The Scott Horton Show from The Libertarian Institute

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Scott talks with Andrew Napolitano about the government crimes Edward Snowden and Julian Assange exposed. First, the judge gives some legal history and context to help us understand specifically what Snowden revealed back in 2013. That leads to a discussion of the sheer scale of illegal surveillance in which the intelligence agencies are engaged. They then turn to Julian Assange. Judge Napolitano goes over some history that highlights how absurd the legal arguments against Assange are. 

Discussed on the show:

“Edward Snowden: An American in Moscow” (Antiwar.com)

The Shadow Factory: The NSA from 9/11 to the Eavesdropping on America by James Bamford

Andrew P. Napolitano, a former judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, is the senior judicial analyst at Fox News Channel. Judge Napolitano has written seven books on the US Constitution. The most recent is Suicide Pact: The Radical Expansion of Presidential Powers and the Lethal Threat to American Liberty.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

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Scott talks with journalist Chip Gibbons about an article he wrote for Jacobin that details the CIA’s 2019 plots to surveil, kidnap and even poison Julian Assange. First, Scott and Gibbons reflect on the impact of Assange and Wikileaks. They then discuss the CIA’s 2019 activities and the pair of protests happening next weekend in London and DC against the illegal prosecution of Assange. 

Discussed on the show:

“Secret Documents Have Exposed the CIA’s Julian Assange Obsession” (Jacobin)

The WikiLeaks Files: The World According to US Empire

Wikileaks.org

“What Happened to America's Civil Libertarians?” (TK News) [paywall] 

October 8th Hands Off Assange Rally

Chip Gibbons is a journalist whose work has been featured in In These Times and the Nation. He is also the policy director of Defending Rights and Dissent, where he authored the report “Still Spying on Dissent: The Enduring Legacy of FBI First Amendment Abuse.” Follow him on Twitter @ChipGibbons89.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

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Scott is once again joined by Douglas Macgregor Col. (ret.) to discuss developments in Ukraine. Macgregor has been working hard to keep track of what’s actually happening on the ground, and the result is a very different narrative than what you’d find in most media outlets. Despite a very public “defeat” in northeastern Ukraine, Macgregor is convinced the Russians are dominating this war. He argues that Russia’s focus appears fixed on the southern coast, which may soon become part of Russia itself. Scott and Macgregor work through the current dynamics of the war and examine the risk of a nuclear strike. 

Discussed on the show:

“Playing With Fire in Ukraine” (Foreign Affairs)

Douglas Macgregor, Col. (ret.) is a senior fellow with The American Conservative, the former advisor to the Secretary of Defense in the Trump administration, a decorated combat veteran, and the author of five books.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG.

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Scott speaks to Yemeni journalist Nasser Arrabyee. From the ground in Sana’a, Arrabyee gives his account of how six months of ceasefire has changed life in Yemen. He walks Scott through some of the improvements he’s observed. Most notably, he explains how the overall tone has changed, with parties from all sides feeling that it’s pointless to continue fighting. Although the agreed end date for the ceasefire is nearly here, Arrabyee is optimistic that the truce will not only continue, but expand. 

Discussed on the show:

Scott’s recent interview with Hassan El-Tayyab

Nasser Arrabyee is a Yemeni journalist based in Sana’a, Yemen. He is the owner and director of yemen-now.com. You can follow him on Twitter @narrabyee.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG.

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Scott speaks with William Hartung from the Quincy Institute about ways the arms industry is ripping off American taxpayers. They take a close look at a few cases such as the F-35 and the Littoral Combat Ship. Both weapons systems don’t work, but have made the manufacturers and their friends a lot of money. Scott and Hartung also take a step back and examine the overall dynamics of the military-industrial-congressional complex and how they use threat inflation and bad economic arguments to keep the money flowing into their pockets.  

Discussed on the show:

“How the Arms Industry Scams the Taxpayer” (Antiwar.com)

The Iron Triangle by Gordon Adams

Scott’s interview with Michael Tracey

William Hartung is a Senior Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and the author of Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military-Industrial Complex. Find him on Twitter @WilliamHartung.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG.

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Scott interviews Roger Waters, co-founder of the band Pink Floyd. They begin with a look back at how Waters first woke up to the plight of the Palestinians. That leads to a discussion about the persecution of Julian Assange, which Waters has been actively speaking out against. Next, they look to the war in Ukraine and discuss Waters’ public back and forth with the first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska. Lastly, Scott brings Waters up to speed on the effort to end the war in Yemen. 

Discussed on the show:

The Heart of Jenin Documentary

The Trial of Julian Assange by Nils Melzer 

Roger Waters’ Open Letter to Olena Zelenska

“Kiev Must Lead the Charge for Peace” (Antiwar.com)

1833stopwar.com

Roger Waters co-founded the band Pink Floyd. Waters initially served as the bassist, but following the departure of singer-songwriter Syd Barrett in 1968, he also became their lyricist, co-lead vocalist and conceptual leader until his departure in 1983. Waters has been very active in antiwar and other activism for many years. He has been outspoken against Western involvement in the war in Ukraine, a defender of Palestinian rights, and one of the leading advocates of freedom for Julian Assange. Last month, he conducted a live webinar that was co-sponsored by Antiwar.com. It is archived here.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG.

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Scott talks with Philip Weiss about Shireen Abu Akleh, the Palestinian-American journalist slain by Israeli soldiers back in May. Likely because of her profession, the media has taken an unusually honest look at the events leading up to Abu Akleh’s death. Though it was always clear that she was unjustifiably killed by an Israeli sniper, further investigations have only made the IDF look worse. Weiss details what we now know, and lays out how the Israeli and American governments have responded. 

Discussed on the show:

Enough Already by Scott Horton

The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy by John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt

“Israelis justify killing of Shireen Abu Akleh — and Biden aides echo the talking points” (Mondoweiss)

“Israel’s denial of accountability for Abu Akleh killing may require cutoff of aid — Leahy” (Mondoweiss)

Philip Weiss is the long-time editor of Mondoweiss.net. Follow him on Twitter @PhilWeiss.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG.

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Hassan El-Tayyab of the Friend's Committee on National Legislation was back again for last Sunday's Antiwar Radio show. El-Tayyab was fresh off a strategy call between many of the organizations and activists leading a campaign to pass War Powers Resolutions through Congress that will withdraw U.S. support from the war in Yemen. He talks with Scott about the progress that’s been made. With the truce’s end date fast approaching, El-Tayyab and Scott emphasize the importance of reaching out to your representatives now to keep the momentum going. 

Discussed on the show:

1833stopwar.com

Demand Progress

Hassan El-Tayyab is a musician and peace activist, who works as the lead lobbyist on Middle East policy for the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG.

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Scott talks with Daniel Davis about the situation on the ground in Ukraine. The news has been highlighting the recent Russian defeat in Northeastern Ukraine near Kharkiv. It has been less focused on the failed Ukrainian offensive in Southern Ukraine near Kherson. Davis has been working hard to sift through the media spin and state propaganda to determine what’s really happening on the front lines. In this interview, he shares some of what he’s found with Scott. 

Discussed on the show:

“Ukraine’s Twin Offensives Buy Ukraine Time, But May Not Be Enough To Beat Russia” (19fortyfive)

Moon of Alabama blog

 

Daniel Davis did multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during his time in the army. He is a Senior Fellow at Defense Priorities and is the author of the reports “Dereliction of Duty II: Senior Military Leaders’ Loss of Integrity Wounds Afghan War Effort” and “Go Big or Go Deep: An Analysis of Strategy Options on Afghanistan.” Find him on Twitter @DanielLDavis1.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG.

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Scott talks with journalist Michael Tracey about the politics behind America’s foreign policy. Tracey recently attended a conference put on by the America First Policy Institute. Many Trump-friendly right-wing populists have defined their foreign policy philosophy as being “America First” with mixed understandings of the historical context behind that phrase. In many ways, this camp has represented a shift away from foreign interventionism within the American Right, at least concerning the Middle East and Europe. However, at the conference, Tracey found mostly establishment Republicans spewing hawkish nonsense. He talks with Scott about how, in many ways, the Trump Presidency brought about all the downsides of having a President willing to stand up to the war machine but with none of the upsides. 

Discussed on the show:

“America First Hawks Admit US Weapons in Ukraine are Plunging Down a Black Hole” (Substack)

“Transcript: Donald Trump Expounds on His Foreign Policy Views” (New York Times)

Reclaiming the American Right by Justin Raimondo 

America First Policy Institute

“Guided by British special forces, Ukraine is escalating the 'deep battlespace' fight against Russia” (Washington Examiner)

“Newt Gingrich's "outsider" act” (Salon)

“Tea Party welcomes Newt to New York” (Salon)

“Democrats and Republicans Pretend They Have Massive, Unbridgeable Differences So They Can Unite Seamlessly on War” (Substack)

“A Review of NATO’s War over Kosovo” (Chomsky.info)

Michael Tracey is a New York-based journalist. You can find his writing on Substack and follow him on Twitter @mtracey

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG.