Introduction In the mainstream view, al-Qaeda did not play a role in the Syria conflict until Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi dispatched his deputy, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, to Syria in August 2011 to establish a wing of the group there, called...
On FPF #529, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss the massive explosion in Beirut. So far, over 150 people have been killed; however many more remain missing. The damage to the port will also significantly harm Lebanon's economy, doing billions in damage. Will...
In Episode 91 Tommy looks at the death of Muhandis, and its potential meaning for US military in Iraq. Hassan Nasrallah called upon Hezbollah sympathizers to carry out attacks on US military personel and facilities in order to pressure the US to leave the region. What...
Apparently confirmed by Al Arabiya and a Hezbollah channel in Beirut. https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1212904806601199616
Saudi Arabia’s oil production facilities were attacked by drone strikes from an unknown attacker. Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim to have done the strike, but some question this story. American intelligence points the finger at Iran, while some suggest this is a false...
Israeli Defense Forces are on high alert after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened retaliation after Israeli drone strikes in Southern Lebanon. “I say to the Israeli army on the border from tonight, stand guard (on high alert). Wait for us one, two, three,...
Hezbollah is labeled a terrorist organization by the United States. Should they be? Some argue that they are defending their homeland from Israeli conquest. Others argue they are trying to kill innocent Israelis without just cause or legitimate state backing....
In 1982, Israeli tanks crossed the border into Lebanon to hunt down the PLO. It was supposed to be a quick simple mission to push the Palestinian resistance groups north 25 miles to protect Israel. However, the mission quickly became more complicated with Israel...
On FPF #355, I talk about Memorial Day being used as propaganda for the wars. Common phrases like "they died for our freedoms" and "we are safe because of their sacrifices" are uttered by nearly everyone. The propaganda is effective in reducing criticism of US foreign...
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claims that Iran killed 600 Americans during Iraq War II. The syllogism goes, Iran supplied EFP bombs to Sadr's militia, the Mahdi Army, they then used those bombs on U.S. troops. Ergo "Iran," meaning the ayatollah and his government,...
Mike Pompeo: US will never accept Hezbollah presence in Lebanon. Jason Ditz: That's funny, they're part of the ruling coalition government the U.S. supports there.
Middle East correspondent Elijah Magnier returns to the show to discuss the latest turmoil in the Middle East and his recent article "ISIS into History’s rubbish bin and Iraq neither Iranian nor American." Magnier shares what he knows about the resignation of Saad...
What follows is a response to a July 26 article published at the Washington Post entitled “Why is the Trump Administration Empowering al-Qaeda in Syria?” penned by columnist Marc Thiessen. The article—while its headline sounds like something many non-interventionists...
Joost Hiltermann, program director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group, discusses the Trump administration's mistaken view that the Houthis in Yemen are an Iranian proxy-militia like Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hiltermann also debunks...
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