Joanne Leon - Podcast Details

Shows

Around The EmpireEp 272 ATE Live: Nuclear Threats Panel with Kyle Anzalone, Dan Wright10/19/22 Panel: Joanne Leon, Kyle Anzalone, Dan Wright. Discussion of Ukraine war, risk of nuclear escalation plus Kyle’s article being tweeted by Elon Musk. FOLLOW Kyle @KyleAnzalone_ @Con_Interest FOLLOW Dan @DSW_xyz Recorded on October 19, 2022. Music by Fluorescent Grey. Around the Empire aroundtheempire.com is listener supported, independent media. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on Rokfin rokfin.com/aroundtheempire, Patreon patreon.com/aroundtheempire, Paypal paypal.me/aroundtheempirepod, YouTube youtube.com/aroundtheempire, Spotify, iTunes, iHeart, Google Podcasts FOLLOW @aroundtheempire and @joanneleon. Join us on TELEGRAM https://t.me/AroundtheEmpire Find ever...2022-12-0156 min

Around The EmpireEp 271 ATE Live Ukraine War Panel with Connor Freeman, Kelley Lane, Patrick MacFarlane, Riley Waggaman, Dan Wright Panel: Joanne Leon, Connor Freeman, Kelley Lane, Patrick MacFarlane, Riley Waggaman, Dan Wright. Discussion about the war in Ukraine and latest developments. Recorded on September 15, 2022. Music by Fluorescent Grey. Reference Links: Ukraine's counterattack: Unheeded warnings from Russia's pro-war hardliners, Riley Waggaman Military summary channel Around the Empire aroundtheempire.com is listener supported, independent media. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on Rokfin rokfin.com/aroundtheempire, Patreon patreon.com/aroundtheempire, Paypal paypal.me/aroundtheempirepod, YouTube youtube.com/aroundtheempire, Spotify, iTunes, iHeart, Google Podcasts FOLLOW @aroundtheempire and @jo...2022-11-301h 21

Around The EmpireEp 270 Crisis in Iraq PANEL feat Elijah Magnier Kyle Anzalone Dan Wright Panel: Kyle Anzalone, Joanne Leon, Elijah Magnier, Dan Wright. Discussion about the protests and political crisis in Iraq and the Iran deal JCPOA. Elijah Magnier is a veteran war correspondent and political analyst with over 35 years of experience covering the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Kyle Anzalone is the opinion editor of Antiwar.com, news editor of the Libertarian Institute, and co-host of Conflicts of Interest. Dan Wright is a writer and podcaster and the co-founder of Around the Empire. FOLLOW Elijah on Twitter @ejmalrai. Find and support his work on...2022-09-021h 14

Around The EmpireEp267 Ukraine War and Logistics feat Tyler Weaver (Armchair Warlord) Hosts: Joanne Leon, Kyle Anzalone. Guest: Tyler Weaver (Armchair Warlord) Discussion with Tyler Weaver aka Armchair Warlord about the war in Ukraine with some focus on logistics and armaments. A retrospective look at the war and also the recent developments. In a bonus segment we talk about Russia’s objectives in Ukraine at the point of invasion and how they have evolved since then. Tyler Weaver aka Armchair Warlord is a veteran, the author of the book “Maidens War” and a military analyst. FOLLOW Tyler on Twitter @ArmchairW, on Telegram at https...2022-08-261h 26

Around The EmpireAround the Empire LIVE: Ep 266 Taiwan / China Panel Hosts: Joanne Leon, Dan Wright Guests: Peter Lee, Patrick MacFarlane, Connor Echols Around the Empire aroundtheempire.com is listener supported, independent media. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on Rokfin rokfin.com/aroundtheempire, Patreon patreon.com/aroundtheempire, Paypal paypal.me/aroundtheempirepod, YouTube youtube.com/aroundtheempire, Spotify, iTunes, iHeart, Google Podcasts FOLLOW @aroundtheempire and @joanneleon. Join us on TELEGRAM https://t.me/AroundtheEmpire Find everything on http://aroundtheempire.com and linktr.ee/aroundtheempire Recorded on August 3, 2022. Music by Fluorescent Grey. Reference Links: As Pelosi Taiwan vi...2022-08-041h 09

Around The EmpireEp 265 Third Party Candidates Disrupt the Status Quo PANEL Hosts: Joanne Leon, Kelley Lane. Guests: Shannon Bray, Matthew Hoh, Scott Horton, Angela McArdle Panel discussion about the importance of third party candidates, especially anti-interventionist candidates who can act as a political insurgency to disrupt the establishment status quo. We also discuss the recent scandal with the North Carolina election board voting along partisan lines to prevent US Senate candidate Matthew Hoh from getting on the ballot, the recent takeover of the Libertarian party by the Mises Caucus and the need to find common ground among anti-interventionists across the political spectrum. Shannon Bray i...2022-07-301h 25

Around The EmpireEp 261 War in Ukraine Panel Podcast Panel: Connor Freeman, Kelley Lane, Joanne Leon, Stephen Semler, Dan Wright. A wide ranging discussion about the war in Ukraine, the possible escalation to nuclear war and the billions of dollars being approved by Congress. FOLLOW @stephensemler, @WrightLeaning, @Kelleyswords, @FreemansMind96, @joanneleon, @AroundtheEmpire Around the Empire aroundtheempire.com is listener supported, independent media. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on Rokfin rokfin.com/aroundtheempire, Patreon patreon.com/aroundtheempire, Paypal paypal.me/aroundtheempirepod, YouTube youtube.com/aroundtheempire, Spotify, iTunes, iHeart, Google Podcasts FOLLOW @aroundtheempire and @joanneleon. Join us on TELEGRAM https://t.me/AroundtheEmpire ...2022-06-281h 52

Around The EmpireEp 260 Intel Influence Operations and British Leadership feat Kit Klarenberg Hosts: Joanne Leon and Dan Wright. We had a long and fascinating discussion with Kit Klarenberg about his recent report “Operation Surprise: leaked emails expose secret intelligence coup to install Boris Johnson” and his latest report “Leaked emails expose UK Home Secretary Priti Patel’s connection to MI6-style ‘research and influence operation’”. We also talked about the parallels in American and global politics, Julian Assange and a variety of other subjects. Kit Klarenberg is an investigative journalist who explores the role of intelligence services in shaping politics and perceptions and he has been published by numerous medi...2022-06-101h 52

Around The EmpireEp 258 The Sword and Cross at Albright’s Funeral feat Sam Husseini Hosts: Joanne Leon and Kelley Lane. Guest: Sam Husseini. We talk about his recent article, Albright's Funeral -- The Sword and the Cross Come Together and more. In a bonus question, we talk about the convergence of neoliberal and neoconservative actors in the foreign policy establishment and the Biden administration. Sam Husseini is a Washington, DC metro based independent journalist who has been piercing through the establishment’s falsifications for 25 years. His more recent work includes the possible lab origin of the pandemic (which he started writing about in its early days) and the Kings Bay...2022-05-171h 17

Around The EmpireEp252 Global Finance & Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine (Swapcast) Kyle Anzalone (Conflicts of Interest) and Joanne Leon (Around the Empire). We talk about some global finance aspects of the ongoing hybrid war, the invasion of Ukraine and geopolitics. FOLLOW on Twitter: @KyleAnzalone_ and @Con_Interest and find Kyle and the Conflicts of Interest podcast at Libertarian Institute Around the Empire aroundtheempire.com is listener supported, independent media. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on Rokfin rokfin.com/aroundtheempire, Patreon patreon.com/aroundtheempire, Paypal paypal.me/aroundtheempirepod, YouTube youtube.com/aroundtheempire, Spotify, iTunes, iHeart, Google Podcasts FOLLOW @aroundtheempire and @joanneleon. Join us on TE...2022-03-2440 min

Around The EmpireEp 239 Questions Still Unanswered (Part 2): Anthrax Attacks Panelists: Peter Castagno, Gumby, Joanne Leon, Robbie Martin, Dan Wright. A panel discussion about the questions that are still unanswered 20 years after 9/11. This is part two of an ongoing series where we talk about the anthrax attacks. We are honored to have such a knowledgeable and talented line up in this panel. Joanne Leon and Dan Wright are co-founders of Around the Empire. Peter Castagno is the co-owner of the Citizen Truth independent media website covering international politics. He is an independent writer & researcher with an MA in International Conflict Resolution. Gumby is a...2021-11-011h 29

Around The EmpireATE Ep236 Questions Still Unanswered Panelists: Peter Castagno, Gumby, Joanne Leon, Dan Wright. A panel discussion about the questions that are still unanswered 20 years after 9/11. This is part one of a series. There is an “after hours” bonus segment where we talk about turning this into a series, the fact that dissent from the official 9/11 story is (finally) being discussed more openly and there is strong pressure to make it less taboo, and more. Joanne Leon and Dan Wright are co-founders of Around the Empire. Peter Castagno is the co-owner of the Citizen Truth independent media website covering international politics. He is...2021-10-011h 10

Around The EmpireEp 235 Afghans Come to America Panelists: Kyle Anzalone, Kelley Lane, Joanne Leon, Dan Wright. A panel discussion about the war in Afghanistan and the evacuation of tens of thousands of Afghans, most of whom will be settling in the United States. There is a bonus “After Hours” segment where we let loose on the foreign policy establishment “Blob” of idiots, the profiteering, the pivot to China and more. FOLLOW @KyleAnzalone_, @Kelleyswords, @JoanneLeon, @DanSWright Around the Empire aroundtheempire.com is listener supported, independent media. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on Rokfin rokfin.com/aroundtheempire, Patreon patreon.com/aroundtheempire, Paypal paypal.me/around...2021-09-041h 06

Around The EmpireEp 234 Afghanistan War: The Big Lie feat Matthew Hoh Guest: Matthew Hoh. Hosts: Joanne Leon and Dan Wright. A wide ranging discussion about the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the response to losing the war, the media coverage over the past 20 years and the bad actors we were allied with throughout the war but now upon leaving, the outrage and sudden concern for the Afghan people. Over the years, so many lies were told that the whole war seems like a big lie. We also talk about why the evacuation went so badly, the national security council, the British freak out and more. In a bonus segment we...2021-08-311h 05

Around The EmpireEp 233 Hold the Generals Accountable This Time feat Ray McGovern Guest: Ray McGovern. Hosts: Joanne Leon and Kelley Lane. We talk about Ray’s recent article calling for military generals to be held accountable this time, for this 20-year March of Folly called the War in Afghanistan. If they are not held accountable, there will be still worse to come. In a bonus episode, we talk about Biden’s battle with the media, the intelligence complex and the whole “MICIMATT” (an acronym that Ray has coined for the Military-Industrial-Congressional-Intelligence-Media-Academia-Think-Tank complex, the same complex that worked so hard to put him in the White House. Ray McGovern i...2021-08-2755 min

Around The EmpireEp 231 Hybrid Warfare and Cyberdiplomacy feat Jon Lancelot Guest: Jon Lancelot. Hosts: Joanne Leon, Kelley Lane. A wide ranging discussion on hybrid warfare, cybersecurity, cyberdiplomacy, democracy, technocracy and more. In a bonus segment we talk about creeping fascism and what went wrong with the progressive movement. Jonathan Lancelot is a cybersecurity analyst at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and principal policy analyst for the OSET Institute focused on election cybersecurity in the context of national security. He has a Master of Diplomacy with a focus on cyber-diplomacy and has been published in several journals. He also has an extensive technical background in c...2021-08-1257 min

Around The EmpireEp 222 Election Integrity: Arizona Audit feat Craig (Pasta) Jardula Guest: Craig (Pasta) Jardula. Hosts: Joanne Leon and Kelley Lane. We talk about the latest developments in the election integrity arena surrounding the 2020 election, especially the Arizona audit. There have been a lot of claims about audits in various states but the term “audit” means a lot of different things in American elections (as in some “audits” are really not audits). However, the audit that is happening in the state of Arizona right now is a real audit, which is important for a lot of reasons that we discuss in this episode. Around the Empire’s main focus is n...2021-05-191h 30

Around The EmpireEp 212 Russiagate and Propaganda feat Oliver Boyd-Barrett Hosts: Joanne Leon and Kelley Lane. Guest: Oliver Boyd-Barrett. We discuss Boyd-Barrett’s book titled RussiaGate and Propaganda: Disinformation in the Age of Social Media, which focuses on the Russiagate case in the broader understanding of propaganda. In the bonus episode, we talk about the recent resurrection of the Russiagate saga and the reasons for it. Dr. Oliver Boyd-Barrett is Professor Emeritus of Journalism and Public Relations at Bowling Green State University and the author of the book: RussiaGate and Propaganda: Disinformation in the Age of Social Media. He serves on the international adv...2021-03-301h 15

Around The EmpireEp 211 Third Parties, War, Elections & Lockdowns feat Angela McArdle Guest: Angela McArdle. Co-hosts Joanne Leon, Kelley Lane and Kyle Anzalone. This is a swapcast for the Around the Empire podcast and the Conflicts of Interest show. It’s a broad discussion about war and foreign policy, interventionism, elections and the handling of the pandemic with lockdowns and other restrictions and its impact on the lives of Americans, the economy and our rights. There is a bonus episode questioning whether censorship and lockdowns can be compared to a modern day gulag. Angela McArdle currently serves as Chair of the Libertarian Party of Los Angeles County and...2021-03-231h 05

Around The EmpireEp 206 New Boss Same As the Old Boss? (Swapcast) Swapcast: Kyle Anzalone from Conflicts of Interest and Joanne Leon from Around the Empire. We compare the Biden foreign policy to the Trump, Obama and Bush administrations, analyze press conference and announcements from NATO’s Jen Stoltenberg about expanding the number of troops and area of operation in Iraq and freezing any withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, and more. FOLLOW on Twitter: @KyleAnzalone_ @Con_Interest SUBSCRIBE to the Conflicts of Interest podcast at the Libertarian Institute and on YouTube and LBRY. Around the Empire is listener supported, independent media. Pitch in at Patreon: patre...2021-02-191h 08

Around The EmpireEp 205 Biden Foreign Policy, Censorship & Elections feat Convo Couch Hosts: Joanne Leon and Kelley Lane. Guests: Craig Jardula (aka Pasta) and Fiorella Isabel from the Convo Couch We talk about Biden’s foreign policy speech (and other declarations) and the people who are now returning to the helm of the “national security state”. We talked about the increase in censorship (including the recent demonetizing of Convo Couch and others), the “blue fascism” of the establishment and our thoughts on the time being ripe for for a broad, independent political movement. There is a bonus question for patrons about election integrity and the “storming of the citadel o...2021-02-1657 min

Around The EmpireEp 204 How an “Elite Cabal” Fortified the 2020 Election Narrative Swapcast: Kyle Anzalone from Conflicts of Interest and Joanne Leon from Around the Empire. We discuss the 2020 election and a new Time magazine article titled “The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election” which explains how an “elite-cabal” “saved democracy” by 'influencing perceptions, changing rules and laws, steering media coverage and controlling the flow of information”. These actions are not illegal, but they affirm the feeling of many Americans that something was wrong with the 2020 election. Joanne and Kyle argue that the article is even more nefarious than it appears. The bold, and li...2021-02-101h 14

Around The EmpireEp 198 Morrell Hazard (Swapcast) Joanne Leon and Kyle Anzalone, hosts of Around the Empire and Conflicts of Interests podcasts, team up for another swapcast. We discuss the 2020 election, upcoming electoral college vote, protests and some of Biden’s potential picks for high level positions, like Mike Morrell as director of the CIA. We also talk about the risk of war with Iran and other issues in the Middle East. FOLLOW Kyle on Twitter: @KyleAnzalone_ SUBSCRIBE to the Conflicts of Interest podcast at the Libertarian Institute and on YouTube. Around the Empire is listener supported, independent media. Pitch in at...2020-12-141h 07

Around The EmpireEp 195 Elections, Voting Systems & Democracy feat Fiorella Isabel & Craig (Pasta) Jardula Guest: Convo Couch hosts Fiorella Isabel and Craig (Pasta) Jardula. Hosts: Joanne Leon and Kelley Lane. We discuss corrupt voting systems and party machines, rigging the Democratic primary elections and signs of rigging the 2020 elections by a bipartisan establishment, irregularities and challenges to the 2020 election results and more. Craig (aka Pasta) Jardula and Fiorella Isabel are the hosts of the Convo Couch show, an independent media show focused on politics, rooted in progressivism and one that strives to stand up for the little guy against the machine. They’ve done extensive work with candidates and inv...2020-11-2450 min

Around The EmpireEp 194 A Biden Foreign Policy, US/UK and Media feat Afshin Rattansi Guest: Afshin Rattansi. Hosts: Joanne Leon and Kelley Lane. We discussed the Biden transition team, the direction that a Biden cabinet would take in war and foreign policy, Brexit and the US/UK and EU relationship, and the current state of the media. Afshin Rattansi is an award-winning journalist, author and the host of the show “Going Underground” that airs three times weekly on the RT network. He has previously worked for BBC Radio, CNN International, Press TV, Al Jazeera and various other international media organizations. He began his journalism at The Guardian and still contr...2020-11-2031 min

Around The EmpireEp 171 *UNLOCKED* Quarantine? Edition #4 Joanne Leon and Dan Wright do another quarantine episode while on newly reduced lockdown in New Jersey in a conversation about the pandemic, protests, the movement to defund police, the hypocrisy of politicians, and Governor Murphy the Friendly Cartoonish Dictator. We also talk about majoritarianism, Turchin’s theory on stability, inequality and the overproduction of elites, and more. This episode is for patrons only and may be unlocked for the public at a later date. FOLLOW Dan on Twitter @DanSWright Around the Empire is listener supported, independent media. Pitch in at Patreon: patreon.com...2020-06-301h 41

Around The EmpireEp 168 Insurrection? Military as Police Force feat Danny Sjursen (Swapcast) Guest: Danny Sjursen. Swapcast: Around the Empire’s Joanne Leon and Foreign Policy Focus host Kyle Anzalone. We discuss Danny’s experience on the ground at the protests in Kansas City and the broader protest movement, whether this is an insurrection, the idea of calling in the military to act as a police force or worse, and the parallels between current policing practices and counterinsurgency missions. Major Danny Sjursen is a retired US Army strategist, West Point grad and former history instructor at West Point. He served tours with reconnaissance units in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is...2020-06-101h 00

Around The EmpireEp 164 Exposing of the Origins of Russiagate (Swapcast)Swapcast: Around the Empire’s Joanne Leon and Dan Wright and Foreign Policy Focus host Kyle Anzalone discuss the origins of Russiagate. For three years, we have been fighting to debunk the fake news created about the imagined Russian conspiracy to help Trump beat Hillary. Now, the fake news and false allegations have run dry and some of the faces behind it are being exposed. We discuss the unmaskings and why it is so important. FOLLOW Kyle on Twitter: @Kyaaale. SUBSCRIBE to the Foreign Policy Focus podcast at the Libertarian Institute. Follow Dan Wright @DanSWright Aroun...2020-05-161h 09

Around The EmpireEp 163 UNLOCKED Quarantine Edition #3 Joanne and Dan Wright spend another afternoon while on quarantine / lockdown in New Jersey in a long conversation about the pandemic, civil rights, protests, religious rights, so called philanthropists and oligarchs, and the breaking news on the Flynn case and Russiagate. This episode is for patrons only and may be unlocked for the public at a later date. Around the Empire is listener supported, independent media. Pitch in at Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire or paypal.me/aroundtheempirepod. Find all links at aroundtheempire.com. SUBSCRIBE on YouTube. FOLLOW @aroundtheempire and @joanneleon. SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW on iTu...2020-05-162h 36

Around The EmpireEp 161 UNLOCKED Quarantine Edition #2 Joanne and Dan Wright spend another evening while on quarantine / lockdown in New Jersey in a long conversation about Coronavirus, the reopening of states, “contact tracing”, Trump, the Clintons, Anthony Fauci, information from skeptics like RFK, Jr., and we also talk about the Kim Jong Un mystery. This episode is for patrons only but will be unlocked later for the public. Around the Empire is listener supported, independent media. Pitch in at Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire or paypal.me/aroundtheempirepod. Find all links at aroundtheempire.com. SUBSCRIBE on YouTube. FOLLOW @aroundtheempire and @joanneleon. SUBSCRI...2020-05-162h 33

Around The EmpireEp 160 UNLOCKED Quarantine Edition #1Joanne and Dan Wright spend an evening over the weekend while on quarantine / lockdown in New Jersey in a long conversation about Coronavirus, the theories about it and the response to this pandemic. We discuss the use of technology for surveillance measures, the hybrid war with China. We then spent some time talking about the “pandemic primary”, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. This episode is for patrons only but might be unlocked later for the public. . Around the Empire is listener supported, independent media. Pitch in at Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire or paypal.me/aroundtheempirepod. Find...2020-04-281h 56

Around The EmpireEp 155 5 Years of War in Yemen & Coronavirus Crisis (Swapcast) On this Foreign Policy Focus and Around the Empire swapcast, Kyle and Joanne discuss the five year anniversary of the US/Saudi/UAE war on Yemen. The anniversary has received almost no media coverage in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. Ironically, the five years of war in Yemen has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis – making Yemen one of the most likely to be devastated by a coronavirus. The US/Saudi/UAE/UK bombing campaign has intentionally targeted the civilian infracture of Yemen. Now – before coronavirus even reaches Yemen – 24 million people are in need of humanita...2020-03-2856 min

Around The EmpireEp 145 Crowdstrike Analysis Revisited feat Jeffrey Carr Guest: Jeffrey Carr. Dan Wright and Joanne Leon did a reunion conversation with cybersecurity expert, Jeffrey Carr, to revisit the infamously erroneous Crowdstrike analysis of the DNC hack which they attributed to Russia based on their analysis of an alleged Russian hack of a Ukrainian military artillery app. We also discussed Crowdstrike’s history, its recent mention in President Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky (the same phone call that led to his impeachment for a different reason) and the broader issue of how cybersecurity firms are incentivized to make specious claims concerning attribution of a hac...2020-01-1338 min

Around The EmpireEp 139 All Roads Lead to Intelligence (Swapcast) feat Kyle Anzalone On this Foreign Policy Focus and Around the Empire swap cast, Kyle and Joanne discuss the Democrats’ efforts to impeach Trump over Russiagate. Statements by Nancy Pelosi and witnesses in the impeachment hearings show the blob’s real aim to prevent Trump from adopting a more realistic foreign policy towards Russia. The hosts also cover Attorney General Barr’s interview about the FBI IG report on the investigation into Trump’s campaign. Barr explains why the media’s coverage of the report is misleading and the Durham report could reveal the intelligence community’s role in the origin of Ru...2019-12-111h 25

Around The EmpireEp 91 Political Mind Games feat Dr. Roy EidelsonPsychologist and author Dr. Roy Eidelson joins us today to talk about political mind games and manipulative ploys used by the power elite to mislead Americans, divide us and thwart efforts to advance the common good. Dr. Eidelson has been a practicing clinical, research, and political psychologist for over thirty years and his work focuses on applying psychological knowledge to issues of social justice and social change. He is the former executive director of the Solomon Asch Center for Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict at the University of Pennsylvania, and a past president of Psychologists for...2019-02-111h 10

Around The EmpireEp 90 American Coup Playbook in Venezuela feat Ted SniderColumnist and analyst Ted Snider joins us to talk about patterns in US foreign policy and history as it relates to coup attempts in Venezuela. We discuss the well established history of American-backed coups in Venezuela and how democratic nationalist leaders like Maduro are not tolerated because they’re too difficult to subjugate. Ted provides some detail about Juan Guaidó and his extreme opposition party and the role that resources and oil play in these regime change operations. We also explain our objections to the way that many people frame their opposition to the coup in that they ultimately hel...2019-02-1033 min

Around The EmpireEp 89 The Real Story of Venezuelan Elections feat Dan KovalikDan Kovalik joins us today to talk about the situation in Venezuela. US officials and almost all media outlets have made claims about the illegitimacy of the Venezuelan presidential election last May, using that claim to recognize a little known opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, as the new interim president, replacing President Nicolás Maduro. Dan begs to differ with that characterization, having witnessed that election process, up close, while he was on the ground in Venezuela as an election monitor. He shares that experience with us today and many other insights on the country, the region, and the media co...2019-02-0650 min

Around The EmpireEp88 Beyond Vietnam feat Margaret KimberleyColumnist, editor and well known activist Margaret Kimberley joins us today to talk about a 1967 speech at the Riverside church in New York City by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Beyond Vietnam: Time to Break the Silence”. We talk about the prescience of the lesser known but epic speech and its relevance today. We also talk more broadly about NATO, the new Cold War, the yellow vests protest in France, Brexit, Greece and American politics. Margaret Kimberley is a senior columnist and editor at the Black Agenda Report and an activist for peace and justice issu...2019-02-011h 10

Around The EmpireEp 87 Newsguard & the “Trust Industry” feat Whitney WebbJournalist Whitney Webb joins us today from Chile to talk about the budding “trust industry” -- the latest crusade (and gold rush) to fight fake news. A new, for-profit startup called Newsguard, aims to partner with major tech platforms, marketing firms and other institutions to mark news and information websites with color-coded flags to show consumers which ones are reliable. It is already installed as a feature of Microsoft’s mobile web browser and is running as a browser extension in some public libraries. Newsguard markets itself as a “a news literacy tool,” “a research tool” and cla...2019-01-291h 08

Around The EmpireEp 86 Misunderstanding Regime Change in Iran feat Neda BolourchiDr. Neda Bolourchi joins us for a discussion of several major issues around Iran -- involvement in Syria, the complicated alliance with Russia and their decentralized power structure. We also focus on the Green Revolution, the MEK and especially the misplaced expectations from some factions in the American foreign policy establishment that Iran’s people, especially their minority communities, will bring about the regime change that their adversaries desire. To quote Dr. Bolourchi from her recent Atlantic Council article: “Like previous American administrations, the Trump Administration seeks regime change in Tehran. And like the...2019-01-191h 11

Around The EmpireEp 85 By Ending Wars Trump Outflanks Opposition feat Scott HortonScott Horton joins us from Texas to talk about the withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan. Scott and Joanne offer some cautiously optimistic analysis on Trump’s latest actions on war and foreign policy and how he could use a “Horton’s Rule” strategy to his advantage, outflanking Left and Right opponents with detente and de-escalation. Is there an “only Nixon could go to China” opportunity for Trump and will he deliver on it? We also discuss the dilemma that Establishment Democrats’ have created for themselves as they assume a twisted political opposition to scaling down wars and now ro...2019-01-051h 44

Around The EmpireEp 84 Temple of Covert Propaganda Part 2 feat Mohamed ElmaaziIn this two-part series investigative journalist Mohamed Elmaazi joins us from London. Mohamed has been working on what is potentially one of the most explosive international scandals in recent years. Hacked documents have exposed a secretive “charity” think tank, the Institute for Statecraft, which is funded by the British Foreign Office, the US State Department, NATO, Facebook, a neoconservative foundation and others. Mohamed located their London office in a neo-gothic mansion, Two Temple Place, and later accompanied a British MP on an unwelcome visit. One of the Institute for Statecraft’s projects, The Integrity Initiative, possibly a front for milita...2018-12-3158 min

Around The EmpireEp 83 Temple of Covert Propaganda Part 1 feat Mohamed ElmaaziIn this two-part series investigative journalist Mohamed Elmaazi joins us from London. Mohamed has been working on what is potentially one of the most explosive international scandals in recent years. Hacked documents have exposed a secretive “charity” think tank, the Institute for Statecraft, which is funded by the British Foreign Office, the US State Department, NATO, Facebook, a neoconservative foundation and others. Mohamed located their London office in a neo-gothic mansion, Two Temple Place, and later accompanied a British MP on an unwelcome visit. One of the Institute for Statecraft’s projects, The Integrity Initiative, possibly a front for milita...2018-12-311h 00

Around The EmpireEp 82 Withdrawal From Syria feat Elijah MagnierElijah Magnier returns to the show. He is currently in Beirut enroute to Damascus. We discuss Trump’s announcement of a rapid withdrawal from Syria, the prospect of a Turkish invasion of Kurdish and US-occupied areas in Syria, and the situation this creates for the Kurds, who, even if Trump reneges on his order, are now confronted with a crisis of confidence in long term American occupation. We also discuss Russia’s consequential change in the rules of engagement with Israel and Syria, and a possible Middle East summit. Elijah is a veteran war correspondent, a te...2018-12-201h 16

Around The EmpireEp 81 Bush 41, Gulf War, State of the Empire feat Patrick EddingtonA wide-ranging discussion with author and policy analyst Patrick Eddington about his service in the CIA during the Bush 41 and Bill Clinton eras, the Gulf War, Russiagate, the failure to change course at the end of the Cold War and about the unsustainability of and America’s incompatibility with empire. Patrick Eddington is a policy analyst in homeland security and civil liberties at the Cato Institute. He was an advisor to Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey and he’s an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies. Eddington was a militar...2018-12-181h 31

Around The EmpireEp 80 The Permanent War Complex feat Gareth PorterJoanne Leon and investigative journalist and historian Gareth Porter discuss “The Permanent War Complex” and how it developed in stages to the point where we have defense and intelligence mega-contractors helping to drive perpetual wars around the globe. Eisenhower’s nightmare has now come true. We also talk about recent machinations in the case of Julian Assange and Wikileaks. Gareth Porter specializes in covering issues related to U.S. wars and interventions. He is the winner of the 2012 Gellhorn Prize for Journalism who has covered U.S. policy toward Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Syria for In...2018-12-111h 03

Around The EmpireEp 78 The Khashoggi Affair (Part 2) Roundtable with Kyle Anzalone, Will PorterFriends of the show Kyle Anzalone and Will Porter join Joanne Leon for a special two-part series on the Khashoggi Affair, which symbolizes a much bigger geopolitical crisis and battle. Roundtable format, released in two separate episodes in the coming week for our listeners or available in advance, in full for patrons. 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...2018-12-031h 25

Around The EmpireEp 77 The Khashoggi Affair (Part 1) Roundtable with Kyle Anzalone, Will PorterFriends of the show Kyle Anzalone and Will Porter join Joanne Leon for a special two-part series on the Khashoggi Affair, which symbolizes a much bigger geopolitical crisis and battle. Roundtable format, released in two separate episodes in the coming week for our listeners or available in advance, in full for patrons. 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...2018-12-011h 19

Around The EmpireEp 76 Istanbul Summit: Europe Joins Astana Process feat Joshua LandisMiddle East expert Joshua Landis returns to the show to discuss the recent summit in Istanbul, Europe’s move to join the Astana process, the war in Syria, the Khashoggi Affair and the forces aligning against the current US foreign policy in the MidEast. Professor Landis is the Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. He spent much of his childhood in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, and later lived in several other countries in the Middle East including Syria and Turkey. He is a frequent interview guest in numerous me...2018-11-1935 min

Around The EmpireEp 75 Myths and Quagmires feat Major Danny SjursenMajor Danny Sjursen joins the show to talk about about the war in Afghanistan, an unsustainable quagmire for which no more blood and treasure should be sacrificed. We also talk about the magical American soldier myth and the empire denial syndrome. Major Danny Sjursen is a US Army strategist and former history instructor at West Point. He served tours with reconnaissance units in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has written a memoir and critical analysis of the Iraq War, Ghostriders of Baghdad: Soldiers, Civilians, and the Myth of the Surge. He’s the co-host of the po...2018-10-3140 min

Around The EmpireEp 74 War Machine & Charlie Wilson’s War (Part 2) feat Tom SeckerTom Secker joins the show for this two-part series as we compare and contrast two movies: War Machine and Charlie Wilson’s War. We talk about Afghanistan, wars, history, geopolitics, movies, the involvement of the national security state in the entertainment industry and more. A great conversation that is interesting and informative, both serious and light-hearted at varying times and is packaged into two episodes (available in full in advance for patrons). Tom Secker is a writer, researcher and podcast host from Northern England, who specialises in the intelligence services, Hollywood and the history of te...2018-10-221h 11

Around The EmpireEp 73 War Machine & Charlie Wilson’s War (Part 1) feat Tom SeckerTom Secker joins the show for this two-part series as we compare and contrast two movies: War Machine and Charlie Wilson’s War. We talk about Afghanistan, wars, history, geopolitics, movies, the involvement of the national security state in the entertainment industry and more. A great conversation that is interesting and informative, both serious and light-hearted at varying times and is packaged into two episodes (available in full in advance for patrons). Tom Secker is a writer, researcher and podcast host from Northern England, who specialises in the intelligence services, Hollywood and the history of te...2018-10-201h 11

Around The EmpireEp 71 Rise & Fall of John Brennan (Part 3)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. 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...2018-09-281h 26

Around The EmpireEp 70 Rise & Fall of John Brennan (Part 2)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. 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...2018-09-271h 50

Around The EmpireEp 69 The Rise & Fall of John Brennan (Part 1)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. 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...2018-09-261h 33

Around The EmpireEp 64 Yemen War Big Picture & Media Narrative feat Isa BlumiWe 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 emp...2018-08-141h 05

Around The EmpireEp 63 Helsinki Summit and the New Great Game in Eurasia feat Pepe EscobarOur 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...2018-08-0156 min

Around The EmpireEp 62 Trump Putin MidEast Grand Bargain feat Jim KavanaghDan 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 Fol...2018-07-161h 24

Around The EmpireEp 61 Escalation With China feat Peter LeeDan 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 & J...2018-07-131h 15

Around The EmpireEp 60 Assange Immunity & Disclosure Deal Scuttled by Russiagate Officials feat Elizabeth Lea VosJoanne 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 ne...2018-07-051h 14

Around The EmpireEp 59 US-Backed Rebels and Al Qaeda in Southern Syria feat Sharmine NarwaniDan 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...2018-07-0152 min

Around The EmpireEp 58 Russiagate Still Doesn’t Make Sense feat Aaron MatéDan 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 2018-06-2552 min

Around The EmpireEp 57 2016 Election Intelligence Ops & Investigations feat Garland NixonJoanne 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...2018-06-211h 03

Around The EmpireEp 56 Politics in Iraq and the Battle for Southwest Syria feat Elijah MagnierElijah 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...2018-05-311h 03

Around The EmpireEp 55 Imperial War, Gulf State Rivalry, Resources and Resistance in Yemen feat Isa BlumiJoanne 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 h...2018-05-231h 53

Around The EmpireEp 54 Crossfire HurricaneDan 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. 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 iTu...2018-05-192h 05

Around The EmpireEp 53 Iran Conflict & Transatlantic Crisis (preview)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. 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 Plea...2018-05-1631 min

Around The EmpireEp 52 FBI CrisisDan 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 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 5, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey. Refer...2018-05-111h 37

Around The EmpireEp 51 Roundtable: Macron’s Prodigious Plan for the Middle EastWe 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 fo...2018-05-011h 25

Around The EmpireEp 50 Bush DOJ Official: Deep State is RealDan and Joanne discuss Jack Goldsmith’s essay, “The 'deep state' is real. But are its leaks against Trump justified?” 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 April 24, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey. Reference Links: “The 'deep state' is real. But are its...2018-04-251h 40

Around The EmpireEp 49 Leaving Syria feat. Lt. Col. Daniel Davis, USA, Ret.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...2018-04-1240 min

Around The EmpireEp 48 Dispatch From Damascus: Syrian War Big Picture & Power Players feat Elijah MagnierJoanne 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. 2018-04-061h 37

Around The EmpireEp 46 Trump's War Cabinet feat Tom LuongoJoanne talks with economist and writer Tom Luongo about Trump’s cabinet shuffle and the possibility that it is part of a Middle East grand bargain, as Alastair Crooke recently wrote about in the online journal, Strategic Culture. Tom is former research chemist and staunch libertarian, Tom currently publishes his blog, Gold Goats 'n Guns along with a monthly investment newsletter focused on geopolitics, commodities and cryptocurrencies. He is a regular contributor at Russia Insider and Seeking Alpha. His work is also featured regularly on sites like Zerohedge, Lewrockwell.com and Investing.com. We...2018-03-301h 22

Around The EmpireEp 45 Ghouta, Afrin and Eastern Syria feat EhsaniSyrian analyst Ehsani returns to the show to talk about the latest developments in the Syrian war, with a focus on escalations in Eastern Ghouta, Afrin and Eastern Syria. Ehsani also shares his observations from a recent trip to Aleppo. This is a two-part interview originally recorded on March 8th. Due to delays in publishing and rapid developments in those regions, a second part was added on March 27th with updates on the situation. Ehsani is a Syrian American originally from Aleppo. You can find his social media analysis and discussion about Syria on Twitter at @ehsani22...2018-03-281h 15

Around The EmpireEp 44 Mueller Unites American War PartyDan and Joanne talk about the Mueller’s indictment of Russian internet trolls for defrauding the United States and meddling in the 2016 election by placing ads on social media (most of which ran after the election itself). While the indictments themselves seem absurd, they did bring about a significant change. Both the establishment Left and Right are now more united against Russia and around the War Party. 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...2018-02-271h 43

Around The EmpireEp 43 MemoGateDan and Joanne talk about the lead up to and the release of the House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes’ memo on the abuse of the FISA court related to Russiagate. 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 February 2, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey. Reference Links: “Forei...2018-02-091h 31

Around The EmpireEp 42 Tillerson’s Way Forward on SyriaDan and Joanne talk about Rex Tillerson’s unveiling of the Trump administration’s new Syria policy via a Stanford University speech and interview with Condoleeza Rice. The policy is named “The Way Forward” but ironically it seems more like a regression to the Bush/Cheney neoconservative foreign policy for the Middle East. 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: @USEmpireSho...2018-01-251h 26

Around The EmpireEpisode 41 The Cost of EmpireDan and Joanne talk about the cost of the Empire, the War on Terror aka “Empire Preservation Wars,” current events and the new “Costs of War Project” done by Brown University. 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 January 17, 2018. Music by Fluorescent Grey. Reference...2018-01-191h 06

Around The EmpireEp 40 Lebanon Crisis feat. Sonia Mansour RobaeyDan and Joanne speak with Middle East commentator Sonia Mansour Robaey. Sonia is a neuroscientist, philosopher, ethicist, educator and she is a Lebanese francophone living abroad. Follow Sonia at @les_politiques and find her work at Les Politiques. 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 November 24, 2017. M...2017-12-1454 min

Around The EmpireEp 39 Russiagate and Censorship feat. Joe LauriaDan and Joanne talk with author and journalist Joe Lauria about Russiagate and the growing censorship of dissent. Joe Lauria is an American journalist based in the Middle East, author of "How I Lost By Hillary Clinton," and he has been a UN correspondent for 25 years. He now writes for Consortium News and has previously written for the Boston Globe and Wall Street Journal and numerous other publications. Follow Joe at @unjoe and find his writing at Consortium News. We are independent media and we rely on your contributions Patreon: patreon...2017-11-3044 min

Around The EmpireEp. 38 Middle East Wars, Lebanon & Saudi ArabiaDan and Joanne discuss the Saudi purge, unrest in Lebanon, and the possibility of wars escalating in the Middle East. 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 November 10, 2017. Music by Fluorescent Grey. Reference Links: “Senior Saudi figures tortured and beaten in purge...2017-11-151h 19

Around The EmpireEp. 37 AFRICOMEp. 37 AFRICOM Dan and Joanne discuss the War on Terror shift to the African continent and the recent loss of US troops in Niger. 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 October 24, 2017. Music by Fluorescent Grey. Reference Links: The U.S. mil...2017-10-261h 18

Around The EmpireEp 36 New Axis of Evil, Eurasia Great Game feat Pepe EscobarDan and Joanne talk with correspondent Pepe Escobar about the new axis of evil. We discuss the geopolitical and economic importance of the New Silk Road and newly developing alignments on trade and security in Eurasia. Pepe is the correspondent-at-large for Asia Times, author of several ebooks, and commentator. He is 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. We are independent media and...2017-10-041h 12

Around The EmpireEp. 35 Afghanistan War, a Fool’s Errand feat. Scott HortonDan and Joanne talk with Scott Horton about his new book, Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan. Scott is an author, managing editor at the Libertarian Institute, editor at antiwar.com, host of Antiwar Radio for Pacifica, and the Scott Horton Show podcast. We are independent media and we rely on your contributions Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com Follow @scotthortonshow, find his work at libertarianinstitute.org/scotthortonshow, foolserrand.us Find all of our work at our website aroundtheempire.com Follow @aroundtheempire...2017-09-221h 07

Around The EmpireEp. 34 An End to the Syrian War feat. EhsaniDan and Joanne talk with Syrian analyst Ehsani @ehsani22 about the origins of the war and the new prospects for an end to the war. We also talk about the current situation in Deir Ezzor and Idlib. Ehsani is from Aleppo, Syria. He is active on social media, especially Twitter, mainly with analysis and discussion about Syria. He has also written for Syria Comment under this pseudonymn “Ehsani”.. Follow @ehsani22 on Twitter. He has also been published many times at Syria Comment. We are independent media and we rely on your contributions Pat...2017-09-2058 min

Around The EmpireEp. 33 A Syrian Kurdish Perspective feat. Kovan DirejDan and Joanne talk with Syrian Kurdish photographer and journalist Kovan Direj about his perspective on Syria and the region. Kovan is a Kurd from Rojava, Syria. He is a photographer, journalist and documentary film producer who spent most of his life in Aleppo and Qamishli and now works with refugees in Sweden. We are independent media and we rely on your contributions Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire Donations: aroundtheempire.com Follow @kovandire, find his work at www.kovandirej.com Find all of our work at our website aroundtheempire.com 2017-09-071h 07

Around The EmpireEp. 32 Charlottesville and Extremist Proxies feat. Max BlumenthalDan and Joanne talk with Max Blumenthal about the history of the national security state and the ruling elite using radical and extremist groups as proxies both abroad and at home. We discuss the Syrian “rebels”, neo-Nazi groups in Ukraine and we also talk about Charlottesville and how we got here. Max is an author, journalist, senior editor of the Gray Zone Project at alternet.org, and co-host of the Moderate Rebels podcast. He is well known for his acclaimed books, The 51 Day War: Ruin and Resistance in Gaza, Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel and Repub...2017-08-291h 18

Around The EmpireEp. 30 Washington Babylon feat. Ken SilversteinDan and Joanne talk with American author and investigative journalist Ken Silverstein about power and influence peddling in Washington and the role of think tanks, NGOs and the media. Ken is a DC-based investigative journalist, and creator of Washingtonbabylon.com. He is a contributing writer to VICE and columnist for the New York Observer. His stated goal for Washington Babylon was "to cover DC politicians and journalists like Hollywood celebrities — not the way they are worshiped by our current media masters." He also wrote for Harpers Magazine, AP and LA Times. We are...2017-08-1858 min

Around The EmpireEp. 28 War & Peace With North Korea feat. Tim ShorrockEp. 28 War & Peace With North Korea feat. Tim Shorrock Dan and Joanne interview Tim Shorrock, an author, investigative journalist and commentator on US foreign policy, on national security and intelligence, and East Asian politics. Tim grew up in Japan and Korea and was recently in South Korea for an extended visit. He’s the author of the popular book “Spies for Hire”. You can find Tim’s work at The Nation, Newstapa/Korea Center for Investigative Reporting, and many other media outlets and also at his website timshorrock.com. We are independent media and we r...2017-08-041h 13

Around The EmpireEp. 26 Torture in the American Empire feat. Jeffrey KayeDan and Joanne interview psychologist and writer Jeffrey Kaye about the history of torture in the American empire and the latest news of black sites and outsourced torture in Yemen. Jeff is a psychologist and a writer, specializing on the topics of torture, national security, civil rights. He has done some major collaborative investigatory work (some co-written with Jason Leopold) that have been published at Firedoglake, Truthout, and The Public Record. We are independent media and we rely on your contributions Patreon: patreon.com/aroundtheempire, Donations: aroundtheempire.com Follow @jeff_kaye. Find...2017-07-1046 min

Around The EmpireEpisode 24: What Is The Antiwar Right? Feat. Angela KeatonIf you want to support the show and receive access to bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. In Around the Empire Episode 24, Dan and Joanne talk with Angela Keaton, executive director of Antiwar.com about libertarian and right-wing opposition to war and about areas of common ground with the antiwar Left where alliances or coalitions might be formed. Angela is a second generation libertarian, a writer, legal researcher, and the Executive Director of Antiwar.com. She has worked in news and public affairs broadcasting since 1999 and she has...2017-06-211h 49

Around The EmpireEpisode 23: High-Level Leaks, Soft Coup, And Conspiracy Feat. Philip GiraldiIf you want to support the show and receive access to bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. In episode 23 of Around The Empire, Dan and Joanne talk with Phil Giraldi about his recent article, "Do High-Level Leaks Suggest a Conspiracy?" Former intelligence officers are questioning whether leaks and other events signal an ongoing soft coup based in the national security establishment. Phil Giraldi is a former counter-terrorism specialist and military intelligence officer of the CIA. Giraldi is a columnist at The American Conservative and unz.com. He is...2017-06-1432 min

Around The EmpireEpisode 22: Shadow Wars And The Manchester BombingDan and Joanne speak with author and scholar Dr. Christopher Davidson about manipulation of the Middle East by Western powers, the use of extremist groups as a strategic asset, the strife and extremism that has resulted. We also focus on the recent attack in Manchester by a man who fought with the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) which helped overthrow Gaddafi. Dr. Christopher Davidson is a scholar and expert in Middle East politics who teaches at Durham University in northern England. He is the author of numerous books including his latest: "Shadow Wars: The Secret Struggle for...2017-06-071h 01

Around The EmpireEpisode 21: Impeach Trump, Get President Pence? Hell No.Dan and Joanne talk with Doug Henwood about the anti-Trump faction's endgame, the force applied by the unelected permanent government, and about the prospect of a President Pence (a "horror") and Republican-controlled Congress implementing the Republican dream in short order. Doug Henwood is an American journalist, economic analyst, and financial trader who writes frequently about economic affairs. He publishes a newsletter, "Left Business Observer" and he hosts "Behind the News" a weekly radio show covering economics and politics." Follow Doug on Twitter @DougHenwood Doug's recent article "The post-Trump Era?" Follow Around...2017-05-2429 min

Around The EmpireEpisode 19: Deep State Sells Out American Counterterrorism Interests Feat. Gareth PorterIf you want to support the show and receive access to bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. In Episode 19, Dan and Joanne talk with Gareth Porter about how US national security bureaucracies or the "Deep State" sell out the American counterterrorism interests by conducting policy and operations that serve their own and their allies' interests. The result is that they strengthen and fuel the rise of extremist groups like al Qaeda. Gareth Porter is an American historian, investigative journalist and policy analyst specializing in the national security state...2017-05-0953 min

Around The EmpireEpisode 18: Kurdish Fighters In Iraq and Syria Feat. Joe LawrenceIn Episode 18, Dan and Joanne interview photographer and film director Joe Lawrence (Joey L.) about Kurdish fighters in Iraq and Syria, particularly the YPG/YPJ, the Yazidis YBS, the Peshmerga, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). We discussed his trips and photography in Raqqa and Sinjar, the recent Turkish airstrikes on Kurdish groups, and the precarious triangle of the United States, Turkey and the Syrian Kurds. Joe Lawrence, known professionally as Joey L., is a Canadian-born photographer now based in Brooklyn who specializes in long term portrait photography projects. He is also a film director...2017-05-021h 10

Around The EmpireEpisode 16: The Blacklisting of Independent Media Feat. Kyle KulinskiIf you want to support the show and receive access to bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. On this episode of Around The Empire, Dan and Joanne interview progressive journalist and activist Kyle Kulinski (Secular Talk) about media concentration and the seemingly coordinated strategy to weaken, undermine, and destroy independent media. The discussion focuses on "ProporNot" blacklist and other "fake news" claims that establishment media has used to call for a crackdown on platforms such as Facebook, which has now agreed to begin blacklisting unapproved content. ...2017-04-2549 min

Around The EmpireEpisode 15: Were The Chemical Weapons Attacks In Syria A Slam Dunk? Feat. Brad HoffIf you want to support the show and receive access to bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. On this episode of Around The Empire, Dan and Joanne interview educator, investigative journalist, and Marine veteran Brad Hoff on the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Civil War. Hoff has traveled and lived in the Middle East, including Syria. The discussion focuses on the recent chemical weapons attack in Khan Shaykhun and the 2013 attack in Ghouta, and the parallels between the two. Also examined is the White...2017-04-201h 04

Around The EmpireEpisode 14: The Future of China In The Age Of Trump Feat. Peter LeeIf you want to support the show and receive access to bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. On this episode of Around The Empire, Dan and Joanne interview China expert Peter Lee about the future of U.S.-China relations and the situation in North Korea. Lee discusses how solving the Korean crisis is actually antithetical to the goals of the U.S. empire. If there ever was a unification of North and South Korea the U.S. would have difficulty justifying its presence in the region and...2017-04-1842 min

Around The EmpireEpisode 13: CrowdStrike's Russian Hacking Claims Feat. Jeffrey CarrIf you want to support the show and receive access to bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. On this episode of Around The Empire, Dan and Joanne interview cybersecurity expert Jeffrey Carr about Crowdstrike's controversial claims on successfully identifying Russia as the actor that hacked the Democratic National Committee. The evidence has always been thin despite U.S. intelligence agencies ultimately supporting the claim. Carr discusses Crowdstrike's history of bad calls, including having to recently rewrite a report on alleged Russian hacking in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government as...2017-04-1233 min