
Scott Horton Show - Just the Interviews
This podcast is for individual interviews on the Scott Horton Show. See the Q & A show feed to hear Scott answer listener questions and for the full show archives.Scott Horton is the author of Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan, and is the host of the Scott Horton Show podcast. He has conducted over 5,500 interviews with authors, journalists, activists, and whistleblowers on the most important foreign policy issues since 2003.
Latest episodes

Oct 25, 2022 • 33min
10/21/22 James Carden on the Need for Strategic Empathy
This week on Antiwar Radio, Scott talked with James Carden about an article he co-wrote recently with Katrina vanden Heuvel of The Nation. The article compares the current level of tension between the U.S. and Russia with the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis sixty years ago. They argue that two factors make today’s flare-up more dangerous: a lack of communication channels and an absence of empathy for the other side. Carden explains why we do not need to sympathize with the Russian invasion to recognize that there is room for diplomacy. Discussed on the show:
“How did we avoid a Cuban Missile ‘Armageddon’? Strategic empathy.” (Responsible Statecraft)
American Committee for US-Russia Accord
James Carden is the executive editor for the American Committee for US-Russia Accord and former adviser on Russia policy at the US State Department. He is a contributing writer at The Nation.This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.Get Scott’s interviews before anyone else! Subscribe to the Substack.Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 24, 2022 • 32min
10/21/22 Annelle Sheline: Mad at the Saudis? End the War in Yemen
Scott talks with Quincy Institute research fellow Annelle Sheline about the recent anti-Saudi sentiment in the Democratic Party and the effort to end the war in Yemen. After some tension between the Biden Administration and OPEC+, many Democrats have been directing anger toward the Saudi Regime. Scott and Sheline discuss how this came about and why the energy should be directed toward ending the war in Yemen. Discussed on the show:
“Five ways Biden can ‘re-evaluate’ the Saudi relationship now” (Responsible Statecraft)
1833stopwar.com
Annelle Sheline is a Research Fellow in the Middle East program at the Quincy Institute and an expert on religious and political authority in the Middle East and North Africa. Follow her on Twitter @AnnelleSheline.This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.Get Scott’s interviews before anyone else! Subscribe to the Substack.Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 23, 2022 • 33min
10/21/22 Daniel Davis on the Looming Battle for Kherson
Scott talks with Daniel Davis about the evolving situation on the ground in Ukraine. Davis has his eyes on the southern city of Kherson where the Russian forces are digging in for a Ukrainian attack. Clearly the Ukrainian forces have benefited from NATO weapons, but Davis thinks they’re in for a tough winter as Russia gets reinforcements and Ukraine’s armored divisions wither away. And so he expects the Ukrainians to try and take control of as much ground as possible before December. Scott and Davis also discuss how Russia’s annexations have changed the dynamic of this war. Discussed on the show:
“Biden’s Ukraine Strategy Could Start A Nuclear War With Russia” (19FortyFive)
“Inside the U.S. Effort to Arm Ukraine” (The New Yorker)
Daniel Davis did multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during his time in the army. He is a Senior Fellow at Defense Priorities and is the author of the reports “Dereliction of Duty II: Senior Military Leaders’ Loss of Integrity Wounds Afghan War Effort” and “Go Big or Go Deep: An Analysis of Strategy Options on Afghanistan.” Find him on Twitter @DanielLDavis1.This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.Get Scott’s interviews before anyone else! Subscribe to the Substack.Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 22, 2022 • 1h 14min
10/20/22 Peter Van Buren: How Close to the Brink Are We Really?
Scott interviews Peter Van Buren to talk through the risk of a nuclear detonation related to the war in Ukraine. Both Scott and Van Buren think the use of nuclear weapons is unlikely, but they dig into the differences in their views of the situation. They also explore how a conventional escalation could play out. Lastly, they turn to North Korea where Van Buren sees the greatest chance of nuclear disaster originating. Discussed on the show:
“Nuclear Chicken Is Overrated” (The American Conservative)
“Inside the U.S. Effort to Arm Ukraine” (The New Yorker)
“NATO Expansion: What Gorbachev Heard” (National Security Archive)
Fail Safe (1964)
“What Jefferson's Critics Miss” (The American Conservative)
“Who is Winning the War in Ukraine?” (The American Conservative)
Peter Van Buren worked for 24 years at the Department of State including a year in Iraq. He is the author of We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People and the novel Hooper’s War. He is now a contributing editor at The American Conservative magazine.This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.Get Scott’s interviews before anyone else! Subscribe to the Substack.Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 20, 2022 • 1h 45min
10/17/22 Richard Booth on Why the OKC Bombing is Still Important
Richard Booth joins Scott to discuss the Oklahoma City bombing. The two go back to the beginning and talk about what originally got them interested in the bombing and how they later joined up to create the largest online archive of relevant documents. They then dig into why this story remains important almost thirty years later. Scott plays a number of audio clips to help the listener understand why there is clearly more to the story than the official conclusion would have us believe. But they also talk about instances where other researchers have gone too far with their assertions. This interview is a good jumping-off point for those who want to start learning about the bombing. Discussed on the show:
Oklahoma City Bombing Archive - The Libertarian Institute
Oklahoma City by Andrew Gumbel and Roger G. Charles
Aberration in the Heartland of the Real by Wendy Painting
Scott’s interview with Boltzmann Booty
“The Oklahoma City Bombing Surveiled: What Do the Videos Show?” (Libertarian Institute)
Tainting Evidence by Phillip Wearne and John Kelly
The Oklahoma City Bombing and the Politics of Terror by David Hoffman
The Final Report by Charles Key
The Secret Life of Bill Clinton by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
Richard Booth is an independent citizen journalist and member of the Constitution First Amendment Press Association (CFAPA). You can find Richard's journalism at The Libertarian Institute, and on his page at Medium.comThis episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.Get Scott’s interviews before anyone else! Subscribe to the Substack.Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 19, 2022 • 1h 22min
10/14/22 Ben Mckelvey on Australia’s Crimes and Struggles in Afghanistan
Scott interviews author and freelance journalist Ben Mckelvey about a book he recently published which explores the controversies and challenges of Australian special operations in Afghanistan. Scott and Mckelvey dig into the war crime allegations and subsequent defamation lawsuits that have defined this chapter of Australian SASR history. They also take a step back and reflect on how the realities on the ground made Coalition success in the war impossible. Discussed on the show:
Find Fix Finish by Ben Mckelvey
Kill Bin Laden by Thomas Greer
Bush at War by Bob Woodward
Brereton Report
“The Other Afghan Women” (The New Yorker)
Funding the Enemy by Douglas A. Wissing
Ben Mckelvey is a freelance writer and editor from Sydney. He has been embedded with the ADF in East Timor and Iraq, and has worked independently in Iran and Afghanistan. Follow him on Twitter @benmckelvey This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.Get Scott’s interviews before anyone else! Subscribe to the Substack.Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 17, 2022 • 32min
10/16/22 Katie Halper on how Speaking the Truth Got Her Fired
Scott interviews journalist and political commentator Katie Halper who just got fired from The Hill for calling Israel an apartheid state. Halper walks Scott through the timeline of events that resulted in her termination as well as what she was fired for saying. Halper and Scott also discuss what they see as the most important things for Americans to understand about the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Discussed on the show:
This is What Got Katie Halper Censored & Canceled By The Hill
“Left-Wing Journalist Katie Halper Has Been Fired for Calling Israel an Apartheid State” (Jacobin)
Katie Halper is a writer, podcast host and video correspondent. She hosts The Katie Halper Show, and co-hosts Useful Idiots with Matt Taibbi.This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.Get Scott’s interviews before anyone else! Subscribe to the Substack.Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 16, 2022 • 34min
10/14/22 Ted Galen Carpenter on the Danger of America’s Involvement in Ukraine
Scott interviews author and Cato Institute senior fellow Ted Galen Carpenter about the dangerous situation in Ukraine. Carpenter has been paying close attention to the social psychology behind America’s response to Russia’s invasion. He talks with Scott about how dishonest journalism, partisanship and neo-McCarthyism have poisoned people’s ability to see the war for what it is and have made many Americans completely dismissive of the danger posed by war with Russia. Carpenter argues that broad outspoken opposition to American involvement in the war is vital. Discussed on the show:
“The Global South’s Revolt against Biden’s Russia Policy” (Antiwar.com)
“The NATO Vs. Russia Proxy War In Ukraine Could Become A Real War” (19fortyfive)
Ted Galen Carpenter is a senior fellow for defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. Carpenter has written 10 books including America’s Coming War with China: A Collision Course over Taiwan and most recently NATO: Dangerous Dinosaur. He is a contributing editor at The American Conservative Magazine and the National Interest.This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 16, 2022 • 49min
10/7/22 Boltzmann Booty on the CIA Asset who Funded the OKC Bombing
Scott interviews Boltzmann Booty, a writer who recently wrote an article about possible CIA ties to the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. It’s well known that Timothy McVeigh and accomplice Terry Nichols used money stolen from a man named Roger Moore to help fund the bombing. Later on, some research suggested that the robbery of Roger Moore was fake — that Moore used the theft to help fund the attack while keeping his hands clean. In this interview, Booty lays out some of the evidence that may suggest Moore himself was working with the government, specifically the CIA. Discussed on the show:
“The CIA Asset That Funded The Oklahoma City Bombing” (Substack)
Oklahoma City Bombing Archive - Libertarian Institute
Oklahoma City by Andrew Gumbel and Roger G. Charles
The Oklahoma City Bombing and the Politics of Terror by David Hoffman
Boltzmann Booty is a writer who focuses on covert intelligence operations and false flag terrorism. His work can be found at his Substack.This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjYu5tZiG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 14, 2022 • 33min
10/10/22 Medea Benjamin on the Need for Peace in Ukraine
Scott interviews co-founder of CODEPINK Medea Benjamin about the antiwar movement and the risks brought about by the war in Ukraine. They start out with a discussion of how the antiwar movement has evolved since the George W. Bush years before digging into the need for off-ramps in the conflict against Russia. Benjamin argues the war fever in Washington is blinding the establishment to the risks and that the war-caused economic turmoil which lies ahead will breed unrest across the globe. Discussed on the show:
“Biden calls the ‘prospect of Armageddon’ the highest since the Cuban missile crisis” (New York Times)
War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict by Medea Benjamin and Nicholas Davies
Peace in Ukraine Coalition
Medea Benjamin is the co-founder of the women-led peace group CODEPINK and the co-founder of the human rights group Global Exchange. She is the author of ten books, and writes regularly for The Guardian, The Huffington Post, CommonDreams, Alternet, and The Hill, among others. Find her on Twitter @medeabenjamin.This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices