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...
3/18/18 Mark Perry on Rex Tillerson’s firing and the political workings behind it
Reporter Mark Perry returns to the show to discuss his latest article for The American Conservative, “The Political Forces Behind Rex Tillerson’s Firing.” Perry begins by breaking down what he calls the “Qatar Fiasco” and the role that Israel and its friendly American think tanks played in the increasing tensions between Qatar and the other Arab states. Perry then explains why he thinks the real investigation by Robert Mueller that will bear fruit is Jared Kushner’s potential “Pay For Play”...
3/19/18 John Kiriakou on Gina Haspel’s nomination for CIA Director
John Kiriakou returns to the show to discuss Trump’s nomination of Gina Haspel as the new head of the CIA. Kiriakou begins by clarifying what’s fact from fiction about Abu Zubaydah and Haspel’s role in the CIA torture program. Scott and Kiriakou then re-live the propaganda and lies that led to the Iraq War and the role that torture played in the grand deception. Finally Scott and Kiriakou discuss whether Haspel will face any real opposition in her confirmation process. John Kiriakou is a...
3/16/18 Eli Clifton on Mike Pompeo’s and Trump’s neocons ties
Eli Clifton joins Scott to discuss his latest piece with Jim Lobe, “Pompeo: Springtime For Irano/Islamophobes.” Clifton describes how the neocons have direct access to the Trump presidency and how they’ve whipped up a consistent stream of Islamaphobia in the United States. Clifton then details how Mike Pompeo has framed Middle East conflict in the terms of a Christian holy war and why his appointment to Secretary of State is foreboding. Eli Clifton is a reporting fellow with The Investigative...
3/16/18 Chris Smiley on Veterans for Peace’s new documentary on Ahed Tamimi and Palestinian oppression
Associate member of Veterans for Peace Chris Smiley joins Scott to discuss his new documentary “U.S. Veterans Witness Brutal Reality for Ahed Tamimi and Palestinians.” Smiley details the scope of the documentary, which shows what life is like for the people of the town of Nabi Salih, which borders an Israeli settlement. Scott and Smiley begin by discussing the details of Ahed Tamimi. Scott then makes the case for Palestinian property rights and Smiley juxtaposes the right of return in Israel...
3/9/18 Tim Shorrock on Negotiating with North Korea
Tim Shorrock returns to the show to discuss Trump’s decision to negotiate with North Korea. According to Shorrock the media has largely completely ignored the role South Korean Moon Jae-in has played in making diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea possible. Shorrock then describes the threats North Korea has faced from the United States since the Korean War, and why ending U.S. hostilities is a necessary precondition for real diplomacy. Finally Shorrock discusses the militaristic streak...
War Without a Rationale
The myth of the Afghan safe haven just won't die. This article was originally published in the January/February edition of The American Conservative magazine. In 2001, after the 9/11 attacks, the United States invaded Afghanistan and quickly smashed the Taliban government. It also killed hundreds of members of the al Qaeda group that had launched the attacks, although leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri escaped to Pakistan, along with about 200 followers. Ever since, we have been...
3/9/18 Sheldon Richman on Trump’s Tariffs
Executive editor of the Libertarian Institute Sheldon Richman returns to the show to discuss Trump’s new tariffs on steel and aluminum. According to Richman the major damage of Trump’s tariffs will be felt by downstream producers and the disruption to the price system. Richman details how, contrary to popular belief, technology has increased factory output in the United States while reducing factory jobs—and that the Chinese, the Mexicans, etc. are scapegoats for useful idiots. Richman then...
3/8/18 Peter Van Buren on Trump’s decision to meet with Kim Jung-Un
Peter Van Buren returns to the show to discuss Donald Trump’s decision to meet with Kim Jung-Un to open relations between the United States and North Korea. Van Buren explains why he thinks this is a monumental decision and why there’s real reason for (cautious) optimism and wonders whether this could be Trump’s Nixon-goes-to-China moment. Van Buren then addresses the number one issue on the table: is North Korea actually willing to discuss giving up their nuclear weapons? Van Buren gives a...
3/9/18 Eric Eikenberry on the Senate Joint Resolution to end American support for the War in Yemen
Eric Eikenberry of the Yemen Peace Project joins Scott to discuss Senate Joint Resolution 54, which invokes the War Powers Resolution of 1973 to end U.S. aid and support the bombardment of Yemen by coalition forces. Eikenberry explains why, in addition to ending the catastrophic bombardment of Yemen, the invocation of the War Powers Resolution is so significant—it's never happened before. Eikenberry then explains why the AUMF gets tied up in the language of Joint Senate Resolution 54 and has...
