Investigative journalist and historian Gareth Porter returns to the show to do a deep dive on the history of the Iraq War. Porter begins by detailing the role of the air force in propagating the neoconservatives’ goals and the behind-the-scenes struggle for power that took place between the army and the air force. Scott then asks Porter: how could the neoconservatives not realize that overthrowing Saddam Hussein would empower the Iranians? On their way through the history of the Iraq War Scott...
3/28/18 Nasser Arrabyee on the 3-year anniversary of the U.S.-Saudi war in Yemen
Yemeni journalist Nasser Arrabyee returns to the show to discuss the U.S.-Saudi war in Yemen, which is now entering its fourth year. Arrabyee describes the mood on the ground in Yemen, how things have changed since the beginning of the war, and what a political solution might look like. Scott then asks about the role of the UAE in the conflict and its alliance with the separatists of Southern Yemen and what Arrabyee’s thoughts are on the recent failed Senate resolution to invoke the War Powers...
3/29/18 Q & A Show
Scott talks about Jesse Trentadue, the book, Iraq, Yemen, the Iran deal, Star Wars 8, Bolton and Ellsberg.
3/23/18 Patrick Cockburn on the fighting in Afrin and Eastern Ghouta
Patrick Cockburn, Middle East reporter for the Independent, returns to the show to discuss the fighting in Syria, focusing on the conflicts in Afrin and East Ghouta where much of the killing of civilians has taken place. Cockburn details the tangled maze of allegiance in Syria and how the United States will likely deal with its warring allies. Cockburn then shares what he knows about where the surviving displaced ISIS fighters have re-surfaced. Cockburn says that despite considerable bias in...
3/21/18 Andrew Cockburn on how the United States boosts the Afghan opium trade
Washington editor of Harper’s magazine Andrew Cockburn returns to the show to discuss his latest article “Mobbed Up: How America boosts the Afghan opium trade.” Cockburn explains how Trump’s major contribution to the war in Afghanistan has been to take the existing restraints off the air force so they can, Cockburn says, “try to pacify Afghanistan from 20,000 feet.” Cockburn and Scott then discuss the war on drugs in Afghanistan and Cockburn outlines why the narrative that the Taliban relies...
Retired USSC Justice Stevens: Repeal the 2nd Amendment
Other than conservatives, is there a group of people anywhere dumber than American liberals? How childish is this thinking?: Change the law and all the guns will vanish and then shooting will decrease. Here’s a more likely result: the second America Civil War, mass assassinations and murders, state secession, hundreds of thousands or even millions killed in, wait for it … gun violence, as Americans by the millions choose to protect their rights to firearms by using them, and the state clamps...
3/21/18 Phil Weiss on Ahed Tamimi’s sentencing and its consequences
Phil Weiss joins Scott to discuss Ahed Tamimi’s plea bargain, which will result in eight months in prison. Weiss argues that Israeli culture has gone off the rails and that all the fears that Americans have about the rightward swing in the U.S. are being fully realized in Israel. Weiss then details the shift in American Jews’ views towards Israel and how young people, in particular, have unfavorable views toward Israel. Finally Weiss and Scott talk about the move of the Iran Deal, John Bolton,...
3/21/18 Doug Bandow on Donald Trump’s decision to negotiate with North Korea
Cato’s Doug Bandow returns to the show to discuss Donald Trump’s decision to negotiate seriously with the North Koreans. Bandow believes that, while much can still go wrong, this is a real opportunity for traction and progress. Bandow raises the Iran Deal and the North Koreans certain interest in what the Trump administration will ultimately decide to do with the existing agreement with Iran. The interview then turns to Iran, and whether Donald Trump could take the same approach to Iran that...
3/20/18 Jonathan Schwarz on the history and lies of the Iraq War
The Intercept’s Jon Schwarz returns to discuss the history of the Iraq War 15 years after one of the most shameful events in U.S. history. Schwarz and Scott run through and debunk the myriad lies and propaganda that were spread before and after the invasion. Schwarz then details through the major players in and out of the government who cheerleaded for war in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. The two then discuss the role Ariel Sharon and the Israeli government pumped the Bush...
3/19/18 William Arkin on the evidence supporting Russiagate
NBC News reporter William Arkin returns to the show to discuss Russia’s influence in American democracy and his article “Russians Target Texas Democratic Convention.” Arkin makes the case, based on his research, that Russia is in fact engaging in a broad ranging covert operation against American democracy. Arkin and Scott discuss the extent to which Russiagate mirrors the lead up to the Iraq War. Arkin then goes through the various scattered evidence that’s been collected and argues that the...
3/19/18 Jim Bovard on Trump’s cuts to American funding for the NED
Investigative columnist Jim Bovard returns to the show to discuss his latest piece for The Hill, “Time for the US to end democracy promotion flim-flams.” Bovard makes the case for why cutting spending to “pro-democratic organizations” would be a good thing, and explains what the consequences would be. Bovard and Scott then discuss the rule of Vladimir Putin and his perception in the United States before finishing with a rundown of the latest events in Syria. Jim Bovard is a columnist for USA...
New Jersey Speech This Weekend
Saturday the 24th I'm giving a talk about Afghanistan to the Libertarian Party of New Jersey state convention. It's at the University Inn on the campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Find out more here.
The U.S. War in Afghanistan is Unwinnable
I gave a talk about the Afghan war at Middle East Books and More in Washington, D.C. on March 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYkM3Vzl6v0&lc=
They Lied Us Into War, All of Them
And I don't just mean Iraq War II. A friend wanted a list, so I whipped one up real quick. 1812: Impressment of sailors was the excuse when the Democrats really just wanted to seize Canada. https://original.antiwar.com/justin/2012/06/19/1812-the-war-partys-first-success/ 1846: Mexico: U.S. invaded, called it defense from the Mexicans https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/lincoln-resolutions 1861: Civil War: Keeping Ft. Sumpter open after South Carolina secession was a provocation....
3/19/18 Christian Appy on the 50th Anniversary of the My Lai Massacre
Christian Appy, author of “American Reckoning: The Vietnam War and Our National Identity,” joins Scott to reflect on 50 years since the Mai Lai Massacre. Appy sets the conditions for the My Lai massacre and explains why it shocked the country from its previously steadfast belief in its exceptionalism. Appy further explains how anti-Asian racism played a role both in the My Lai massacre and in the Vietnam War more broadly and in U.S. foreign policy at large. Christian Appy is a professor of...
