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Scott interviews author and Cato Institute senior fellow Ted Galen Carpenter about the dangerous situation in Ukraine. Carpenter has been paying close attention to the social psychology behind America’s response to Russia’s invasion. He talks with Scott about how dishonest journalism, partisanship and neo-McCarthyism have poisoned people’s ability to see the war for what it is and have made many Americans completely dismissive of the danger posed by war with Russia. Carpenter argues that broad outspoken opposition to American involvement in the war is vital. 

Discussed on the show:

• “The Global South’s Revolt against Biden’s Russia Policy” (Antiwar.com)
• “The NATO Vs. Russia Proxy War In Ukraine Could Become A Real War” (19fortyfive)

Ted Galen Carpenter is a senior fellow for defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. Carpenter has written 10 books including America’s Coming War with China: A Collision Course over Taiwan and most recently NATO: Dangerous Dinosaur. He is a contributing editor at The American Conservative Magazine and the National Interest.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG.

Globetrotting Asia Times journalist Pepe Escobar discusses how Obama’s nomination of John Kerry and Chuck Hagel for Secretary of State and Defense could effect Israel relations; why new CIA director John Brennan won’t shy away from covert actions in Syria; Ben [Affleck’s] dishonest portrayal of the Iran hostage crisis in his movie Argo; Libya’s disappearance from the news; and AFRICOM’s never-ending mission of chasing Al-Qaeda terrorists/freedom fighters (depending on the country) around the continent.

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Trevor Aaronson, author of The Terror Factory: Inside the FBI’s Manufactured War on Terrorism, discusses how the FBI became a department of pre-crime after 9/11; using informants to entrap unsavory characters who have no means or opportunity to commit terrorism on their own; the lack of media skepticism on sting operations; and how the FBI uses blackmail and immigration threats to recruit and motivate Muslim informants.

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Conn Hallinan, columnist for Foreign Policy in Focus, discusses his article “Four More Years: The Asia Pivot;” the serious conflicts brewing between Japan, Russia, Korea and China – all while the US military greatly expands its presence in the Pacific; China’s role as economic competitor and essential trading partner for the US (and the world); and the regional trade organizations that threaten US global hegemony.

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The Other Scott Horton, Contributing Editor for Harper’s Magazine, discusses the European Court of Human Rights’ condemnation of Bush-era CIA torture practices within the rendition program; the former CIA officer (now a senior Obama counterterrorism official) responsible for Khalid El-Masri’s torture in the “Salt Pit” prison; the US justice system’s failure to make federal government officials accountable for crimes; and the still-secret 6000-page Senate Intelligence Committee report on torture.

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Muhammad Sahimi, political columnist and professor of chemical engineering, discusses the War Party and the Israel Lobby’s push for war with Iran in 2013; the lies and half truths about Iran’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty rights and obligations; how the US uses Iran’s nuclear program as a pretext for regime change; and Muhammad’s new Iran News & Middle East Reports website.

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Joey King of Veterans for Peace discusses upcoming VFP protests against the deployment of US troops to 35 African nations; the Pentagon’s interest in staying “globally engaged;” foreign policy and blowback; and the insanity of drone warfare.

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Thomas C. Mountain, an independent journalist based in Eritrea, discusses the UN’s “murder and mayhem” in Africa; how US-friendly governments in Uganda and Rwanda are making matters worse in Darfur and Mogadishu; why Africa’s so-called economic miracles and democratic elections are more fiction than fact; Saudi funding for radical Wahabbis in Mali; how Al-Qaeda is both an ally and enemy of the US; and journalist Gary Webb’s exposure of the CIA’s drug running.

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Jonathan Landay of McClatchy Newspapers discusses the Afghan government’s draft peace plan; why the Taliban has no incentive to negotiate or make political concessions; the many factions vying for power in Afghanistan and within the Taliban itself; why there are no good outcomes possible – whether the US withdraws or not; and India’s political and financial interests in Afghanistan.

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