We are joined once again by our good friend Robbie Martin to discuss the final part of the film trilogy “A Very Heavy Agenda.” Robbie and I begin by discussing the film series as a whole, and its overarching themes. We then move on to how the neocons operate within the larger deep-state apparatus, touching on how the neocons are able to influence and control the foreign policy agenda through the use of only a handful of experts and policy makers.
Later we explore the role of “hipster propaganda” by looking at the increasingly influential role of Vice Magazine in indoctrinating young people into the neocon mindset. Robbie and I talk about the early days of Vice, and the lasting effect Gavin McInnes has had on the culture and political ideologies the news outlet spreads. We talk about Vice’s bizarre approach to politics: making the president look hip and cool, spreading anti-Russian hatred, and spreading neoliberal and neocon talking points to young people.
Next we move on to the current state of affairs within the neoconservative movement. Robbie and I discuss our views on the neocon influence within the Obama administration. We explore the idea that Obama may have tried to curb some the more psychotic foreign policies decisions put forth by those like Bob Kagan. I relate my pet theory that Obama was attempting to help the CIA by ridding them of some Bush era cronies. We finish off the conversation with a look at the 2016 election. We discuss how the neocons’ racist rhetoric is very much to blame for the rise of Donald Trump, and how Trump is very much an unexpected creation of the neocon agenda, even though he disagrees with them on several keys issues. We also talk about the the latest re-branding efforts which have led the neocons to embrace Hillary Clinton.
After the podcast I answer my first every Patreon subscriber question, and thank everyone who donated this month. I also talk about my new radio show due to start this Tuesday, from 4-6pm EST on American Freedom Radio.
On this months episode Christoph and I take an in-depth look at the recent “Four Day War” between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the Nagorno Karabhak region. We discuss the causes for this latest outbreak of violence, and the various regional and global actors involved. Christoph also breaks down the history of this long-forgotten, frozen conflict.
In our second segment we look into a variety of spy-games being played between Turkey and Russia. We begin with the recent reversal by the FSB that Turkey was involved in the downing of a Russian passenger plane in Egypt and what this may mean. Christoph and I discuss the political situation within NATO. We focus on NATO’s hesitancy to get further entrenched in a military situation with Russia, and how NATO members are responding to this .
Next we discuss the recent interview that the reclusive Fethullah Gulen gave to a Russian newspaper, in which she attacks Turkey for shooting down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border. Christoph and I both offer our theories and analysis as to why Gulen is speaking now, and what it means that he is speaking out against Erdogan.
Next we discuss the recent arrest of Grey Wolf fighter Alparslan Celik. Faithful listeners will remember that Celik was the “Turkmen” rebel leader that took credit for the killing of a Russian pilot Oleg Peshkov. Then we turn to the recent arrest of two Russian spies by the MIT in Turkey for their role in the murder of Chechen militant Abdulvakhid Edelgireyev. We finish off this section by taking a look at the rising influence of Grey Wolves inside Germany, using the recent clashes between Grey Wolves and PKK supporters in the city of Aschaffenburg as an example.
For our weird terrorism section Christoph and I give a final farewell to our favorite Georgian Jihadi, Tarkhan Batirashvili aka Omar al-Shishani. We talk about the Pentagon operation that killed him, and why this time they may actually be speaking the truth. We also take a closer look at the Panama Papers and the telltale signs that this was a CIA operation.
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.
This month Christoph and I recorded a special Newsbud related episode of PGG. We focus mainly on Turkey’s increased intervention into the Syrian War. We discuss Christoph’s recent article in Boiling Frogs Post analyzing this very issue. We begin with the increased Russian airstrikes and how this has completely changed the course of the war. Christoph and I touch on how this is being interpreted by NATO and the US. We next move on to Turkey’s reliance on Syrian Turkmen militants to fight their proxy battle. Christoph and I update the listeners on the Grey Wolf “Turkmen” leader Alparslan Çelik, and his recent appearance in Turkey for the funeral of a high level MHP official. We also touch on the shift of the MHP towards a more Islamist friendly political stance. Christoph and I also provide our analysis on the recent statements by the FSB that the Grey Wolves may have been working with ISIS to bring down the Russian Airbus of the Sinai Peninsula. Later we talk about an important article former NSA agent John Schindler, in which he attempts to dismiss these claims and the existence of Operation Gladio. We also explore the possibility of a Turkish ground invasion of Syria and the further Pakistanization of the country.
Christoph and I also talk about our participation in Newsbud and how this will further expand the podcast. Christoph and I talk about the new cold war and the good vs. evil media landscape. We also discuss the importance of objective in depth geopolitical reporting. We talk about the launch of our Kickstarter campaign that begins this Sunday February 14th, and why fans of Porkins Great Game should donate.
We are joined once again by our friend Robbie Martin to discuss the latest installment of his documentary series A Very Heavy Agenda. In part two, How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the New Neocons, Robbie picks up where he left off by exploring the rise of a new breed of neocons. Robbie and I discuss how deeply entrenched with in the media this new brand of neocon has become. Going beyond the likes of Bill Kristol and think tanks, the neocons have now infiltrated organizations such as The Daily Beast, Buzzfeed, Vice, and other media outlets. We go into great detail about the orchestrated “resignation” of Russia Today’s Liz Wahl. We explore the idea that she was a neocon mole and break down who Jamie Kirchick and the Foreign Policy Initiative was behind this media stunt. We also discuss the new brand of intellectual neocon’s such as Peter Pomererantsev, and how the neoconservative agenda is becoming even more influential and powerful then under the Bush administration.
This review of the finale of Homeland discusses not just the final episode but the entire season. We reflect on what is new and different about this fifth season, from the religious dimensions being crow-barred into the show to the use of Russians as the enemy image and hackers as second-level terrorists. We examine the storyline of the recruitment of the Laura Poitras character by the BND, both drawing a parallel with the real life person and identifying this as a metaphor for Homeland as a state-sponsored show. We dwell on whether the CIA staff actually hate Laura Poitras, unaware that she may be an asset of some section of the Agency.
As the conversation progress, we outline the idea that Homeland is an experiment to see how far they can make people doubt their own perceptions of not just the show itself but also the geopolitical realities it sometimes portrays. We explore the idea that Homeland is designed to assault the audience’s confidence in their own perceptions. We wrap up looking at Homeland’s obsession with predicting or commenting on current events, often events that happen during the production or broadcasting of the show. We outline Alex Gansa’s recent admissions that the major creative players in the show – including Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin – attended four days of meetings at a private club in Georgetown. The meetings were arranged by former CIA deputy director John MacGaffin – the main consultant on Homeland – and involved currently serving CIA officers, State Department officials and White House staffers.
On this episode Christoph and I start off with our favorite Georgian politician, Mikheil Saakashvili, and his most recent meddling in his native country. While ostensibly operating as governor of Odessa, Saakashvili was recently caught on tape advising the owner and director of popular TV station Rustavi 2 on how to instigate a violent confrontation with the goverment. The pro-Saakashvili channel has been in a long legal dispute and the current regime has trued multiple times to shut it down. Christoph explains what is at stake for Rustavi 2 and how Saakashvili has been inserting himself into the situation. We discuss his plans to start a “revolution” by orchestrating a violent government showdown. We also talk about Georgia’s recent descion to buy natural gas from Russia and Iran. Christoph breaks down the reasons for this and address’ the persistan claims that the Georgian Dream Coalition is “pro-Russian.”
Next we move to Syria and the startling rumors of Chinese involvement in the war. We discuss a series of reports about Chinese naval vessels and military advisers arriving in Syria. Next we talk about the growing Uighur presence in places such as Jisr al Shughour and Deir ez-Zour. We break down the increasing role of the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) with in the jihadi movement, but also their role in bringing hundreds of Uighur’s to Syria. We explore how all of this has forced China’s hand to a degree when in comes to fighting international terrorism.
For our third section Christoph and I explore the recent shooting down of a Russian jet by the Turkish military. We breakdown the reality of what actually happened, and provide a detailed analysis as to why Turkey carried out this action. We talk about Russia’s recent targeting of Turkish backed Turkem fighters, and how this one was one of the major factors for Turkey downing the fighter jet. Christoph explains how this was probably a joint US-Turkey operation separate from the NATO power structure. Christoph also tells us about the leader of the Turkem fighters and his true identity as a Turkish national and son of a Turkish mayor. As we round out the section we explore the ISIS oil smuggling routes that have also been bombed by Russia. We talk about how much of this lucrative trade is being overseen and brokered Bilal Erdogan, son of president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Christoph also gives his predictions as to the sorts of steps Russia will be taking in the near future.
For our weird terrorism section we discuss South Korea’s claims that ISIS and North Korea are in league with one another. As if that isn’t weird enough, we also touch on China’s claim that the Dailai Lama supports ISIS.
Christoph and I also briefly discuss a new media project that Sibel Edmonds is starting that both of us will be a part of.
This much more dramatic episode of Homeland was the basis for a fun review discussion this week, touching on the hints towards the deep state, the portrayal of the Laura Poitras character, the implausibility of the CIA’s handling of the Russian double agent problem and Pearse’s hatred of Allison. We also discuss the mysterious origins of ‘terrorist videos’, particularly those coming to us via the SITE intelligence group, and how this is reflected in Homeland, and discuss why this episode made an explicit reference to the recent attacks in Paris. We round off talking about Pearse’s enjoyment of the Carrie-Astrid relationship in the show, any my love of post-industrial architecture as the setting for both a jihadi terrorist cell and the CIA’s discovery of that gang.
This was not the most interesting instalment of Homeland so Pearse and I talked about topics related to the episode including the history of Kosovo and NATO’s use of jihadis in the entire Balkans region, the arrest this week of a mysterious unnamed Montenegrin arms trafficker on his way to Paris, and why it is that the US Marine Corps Entertainment Liaison Office reports do not make any mention of Homeland. Pearse hypothesises that the USMC and Homeland had some kind of deniable outside-the-loop relationship and that suggests a much larger degree of co-operation than usual.
In the latest of our Homeland reviews, Tom and I tackle the latest episode, ¨Better Call Saul.” In true form to this season, the fifth episode completely resets the original storyline and refocuses our attention to the evil Russians. Tom and I discuss this development and how it plays out in the episode. From the bombing of General Yusuf’s plane, to the hack, to the revelation of Alison being a double agent, it is now all about the Russians.
Later Tom and I explore in detail the infighting between the CIA and Mossad depicted this season. We discuss how this actually reveals several truths about the Mossad, yet masks them by protraying Russian intelligence as ultimately responsible for these squabbles. We once again tackle the concept of hyperreality in our discussion of the recent downing of the Russian Metrojet 9268 over Egypt.
As we wind down the conversation we look at a recently declassified Inspector Generals report on the CIA Entertainment Office which paints a very bizarre’ picture of how things actually work in Hollywood. We finish off the conversation by discussing the most insane example of hyperreality and this show: the artists who graffiti-hacked Homeland are making a film about it for Laura Poitras’s film unit at the Intercept.
Porkins Policy Review 