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Around The Empire

Around the Empire podcast explores the massive apparatus of the American Empire. In-depth interviews, discussions. Hosted by Joanne Leon.
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Now displaying: Page 9

Around the Empire podcast explores the massive apparatus of the American Empire. In-depth interviews, discussions. Hosted by Joanne Leon.

Oct 3, 2018

Syrian analyst Ehsani returns to the show to talk about the latest developments in the Syrian war, with a focus on the Idlib deal, Turkey’s role in the war, perspectives from Syrians, and the prospects for recovery.

Ep 72 Syria: Idlib Deal and Outlook feat Ehsani

Ehsani is a Syrian American originally from Aleppo. You can find his social media analysis and discussion about Syria on Twitter at @ehsani22. He has also written for the Syria Comment blog under the pseudonym, “Ehsani”.  

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com.

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on October 2, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Photo: By Jamen Schahoud at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

 

Reference Links:

  1. Ep 34 An End to the Syrian War feat Ehsani (9/20/17)
  2. Ep 45 Ghouta, Afrin and Eastern Syria feat Ehsani (3/27/18)
Sep 28, 2018

Friends of the show Kyle Anzalone and Will Porter join Joanne Leon for a special three-part series on the Rise and Fall of John Brennan, done in a roundtable format and released in three separate episodes in the coming week for our listeners or available in advance, in full for patrons.

Ep 71 The Rise and Fall of John Brennan - Part 3

Kyle Anzalone is the host of the Foreign Policy Focus podcast and the editor-in-chief of ImmersionNews.com. He also writes the Daily News Roundup at Libertarian Institute.

Will Porter is a freelance journalist with a focus on US foreign policy and conflicts abroad. His work can be found at the Libertarian Institute, Antiwar.com and Consortium News

In American political life, few officials have weathered as many storms as former CIA director John Brennan. With a career marred by a virtually endless series of scandals, Brennan’s ability to maneuver himself within institutions of power has served him exceptionally well both inside and outside of government.

Brennan’s decades-long tenure at the CIA presents a microcosmic portrait of US foreign policy since the fall of the Soviet Union—a true exemplar of the American role in a “unipolar” world.

His name has become synonymous with torture, regime change, targeted assassinations, drones, spying, the arming of foreign militias and now, in the era of Trump, politicized intelligence.

But that may have finally come to an end. The recent revocation of Brennan’s security clearance could represent the final nail in a coffin that, until now, has simply refused to stay shut.

Join us in this 3 part series reviewing Brennan’s career at the CIA, the litany of scandals tied to his name, as well as what could come next for the retired intelligence officer.

Support Kyle at  https://www.patreon.com/ForeignPolicyFocus. Support Will at patreon.com/WKPJournalist.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com.

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook.

This discussion was recorded in two sessions: August 24 and 31, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. President Trump’s Claims of No Collusion are Hogwash, New York Times, John Brennan
  2. William H. McRaven: Revoke my security clearance, too, Mr. President, Washington Post
  3. Scores of ex-spies join in rebuking Trump over security clearances, Politico
  4. The Seven Deadly Sins of John Brennan, Micah Zenko, Foreign Policy
  5. Confront and Conceal (book), David Sanger
  6. Gates to National Security Team on Osama Raid: 'Shut the F--- Up', Daniel Halper, Weekly Standard
  7. Exclusive: Did White House "spin" tip a covert op?, Mark Hosenball, Reuters
  8. Who Bombed Khobar Towers? Anatomy of a Crooked Terrorism Investigation, Gareth Porter, Truthout
  9. Brennan-led secret raids may have led to Benghazi retaliation, book claims, FoxNews
  10. The media are misleading the public on Syria, Stephen Kinzer, Boston Globe
  11. US Special Forces sabotage White House policy gone disastrously wrong with covert ops in Syria, SOFREP, Jack Murphy
  12. Secret Kill List Tests Obama’s Principles New York Times, Jo Becker, Scott Shane
  13. A Spymaster Steps Out of the Shadows, New York Times Magazine, Mattathias Schwartz

 

Sep 27, 2018

Friends of the show Kyle Anzalone and Will Porter join Joanne Leon for a special three-part series on the Rise and Fall of John Brennan, done in a roundtable format and released in three separate episodes in the coming week for our listeners or available in advance, in full for patrons.

Ep 70 The Rise and Fall of John Brennan - Part 2

Kyle Anzalone is the host of the Foreign Policy Focus podcast and the editor-in-chief of ImmersionNews.com. He also writes the Daily News Roundup at Libertarian Institute.

Will Porter is a freelance journalist with a focus on US foreign policy and conflicts abroad. His work can be found at the Libertarian Institute, Antiwar.com and Consortium News

In American political life, few officials have weathered as many storms as former CIA director John Brennan. With a career marred by a virtually endless series of scandals, Brennan’s ability to maneuver himself within institutions of power has served him exceptionally well both inside and outside of government.

Brennan’s decades-long tenure at the CIA presents a microcosmic portrait of US foreign policy since the fall of the Soviet Union—a true exemplar of the American role in a “unipolar” world.

His name has become synonymous with torture, regime change, targeted assassinations, drones, spying, the arming of foreign militias and now, in the era of Trump, politicized intelligence.

But that may have finally come to an end. The recent revocation of Brennan’s security clearance could represent the final nail in a coffin that, until now, has simply refused to stay shut.

Join us in this 3 part series reviewing Brennan’s career at the CIA, the litany of scandals tied to his name, as well as what could come next for the retired intelligence officer.

Support Kyle at  https://www.patreon.com/ForeignPolicyFocus. Support Will at patreon.com/WKPJournalist.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com.

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook.

This discussion was recorded in two sessions: August 24 and 31, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. President Trump’s Claims of No Collusion are Hogwash, New York Times, John Brennan
  2. William H. McRaven: Revoke my security clearance, too, Mr. President, Washington Post
  3. Scores of ex-spies join in rebuking Trump over security clearances, Politico
  4. The Seven Deadly Sins of John Brennan, Micah Zenko, Foreign Policy
  5. Confront and Conceal (book), David Sanger
  6. Gates to National Security Team on Osama Raid: 'Shut the F--- Up', Daniel Halper, Weekly Standard
  7. Exclusive: Did White House "spin" tip a covert op?, Mark Hosenball, Reuters
  8. Who Bombed Khobar Towers? Anatomy of a Crooked Terrorism Investigation, Gareth Porter, Truthout
  9. Brennan-led secret raids may have led to Benghazi retaliation, book claims, FoxNews
  10. The media are misleading the public on Syria, Stephen Kinzer, Boston Globe
  11. US Special Forces sabotage White House policy gone disastrously wrong with covert ops in Syria, SOFREP, Jack Murphy
  12. Secret Kill List Tests Obama’s Principles New York Times, Jo Becker, Scott Shane
  13. A Spymaster Steps Out of the Shadows, New York Times Magazine, Mattathias Schwartz


Sep 26, 2018

Friends of the show Kyle Anzalone and Will Porter join Joanne Leon for a special three-part series on the Rise and Fall of John Brennan, done in a roundtable format and released in three separate episodes in the coming week for our listeners or available in advance, in full for patrons.

Ep 60 The Rise and Fall of John Brennan Part 1

Kyle Anzalone is the host of the Foreign Policy Focus podcast and the editor-in-chief of ImmersionNews.com. He also writes the Daily News Roundup at Libertarian Institute.

Will Porter is a freelance journalist with a focus on US foreign policy and conflicts abroad. His work can be found at the Libertarian Institute, Antiwar.com and Consortium News

In American political life, few officials have weathered as many storms as former CIA director John Brennan. With a career marred by a virtually endless series of scandals, Brennan’s ability to maneuver himself within institutions of power has served him exceptionally well both inside and outside of government.

Brennan’s decades-long tenure at the CIA presents a microcosmic portrait of US foreign policy since the fall of the Soviet Union—a true exemplar of the American role in a “unipolar” world.

His name has become synonymous with torture, regime change, targeted assassinations, drones, spying, the arming of foreign militias and now, in the era of Trump, politicized intelligence.

But that may have finally come to an end. The recent revocation of Brennan’s security clearance could represent the final nail in a coffin that, until now, has simply refused to stay shut.

Join us in this 3 part series reviewing Brennan’s career at the CIA, the litany of scandals tied to his name, as well as what could come next for the retired intelligence officer.

Support Kyle at  https://www.patreon.com/ForeignPolicyFocus. Support Will at patreon.com/WKPJournalist.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com.

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook.

This discussion was recorded in two sessions: August 24 and 31, 2018.

Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. President Trump’s Claims of No Collusion are Hogwash, New York Times, John Brennan
  2. William H. McRaven: Revoke my security clearance, too, Mr. President, Washington Post
  3. Scores of ex-spies join in rebuking Trump over security clearances, Politico
  4. The Seven Deadly Sins of John Brennan, Micah Zenko, Foreign Policy
  5. Confront and Conceal (book), David Sanger
  6. Gates to National Security Team on Osama Raid: 'Shut the F--- Up', Daniel Halper, Weekly Standard
  7. Exclusive: Did White House "spin" tip a covert op?, Mark Hosenball, Reuters
  8. Who Bombed Khobar Towers? Anatomy of a Crooked Terrorism Investigation, Gareth Porter, Truthout
  9. Brennan-led secret raids may have led to Benghazi retaliation, book claims, FoxNews
  10. The media are misleading the public on Syria, Stephen Kinzer, Boston Globe
  11. US Special Forces sabotage White House policy gone disastrously wrong with covert ops in Syria, SOFREP, Jack Murphy
  12. Secret Kill List Tests Obama’s Principles New York Times, Jo Becker, Scott Shane
  13. A Spymaster Steps Out of the Shadows, New York Times Magazine, Mattathias Schwartz

 

Sep 17, 2018

Elijah Magnier returns to the show for an update and insight on the political situation in Iraq where the prime minister selection process (also a proxy battle of sorts between the US and Iran) is still ongoing. See Around the Empire Episode 56 for our first conversation on this topic. We also talk about the stalled operation in Idlib and the power players involved.

Around the Empire Ep 68 Iraq Politics & Stalled Idlib Op in Syria feat Elijah Magnier

Elijah is a veteran war correspondent, a terrorism/counterterrorism analyst specializing in the Europe and the Middle East, especially Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Libya. He recently left Iraq and is speaking to us today from Lebanon.

Follow Elijah at @ejmalrai and find his work at ejmagnier.com. Support him by using the Paypal link at the bottom of every page on his website.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com.

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on September 14, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. A Weak and Divided Iraq is Stumbling Towards an Unbalanced Future (6/8/18), Elijah Magnier
  2. The US Forces in Al-Tanf are Beleaguered on both the Syrian and Iraqi Sides. Tehran is Challenging Washington in Iraq Abadi is No Longer the Agreed Favourite Candidate (7/23/18), Elijah Magnier
  3. Which War for Mesopotamia? Iraq Must Choose Between Iran and the US (8/21/18) , Elijah Magnier
  4. Faleh Al-Fayyad is the Official Anti-US PM Candidate in Iraq, While the US is Trying to Hit Iran Below the Belt (8/31/18), Elijah Magnier
  5. The US Horse Fell at the First Jump in Iraq (9/4/18), Elijah Magnier
  6. The USA Oblivious to the Rise of a Resistance Movement in Response to Its Interference in Iraqi Elections (9/5/18), Elijah Magnier
  7. A Wake-Up Call to the US in Baghdad: Will Haidar Abadi Become the Mohammad Morsi of Iraq? (9/7/18), Elijah Magnier
  8. Haidar Abadi Has Fallen With the Burned Walls of the Iranian Consulate in Basra (9/10/18), Elijah Magnier
  9. The Liberation of Idlib: Turkey is in the Way, With Russia Slowing Down (9/14/18), Elijah Magnier
  10. Syria - The Rationale Behind The Delay Of Idleb's Liberation, Moon of Alabama
  11. Can Erdogan intimidate Assad into backing off Idlib?, Amberin Zaman, Al Monitor
  12. Turkey reinforces military in Syria's Idlib after ceasefire call fails”, Orhan Coskun, Reuters
  13. Turkish Strategy in Northern Syria Military Operations, Turkish-Backed Groups and Idlib Issue, SouthFront
  14. Notorious Terrorist Commander Eliminated By Syrian Troops In Idlib”, Muraselon/The Syria Reporters
Sep 4, 2018

Roving journalist Michael Tracey joins the show for a discussion about the McCain Holy Week, as he called it, and what it tells us about the state of the American empire.

Ep 67 Mourn McCain Mourn Empire feat Michael Tracey

Tracey is a journalist who has been published by numerous media organizations including The Young Turks, Rolling Stone, The New Republic, VICE, The Intercept. The Nation, Reason, American Conservative and New York Daily News.

FOLLOW @mtracey on Twitter and find his work on Medium and on his website.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com.

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on September 2, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. John McCain Was Not An Anecdote, Michael Tracey
  2. Funeral For A Dying Doctrine, Michael Tracey
  3. John McCain’s Funeral Was the Biggest Resistance Meeting Yet, Susan Glasser, The New Yorker
  4. Washington Mourns John McCain – And Its Own Demise Under Trump, Tim Alberta, Politico Magazine
  5. John McCain: The View from the Middle East, As’ad AbuKhalil, Consortium News
Aug 20, 2018

Yemeni journalist and filmmaker Nasser Arrabyee speaks to us from Sanaa about the war in Yemen. In 2015, a CENTCOM commander told a US Senator that he did not know Saudi Arabia’s goals and objectives in its war on Yemen and therefore could not assess the chances of success. More than three years later, Nasser Arrabyee helps us explore the answers to those questions. We talk about the US-backed Saudi and UAE coalition’s mission in Yemen, the Yemeni Resistance and Iran’s involvement. Arrabyee updates us on the situation in Hodeidah and we discuss the recent AP report on the Saudi/UAE cooperation with al Qaeda.

Arrabyee has produced four documentaries about the war in Yemen and has been published by numerous media outlets including the New York Times, Bloomberg and Foreign Policy. FOLLOW @narrabyee on Twitter and find his work at his website yemen-now.com.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com.

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on August 16, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing (3/26/15) exchange between Sen. Gillibrand and Gen. Lloyd Austin (at 2:16:46)
  2. America Is Committing War Crimes and Doesn’t Even Know Why, Micah Zenko, Foreign Policy
  3. The toll of wars in the Middle East, WHYY Radio Times, Marty Moss-Coane
  4. Why is Saudi halting oil shipments through the Red Sea?, Stephen Kalin, Rania El Gamal, Reuters
  5. Yemen: US allies don’t defeat al-Qaida but pay it to go away, AP
  6. Inside the UAE’s war on al-Qaeda in Yemen, Bel Trew, The Independent
  7. After dozens of children die, Trump administration faces mounting pressure over Yemen war, Missy Ryan, Washington Post

 

Aug 17, 2018

Analyst and writer Tom Luongo returns to the show to talk about the economic and geopolitical implications of the current hybrid war between the US and Turkey and the broader war around it. We discuss the collapse of the Turkish Lira, dollar-denominated debt, how currency wars work, and the inertia of markets and traders. We also delve into the geopolitical lead up to this crisis -- Turkey’s role in the Syrian war and a failed coup -- both of which led to realignments and new allies that might result in an unusual rescue. Will Turkey employ a Russian formula for surviving sanctions and currency crises? Will it lead to an exit from NATO?  Or will the old guard, Cold Warrior foreign policy establishment bring a defiant Erdogan back into the fold one more time?

Tom is former research chemist and a current staunch libertarian. His speciality is markets analysis informed by geopolitics. Tom currently publishes his blog, Gold Goats ‘n Guns along with a monthly investment newsletter focused on geopolitics, commodities and cryptocurrencies. His work is also featured regularly on sites like Zerohedge, Strategic Culture Foundation and Investing.com. FOLLOW Tom @TFL1728. Find his work at Gold, Goats ‘n Guns, Steemit and on YouTube.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on August 14, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. Lira Collapse To Jump The Mediterranean, Tom Luongo, ZeroHedge
  2. BRICTS: Turkey Is Getting Off The US Reservation, Tom Luongo, ZeroHedge
  3. Five Pillars of Debt Default, Tom Luongo, Gold, Goats n Guns
  4. Turkey’s president: US waging economic war against Turkey, Associated Press
  5. Losing Faith Fast, Istanbul Merchants Throw in Towel on the Lira, Bloomberg
  6. Erdogan: How Turkey Sees the Crisis With the U.S., New York Times Op-Ed

 

Aug 14, 2018

We continue our discussion with Dr. Isa Blumi, speaking to us from Sweden, about the war in Yemen including the battle for Hodeidah, the development of Horn of Africa and Red Sea coast  and the bigger picture this war reveals. We discuss the underlying existential battles between Gulf States, the political factions in the United States they’re aligned with, and the western imperial and corporate powers at work in the region. Dr. Blumi expertly analyzes and advises on how to read the western media coverage and propaganda on Yemen and the old “divide and rule” exploitation tactics that are employed.

Dr. Blumi is an historian, an author and an Associate Professor at Stockholm University. His recent book Destroying Yemen: What Chaos in Arabia Tells Us about the World tells the story of the wars in Yemen but also “ultimately tells an even larger story of today’s political economy of global capitalism, development, and the war on terror as disparate actors intersect in Arabia.”  FOLLOW Isa Blumi @IsaBlumi and find his latest book at UCPress.edu.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. Follow Dan & Joanne: @USEmpireShow,  @joanneleon. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on July 31, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. Destroying Yemen: What Chaos in Arabia Tells Us about the World, Isa Blumi, UC Press
  2. UAE talks up diplomacy as Congress curtails US involvement in Yemen war, Jack Detsch, Middle East Monitor
  3. China probing emerging UAE reserves, Daniel J. Graeber, UPI
  4. Why is Saudi halting oil shipments through the Red Sea?, Stephen Kalin, Rania El Gamal, Reuters
  5. Yemen: US allies don’t defeat al-Qaida but pay it to go away, AP
Jul 31, 2018

Our guest, journalist and analyst Pepe Escobar, speaks to us from Bangkok about the new Great Game in Eurasia and why the critical military and geopolitical situation requires that the US resume relations with Russia despite the massive forces working against that.

Escobar is the correspondent-at-large for Asia Times and a frequent contributor to websites, TV and radio shows ranging from the US to East Asia. Born in Brazil, he's been a foreign correspondent since 1985, and has lived in London, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles, Washington, Bangkok and Hong Kong.

FOLLOW Pepe Escobar on Facebook and find his work at Asia Times.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

FOLLOW @aroundtheempire. Follow Dan & Joanne: @USEmpireShow,  @joanneleon. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on July 26, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. Here’s the real reason the US must talk to Russia, Pepe Escobar, Asia Times
  2. Losing Military Supremacy: The Myopia of American Strategic Planning, Andrei Martyanov
Jul 16, 2018

Dan and Joanne talk with Jim Kavanagh about the summit between American President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki and the anticipated attempt to strike a MidEast grand bargain.

Jim is editor and writer at The Polemicist. His work is also published at CounterPunch, Greanville Post and he’s a frequent guest on the Loud and Clear radio show.  

Follow Jim at @ThePolemicist_ . Find his work at polemicist.net.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

Follow @aroundtheempire. Follow Dan & Joanne: @USEmpireShow,  @joanneleon

Please subscribe/follow us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on July 12, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. Lindsey Graham interview laying out War Party strategy for Syria, Iran, Turkey (starts at 2:20)
  2. Israeli, Saudi, and Emirati Officials Privately Pushed for Trump to Strike a “Grand Bargain” with Putin, Adam Entous, New Yorker
  3. Netanyahu May Offer Putin: Remove Iran From Syria for Lifting of U.S. Sanctions on Russia, Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz
  4. Middle East officials flocking to Moscow – is there a big deal to be made before Putin meets Trump?, RT
  5. The Real “Deal of The Century” in The Middle East is The One Russia Struck With Israel Regarding Syria, Adam Garrie, Eurasia Future
  6. The Warm War: Russiamania At The Boiling Point, Jim Kavanagh, The Polemicist
Jul 13, 2018

Dan and Joanne talk with writer and analyst Peter Lee (aka @chinahand) about the escalation between the United States and China. We also discuss the broader East Asian region including Japan, Taiwan and Korea.

Peter has decades of experience in East Asia both as a businessman and as a writer. He produces Newsbud’s “China Watch” and is published at Asia Times, CounterPunch at his own blog, China Matters. Follow Peter at @chinahand.  

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

Follow @aroundtheempire. Follow Dan & Joanne: @USEmpireShow,  @joanneleon

Please subscribe/follow us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on July 6, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. China's retaliation to U.S. tariffs will hit American soybean farmers, automakers and oil producers -- and have the greatest effect on counties that voted for Trump, Wall Street Journal
  2. Tariffs ‘kick off 50-year trade war’ with China, Pepe Escobar, Asia Times
Jul 5, 2018

Joanne talks with Elizabeth Lea Vos about the immunity deal for Wikileaks founder and editor Julian Assange -- a deal that was scuttled by James Comey via Sen. Mark Warner in the Spring of 2017. We also discuss the independent analysis on the transmission of documents published by Guccifer2.

Elizabeth is the Editor-In-Chief of @DisobedientNews. Follow her at @ElizabethLeaVos and find her work at disobedientmedia.com. She also is an organizer of monthly #Unity4J vigils which advocate for the restoration of Julian Assange’s rights to communication with the outside world and ultimately for his release. The next vigil is scheduled for the weekend of July 7-8, 2018. Details at Unity4J.com and @Unity4J.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

Follow @aroundtheempire. Follow Dan & Joanne: @USEmpireShow,  @joanneleon

Please subscribe/follow us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on July 3, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. How Comey intervened to kill WikiLeaks' immunity deal, John Solomon, The Hill
  2. Did Sen. Warner and Comey ‘Collude’ on Russia-gate?, Ray McGovern, ConsortiumNews
Jul 1, 2018

Dan and Joanne talk with Sharmine Narwani about the Southern Front -- US-backed rebels based in southern Syria -- and their affiliation with al Qaeda. We also discuss how the Syrian war is like an irregular world war and how it played a role in accelerating a global shift in power.

Sharmine is a commentator and analyst of Mideast geopolitics based in Beirut, speaking to us today from the United States. She is a former senior associate at St. Antony's College, Oxford University and has been published by a wide variety of publications, including the New York Times, the Guardian, Asia Times Online, al Akhbar English, Al Jazeera and RT.

Follow Sharmine @snarwani and find her work at her website mideastshuffle.com

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

Find all of our work at our website aroundtheempire.com

Follow @aroundtheempire. Follow Dan & Joanne: @USEmpireShow,  @joanneleon

Please subscribe/follow us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on June 28, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

Are al-Qaeda Affiliates Fighting Alongside U.S. Rebels in Syria’s South?, Sharmine Narwani, The American Conservative

Jun 25, 2018

Dan and Joanne talk with Aaron Maté about Russiagate and the Mueller investigation. We discuss Aaron’s recent article which argues that after a year of investigation there have been several guilty pleas, but none of them go “to the core of the special counsel’s mandate,” about collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

Aaron is a host/producer for The Real News and a contributor at The Nation magazine. Follow him on Twitter at @aaronjmate.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

Find all of our work at our website aroundtheempire.com

Follow @aroundtheempire. Follow Dan & Joanne: @USEmpireShow,  @joanneleon

Please subscribe/follow us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on June 21, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

The Mueller Indictments Still Don’t Add Up to Collusion, Aaron Maté, The Nation

Jun 21, 2018

Joanne talks with political analyst and Progressive Independent Garland Nixon about investigations and intelligence operations concerning the 2016 election. We also talk about the recently published Inspector General report on the Clinton email “MidYear Exam” investigation.

Garland is the co-host of the daily radio show “Fault Lines” and host of the weekly radio show “News Views With Garland Nixon”. He is also has a background in law enforcement and investigations. Follow him @Garland Nixon.

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

Find all of our work at our website aroundtheempire.com

Follow @aroundtheempire. Follow Dan & Joanne: @USEmpireShow,  @joanneleon

Please subscribe/follow us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on June 20, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

May 31, 2018

Elijah Magnier returns to the show to talk about politics in post-ISIS Iraq, the results of the recent election, and the mission to select a new prime minister and cabinet. Elijah and Joanne also talk about the latest developments in Syria as the battle for the southwest Syria begins.

Elijah is a veteran war correspondent, a terrorism/counterterrorism analyst specializing in the Europe and the Middle East, especially Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Libya. He recently left Iraq and is speaking to us today from Lebanon.

Follow Elijah at @ejmalrai and find his work at ejmagnier.com

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions. Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com

Find all of our work at our website aroundtheempire.com

Follow @aroundtheempire. Follow Dan & Joanne: @USEmpireShow,  @joanneleon

Please subscribe/follow us on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook.

Recorded on May 31, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. Qassam Soleimani and Donald Trump Agree on Al-Abadi as Prime Minister Despite Ameri and Maliki's Discontent, Elijah Magnier
  2. South Syria to Return Within the Control of Damascus: With or Without a Russian-Israeli Deal, Elijah Magnier
  3. The Iraqi Elections: Implications For Regional Politics, Shireen Hunter, LobeLog
May 23, 2018

Joanne interviews Dr. Isa Blumi, an historian, an author and an Associate Professor at Stockholm University. His recent book Destroying Yemen: What Chaos in Arabia Tells Us about the World tells the story of the wars in Yemen but also “ultimately tells an even larger story of today’s political economy of global capitalism, development, and the war on terror as disparate actors intersect in Arabia.”

Dr. Blumi gives us a deeper understanding of the war in Yemen in a way that is compelling, fascinating, tragic, and largely untold in the western world. Yemen’s people have a long history of resistance. The war in Yemen is an imperial war for resources and dominance and also a hidden war between Gulf state rivals. The latest escalation of the war has been fueled by Saudi Arabia’s now urgent need for finance and resources.

Follow @IsaBlumi and find his latest book at UCPress.edu.

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 Recorded on May 10, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

 Reference Links:

  Destroying Yemen: What Chaos in Arabia Tells Us about the World, Isa Blumi, UC Press

A History of the Colonial War in Yemen and the US Involvement, KPFA

May 18, 2018

Dan and Joanne analyze the New York Times exposure of Operation Crossfire Hurricane and commentary by the authors. We examine the damning claims by pro-Trump media and we also talk about Daily Caller’s revelation of the identity of the alleged FBI informant in the Trump campaign.


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Recorded on May 17, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. Code Name Crossfire Hurricane: The Secret Origins of the Trump Investigation, Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, Nicholas Fandos, New York Times
  2. EXCLUSIVE: Cambridge Prof With CIA, MI6 Ties Met With Trump Adviser During Campaign, Beyond, Chuck Ross, Daily Caller
May 16, 2018

In this bonus episode (a bonus episode for patrons, 30 minute preview free to the public), Dan and Joanne talk about the growing conflict with Iran, the impact of Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran deal and the severe escalation in the Syrian war that began just hours after that withdrawal.


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Recorded on May 11, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

 

Time for Europe to Join the Resistance, Spiegel, by Klaus Brinkbäumer

May 11, 2018

Dan and Joanne talk about the FBI in crisis, James Comey, Andrew McCabe, the Mueller investigation, and the abuse of power.  We also discuss the strange political bedfellows the crisis has created

 

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Recorded on May 5, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. The FBI Is in Crisis. It's Worse Than You Think, TIME, Eric Lichtblau
  2. Rod Rosenstein is not above the law, The Hill, Mark Penn
  3. Mueller, FBI face crisis in public confidence, The Hill, Mark Penn
  4. Comey’s last stand for the deep state, The Hill, Mark Penn
Apr 30, 2018

We hold a roundtable discussion with Joanne Leon, Kyle Anzalone and Will Porter about French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the White House and Congress where he presented a prodigious plan for the Middle East that includes a harsher set of terms for the Iran deal, containment of Iran and Western dominance in the Middle East.

Kyle Anzalone is the host of the Foreign Policy Focus podcast and the editor-in-chief of ImmersionNews.com. He also writes the Daily News Roundup at Libertarian Institute.

Will Porter is a freelance journalist with a focus on US foreign policy and conflicts abroad. His work can be found at the Libertarian Institute, Antiwar.com and Consortium News

Support Kyle at  https://www.patreon.com/ForeignPolicyFocus. Support Will at patreon.com/WKPJournalist.

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Recorded on April 28, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Apr 25, 2018

Dan and Joanne discuss Jack Goldsmith’s essay, “The 'deep state' is real. But are its leaks against Trump justified?

 

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Recorded on April 24, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

  1. The 'deep state' is real. But are its leaks against Trump justified?”, Jack Goldsmith, The Guardian
  2. “‘Can It Happen Here? Authoritarianism in America’”, Jack Goldsmith, Lawfare (article, book announcement)

“Can It Happen Here?: Authoritarianism in America”, Cass Sunstein (book)

Apr 11, 2018

Joanne talks with Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis, USA, Ret.about his recent article, “President Trump is right: Withdrawing from Syria strengthens US security,” and about the current precarious situation where Trump has changed his mind and is signalling an imminent attack on Syria and Russia, using an alleged chemical weapons attack in Ghouta as justification.

Col. Davis served for 21 years, including four combat deployments. He retired from the Army in 2015 and is now a Foreign Policy/Defense Analyst and a senior fellow for Defense Priorities. His areas of expertise are American foreign policy, Middle East policy, Asia policy, grand strategy, international relations, international security, and counterinsurgency.

In 2012, he wrote a classified whistleblower report for Congress about the war in Afghanistan and released an unclassified version to the public. Col Davis regularly appears on news shows and is published in national and international publications.

Follow Col. Davis on Twitter at @DanielLDavis1

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Recorded on April 11, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

 

Reference Links:

  1. President Trump is right: Withdrawing from Syria strengthens US security, Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis, USA, Ret., CNBC
  2. Truth, lies and Afghanistan, Armed Forces Journal (2012), Daniel L, Davis
  3. Fools Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan, Scott Horton
Apr 6, 2018

Joanne talks with veteran war correspondent Elijah Magnier, from Damascus, about recent developments in Syria and his recent three-part article about the big picture and power players in the Syrian war. We also talk about the new crowd-funded book that he is writing on the history of Hezbollah.

Elijah is a journalist and a senior political risk analyst with over 32 years experience covering Europe and the Middle East.

Follow Elijah at @ejmalrai and find his work (in multiple languages) at ejmagnier.com

We are independent media and we rely on your contributions.

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Recorded on April 2, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey.

Reference Links:

Will America Accept its Defeat or Will it Challenge the Russian Bear and the Chinese Dragon (Part 1)”, Elijah Magnier

Will America Accept its Defeat or Will it Challenge the Russian Bear and the Chinese Dragon (Part 2)”, Elijah Magnier

Will America Accept its Defeat or Will it Challenge the Russian Bear and the Chinese Dragon (Part 3)”, Elijah Magnier

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