05/11/12 – Philip Weiss – The Scott Horton Show

Philip Weiss, investigative journalist and author of the blog MondoWeiss, discusses how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu consolidated his political support and avoided early elections; why the centrist Kadima Party’s inclusion in Netanyahu’s coalition could make war with Iran more likely; how liberal Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz coordinated the sycophantic standing ovations during Netanyahu’s speech to Congress; President Obama’s inability to make tough decisions in the face...

05/11/12 – Yousaf Butt – The Scott Horton Show

Yousaf Butt, scientific consultant to the Federation of American Scientists, discusses his article “Debunking the Missile-Defense Myth;” how missile defense systems – as currently implemented – can be easily and cheaply overwhelmed with decoy warheads; more promising alternatives like boost-phase interceptors; carrying on the status quo to benefit defense contractors and to give NATO a reason to exist; Russia’s concern about US and NATO “defensive” missiles in Eastern Europe; and establishing...

05/11/12 – Cora Currier – The Scott Horton Show

Journalist Cora Currier discusses her article “Timeline: How Obama Compares to Bush on Torture, Surveillance and Detention;” the government’s claim that there is oversight for the unprecedented expansion of executive power (it just can’t be verified because of state secrets); Obama’s duplicity on telecom immunity and his broken promise to prosecute the “warrantless wiretapping” Bush administration officials; evidence that CIA black sites are not actually closed; continuing proxy-torture with...

05/11/12 – John Glaser – The Scott Horton Show

John Glaser, Assistant Editor at Antiwar.com, discusses the government’s premature bragging about foiling another underwear bomber terrorist plot – which became embarrassing when news broke about the bomber’s CIA/Saudi connection; Hillary Clinton’s well-founded doubts about arming Syria’s rebellion, whose ranks include al-Qaeda members and suicide bombers; why a “safe zone” in Syria is about as stupid as the “no fly zone” in Libya – and just as sure to start a larger war; the media’s...

05/11/12 – Jacob Hornberger – The Scott Horton Show

Jacob Hornberger, founder and president of the Future of Freedom Foundation, discusses his article “It’s Again Time to Dismantle the Cold War Military Machine;” how Americans are kept in a perpetual state of fear so massive military budgets seem like a necessity; the Pentagon’s latest make-work project, fighting the War on Drugs in Honduras; how ending drug prohibition would decrease problems with gangs, violence, and public corruption; and the impressive stable of writers at the Future of...

05/10/12 – Gareth Porter – The Scott Horton Show

Gareth Porter, investigative historian and journalist specializing in U.S. national security policy, discusses his article “US Treasury Claim of Iran-al-Qaeda ‘Secret Deal’ Is Discredited;” how former intelligence officer Paul Pillar and the recently-released bin Laden documents reveal the Obama administration’s strategy of diplomatic coercion on Iran; the lack of evidence that cooperation between al-Qaeda and Iran extends beyond prisoner swap deals; the need for a quick-response team of...

05/08/12 – Stephen Zunes – The Scott Horton Show

Dr. Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of San Francisco, discusses his article “University of California Takes Aim at Human Rights Activists;” UC President Mark Yudof’s likening of pro-Palestinian student activists to swastika-carving vandals; killing the free exchange of ideas in public universities; how excessive and unwarranted accusations of anti-Semitism lends credibility to real bigots; why racists should be defeated by rational argument, not...

05/08/12 – Philip Giraldi – The Scott Horton Show

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses his article “Iran’s Tactical Strength;” the conclusion of US war simulations studying Iran’s likely retaliation to an Israeli air strike; why the media and government officials from the US and Israel are suddenly less hawkish on Iran; the decade-long scare campaign that Hezbollah sleeper cells are all over the Western Hemisphere; the unlikely story of the CIA capturing explosives-ready underwear in Yemen, which supposedly prevented a terrorist...

05/07/12 – Ray McGovern – The Scott Horton Show

Ray McGovern, member of Veterans For Peace and former senior analyst at the CIA, discusses Russian Gen. Nikolai Makarov’s suggestion that a NATO missile-defense shield in Eastern Europe could be the target of a Russian pre-emptive strike; the laughable justification of the missile shield as protection (for Poland and Romania?) against Iranian nuclear missiles; how President Bush funneled more government money to defense contractors by withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty; and how...

05/07/12 – Will Grigg – The Scott Horton Show

Will Grigg, blogger and author of Liberty in Eclipse, discusses his article “The Everyday Evil of America’s Torture State;” Daniel Chong’s “accidental” 5 day incarceration during which he was without food or water, handcuffed and in complete darkness; the “Gitmo-ization” of the US justice system; other anecdotes of the cops torturing and killing Americans without being fired or prosecuted; the Michigan State Supreme Court’s unusual recognition of the right to resist unlawful arrest; the...

05/07/12 – Franklin Lamb – The Scott Horton Show

Franklin Lamb, Director of Americans Concerned for Middle East Peace, discusses his article “The Lutfallah II Arms-Smuggling Scandal;” funneling weapons from Libya to Syria’s rebels, apparently helped by Saudi Arabia and Qatar; the pending case against NATO in the International Criminal Court; why foreign-orchestrated regime change in Syria will be much harder than it was in Libya; the disastrous US democracy-building exercises in the Middle East; and the reliability of news and casualty...

05/04/12 – Naureen Shah – The Scott Horton Show

Naureen Shah, Associate Director of the Counterterrorism and Human Rights Project at Columbia Law School, discusses her article “Drone attacks and the Brennan doctrine;” US counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan’s admission that civilians are killed in drone strikes (after previously asserting “there hasn’t been a single collateral death because of the exceptional proficiency, precision of the capabilities that we’ve been able to develop”); the rhetorical means of avoiding civilian casualties...

05/04/12 – Ari Berman – The Scott Horton Show

Ari Berman, contributing writer for The Nation, discusses his article “Mitt Romney’s Neocon War Cabinet;” the Bush administration rejects (John Bolton, Eric Edelman, Dan Senor) who will fill senior government posts should Romeny win election; the ability of neoconservatives to shrug off abysmal failures (like the Iraq War) and remain credible mainstream media figures; why Americans shouldn’t – but usually do – overlook presidential supporting casts; and why a Romney victory in 2012 will likely...

05/04/12 – Gareth Porter – The Scott Horton Show

Gareth Porter, investigative historian and journalist specializing in U.S. national security policy, discusses his article “The Truth Behind the Official Story of Finding Bin Laden;” Pakistani Brig. Gen. (retired) Shaukat Qadir’s new book Operation Geronimo: the Betrayal and Execution of Osama bin Laden and its Aftermath; how bin Laden was ousted from Al Qaeda’s leadership and tricked into exile in Abbottabad, Pakistan; debunking the two big lies – that Pakistan’s ISI was hiding bin Laden, and...

05/03/12 – Gareth Porter – The Scott Horton Show

Gareth Porter, investigative historian and journalist specializing in U.S. national security policy, discusses his article “US-Afghan Pact Won’t End War or Night Raids;” President Obama’s stealthy press conference/campaign event in Afghanistan, where he pretended that the war is coming to an end; why an Iraq-model transition to self-governance won’t work in Afghanistan; the Afghan Army’s high turnover rate and general lack of purpose; why the decade-long continuing US occupation can best be...