Judging Freedom
INTEL Roundtable w/ Johnson & McGovern: Weekly Wrap
Dec 14, 2024
Larry Johnson, an expert on the Intelligence Community, and Ray McGovern, a former CIA analyst with critical views on U.S. foreign policy, engage in a riveting discussion on global tensions. They delve into the complexities of the Syrian conflict, scrutinizing U.S. involvement and the ethical dilemmas faced by intelligence agencies, especially regarding their controversial partnerships. The conversation also stretches to Turkey's role in Syria and escalating Israeli-Syrian tensions, highlighting the urgent need to reassess U.S. strategies amid changing geopolitical alliances.
30:58
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Quick takeaways
- The ouster of President Assad in Syria illustrates a complex geopolitical interplay where foreign influences like Russia and Iran shape outcomes amidst conflicting interests.
- The CIA's controversial practices of funding groups labeled as terrorists reveal a troubling paradox in U.S. foreign policy, prioritizing expediency over consistent moral and legal standards.
Deep dives
The Role of Foreign Powers in Syria
The dynamics surrounding the ouster of President Assad in Syria involve significant foreign influence, particularly from Russia and Iran. Both nations attempted to warn Assad of impending threats but were ultimately rejected, as he sought to distance himself from them due to pressures from the Arab League. This rejection highlighted a complex interplay of geopolitical interests, where the United States and its allies were actively involved in planning Assad's removal by supporting jihadist groups, despite their ideologies resembling those that have attacked the U.S. in the past. The involvement of external powers complicates the narrative, indicating that both support and opposition have shaped the course of Syrian politics.
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