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Scott interviewed Chas Freeman about some of the biggest flashpoints that threaten to plunge the world into war. They discuss the war in Ukraine, the growing tension over Taiwan and even touch on the next conflict brewing in the Middle East. Freeman argues that the prospect for war with Russia or China depends on Washington’s willingness to sit down and work out a peaceful resolution. So far, the U.S. government has shown no such interest.

Discussed on the show:

• “Why War Pledges for Ukraine Fell Flat in Munich” (Defense One)

Chas W. Freeman was Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs from 1993-94 and served as U. S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Follow him at his website, chasfreeman.net.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott.

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Michael Swanson is the author of The War State: The Cold War Origins Of The Military-Industrial Complex And The Power Elite, 1945-1963. This is the fourth and final interview in a series of in-depth discussions about the book.

Links to previous interviews below:

First interview

Second interview

Third interview

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Lawrence Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, discusses Iran’s serious commitment to a nuclear deal; the US military’s CIA-like lawless behavior since 9/11; the government’s response to whistleblowers; and Netanyahu’s “greater Israel” foreign policy.

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Nima Shirazi, operator of the Wide Asleep in America blog, discusses his article “Propaganda & Ignorance in Reporting on Iran;” David Albright’s full time job creating hysteria about Iran’s nuclear program; and 30 years of erroneous claims that Iran is “on the verge” of a nuclear weapon.

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Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, discusses unconventional solutions to elephant poaching and why it’s time for Washington to tell Saudi Arabia to pound sand.

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Trevor Timm, an activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, discusses the good and bad NSA reform bills working through Congress; the divide between Congressional party leadership and rank and file members on NSA spying; the data theft directly from Google and Yahoo’s private fiber-optic cables; and the NSA’s tricky non-denial denials.

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Sheldon Richman, vice president of The Future of Freedom Foundation, discusses the Iranian point of view on US-Iran relations since 1953; Obama’s frustratingly unpredictable foreign policy; and how Israel could use proxy groups to sabotage an Iranian peace deal.

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Blogger Marcy Wheeler discusses the NSA’s legal justifications for its spying programs; the intercepted phone calls of foreign heads of state; and the NSA’s theft of user data from Google and Yahoo.

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Francis Nesbitt, associate professor of Africana Studies at San Diego State University, discusses his article “Al-Shabaab’s Savage Coming of Age (and How to Respond);” the historical context of the Nairobi mall massacre; conflicts and proxy-wars in eastern Africa; and how Al-Shabaab – essentially defeated in Somalia – is going international to survive and attract funding.

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