#1417 Afghanistan, The 20-year War

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Air Date 5/18/2021

Today we take a look at the potential of the end of American involvement in the war in Afghanistan as well as some of our recent actions related to Yemen and Syria as well as our relationship with Saudi Arabia.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Will Biden End the U.S. "Forever War" in Afghanistan? - Breaking the Sound Barrier by Amy Goodman - Air Date 4-15-21

President Biden announced a complete troop withdrawal from what he called the “forever war” in Afghanistan, by September 11th. “Only the Afghans have the right and responsibility to lead their country,” Biden said from the White House.

Ch. 2: America is finally leaving Afghanistan - Worldly - Air Date 4-15-21

Zack, Jenn, and Alex talk about President Joe Biden’s announcement that all remaining US troops will withdraw from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 — the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that launched the war.

Ch. 3: Let's End the War in Yemen - Deconstructed - Air Date 2-12-21

In his first significant foreign policy announcement since taking office, President Biden broke with both former presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama and declared an end to U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

Ch. 4: A Crisis Made in America Yemen on Brink of Famine After U.S. Cuts Aid While Fueling War - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-17-20

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is deepening amid the pandemic and cuts to international aid from the United States and its allies, leaving millions of Yemenis facing famine after years of a brutal U.S.-backed, Saudi-led bombing campaign

Ch. 5: Biden Bombs Syria - Empire Has No Clothes - Air Date 3-17-21

This week on Empire Has No Clothes, Kelley, Dan, and Matt discussed Joe Biden's decision to bomb Syria and what it means for his foreign policy going forward. We also talked with David Sterman of New America about what it means to have an endless war.

Ch. 6: The Art of Fake-Ending Wars - Citations Needed - Air Date 4-14-21

In this episode, we discuss the United States' history of fake-ending wars, who these pronouncements are meant to please, why troops levels are often impossible to know, and why so many of our so-called "wars" are not really wars at all, but occupations

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Joe Biden's War Powers - Intercepted - Air Date 4-28-21

If you went back and looked at every foreign policy decision Joe Biden made — every single one — would you be any closer to understanding him?

Ch. 8: Samantha Nutt: The real harm of the global arms trade - TEDTalks - Air Date 6-23-16

In some parts of the world, it's easier to get an automatic rifle than a glass of clean drinking water. Is this just the way it is? Samantha Nutt, doctor and founder of the international humanitarian organization War Child, explores the global arms trade

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Disney, racism and capitalism - Sasha

Ch. 10: Recommending "Somebody" podcast for example of DARVO - Pat from Chicago

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on DARVO from the police in the Somebody podcast

Bonus clip: Somebody

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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