The Prophets of death and destruction (AKA The Military Industrial Complex AKA The War State) are part of the American economy. Wall Street is in the “News” but the War Of Terror isn’t? Which thing is at the heart of Money matters? How do we put these issues in context? Which industry lets us read the bones, Or Tea Leaves? Prognostication on a Tuesday… along with a few history lessons. Mike Swanson The author of The War State and man behind WallStreetWindow.com takes us further into the Gilded age and moves beyond Jekyll island conspiracy. Gilded Age Financiers Ideas in 2018 involve many devices and methods of placing bets on the future , futures , and future earnings. Plus the nature of a point spread. Michael Swanson does his best to inform Chuck and you about all this and much more. Pearse Redmond From Porkins Policy Radio drops in for the second hour and does his best to tell us where ISIS has gone , and put many Rebels in context as regards the big bad wolf that is in mortal combat with the alleged American way of life we talked about in the first hour under the banner of The War on Terror? A great deal of physical and spiritual capital spent , but is it all an illusion? Listen and find out. PLUS we squeezed a repeat play of Uncle’s Superbowl Report in.
In the first hour Tom Secker joins me to discuss the season premier of Homeland season six. We talk about the season reboot which has become a ubiquitous feature of Homeland. Tom and I begin by discussing our initial impressions of the season and where we think the show is going on a political and emotional level. Next we move onto one of the new and most interesting characters in the show, President-elect Elizabeth Keane, the junior Senator from New York. We talk about how this character is not a character of Hillary Clinton as we and any others predicted, but instead a much more complex character which in many ways is closer to Donald Trump. We discuss the ideas and politics that the CIA is putting forth in this new season. Tom and I talk about how the notion of the CIA plotting against the president-elect is not only a major story line in Homeland but also in real life vis-a-vis Trump and the CIA. The two of us also talk about the idea that this season of Homeland will retell and reinvent the story of Al Qaeda. We explore the possibility that this is the overarching story the CIA wants to put out the the public, and that a new form or wave of jihadi attacks may be in-store for the West.
In the second hour frequent guest Robbie Martin joins us to discuss some of the latest political and geopolitical events. We begin by exploring the childish discourse from both Trump and the media over the past several weeks. Next we talk about our opinions of the recent “intelligence report” claiming that Trump is a Russian Manchurian candidate. We talk about our thoughts on the possibility of violence erupting between Israel and Palestine. Robbie and I focus on some of the strange stories coming about of Israel including: Israeli jets bombing Damascus, and US officials warning Israel not to share intelligence with Trump. The Two of us discuss our feelings on increased rhetoric of the all powerful Russian state against our quaint democratic life in the US. Robbie and I touch on the recent commutation of Chelsea Manning and the possibility that Julian Assange will stand trial in America. We also talk about Glenn Greenwald’s recent use of the term Deep State. Robbie and I round out the conversation by discussing some of our fears overs Trump’s domestic policies.
On today’s episode I lay out my predictions for 2017. In the first hour I look at geopolitics and the places I think will be important in 2017. I begin by focusing on a possible resolution in Syria and how this may play out for the future. I also talk about a few other hot-spots in the middle east to pay attention to: Israel and Yemen. I discuss why these are both important for the future of the region and on a global scale. I also explore Asia, focusing on China and North Korea. I discuss how president Trump may handle these countries and how geopolitics and foreign policy will change under his administration. I also touch on the idea that the CIA will become even more bold and out of control under Trump.
In the second hour Chuck Ochelli (and Frankie) joins me for more 2017 predictions. We talk about where the alt-media is headed. Whether or not Wikileaks is actually going to release some bombshells this year. If Trump really knows any secrets about cyber security. The future of marijuana legalization and the drug war. Will comedy get better? And the possibility of Ivanka as First Lady.
The wait is finally over, Porkins Great Game is back! We begin by taking a look at the recent Parliamentary elections in Georgia. We break down how the elections turned out and analyze the results and what that may mean for the political future of Georgia. Christoph and I also touch on the most recent scandal in Georgia dealing with yet another leaked audio tape of Saakashvili. In our second segment we discuss the ongoing violence in Afghanistan as well as a ongoing peace negotiations. We begin with the recent peace deal between the government and famed heroin warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. We also break down the latest Taliban attack on the city of Kunduz and the wave of attacks in the south in Helmand provience. Christoph and I also analyze the latest Taliban/Kabul peace talks which has conspicuously left out Pakistan. For our final segment we talk all things Syria. We touch on the recent push for more direct US action from armchair generals such as Charles Lister. Christoph and I discuss the reality of what is going on in Aleppo as well as the threat of armed conflict between Russia and the United States.
In our Weird Terrorism section we talk about the strange case of Jabar al Bakr: the White Helmet humanitarian who tried to blow up the Berlin airport. We also talk about the recent death of Uzbek leader Islam Karimov.
On this episode Christoph and I turn our attention to Kazakhstan and the June 5th mass shooting. We examine the attack itself, breaking down what happened and the governments swift response. We explore the socioeconomic problems facing western Kazakhstan and how this may have played a decisive role is spurring on these attacks. We discuss the recent land protests across the Central Asian nation, and give a historical overview of Aktobe, including the role of western Kazakhstan in propping up the ruling regime.
Next we move on to the recent killing of Taliban leader Mullah Mansoor. Less than a year after his rise to power Mansoor was killed by a US drone strike in yet another blow to the peace process. Christoph and I explain the precedent set by the US in not only targeting the top Taliban leader, but also having the strike take place in the spiritual and operational city of Quetta. We consider Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the US for breaking its commitment to forging a lasting peace between Kabul and the Taliban. We examine Mansoor’s frequent travel to Dubai, Bahrain, and Iran, as well as his Pakistani passport. Christoph explains the reasons behind Mansoor’s frequent travel to Iran. We also touch on the increasing violence in Northern Afghanistan which is slowly getting the attention of the US and Russia.
Lastly, we discuss the recent row between Germany and Turkey over Germany’s parliamentary recognition of the Armenian genocide. We review the litany of harsh remarks from Erdogan and his government against Germany. Christoph gives us his perspective from within Germany as to how this is playing out there. He also discusses the satirical video put out by Jan Bohmermann about Erdogan and how this plays into the tense relationship between Turkey and Germany.
We finish off with our “weird terrorism” segment by looking at several interesting stories: the CIA-Pentagon fight over supporting Al Nusra; the release of Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, an update on Alparslan Celik.
Christoph and I together announce the start of our Patreon campaign. For anyone interested in supporting the podcast and helping it to expand you can now donate on an episode-by-episode basis through Patreon. To find out more please visit us here.
For this episode we are joined by activist and freelance journalist Eva Bartlett for an in-depth discussion of the war in Syria. Fresh from her fourth trip to the embattled nation, Eva lends us her perspective of what it’s actually like on the ground. Eva recounts the many places she has visited, and the current living conditions of the Syrian people. Eva and I discuss the numerous terrorist groups and gangs operating within Syria, and the disappearance of groups such as the FSA and other “moderate rebel” groups. Eva also offers us an alternative narrative about the Maddaya starvation story that gripped news headlines and then vanished. We discuss the propaganda involved in this story and its similarity to the skewed reporting of the terrorist siege of Yarmouk.
We also touch on the recent doxxing of a UN press official by hipster-propagandist Molly Crabapple, and her laughable claims that the UN is secretly working with the Assad government. Eva talks about the dire situation in the villages of Foua and Kafarya, two areas completely ignored by the United Nations. Later we briefly touch on the role that Israel is playing in the Golan Heights, and in aiding some of the terrorist fighting in Syria. We round off our conversation by talking about the Grand Muffti, Dr. Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassoun, and the positive role he is playing in Syria.
We begin this episode by discussing the recent “rebellion” in Tajikistan. Christoph and I break down who Deputy Defense Minister Abduhalim Nazardoza was and why he carried out a series of deadly attacks in the capital. Christoph explains how this is being exploited by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in his unending battle to destroy Central Asia’s only Islamist party, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT). We discuss the role that the IRPT played during Tajikistan’s brutal civil war during the 1990’s and ultimately what this means politically.
In our second story we return yet again to the ongoing violence and instability in Afghanistan. We begin with a quick update on the infighting between Mullah Mansoor and rival Taliban factions. Having gained the support of Mullah Omar’s family Mullah Mansoor continues to assert his power and dominance in the region. Christoph and I go in to detail about the recent capture of the northern city of Kunduz by the Taliban. Christoph explains the strategic value of this city and how this represents a massive blow to President Ghani’s regime. We also break down the deliberate bombing of a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders by US bombers.
For our third story we take a look at Russia and their campaign to battle terrorism both home and abroad. First we touch on Kadyrov’s efforts to dissuade young men from joining ISIS by humiliating them on national TV, and his offer to bring the fight directly to Syria. We also discuss Russia’s intervention in Syria. Christoph and I analyze what is going on in Syria, the reasons for Russia getting involved, and what could be in store for them in the future. We finish up the conversation by taking a look at the recent defection of US trained Syrian rebels, Division 30, to Al Nusra.
On this especially jam-packed episode, we being in Kyrgyzstan where the US Deep State continues to poke and prod the Central Asian nation. We start off by looking at a recent video leaked to Kyrgyz media which shows protest organizer Nurbek Toktakunov meeting with noted “color revolution” expert and Charge d’Affaires of Kyrgyzstan, Richard Miles. We also discuss the other bizarre events going on in Kyrgyzstan the past few months, including a series of mysterious messages posted on social media in the south talking about an Islamic takeover, and the supposed ISIS attack in Bishkek. Later we discuss how these events and the State Department’s giving a human rights award to Azimjon Askarov resulted in the Kyrgyz government’s renunciation of the 1993 Bilateral Agreement with the United States. Christoph and I explain what this means for both nations and why this is a significant development for both countries.
For our second story we move to Xinjiang, and discuss the recent “Ramadan Ban” that continues to be bandied about every single year by usual suspects. Christoph and I break down the reality of China’s so-called ban, and how this has been being used by Turkey in an unprecedented propaganda campaign. We explore not only how the ruling Erdogan government has used anti-Chinese rhetoric, but how the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has also contributed to the anti-Chinese Uyghur movement. We chronicle the latest actions by the MHP and their youth wing the Greywolves in organizing violent protests against not just the Chinese government, but Chinese people and businesses in Turkey. We talk about the attack on a local Chinese restaurant, where a Uyghur man thought to be Chinese was beaten, the assault on Korean tourists, the attempted lynching of a random Asian tourist and the assault on the Thai consulate. The latter incident brings us to another part of this story, the “Passports for Uyghurs” affair that we have previously discussed on the podcast. Christoph and I get into much more detail about this whole operation and how it works throughout South East Asia.
For our final story, we move to another location and situation that we have discussed many times before — Afghanistan, and the continuing political developments there. We begin by updating listeners on some previously discussed issues. Christoph and I explore the recent Taliban peace talks in Pakistan, which were declared to be a breakthrough by all parties involved. We also look at the deteriorating security situation in the North in areas such as Faryab province. As Christoph explains, the situation has gotten so bad that warlord-turned-vice-president Abdul Rashid Dostum has teamed up with Governor Atta Noor to take the fight directly to the militants in the north. Later we move on to the most significant development in nation, the official confirmation that Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar has been dead for two years. We look at why his death is being announced now, while the peace talks are actually progressing. We also dissect the insane several days that followed the confirmation of Mullah Omar death. We look at the election of the new Taliban leader Mullah Mansoor, and how this has fractured the Taliban into different factions. We also focus on the high-profile Taliban leaders, including Mullah Omar’s son Yacub, who are not supporting Mansoor’s ascent to power. We then touch on the other high profile “death” of Hussain Haqqani, and how ISIS is slowly but surely filling the void.
We close with our “weird terrorism” segment, in which we discuss how the US-trained Syrian militia, Division 30, has refused to fight Al Nusra, and take a look at the state of the “moderate rebels.”
This episode is especially long, with a ton of information, so please do go through the show notes. I have also included news clips and still images in the video version. Let me know what you think, and whether you would like to see more of this in the future.
Eric Harroun, the 31-year-old former US Army soldier who fought in Syria, has died suddenly of an apparent drug overdose. Harroun made international headlines with his constant stream of videos from inside Syria, praising the rebels, denouncing Assad and taking part in the fighting.
Ignored in the corporate media, and glorified in the pseudo-alternative media, is that both Harroun and his father claimed he worked for the CIA.
Harroun even went so far as to say that the CIA told him where in Turkey he could procure weapons.
To some degree this parallels the subject of our most recent podcast; CIA mercenary Mathew VanDyke. This is especially apparent by both VanDyke and Harroun’s vocal admiration for John McCain. The two stories diverge in that VanDyke has been praised openly in America, while Harroun was prosecuted by the FBI. This begs the question: why?
As of now there are too few details with to go from. In theory the autopsy should tell us more about how his death occurred. Unfortunately, in these sorts of cases the autopsy generally comes to the conclusion that the government wishes it to. If one had to speculate, though, it seems as if Harroun might have been the sacrificial lamb. Increasing evidence pointing to America’s involvement in funding radical groups in Syria and the moderate rebels’ alignment with them has forced the US to portray themselves as opposing these elements. By going after Harroun the power elite can pretend to the public that they are still committed to combating international terrorism. Simultaneously, they can funnel arms and money into the hands of groups such as Al Nusra. This type of selective enforcement raises questions about how and why Harroun suddenly died. Complicating this matter further is the plea deal that Harroun signed which allowed him to escape a possible sentence of life in prison for three years probation and a one hundred dollar fine. We will of course continue to report on any developments in the sudden death of Eric Harroun.
On this week’s episode we expose the bizarre character know as Mathew VanDyke. VanDyke is a former journalist who became America’s best know “freedom fighter” in Libya during the 2011 NATO war. After returning home from the fighting Van Dyke rose to prominence again with his pro-rebel propaganda film on Syria, Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution. We trace VanDyke’s history through out the Middle East and show how he is most likely some form of CIA asset and mercenary. In this podcast we also expose some key details which Van Dyke tried his hardest to conceal, including his knowledge that Syrian rebels had chemical weapons, that despite his claims to the contrary he is in fact a paid mercenary, and much more. Mathew Van Dyke represents a new breed of pro-war propagandists who deserve to be shown for who they are.
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