"Netanyahu, Putin, and Trump — Jockeying for Power in Syria" (Common Dreams)

"Military to Military" (London Review of Books)

"Clinton: Arming Syrian rebels could help al Qaeda" (CBS)

"Obama to Iran and Israel: 'As President of the United States, I Don't Bluff'" (The Atlantic)

Reese Erlich is a nationally syndicated columnist and the author of Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War and What the World Can Expect. Erlich’s revised edition of his book The Iran Agenda will be published in 2018. In the meantime read his work at his website and follow him on Twitter.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Zen Cash; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; LibertyStickers.com; and ExpandDesigns.com/Scott.

Check out Scott’s Patreon page.

Gareth Porter returns to the show to talk about North Korea's nuclear program and the chances for denuclearization. One roadblock to denuclearization, he explains, is that the U.S. doesn't know precisely how many nuclear weapons the North Koreans have, nor where they keep them, so it would be impossible to verify with any certainty that all the weapons were destroyed. Another roadblock is that John Bolton seems dead set on stopping a peace deal, going so far as to leak details of a DIA report to the press, perhaps in an attempt to turn the media against President Trump's meeting with Kim.

Discussed on the show:

"Media, Hardliners Play Up North Korean Nuclear “Deception” Claim" (Truthout)

"The Media’s Brazen Dishonesty About North Korean Nuclear Violations" (The American Conservative)

"North Korea has increased nuclear production at secret sites, say U.S. officials" (NBC)

"North Korea working to conceal key aspects of its nuclear program, U.S. officials say" (Washington Post)

David Albright

A.Q. Khan

Ken Dilanian

Gareth Porter is an investigative historian and journalist on the national security state, and author of Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare. Follow him on Twitter @GarethPorter and listen to Gareth’s previous appearances on the Scott Horton Show.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Zen Cash; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; LibertyStickers.com; and ExpandDesigns.com/Scott.

Check out Scott’s Patreon page.

Journalist Franz-Stefan Gady joins Scott to discuss his recent article, "How the ‘Deep State’ Stopped a US President From Withdrawing US Troops From Korea", about President Carter's efforts to demilitarize and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, before being stymied by an intelligence report claiming that North Korea's military was much stronger than previously thought. Once the report made its way to congress, Grady explains, there was very little political will to follow through with Carter's wishes, and he was only able to see through a small troop withdrawal. Grady applauds this reduction as a good thing, but thinks that removing the remaining troops too hastily would be a mistake. He explains that U.S. troops mainly act as a "tripwire," ensuring that if the North were to attack, America would sustain casualties, and would have to respond militarily. This deterrent acts as a stabilizing force against North Korean aggression. Gady supports efforts at diplomacy, but ultimately is skeptical we will see a lasting peace.

Discussed on the show:

"How the ‘Deep State’ Stopped a US President From Withdrawing US Troops From Korea" (The Diplomat)

"How A.Q. Khan Helped Distort America’s DPRK Policy" (38north.org)

Franz-Stefan Gady is a Senior Editor at The Diplomat and a Senior Fellow at the EastWest Institute. He has reported from all over the Middle East. Follow him on Twitter @HoansSolo.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Zen Cash; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; LibertyStickers.com; and ExpandDesigns.com/Scott.

Check out Scott’s Patreon page.

Mark Perry rejoins the show to talk about General Mattis' position in the Trump administration, particularly in relation to Iran. Perry explains that although Mattis seems to have strong negative feelings toward Iran, he is unlikely to advocate military action there because he knows that it would be incredibly expensive in both lives and dollars, and probably still not have the desired effect of regime change. Trump has taken a more bellicose stance on Iran, but Mattis has shown that he's willing to stand up to the president, on this and other issues.

Discussed on the show:

"Mattis’s Last Stand Is Iran" (Foreign Policy)

1983 Beirut barracks bombings

"The Battle For Iran: Policy Or Regime Change?" (Lobe Log)

"Lost at Tora Bora" (New York Times)

Battle of Tora Bora

"Iran Dissent Cost Fallon His Job" (Time)

Mark Perry is the author of Talking to Terrorists: Why America Must Engage with its Enemies and The Most Dangerous Man in America: The Making of Douglas MacArthur. His most recent book, The Pentagon’s Wars was released in October. Read his work at The American Conservative Magazine and follow him on Twitter @MarkPerryDC.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Zen Cash; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; LibertyStickers.com; and ExpandDesigns.com/Scott.

Check out Scott’s Patreon page.

Sheldon Richman, executive editor at the Libertarian Institute, comes on the show to talk about his recent article "Trump Turns to Gaza as Middle East Deal of the Century Collapses." Richman explains the long history of Israelis trying to force Palestinians out of Palestine, which is not a new phenomenon. He goes so far as to say that this process is a genocide, as it is literally the destruction of a people and a nation. Luckily, it seems as though American Jews—young progressives in particular—are waking up to what the Israeli government is doing, and many no longer feel they can support Israel.

Discussed on the show:

"Trump Turns to Gaza as Middle East Deal of the Century Collapses" (Libertarian Institute)

"Hasbara is dead" (Mondoweiss)

Killing Gaza

The Palestine Papers

Sheldon Richman is the executive editor of the Libertarian Institute and the author of America’s Counter-Revolution: The Constitution Revisited. Follow him on Twitter @SheldonRichman.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Zen Cash; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; LibertyStickers.com; and ExpandDesigns.com/Scott.

Check out Scott’s Patreon page.

On FPF #220, I break down a Jake Tapper interview of Rand Paul. Tapper presents the establishment position on NATO, Russian Aggression, and Russiagate. Senator Paul pushes back on Tapper's hawkish position. I explain where why NATO is not essential to security, that Russia is not an expansionist power, and the Mueller investigation still lacks evidence to prove Russia changed the outcome of the 2016 election. 

Links

Jake Tapper interviews

Analysis of Indictments 

Moon of Alabama

Daniel Larison

Ray McGovern & Bill Binney

Jason Ditz, news editor for Antiwar.com, discusses the Syrian conflict and what the current status of the fighting is between the Syrian Army and allied Russians, the rebels, and ISIS.

 

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Zen Cash; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; LibertyStickers.com; and ExpandDesigns.com/Scott.

Check out Scott’s Patreon page.

On FPF#219, I discuss how Americans apathy towards our foreign policy leads to unnecessary deaths. America's longest war has tried the same failed policies over and over with only death and destruction as a result. However, Americans continue to elect leaders and representatives who carry on with the same failed policies. 

Links

FPF # 209 - Killing Yemen 

Moon of Alabam - North Korean talks