Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael

On this edition of Parallax Views, what does President Joe Biden's decision to withdrawal troops from Afghanistan mean in the context of America's history with war and foreign intervention? Joining us to discuss this and the history of U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan is the Watson Institute's Stephen Kinzer, author of Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq. This conversation was spurred on by Kinzer's April op-ed in the Boston Globe entitled "In Biden’s pledge to withdraw from Afghanistan, the prospect of turning an imperial tide". We begin by delving into the origins of how Stephen Kinzer developed his thinking on foreign policy, which in contrast to the D.C. consensus, emphasize restraint and skepticism towards the supposed effectiveness and benefits of imperial adventurism and foreign interventions. From there we delve into the origins of U.S. imperial ambitions and the American Exceptionalism that fuel those ambitions. In this regard Kinzer discusses an early intervention into the Philippines as well as detailing how the ethos of America's right to rule informs an understanding of historical that is to the detriment of learning history's lesson. From there we dive into the deep history of America's foreign intervention into Afghanistan following the events of September 11th, 2001. Kinzer notes how Afghanistan has fought foreign invaders many times over the course of centuries, and then takes us back to the overthrow of the Shah of Iran in 1979 and the Soviet-Afghan conflict of the Cold War. We go on to discuss the role of the CIA in the Soviet-Afghan conflict by way of its support of the mujahedeen and how this relates to the genesis of the Taliban. In this regard Kinzer responds to criticism that critics of U.S. foreign policy are "conspiracy theorists" who believe that the U.S. created jihadist militant organizations like al Qaeda. We also take some time to discuss how Operation Ajax, the covert operation that overthrew the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953, may also arguably create a domino effect of decades-spanning, far-reaching consequences that would eventually. Moreover, Kinzer discusses pushback against criticisms of the U.S. role in the growth of jihadist terrorism vis-à-vis accusations that such criticisms are based on conspiracy theories claiming that the United States directly created al Qaeda. In addition, Stephen Kinzer discusses the role of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan's ISI (intelligence services) in this area as well. We conclude the conversation by delving into the importance of Biden's statements concerning withdrawal and that Afghans must decide their future rather than Americans. Additionally, Kinzer discusses how we are moving towards a multipolar world and how a combination of foreign policy restraint and better domestic policies at home will actually benefit not only our national security but the well-being of ourselves and other countries more than continued foreign interventions. Moreover, Kinzer makes notes of how the American people, if not the beltway itself, are now embracing a more restrained vision of America's role in the world that stands in contrasts to D.C. stalwarts like Robert Kagan and Samantha Power

On this edition of Parallax Views, Bill Gates has been the target of many a conspiracy theory in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID vaccine. But does this obscure other criticisms of Bill Gates in regards to the vaccine roll-out during the pandemic? Particularly, has Gates' adherence to intellectual property (IP) had negative impacts on the global vaccine roll-out, specifically in the global south? Journalist Alexander Zaitchik has written an extensive piece on this matter for The New Republic entitled "How Bill Gates Impeded Global Access to Covid Vaccines". Zaitchik joins us to discuss some of the main points of this important piece as well as discussing the broader history of intellectual property, problems with intellectual property, how Bill Gates' thinking on IP and vaccines is a symptom of a problem rather than the problem itself, the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO), the vaccine supply crisis globally,  the role James Love of Knowledge Ecology International played in Zaitchik's piece, failures of the COVID ACT accelerator, early plans, ideas, and strategies for dealing with COVID-19 vs. how it has been handled since, pharmaceutical companies, public health vs. intellectual property, the libertarian/free trade critique of intellectual property-based patent systems, and much, much more. In reading Zaitchik's reporting one gets the impression that the poorest countries have suffered the most during the roll-out as compared to the richest countries. Is another way possible? Hopefully this conversation can give listeners a few ideas on that and related issues.

On this edition of Parallax Views, the "Havana Syndrome" has been in the news since U.S. diplomats in Cuba described experiencing a strange sickness involving ringing inside the ear among other symptoms. Since the initial reports of the "Havana Syndrome" were reported the idea that it is the result of exotic weaponry, either a sonic weapon or microve-based directed energy weapon, being used by Cuba (potentially with the help of Russia or China, some believe) against U.S. officials. Now reports of the so-called "Havana Syndrome" have spread to the United States, including D.C.  Mainstream U.S. news media has picked up on the story and now the United States government is conducting an investigation into these alleged attacks. Medical sociologist Dr. Robert Bartholomew, however, believes that this is all a mistake and that the alleged "Havana Syndrome" can better be explained by a stress-induced psychological illness rather than sonic weapons or microwave weapons. In his book Havana Syndrome: Mass Psychogenic Illness and the Real Story Behind the Embassy Mysery and Hysteria, co-authored with neurologist Dr. Robert Baloh, Dr. Batholomew makes the case that the "Havana Syndrome" is actually a case of mass psychogenic illness that has spread via rumor and innuedo. While the victims may experience very real symptoms, he says, the actual syndrome is unlikely to have been caused by sonic or directed energy weapons. Dr. Bartholomew joins us on this edition of the program to discuss his research into mass psychogenic illness, why he beleives the Havana syndrome is better explained by this phenomena, similar cases such as the Mad Gasser of Mattoon, blunders made by jounralists and the media as well as the government in dealing with the "Havana Syndrome" story, conspiracy theories, how the "Havana Syndrome" is taking valuable resources and time away from combating problems like global warming, why he believes Cuba would not attack U.S. diplomats with exotic weaponry, and much, much more.

On this edition of Parallax Views, Officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty in the murder of George Floyd. The death of Floyd led to a wave of protests and renewed interest in Black Lives Matter. Many are the verdict, but will it lead to deep, systemic, structural changes in American policing? Irami Osei-Frimpong aka the Funk Academic makes his third appearance on Parallax Views to discuss why he is skeptical that Chauvin's fate is a signal of deeper changes in American policing. Additionally, Irami and also discuss the issue of diversification of America's police force and why diversification alone may not be sufficient in truly changing the worst aspects of American policing. Moreover, Irami and I take some time to delve deeply into his criticisms of white feminism and why he believes it butts heads with the struggle for black self-determination. And finally, Irami and I chat about why "being basic" won't lead to a happy and meaningful life. And, with regards to meaning, Irami offers some advice that may prove more interesting to listeners than that of self-help gurus like Dr. Jordan Peterson.

On this edition of Parallax Views, when I started this program I never considered doing an episode on the JFK assassination. That's because it's just a too much of a quagmire for me. I don't know enough about the assassination to really get into all the debates about Lee Harvey Oswald, Jim Garrison, whether there was a conspiracy or not, etc. But, I recently had Fred Litwin, a critic of those whom believe the assassination was the result of a conspiracy, contact me in the hopes of appearing on my program to discuss his book On the Trail of Delusion: Jim Garrison: The Great Accuser. I decided to oblige. I originally had wanted to do a debate, but that fell through. So instead I offer two interviews with very different perspectives on the assassination. James DiEugenio, author of Destiny Betrayed: JFK, CUBA, and the Garrison Case, offers the view that the assassination was the result of a broader plot and that the Warren Commision Report wasn't the final say on the case. Additionally, Jim makes the case for Jim Garrison and JFK's foreign policy with regards to Vietnam moving in a direction that was towards withdrawal.

On this edition of Parallax Views, when I started this program I never considered doing an episode on the JFK assassination. That's because it's just a too much of a quagmire for me. I don't know enough about the assassination to really get into all the debates about Lee Harvey Oswald, Jim Garrison, whether there was a conspiracy or not, etc. But, I recently had Fred Litwin, a critic of those whom believe the assassination was the result of a conspiracy, contact me in the hopes of appearing on my program to discuss his book On the Trail of Delusion: Jim Garrison: The Great Accuser. I decided to oblige. I originally had wanted to do a debate, but that fell through. So instead I offer two interviews with very different perspective on the assassination. Fred Litwin offers the views that the assassination was not a conspiracy theory and specifically that New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison was a paranoid populist who targeted an innocent man in his pursuit of Clay Shaw.

On this edition of Parallax Views, there's always a number of interesting cases happening at the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. For example, right now cases involving billionaire Chinese exile and Steve Bannon associate Guo Wengui, attorney Michael Avenatti (who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels against President Donald Trump), and, of course, Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Joining us for what was a rather impromptu conversation is Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press. Matthew has covered the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Wall Street, and the Federal Reserve, but has recently been focusing his attention on SDNY court cases. In this brief but informative interview Matthew gives us details on the SDNY cases pertaining to Guo Wengui, Michael Avenatti, and Ghislaine Maxwell.

On this edition of Parallax Views, imprisoned whistleblower Reality Leigh Winner will be released on November 23rd, 2021. As longtime listeners of the show will know, I've covered Reality's case extensively with both journalist Kevin Gosztola of Shadowproof and Reality's mother Billie Winner-Davis. Reality leaked classified documents to The Intercept from the NSA pertaining to questions of Russian interference in the 2016 election that pitted Hillary Clinton against Donald Trump. Regardless of your opinions on that specific issues there is much to be said about the importance of Reality's case in terms of conscientious whistleblowers and their treatment by the federal government. Joining us on this edition of the program to revisit the case is Brittany Winner, Reality Winner's big sister. In addition to providing a sister's perspective on Reality (including some interesting stories about Seaworld and Pokemon!) that gives a human face to Reality, we also discuss the new documentary by comedian Samantha Bee of Full Frontal (and formerly The Daily Show) which was just published last week. We'll also discuss the effort to grant Reality clemency, the letter campaign to President Joe Biden, Reality's experience with COVID while in prison, and more. Please consider supporting Reality Winner at Stand With Reality.

On this edition of Parallax Views, Ambassador Chas W. Freeman, Jr. is a retired diplomat with a long and storied career. For example, he served as the main interpreter for Richard Nixon's historic 1972 visit to China that proved monumental for Sino-U.S. relations. With tensions building between the U.S. and China today I turned to Amb. Freeman for his expertise and perspective. He joins me on this edition of the program to discuss the state of U.S.-China relations, the lessons of diplomacy, history that must be taken into account when addressing U.S.-China relations, and much, much more. In the course of this conversation we cover: - Richard Nixon's visit to China in 1972 and Amb. Freeman's response to accusations that it amounted to appeasement and that Nixon was "The Great Appeaser" -  Assessing U.S. China relations in the 21st century under the Presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump -  Assessing Biden's first 100 days in relation to U.S. foreign policy towards China. Will Biden be a continuation of Trump era U.S.-China relations? - What factors are likely to influence the Biden administration's foreign policy approach to China? - The U.S.-China summit in Anchorage, Alaska - The fear that China is seeking to become the new global hegemon and the possible psychological factors driving the U.S. reaction to China's growth - What are China's interests now and going forward; what does China want? - Empathy and the purpose of diplomacy - The deep history of the Taiwan conflict - The Uyghur in China and the treatment of them by China - The Tiananmen Square incident - How the Cold War haunts U.S.-China relations - The possibility of cooperation between the U.S. and China in dealing with climate change - Mistakes made by both China and the U.S. in international relations - What have we forgotten about diplomacy and the lessons of diplomacy?

For longtime listeners of Parallax Views Barrett Brown needs no introduction. He's been a reoccurring guest on the program and is something of a legend for his rabble-rousing involvement in Anonymous. Now based in the U.K., after years of struggles in the U.S. including bouts with the FBI, Brown recently restarted Project PM, which dealt with investigating the cyber-military industrial complex (Palantir, HBGary, etc.), as well as starting Project Swartz (named after the late Aaron Swartz) and Project Hastings (named after the late Rolling Stone journalist Michael Hastings; who Barrett interacted/worked with). Brown believes that software technology can be used to assist dissident fighting powerful nation-states on the battlefield of global information warfare. He explains how Pursuance, his main project, is seeking to make this all a reality and discusses some of the problems activists face from federal law enforcement (the aim of Project Hastings is to assist activists and whistleblowers), how media incompetence and malfeasance needs to be called out (the aim of Project Hastings), and the possibilities for activits going forward in terms of information warfare networks that can be used to assist in the fight against corrupt nation-state and for democracy.