This interview is from the KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles broadcast of July 22nd. Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses the early (incorrect) rumors that an Islamic group was responsible for the Oslo shooting/bombing; Giraldi’s insightful guess that the attack could very well be the work of a domestic terrorist with a personal agenda; the threat posed by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula; the CIA stirring up trouble in Mogadishu; the patently ridiculous “official” reasons for US interventions;...

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses the Iranian government’s claim of shooting down a US drone near a nuclear enrichment facility; former CIA officer Robert Baer’s warning about an Israeli-instigated war with Iran, designed to disrupt the September UN vote on a Palestinian state; the Congress’s unconditional support for Benjamin Netanyahu’s every move, no matter how crazy or belligerent; and why Obama doesn’t have the guts to defy Congress and AIPAC by making Israel fight its own...

Former CIA officer and Antiwar.com contributor Philip Giraldi discusses his new article “Target Iran,” the bogus RAND paper claiming Iran could have a nuke in months and somehow under the IAEA’s nose contrasted with Sy Hersh‘s New Yorker piece on the 2011 NIE, the Ha’aretz article showing more Israeli threats to attack Iran, which would draw in the U.S. timed before September to kill the bid for a Palestinian at the UN.

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses Obama’s underwhelming speech on Middle East policy, hyped by the NY Times because it broached the subject of Israel’s 1967 borders; how Obama’s speechwriters really earned their money this time, twisting language and logic to please multiple constituencies; Israel’s enduring and perplexing ability to influence US foreign policy; why war in Pakistan is too crazy to even consider; the few remaining options for NATO in Libya; why Osama bin Laden was not...

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses the US “democracy building” institutions contributing to the protests in Syria; whether the US government deserves credit for the Arab Spring by playing both sides – minimally funding opposition groups while massively funding dictators; John McCain’s return trip to Libya, this time on the rebel side; the competing factions that make a unified foreign policy based on national interest impossible; summing up Syria policy as “what’s best for Israel;”...

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses how (relatively) peaceful and quick Arab uprisings make Al Qaeda’s brand of violent revolution even less appealing; the slippery slope of interventions started with Libya, where there is no logical stopping point (why not Iran, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, etc.); blaming Iran for all the popular uprisings against US-allied dictators; and efforts to reassert US influence in Egypt, especially regarding continued cooperation with Israel on Gaza.

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses CIA contractor Raymond Davis’s release from Pakistani custody after his “blood money” check cleared; the cheap and easy restitution for US killing in third world countries (aka: “Sorry about that, kid. Here’s $1500); how Col. Gaddafi’s tenacious hold on power has surprised many of his critics; how Obama’s reluctance to be “The Decider” has decreased US leverage in foreign policy negotiations; and the National Endowment for Democracy’s watchful eye on...

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses the threat of US military intervention in Libya, and why it shouldn’t happen; how the overweening National Endowment for Democracy screws up political revolutions all over the world; how successful and (relatively) peaceful Mideast uprisings against tyrants undermine the violent fundamentalism promoted by al Qaeda; the US sweating bullets about CIA employee Raymond Davis spilling the beans to his Pakistani captors; the weak case for Davis’s...

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses why the Egyptian revolution is good for everyone, even Israelis; how the Egyptian army’s refusal to fire on demonstrators finally convinced Mubarak to step down; the broad American support for Egypt’s protesters, who happen to look like us and profess to want the same things; competition for loot and power within the remnants of Egypt’s ruling class; and the sorry state of leadership in the American Conservative movement.

This interview is excerpted from the KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles broadcast of January 28th. The original is available here. Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses the beginning of the end of Hosni Mubarak’s rule in Egypt; the uncertain political roles of Mohamed El Baradei and the Muslim Brotherhood; mixed messages from the US government (which must balance lip service for 'democracy' with an Israel-centric foreign policy); how the large, disaffected youth populations in many Arab countries...

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses the difficulty of repairing relations between Turkey and Israel while right-wing political pressure on Netanyahu keeps him from apologizing for the flotilla massacre; how further significant releases make it clear WikiLeaks is indeed performing a valuable public service (in contrast with Giraldi's previous skepticism); how the US provides material support for terrorism — in terms of money and weapons for the PKK; and why the US is just asking for...

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses the theory that WikiLeaks is carrying out the agenda of a foreign power, the State Department engaging in CIA-style espionage, the US/Israeli 5-part plan for regime change in Iran and why Bradley Manning‘s (alleged) exposure of government-gone-wild is laudable but should be prosecuted.