Bonnie Kristian talks about her latest piece, “If Trump Isn’t Planning to Draw Down U.S. Intervention in Somalia, He Should Be.” She and Scott point out how President Trump often has good instincts on foreign policy, at times questioning what the U.S. is even doing in countries like Somalia, and yet other times he has no problem getting talked into more war by his generals and advisers. The hawks around him love to use the excuse that “we fight the terrorists over there so we don’t have to fight them over here,” but in reality, says Kristian, that’s pretty much the only way we could provoke an attack somewhere in the U.S., by inciting an American into retaliation because of our military’s crimes abroad.

Discussed on the show:

• “If Trump Isn’t Planning to Draw Down U.S. Intervention in Somalia, He Should Be” (Reason.com)
• Al-Shabaab (militant group)
• “Trump’s favorite general: Can Mattis check an impulsive president and still retain his trust?” (The Washington Post)
• Somali Civil War (2006–2009)
• “US forces should leave Afghanistan, even if a deal with the Taliban fails” (Defense News)

Bonnie Kristian is a fellow at Defense Priorities, and weekend editor at The Week. Her writing has appeared at TIME, CNN, Politico, The American Conservative, and many others. Follow her at her website or on Twitter @bonniekristian.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1KGye7S3pk7XXJT6TzrbFephGDbdhYznTa.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download