Oliver Stone & Peter Kuznick: War Profiteering, Nuclear Tech, NATO v. Russia, & War With Iran
Jan 10, 2025
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Oliver Stone, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, and Peter Kuznick, a historian specializing in U.S. foreign policy, dive into the intricacies of America’s proxy war with Russia. They discuss the looming threat of nuclear conflict and explore the historical context of U.S.-Russia relations. The duo critiques mainstream media's portrayal of events like 9/11 and offers insights into the moral complexities of war, Hollywood's role in shaping narratives, and the challenges of accountability in government secrecy.
The podcast highlights America's historical adversarial relationship with Russia and critiques the neoconservative ideology driving ongoing conflict instead of diplomatic solutions.
The shift in the Democratic Party's stance from peace advocacy to militaristic strategies signals a troubling trend towards perpetual conflict over effective diplomacy.
Concerns about war profiteering illustrate how financial incentives hinder accountability in foreign policy, perpetuating cycles of warfare rather than promoting ethical governance.
Deep dives
Creating Tensions with Russia
The discussion emphasizes the United States' historical adversarial relationship with Russia, particularly post-Cold War. The host expresses confusion over the renewed hostilities, arguing that there was no logical basis for the ongoing animosity towards Russia, especially given its previous collaboration with the U.S. during World War II. The conversation suggests that the current antagonism is largely driven by neoconservative ideology and reflects a failure to move on from the Cold War mentality. This highlights a dangerous pattern of provoking conflict rather than fostering diplomacy.
War Policy Shifts in Political Parties
The dialogue reveals a significant shift within political parties, particularly the Democratic Party, which was once aligned with peace and diplomacy but has now become more hawkish and pro-war. The co-host mentions their surprise at how the party of reconciliation has transitioned into one that increasingly supports militaristic strategies. This change is attributed to a broader bipartisan agreement on foreign policy that favors military intervention over diplomacy. Such dynamics signal a troubling trend towards perpetual conflict rather than conflict resolution.
NATO and European Perspectives
NATO's expansion is critiqued as a primary factor underlying current tensions, with the host citing the perception in Europe that Russia poses an imminent threat. There is a concern that this narrative is perpetuated by elite leaders within the European Union who adhere to a dated view of Russian intentions. The discussion suggests that this mindset ignores historical events and complexities, and places unnecessary pressure on an already fragile geopolitical landscape. The need for a reassessment of these views, fostering a more collaborative approach with Russia, is underscored.
Nuclear War Threats and Misinformed Policies
The podcast highlights the imminent threat of nuclear war, fueled by misguided policies and a lack of understanding among political leaders. The conversation notes that policymakers are often shielded from the realities of nuclear engagement and the catastrophic implications it would hold. A historical perspective is offered, suggesting past leaders exercised greater restraint and foresight regarding nuclear armament compared to the current political climate. The discussion calls for a revival of careful diplomatic strategies to de-escalate tensions before any irreversible actions are taken.
Historical Lessons and Modern Governance
Reflecting on the historical context is deemed essential for understanding contemporary international relations. The conversation points out that educating citizens about history, particularly in reference to wars and foreign policy blunders, can shape more informed and responsible governance. It emphasizes how ignoring past lessons can lead to repeating mistakes, especially regarding militaristic fervor. This is framed as a crucial juncture in which citizens must demand accountability and clarity from their leaders to avoid past errors of judgment.
War Profiteering and Political Accountability
The issue of war profiteering is raised as a critical concern, indicating that substantial financial incentives exist for continued conflict. The dialogue suggests that these economic motivations lead to a systematic lack of accountability among politicians and defense contractors, perpetuating cycles of warfare. Historical references highlight failed attempts in the past to curb such practices and redefine principles of engagement. The discussion ultimately calls for renewed scrutiny of wartime expenditures and lobbying practices to reclaim ethical governance in foreign policy decision-making.
America’s proxy war with Russia isn’t anything new. It’s been decades in the making. Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick explain what nuclear war would actually look like.
(00:00) How Close Are We to Nuclear War?
(12:08) Why Don’t We Know All the Details of 9/11?
