Scott Horton Show - Just the Interviews

Scott interviews Ben Freeman about the money governments like Saudi Arabia and Ukraine invest in D.C. lobbying. They begin by discussing the Middle East Institute, a Saudi-funded D.C. Think Tank that brands itself as an objective institution studying the Middle East when, in reality, its “experts” always happen to argue for what the Saudi regime desires. They then turn to the rest of the world and observe how awful and dangerous the rhetoric coming out of D.C. think tanks is concerning Russia and China.     Discussed on the show: “Gulf funded think tank turns pro-Saudi, UAE messaging up to 11” (Responsible Statecraft) “Why the “end the Yemen war” narrative is problematic” (Middle East Institute) “Army of Ukraine lobbyists behind unprecedented Washington blitz” (Responsible Statecraft) “Tell us how this war in Ukraine ends” (Responsible Statecraft) Ben Freeman is a Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute. He previously served as Director of the Foreign Influence Transparency Initiative with the Center for International Policy. Read his work at AntiWar.com and Responsible Statecraft. Follow him on Twitter @BenFreemanDC.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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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

Scott is joined by Ted Snider to discuss the removal of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan’s government announced in June of 2021 that Pakistan would no longer host any American military bases. Then, earlier this year, Khan was forced out by a vote of no confidence. He immediately turned around and blamed the United States, claiming his removal was a U.S. orchestrated coup. His claims garnered popularity in Pakistan. Snider decided to look into Khan’s theories. He shares what he’s found with Scott.   Discussed on the show:“Why Imran Khan’s coup theory is so popular in Pakistan” (Responsible Statecraft)Ted Snider has a graduate degree in philosophy and writes on analyzing patterns in U.S. foreign policy and history. He is a regular writer for Truthout, MondoWeiss and antiwar.com.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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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

Ethan Siegel joins Scott to discuss the science behind the temperature of thermonuclear explosions. Scott is putting together a new book that argues for the abolition of nuclear weapons called Hotter Than The Sun. He wanted to talk with an expert who can actually explain how the bombs are able to reach temperatures that far exceed the center of the Sun. Siegel wrote an article on that exact topic a few years ago, so he’s the perfect person to answer that question. At the end, they also talk about some of the things to avoid if you find yourself in the aftermath of a nuclear explosion.       Discussed on the show:“Ask Ethan: How Can A Nuclear Bomb Be Hotter Than The Center Of Our Sun?” (Forbes)Ethan Siegel is an astrophysicist, author, professor and science communicator. He’s won numerous awards for science writing since he began blogging in 2008. His blog Starts With A Bang is now housed at Forbes. Follow him on Twitter @StartsWithABang.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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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

Jason Ditz, senior editor of Antiwar.com, joins the show to provide an update on what’s been happening in Iraq. They start with a look at Iraqi politics. An election was held in October, but the numerous factions have hit a wall in their attempt to form a government. That being said, Ditz does not think anyone is inclined to unilaterally seize power any time soon. Next, they turn to the recent Turkish offensive against the PKK in northern Iraq. Turkey claims they have the support of Iraqi officials, yet those same officials quickly came out against the campaign. Lastly, they touch on some intra-Shi’ite violence concerning gravesites that Ditz has been reporting on at Antiwar.com.     NOTE: After recording the above episode, Iraq's political situation continues to deteriorate with Sadr now ruling out a consensus government. Read Jason Ditz's latest on the situation here.Discussed on the show: “Tensions Lead to Iraq Intra-Shi’ite Violence” (Antiwar.com) news.antiwar.com  Jason Ditz is senior editor of Antiwar.com. Read all of his work at news.antiwar.com and follow him on Twitter @jasonditz.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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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

Scott talks with John Quigley about Crimea, the Donbas and other regions in Eastern Europe with heavy ties to Russia. In the mid-90s, Quigley was tasked with leading talks between the new Ukrainian government and the people of Crimea and the Donbas who saw themselves as Russian. Scott and Quigley go through the history of these regions and examine the issues with today's Eastern Eruopean borders.  Discussed on the show:“I led talks on Donbas and Crimea in the 90s. Here’s how the war should end” (Responsible Statecraft)John Quigley was CSCE expert on Crimea 1994-95. A specialist in international law, he is Professor Emeritus at the Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University.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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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

Dave DeCamp is back on Antiwar Radio this week to provide another update on the war in Ukraine. They begin by talking about the new bill set to transfer $40 billion to Ukraine. Rand Paul requested an inspector general to oversee the funds, similar to how money was tracked during the war in Afghanistan. Paul’s request will not be included in the bill, but his attempt did push the passage of the bill back about a week. Scott and DeCamp point out how every single Democrat in national office has fallen in line to support this war. They then dig into the risk of nuclear war breaking out. Both agree that we are clearly on a bad trajectory with the express goals of western governments being to weaken or total overthrow the Russian regime — the top scenario nuclear war experts say will lead to a purposeful first strike. DeCamp points out that the only interest in negotiation seems to come from inside the military. Political leaders are outright discouraging talks. Scott and DeCamp end with a discussion of Finland and Sweden’s plans to join NATO and the Lithuanian Foreign Minister’s call for regime change in Moscow.   Discussed on the show: Mearsheimer’s short debate on PBS “For the U.S., a Tenuous Balance in Confronting Russia” (New York Times) “NATO says Ukraine to decide on peace deal with Russia — within limits” (Washington Post) Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com. Follow him on Twitter @decampdave.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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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

Scott interviews David Stockman about the war in Ukraine and the American economy. They begin by discussing the war in Ukraine. Stockman argues that the irrational motivator behind Washington’s actions is Trump-Derangement Syndrome — that Putin is a surrogate for Trump and you need to demonstrate blind hatred for him to be accepted. Next, they turn to the economy. Stockman recounts the trouble the American economy was in before the pandemic and war in Eastern Europe came about to make everything worse. Scott and Stockman end by discussing the painful path ahead.Discussed on the show: Mearsheimer’s short debate on PBS Secrets of the Temple: How the Federal Reserve Runs the Country by William Greider David Stockman is the ultimate Washington insider turned iconoclast. He began his career in Washington as a young man and quickly rose through the ranks of the Republican Party to become the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan. After leaving the White House, Stockman had a 20-year career on Wall Street. He is the author of Trumped!, The Triumph of Politics, and his history of the financial crisis, The Great Deformation: The Corruption of Capitalism in America.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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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

Scott is joined by activist and podcast host Misty Winston to discuss the case of Leonard Peltier, an American Indian Movement member who was charged with killing two FBI agents in 1975. Supporters of Peltier argue that he was charged without sufficient proof and has thus been illegally held in a maximum-security prison for almost 47 years. Winston gives some background on Peltier’s case, the political and historical context that he was charged under and finally the effort to get him a presidential pardon— or at least a new trial. Winston directs the audience to some resources to learn more and also explains this week’s campaign to fill up the White House’s comment phone line with calls to pardon Leonard Peltier. Discussed on the show: www.whoisleonardpeltier.info  Leonard: Political Prisoner Podcast Leonard: Political Prisoner Twitter Contact the White House (202-456-1111) Misty Winston is co-host of Facts on the Ground and Action 4 Assange. She also hosts her own show The Misty Winston Show. Follow her on Twitter @SarcasmStardustThis 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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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

Stephen Walt joined Scott for Antiwar Radio this week to give his view of the war in Ukraine. Walt is one of the leaders of the doctrine known as “foreign policy realism.” He starts by explaining what separates the realists from other schools of thought in the foreign policy space. He then ties those insights into the current war Russia has launched on Ukraine. He ends by explaining what will lead to escalation, and what has to happen in order for the war to end.Discussed on the show: The Israel Lobby The Hell of Good Intentions Stephen Walt is Professor of International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School, and the author of Taming American Power: The Global Response to U.S. Primacy. He is a regular contributor to ForeignPolicy.com. Follow him on Twitter @stephenWalt.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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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

Scott is joined by CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou to discuss the recent uptick in deplatforming efforts against alternative media sites like Consortium News and MintPress News. They discuss the hold that the Intelligence Community has over establishment national security “journalists.” The example of Ken Dilanian comes up, the journalist who reported on the CIA, but who sent every draft to the CIA for approval before even sending it to his own editor. Meanwhile, alternative websites like The Grayzone, Consortium News, MintPress News and Antiwar.com get no access and are quickly labeled as unstable conspiracy theorists. Recently, the deplatforming attempts against these sites have ramped up with the new “misinformation” labeling group NewsGuard. Scott and Kiriakou agree that this is the logical consequence of the attempt to ruin Jullian Assange, but also that it could be an act of desperation.Discussed on the show: John Kiriakou’s books OKC Bombing Archive NewsGuard Radley Balko at the Washington Post “Ken Dilanian CIA” Google Search MintPress News John Kiriakou is a former CIA officer and author of The Convenient Terrorist: Two Whistleblowers’ Stories of Torture, Terror, Secret Wars, and CIA Lies and Doing Time Like A Spy. He is the host of Loud and Clear on Sputnik Radio. Follow him on Twitter @JohnKiriakou.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; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.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