Ben Freeman explains the ways that lobbies, particularly foreign ones, can influence politicians in Washington by disguising where their money is coming from. Despite safeguards against this type of influence, the money is rampant. Discussed on the show: “Following the foreign-policy money trail in Washington” (Salon.com) The Foreign Policy Auction Homepage Jamal Khashoggi “Foreign Agents Registration Act” (Department of Justice) Ben Freeman is director of the Foreign Influence Transparency...

Gilbert Doctorow talks about the potential for a hot war with Russia, which the neocons, he says, seem to think would actually be possible without the use of nuclear weapons. He and Scott both emphatically agree, however, that that is not the case. Given that each country (along with several others) has the capacity to destroy all of civilization several times over, the greatest possible caution and diplomacy are called for. Discussed on the show: Does Russia Have a Future?: Collected...

Grant Smith joins the show to talk about his upcoming event, The Israel Lobby & American Policy Conference 2019, which will be held in Washington, D.C. on March 22. The conference features many prominent guests and will explore the lobby’s powerful influence over American politics. Discussed on the show: The Israel Lobby & American Policy Conference Playgrounds for Palestine “Watch the film the Israel lobby didn’t want you to see” (The Electronic Intifada) Israel’s Armor: The Israel...

M.J. Rosenberg discusses the controversy over representative Ilhan Omar’s recent comments about AIPAC, which caused everyone in and around the Israel lobby to lose their collective minds. The main problem with the outrage, explains Rosenberg, is that she’s basically correct; AIPAC really does wield enormous influence over both parties in Washington, only it has more to do with political power and the United States’ greater relationship with Israel than with actual campaign contributions....

Chas W. Freeman talks about the recent history of China, which, after the communist regime gave way to a softer form of mixed-market fascism thanks in part to negotiations during the Nixon administration, has become the world’s leading manufacturer and a major consumer market. Some Americans think this is a bad thing because it makes China a competitor with the United States for global hegemony. Freeman worries that this fear could lead to real conflict, and in the worst case, retaliatory...

Matthew Hoh talks about why ending the war in Afghanistan has been so difficult. For one thing, even though many of the soldiers on the ground realize the war is both immoral and unwinnable, the war planners don’t necessarily know that. For another, generals and other military advisers to the president will pretty much always counsel in favor of war, and how to fight a war effectively, since that’s their craft. For this reason Hoh stresses the necessity of civilian oversight of the military,...

James Bamford talks about the case of Maria Butina, a young Russian woman educated in the U.S. who was accused of spying for the Russians and sabotaging the 2016 presidential election. Butina was indicted and spent months in solitary confinement, which is technically classified as a form of torture. Bamford believes the case was a set up from the very beginning. Discussed on the show: “The Russian Spy Who Wasn’t” (The New Republic) “2/15/19 Daniel McAdams on the Death of Congressman Walter...

Scott interviews Sheldon Richman about his latest TGIF article, “Who Owns You?”, which explores the history of medical authority as justification for the violation of individual rights in America, including up to today, with government agencies arbitrarily banning certain types of voluntary behavior on purely collectivist and paternalistic grounds. Discussed on the show: “TGIF: Who Owns You?” (The Libertarian Institute) Our Right To Drugs: The Case for a Free Market Ceremonial Chemistry: The...

Daniel McAdams remembers Congressman Walter Jones, who passed away last week. Jones initially supported the War in Iraq, but after realizing his mistake began trying everything in his power to atone for it. He wrote over 12,000 letters to killed and wounded soldiers and their families, and was a vocal opponent of subsequent wars. Jones’ efforts were crucial in getting the House of Representatives to vote on ending U.S. support for the war in Yemen. Discussed on the show: A Pretext for War:...

Ali Abunimah comments on the recent controversy surrounding Minnesota’s Representative Ilhan Omar and her tweets about the Israel lobby’s influence in American politics. Unlike virtually any other lobby, explains Abunimah, AIPAC seems to be off limits in the public discourse. Even after fairly mild comments, like Omar’s, the outrage runs rampant and backtracking and apologies are demanded. Scott and Abunimah wish Omar would have stuck to her guns instead. Discussed on the show: “Ilhan Omar...

Kate Gould joins the show to talk about her work with the Friends Committee on National Legislation lobbying for an end to U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. The house just passed a resolution invoking the War Powers Act, which should send the motion to the president’s desk for the first time since the act’s creation in 1973. The senate is expected to pass the resolution in the coming days as well. Discussed on the show: “End the Illegal U.S. War in Yemen” (Friends Committee on...

Gareth Porter gives an update on the "Russiagate" investigation, which he has long maintained is nothing more than a thinly-veiled ploy to remove President Trump from office. Recent reports on the investigation have only confirmed Porter's suspicions that the intelligence officials involved in the proceedings have been out to get Trump from the beginning. Discussed on the show: "The Real Motive Behind the FBI Plan to Investigate Trump as a Russian Agent" (Consortium News) "Mueller may submit...

Libertarian Institute contributor Tom Eddlem gives some of Venezuela’s recent history, focusing on the elections of Chavez and Maduro, and most recently Juan Guaido’s self-proclamation as the country’s legitimate leader. Scott and Eddlem debate the validity of the United States weighing in on Venezuelan politics in the first place, but agree that the motivations for military intervention are highly suspect. Discussed on the show: “1/25/19 Daniel McAdams on US Support for Regime Change in...