Peter Dale Scott reads and discussion his poem “Bob Silvers and the Deep State” (See attachment).

The poem centers around the brief period in the 1970’s where Peter had a toe in the American prestige media. Specifically, he worked with Bob Silvers of the NYRB to publish important articles related to the US in Southeast Asia. Why did this CIA-connected fellow want to publish Peter Dale Scott—and why did he just as abruptly stop? Peter mulled this over in his mind over many decades. This poem is a meditation on that period and on its implications.

This is the 25th installment of our oral history series with the prolific poet, historian, and political theorist who gave us parapolitics as well as the deep politics approach.

Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering!