
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

Nov 22, 2021 • 32min
11/19/21 Russell Wray on the Antiwar Movement, Protesting and the Military’s Impact on the Environment
Scott interviews activist Russel Wray from Ellsworth Maine. Wray has been protesting the wars every Sunday since 2002. He discusses his journey to the antiwar movement and how it’s changed since he began his weekly protests. Wray is also a member of a group that’s trying to fight back against the Navy’s sonar practices, which he says are unnecessarily dangerous to marine life.
Discussed on the show:
Earth’s Greatest Enemy Documentary
Russel Wray is an anti-war activist from Ellsworth Maine and a member of Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats, an advocacy group working to bring attention to the U.S. Navy’s unnecessary killing of marine life.
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; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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

Nov 21, 2021 • 51min
11/15/21 Lyle J. Goldstein on How the US Would Lose the Battle for Taiwan
Scott interviews Lyle J. Goldstein, who now works at Defense Priorities. Goldstein challenges the idea that a war with China over Taiwan would be fundamentally different from the war in Afghanistan. In fact, he thinks the U.S. had a better chance of victory in Afghanistan. He explains how China could render all U.S. carrier groups useless and force the Americans to rely completely on their submarines. But neither would that be a path to victory because of China’s anti-submarine capabilities. Goldstein also points out that it’s by trying to destroy these Chinese ship-killing missile launch sites that the stage is set for dangerous escalation.
Discussed on the show:
“Like Afghanistan, a War for Taiwan is Unwinnable” (National Interest)
“The Scary War Game Over Taiwan That the U.S. Loses Again and Again” (Real Clear Investigations)
“The War Nerd: This is how the Carriers Will DIe” (The Exiled)
Lyle J. Goldstein is the Director of Asia Engagement at Defense Priorities. He is the author of Meeting China Halfway: How to Defuse the Emerging US-China Rivalry. Follow his work at 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; EasyShip; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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

Nov 20, 2021 • 38min
11/12/21 Joe Lauria Explains Julian Assange’s Situation
Scott is joined by Joe Lauria of Consortium News. Lauria gives us a detailed account of Assange’s eventful past year. A British judge, who despite agreeing that Assange had violated the Espionage Act by publishing secrets handed to him, refused to extradite him to the U.S. out of concern for his safety. Lauria explains all of this and puts these events in a broader context.
Discussed on the show:
“What’s next for Julian Assange?” (NewAge)
Joe Lauria is the editor-in-chief at Consortium News. He is a former UN correspondent and wrote at the Boston Globe and Wall Street Journal. You can follow him on Twitter @unjoe.
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; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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

Nov 19, 2021 • 42min
11/12/21 Aaron Maté on the Further Collapse of Russiagate
Aaron Maté is back to give an update on Russiagate as the years-long conspiracy theory continues to fall completely apart. Maté fills us in on the indictment of Igor Danchenko, who was a major source for the Steele Dossier. Danchenko’s claims were just about all fiction. However, he made the mistake of lying to the FBI about some of the more embarrassing ways information made its way into the dossier. Scott and Maté talk about the details of what happened and observe how the conspiracy theorists in the corporate media are handling the news.
Discussed on the show:
“Russiagate has no rock bottom” (Maté’s Substack)
Fear by Bob Woodward
Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes
Aaron Maté is an NYC-based journalist and producer. He hosts the news show Pushback for The Grayzone, and writes regularly for The Nation. Subscribe to his Substack and follow him on Twitter @AaronJMate.
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; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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

Nov 18, 2021 • 29min
11/12/21 Kelly Beaucar Vlahos on the Quincy Institute, Zalmay Khalilzad and Mark Perry
Scott interviews Kelly Beaucar Vlahos from Responsible Statecraft. For listeners unfamiliar with it, Vlahos gives an introduction to her place of work and the think tank behind it, the Quincy Institute. Next they discuss Zalmay Khalilzad who spoke at an event affiliated with the Quincy Institute. Scott and Vlahos discuss Khalilzad’s role in U.S. foreign policy. Finally Vlahos talks a bit about Mark Perry, her friend and coworker who passed away in August.
Discussed on the show:
“Zalmay Khalilzad, unrestrained at restrainer confab” (Responsible Statecraft)
The Pentagon's Wars by Mark Perry
Kelley Beaucar Vlahos is Editorial Director of Responsible Statecraft and Senior Advisor at the Quincy Institute. Follow her on Twitter @KelleyBVlahos.
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; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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

Nov 18, 2021 • 32min
11/12/21 Hassan El-Tayyab on the Many Ways Congress Can End the War in Yemen
This last Sunday, Hassan El-Tayyab of the Friends Committee On National Legislation joined Antiwar Radio to talk with Scott about Yemen. El-Tayyab explains the numerous ways Congress could end the War in Yemen. He also points out that there are a solid number of Senators and Representatives who have demonstrated some degree of disapproval for our involvement in the war. Both Scott and El-Tayyab agree that real results could be close, and urge listeners to get involved and help push this antiwar effort over the finish line.
Discussed on the show:
“Iran’s Small Hand in Yemen” (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
“US maintains intelligence relationship with Houthis” (Al-Monitor)
Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation
Quincy Institute
Hassan El-Tayyab is a musician and peace activist, who works as the lead lobbyist on Middle East policy for the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
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; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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

Nov 16, 2021 • 32min
11/12/21 Dave DeCamp with Updates on Russia, Iraq, Yemen and Taiwan
Scott is joined by Antiwar.com’s Dave DeCamp for a rapid fire review of what’s been happening around the world. They start with Russia where the U.S. has told its European allies an invasion of Ukraine could be imminent. DeCamp explains that, if there’s any truth to the Russian troop movements within Russia, it’s likely a response to NATO military activity in the Black Sea region. Next they discuss Iraq. The Iraqi Prime Minister was apparently the target of a drone attack that plenty of hawks were quickly, and baselessly, blaming on Iran. Then they talk about Yemen, where the war appears to have become a bloody stalemate with neither side likely to give in. Finally they discuss China and how the war drums in Washington are beating for Taiwan.
Discussed on the show:
Antiwar.com News
Dave DeCamp is the assistant 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; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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

Nov 15, 2021 • 26min
11/12/21 Daniel Davis: We Shouldn’t Send American Soldiers to Die for Taiwan
Scott interviews Daniel Davis about an article he recently published at 19fortyfive.com about Taiwan. Davis does believe there is a solid chance that China will invade Taiwan. At the same time, he does not think there is anything the U.S. can actually do about it. Davis explains that, while the American military is much more powerful on a global scale, the Chinese have enough firepower pointed off their coast to overwhelm the U.S. Navy if it gets close to Taiwan. Scott and Davis agree that it would be a costly and ultimately doomed fight. And both stress that the National Security “experts” pointing to nuclear deterrence as the answer are playing a very dangerous and very stupid game.
Discussed on the show:
“Why Should American Soldiers Die For Taiwan?” (1945)
“America Needs To Stop Demanding North Korea Give Up Its Nuclear Weapons” (1945)
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; EasyShip; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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

Nov 15, 2021 • 33min
11/12/21 Daniel Larison on Iran, Sanctions and Great Power Competition
Scott brings Daniel Larison back to the show to discuss a handful of articles he’s written recently for Antiwar.com. First they discuss his piece pointing out that there is no legal basis for any action the U.S. takes against Iran, a fact that ought to be brought up more in our public discourse. Scott and Larison also discuss how American foreign policy itself is a rather large incentive for Iran to become a nuclear power. We’ve killed leaders who gave up their nukes. And those who have them, we tend to just criticize from afar. Next they tackle sanctions. The pain caused by American sanctions is as real as the pain caused by American bombs, but it’s not as easy to visualize. Larison explains what we should picture. Lastly they discuss Great Power Competition and predict what will happen as America’s global military power shrinks.
Discussed on the show:
“Attacking Iran Would Be a Crime” (Antiwar.com)
“Sanctions Are an Inherently Indiscriminate Weapon” (Antiwar.com)
“Dispensing With Indispensability: The US Failed To Improve the World” (Antiwar.com)
“The Bankruptcy of ‘Great Power Competition’” (Antiwar.com)
The Stupidity of War by John Mueller
Daniel Larison is a contributing editor at Antiwar.com, contributor at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and former senior editor at The American Conservative magazine. Follow him on Twitter @DanielLarison or on his blog, Eunomia.
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; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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

Nov 14, 2021 • 33min
11/12/21 Hunter DeRensis on America’s History of Hating War Profiteers
Scott is joined by Hunter DeRensis to discuss a recent longform article he wrote for The American Conservative. The article was the culmination of months of research DeRensis did on the history of the American public’s perception of weapons manufacturers. DeRensis identifies the period between the World Wars as being the age with the most resistance to the war profiteers. Interestingly, that resistance was largely led by middle-class conservatives. Scott and DeRensis point to Joe Kent, who’s running for Congress in Washington State, as an example of the return of this right-wing resistance to the military-industrial complex.
Discussed on the show:
“Merchants Of Death” (The American Conservative)
Hunter DeRensis is communications director for BringOurTroopsHome.US and a regular contributor to The American Conservative. Find him on his website or on Twitter @HunterDeRensis.
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; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee 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