The War on Terror destabilized America, paving the way for Trump's rise.
White supremacy roots in American terrorism mischaracterized as Islamic.
Trump's anti-war narrative tapped into nativism and challenged establishment corruption.
Deep dives
Discussing the Origins and Impact of the War on Terror
The podcast delves into the origins and impact of the War on Terror, highlighting how it destabilized America and set the stage for the rise of Trump. Spencer Ackerman discusses his book 'Reign of Terror' and how it connects the war on terror with the current political landscape.
Unveiling the Roots of White Supremacy and Lack of Understanding in Society
The conversation uncovers the roots of white supremacy tied to historical American terrorism, examining how events like the Oklahoma City bombing were misconstrued as Islamic terrorism. It sheds light on the deliberate erasure of white supremacists' connections to violence and the impact on public perceptions.
Exploring the Political Dynamics Post-9/11 and Rise of Trump
The podcast analyzes the post-9/11 political landscape, detailing the internal divisions and symbiotic relationship between neocons and paleocons. It demonstrates how Trump capitalized on anti-war sentiments while tapping into nativism and civilizational subtext, positioning himself as a unique voice against establishment corruption.
Revisiting the War on Terror's Violent Legacy and Liberal Complicity
The discussion revolves around the violent legacy of the War on Terror, particularly torture and rendition, contrasting it with the hypocritical responses from liberal figures during the Trump era. It underscores the ongoing impact of the war's barbarism and the selective amnesia regarding past atrocities in the pursuit of geopolitical interests.
The Failure of the War on Terror
The discussion delves into the failure and consequences of the War on Terror, highlighting how initial rationales for war led to unintended outcomes like the rise of ISIS. The podcast explores the irony of how US military actions inadvertently worsened the problems they aimed to solve, ultimately resulting in a cycle of violence and instability in the region.
The Legacy of the Afghanistan War
The episode reflects on the lasting impact of the Afghanistan War, emphasizing how American intervention created suffering and instability rather than lasting solutions. It critiques the media's coverage of the war's conclusion and calls for a reevaluation of US foreign policy priorities, shifting focus from perpetual warfare to addressing global challenges more strategically and effectively.
It's impossible to comprehend the state of conservative politics — or American politics in general — without looking closely at the wars we've been waging for the past two decades. The story we've been telling about American conservatism has been incomplete without a deep-dive on the so-called Global War on Terror. Luckily, Spencer Ackerman has written the perfect book to occasion such a dialogue. In Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump, Ackerman provides a richly detailed (and acutely frustrating) account of the perversions of justice, liberalism, humanity, and the constitution wrought by the forever wars. Our discussion with Ackerman goes from the Oklahoma City Bombing to the cancellation of Susan Sontag to the battles among neocons and paleocons to define the post-9/11 era. We also touch on the CIA's torture program, nation-building in Afghanistan, and the hypocrisies of the Trump-era Resistance. In typical KYE fashion, it's a complex and wide-ranging conversation you won't find elsewhere.
