Foreign Policy Focus
251 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 37 ratingsForeign Policy Focus is a podcast hosted by me, Kyle! It covers current events overseas and how those events affect you at home. While US military operations in the Middle East seem like they are on the other side of the world, they have real impacts on the everyday lives of Americans. Wars are the most costly of all US government actions and politicians use them to strip away rights of Americans. Knowing what your government is doing around the globe will give you insight into what they are doing at home.
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Episodes
COI#4
September 08, 2020 16:07 - 56 minutes - 64.8 MBBe sure to subscribe to the new Conflicts of Interest feeds.
COI#3
September 06, 2020 12:03 - 48 minutes - 39.1 MBBe sure to subscribe to the new feeds! Thanks for all the support!
Trump's Dangerous New Asian Alliance
September 02, 2020 13:42 - 45 minutes - 36.1 MBBe sure to switch to the new feeds! Posted as Conflicts of Interest #2 YouTube – Conflicts of Interest Facebook – Conflicts of Interest Twitter – Conflicts of Interest Apple Podcast – Conflicts of Interest
Is Trump the Anitwar Candidate?
August 31, 2020 14:22 - 46 minutes - 63.9 MBHosts Kyle Anzalone and Will Porter introduce the debut episode of Conflicts of Interest, a new video show covering news and world affairs that will stream live on YouTube three days a week. Kyle and Will break down Senator Rand Paul’s speech at the Republican National Convention, where he tried to sell Donald Trump as the anti-war candidate and a criminal justice reformer. An upcoming troop drawdown in Iraq could help to make Rand’s case. Rising tension over the South China Sea came to a ...
Self Defense or Murder? A Breakdown of the Kenosha Shootings
August 28, 2020 10:34 - 1 hour - 98.6 MBWill Porter returns for the final episode of Foreign Policy Focus to discuss the shootings and civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. First, a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times while attempting an arrest, leaving him paralyzed. The shooting ignited protests at the Kenosha courthouse that led to riots in other areas of the city. On the third night of unrest, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse shot three people during a confrontation, killing two. He has since been arreste...
Both Parties Pretend to Care About Ending Endless Wars
August 26, 2020 10:47 - 26 minutes - 36.1 MBOn FPF #537, I discuss both parties claiming they will end the endless wars, but neither is serious about actually doing it. Americans keep voting for the president who promises to be less interventionist. However, after taking office, Bush, Obama, and now Trump have expanded wars rather than ending them. Our wars are the most destructive and wasteful part of the US empire. It makes us all poorer and leaves a wake of destruction overseas. Links YouTube – Conflicts of Interest Facebook ...
Will Trump Bring US Troops Home From Iraq?
August 24, 2020 11:07 - 42 minutes - 58.7 MBOn FPF #536, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss Trump's Iraq police. Trump ran for president on ending endless wars. However, he has failed to get the US out of a single conflict. He is again saying he would like to bring US troops home from Iraq. His own staff could get in his way, as Secretary of State Pompeo is also demanding Iraq disarm the Shia militias. The election is approaching, and a desperate Trump could see ending the war in Iraq as a path to election victory. Link Yo...
Lockheed Could Be the Big Winner in the Israel-UAE Agreement
August 21, 2020 09:54 - 41 minutes - 56.8 MBWill Porter returns to FPF to discuss how Lockheed could cash in on the recent deal between Israel and the UAE. Trump administration officials have suggested that after the two countries normalize relations, the US could allow the UAE to buy F-35 fighter jets. While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has objected, the weapon makers have a powerful lobby in DC and Trump believes arms deals benefit the economy. Trump has also said he would like to extend the Israel/UAE agreement to Saudi Arabia....
Will the Israel-UAE Deal Lead to More Arm Sales?
August 19, 2020 11:00 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBOn FPF #534, I cover several important stories in the news. Documents from BlueLeaks expose the government spending thousands on training police in junk sciences. Andy McCarthy writes in the National Review how Kevin Clinesmith's guilty plead also is an indictment of Rep. Adam Schiff. The US Ambassador to Israel said the new deal with the UAE could open up new arms sales to the UAE. However, Israel expressed concern over sales of the F-35 to the UAE. Israel is hoping to have new deals with B...
Trump Ratchets Up the Maximum Pressure Campaign
August 17, 2020 10:49 - 36 minutes - 50 MBWill Porter returns to FPF to discuss Trump's maximum pressure policy against Iran and Venezuela. Will explains how the US seized four oil tankers that were carrying oil to Venezuela. Iran responded with a lack of concern saying the oil was no longer being carried by Iranian ships. At the UN, the US pressed for a resolution that would have extended the arms embargo against Iran. The resolution failed with only two votes, the US and the Dominican Republic. Even US allies - France, UK, and G...
Did Trump Make Peace Between Israel and the UAE?
August 14, 2020 10:53 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MBOn FPF #532, I discuss Trump's announcement that the US mediated an agreement that will lead to Israel and the UAE normalizing relations. Details on the agreement remain unknown, but both sides are claiming this somehow allows for or prevents the annexation of the West Bank. While it may seem like a breakthrough, both Israel and the UAE have been apart of the US efforts to overthrow Assad in Syria and undermine the government in Iran. I explain that the relationship between the UAE and Israe...
Massive Explosion Escalates Lebanon Protests
August 12, 2020 13:26 - 44 minutes - 61.4 MBOn FPF #531, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss the ongoing unrest in Lebanon. Protests escalated after government negligence led to a massive explosion at the Bierut Port. The country's prime minister and his cabinet resigned, although they will remain in place as caretakers until a new government is formed. Will and Kyle also talk about Biden's VP pick, the US trying to take Syrian oil, and Turkish drone strikes in Iraq.
New Russiagate Whistleblower Exposes Stefan Halper Role in Firing Mike Flynn
August 10, 2020 10:23 - 35 minutes - 48.9 MBOn FPF #530, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss the new Russiagate Whistleblower Steven P. Schrage. Schrage is a former student of Stefan Halper and set up the event was Halper first met Carter Page. The Page/Halper meeting is suspected of helping generate the bogus Steele Dossier information that led to a FISA warrant on Carter Page and surveillance of the Trump campaign. Schrage has recorded audio of Halper showing he knew Mike Flynn would be fired as NSA just days before it happen...
Beirut Explosion: Details Emerge on the Origin of the Blast
August 07, 2020 09:34 - 59 minutes - 82.3 MBOn FPF #529, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss the massive explosion in Beirut. So far, over 150 people have been killed; however many more remain missing. The damage to the port will also significantly harm Lebanon's economy, doing billions in damage. Will explains that a cache of improperly stored ammonium nitrate caught fire and eventually exploded. While many details – such as how the ammonium nitrate ended up at the port and how the initial fire was stated – remain unknown, haw...
Who Will Get Syria's Oil?
August 05, 2020 09:59 - 26 minutes - 35.8 MBOn FPF #528, I discuss reports that an American company had signed an agreement with the Syrian Kurds to produce oil in Syria. The story was pushed by Secretary of State Pompeo and Senator Graham. However, the Syrian Kurds now say no agreement has been made. The Kurds added that American and Russian companies are competing for the contract. The Syrian government has argued that the Kurds do not have a right to award the contract. Links ISIS made money on Facebook
No Matter Who Wins in November, We All Lose
August 03, 2020 09:51 - 46 minutes - 64.2 MBOn FPF #527, Will Porter returns to the show to explain why it doesn't matter to Boeing CEO who wins in November. Will and Kyle how the US will continue to wage wars throughout the world and spend hundreds of billions of tax dollars on unnecessary weapons and wars. The bipartisan consensus continues to give the president a nearly blank check for waging war.
Lazy Hawks Blame Russia for Everything
July 31, 2020 03:18 - 26 minutes - 36.5 MBOn FPF #525, I discuss Trump's decision to withdraw 12,000 troops from Germany. Washington hawks dusted off the worn-out Russiagate narrative to try to drum up fear that Trump was sacrificing the country's security to his master Putin. Trump's move is minor as the US will continue to deploy 24,000 troops to Germany and 10,000s of others in countries surrounding Russia. Only about 6,400 troops will be coming home; the rest will redeploy to Europe. While Trump likely decided to withdraw troops...
Too Little, Too Late: Trump Makes Doug Macgregor an Ambassador
July 29, 2020 09:51 - 24 minutes - 33.4 MBOn FPF #524, I discuss Trump's announcement to make retired Col. Douglas Macgregor the US Ambassador to Germany. Macgregor has been a long time advocate for foreign policy restraint. His name has been floated for prominent positions in the administration for years. While it is great that Trump finally added Macgregor to his administration; however, it is not an important enough position, and Trump is nearly out of time with his first term. Links Mark Perry - USS Bonhomme Richard
Destroying Diplomacy with China
July 27, 2020 10:11 - 42 minutes - 57.8 MBOn FPF #523, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss the deteriorating relationship with China. Last week, the US forced China out of a consulate in Houston. China responded by evicting the US from a consulate in China. The breakdown in the relationship between the US and China - and the US maximum pressure campaign against Iran - is forcing Iran to rely more on China. The two countries are expected to sign a $400 billion agreement soon.
2021 NDAA: Another Massive War Budget
July 24, 2020 03:05 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBOn FPF #522, I discuss the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The House has passed its version of the bill. The NDAA gives the Pentagon $740 billion and a black check for more war. One small victory is Tulsi’s requirement to study sanctions. The Senate also passed its version of the NDAA; however, after the recording of this podcast. Both the House and Senate rejected amendments that would have cut the war budget by 10%.
Obama's Libya Fiasco Continues to Bleed
July 22, 2020 10:23 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MBOn FPF #521, I update the ongoing conflict in Libya. In 2011, Obama aligned with NATO to help al-Qaeda linked militants overthrow the government of Gaddafi. After the long time dictator was murdered, the country predictably fell into chaos. Now, a multi-faction civil war rages as ISIS and other Islamist groups try to carve out room for themselves. As the civil war has escalated, outside countries have provided increasing military support to the warring factions. It appears Turkey and Egypt c...
Federal Agents Invade Portland guest Will Porter
July 20, 2020 10:55 - 45 minutes - 63 MBWill Porter returns to FPF to discuss Trump's deployment of well-armed federal agents to Portland. The feds are carrying out mass abuses of protesters, including arresting people for an unnamed reason and throwing the detainees into unmarked minivans. Several journalists have been targeted. Police have disabled at least one man by shooting him in the head with a rubber bullet. City and state officials want the feds gone; however, Trump says they are deployed as part of his order to protest s...
Trump Gives CIA Approval for Cyber Wars guest Will Porter
July 17, 2020 09:52 - 44 minutes - 61.2 MBWill Porter returns to Foreign Policy Focus to discuss the new report that Trump gave the CIA approval to wage cyberwar. The approval was granted in 2018, after being denied by both Bush and Obama. The order allows for the targeting of countries including Russia, China, and Iran. Will details a recent series of disasters in Iran and how Trump's cyberwar may have played a role. Links Intercept - Banks make $18 billion Yahoo - Cyberwar Nation - Army recruits with Twitch
Mike Pompeo Spins Dangerous Lies About Iran and China guest Dave DeCamp
July 15, 2020 10:38 - 45 minutes - 62.1 MBOn FPF #518, Dave DeCamp returns to the show. Dave talks about his recent articles on Iran and China. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has spun lies about both countries to justify a more aggressive foreign policy. He accuses Iran of attacking the US interests in Iraq and Yemen. Dave debunks Pompeo's lies and explains how America's aggressive policy is problematic for Iranians, Chinese, and Americans. Links Pompeo's flimsy lies about Iran Dave's news articles
Roger Stone Is Free, Another False Scandal
July 13, 2020 10:31 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MBOn FPF #517, I discuss top news, including Trump's commuting of Roger Stone's jail sentence. Democrats are attempting to roll this story into the Russiagate conspiracy theory, which now includes Bountygate. While the opposition to Trump is enraged by their own fake news, Trump is ramping up cold wars with Russia, and Congress is taking advantage of the distracted public to give away more of our tax dollars to their donors. Links Gareth Porter on Red Lines Intercept - Bail Reform In...
Russiagate Works: A Majority of Americans Believe Bountygate
July 10, 2020 10:45 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MBOn FPF #516, I discuss how Russiagate conditioned people to buy the fake Bountygate story. Russiagate has pushed a false narrative about Russia for four years. Now many Americans, believing Putin is the ultimate enemy, are willing to believe any lie spun about Russia. Recent polling shows a majority of Americans believe the Bountygate claims, even as an ever-increasing number of journalists poke major holes in the allegations. The political pressure created by the mainstream media has a majo...