Blowback

Follow Blowback
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A podcast about the Iraq War.

Blowback


    • Nov 15, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 58m AVG DURATION
    • 57 EPISODES

    4.8 from 2,391 ratings Listeners of Blowback that love the show mention: iraq war, blowback, movie clips, chapo, middle east, 9 11, really wish, brendan, look back, horrifying, bush, required listening, forgotten, evil, comprehensive, government, era, history, put together, insane.



    Search for episodes from Blowback with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Blowback

    S2 Bonus 10 - "Havana (Derangement) Syndrome"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 44:37


    Guests Helen Yaffe, José Pertierra and Marta Núñez Sarmiento discuss the protests in Cuba during July 2021. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Bonus 9 - "The Most Beautiful Cause"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 36:52


    A rundown of the Cuban revolution's foreign policy in Africa with guest, Cuban diplomat Oscar Oramas-Oliva. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Bonus 8 - "The Capital of Terrorism"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 68:15


    Noah talks with José Pertierra, a Cuban-American immigration attorney who has long tangled with right-wing Miami Cubans in the media and in court. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Bonus 7 - "Sweet Dirty Tony's Baadasssss Song"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 87:41


    Guest Bill Corbett (Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax) and Brendan hang out and talk about some bad Cuba movies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Bonus 6 - “Neverland”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2021 38:13


    A discussion of Operation Peter Pan with Prof. Nelson Valdes, with a detour into Hungary, 1956.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Bonus 5 - "Massive Retaliation"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2021 30:13


    A brief overview of how American nuclear weapons strategy ran parallel to the story in our main narrative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Bonus 4 - "CIAin't Kiddin'"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 39:10


    Guest Luna Olavarria-Gallegos explains how the US government infiltrated and co-opted the hip-hop scene in Cuba. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Bonus 3 - "Watch Out For That Boy"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2021 32:07


    We talk to activists and historians about Cuba, black radicalism, and how the Revolution attacked the problem of racism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Bonus 2 - "Lo Distinto Se Parece"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2021 49:10


    Interviews with history professor Michelle Chase and Cuban scholar Marta Nuñez Sarmiento. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Bonus Episode 1 - "Red-Handed Sleight of Hand"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2021 41:57


    Guatemala: an origin story, inspiration, and cautionary tale just a few hundred miles from our main story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 10 - "Infinite Crisis"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 79:14


    After the Kennedy assassination, US-Cuba diplomacy wanes and the embargo continues. To this day. Our story ends. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 9 - "Cuba Libra"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2021 82:42


    Castro, Khrushchev, and Kennedy take tentative steps toward the path of peace post-Crisis. Cuban exile groups, and their CIA sponsors, are not pleased. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 8 - “We'll All Meet In Hell”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2021 65:51


    The USA announces to the world there are missiles in Cuba. Fidel prepares for war. Khrushchev secretly haggles with Kennedy. Americans enjoy Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake Mix. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 7 - "Anadyr"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 72:39


    Fearing another American invasion — "the big one" — Soviet and Cuban leaders plot a secret response. Camelot never sees it coming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 6 - "Nothing To Lose"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2021 62:57


    Smarting from failure at the Bay of Pigs, the White House sets in motion a new plan to thwart the Cuban Revolution: Operation Mongoose. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 5 - "Fish Is Red"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 60:18


    The CIA and the Cuban exiles get their long-awaited shot at taking out Castro and the Revolution. The subsequent battle in Cuba sends shockwaves around the world. Also: The Blowback S2 official soundtrack is now out on Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp, and other major streaming services. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 4 - "Secret Honor"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2021 75:39


    JFK outmuscles Richard Nixon on Cuba and into the White House. The CIA begins training Cuban exiles in Central America for an invasion. And Fidel pays a visit to Harlem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 3 - "New Normal"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2021 76:35


    The Cuban Revolution takes power and the counter-revolution begins. The U.S. government, organized crime, and Cuban exiles carry out a campaign of terrorism, assassination, sabotage and psy-ops to turn back the clock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 2 - "Lo Hicimos"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 80:27


    A long short history of Cuba's relationship with the United States, climaxing with the Cuban revolutionaries' war to liberate the island from the dictator Batista and his backers in the United States. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S2 Episode 1 - "The Jupiter Menace"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2021 46:40


    Welcome back. Brendan and Noah reveal this season’s subject, explore the USA’s unrelenting Cuba mania, and introduce the cast of characters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Coming Soon: Blowback Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 1:05


    New episodes drop on April 19. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 10 - "The Iraq War Did Not Take Place"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2020 65:26


    Invading Iraq means never having to say you’re sorry. The end of Bush, the broken promise of Obama, and the rise of ISIS and Donald Trump. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 9 - "How Do You Fuck That Up?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2020 62:25


    The empire strikes back. As Iraq deteriorates into civil war, the Bush administration taps a new man to lead a new American strategy. Which means saying goodbye to an old friend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 8 - "Electioneering"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2020 59:09


    The American public votes to give Bush another term, right before a big dose of buyers’ remorse. In Iraq, the new "democracy" struggles to get elections off the ground as the situation careens toward civil war. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 7 - "#Resistance"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2020 60:36


    Somehow not expecting it, the Americans now face an insurgency problem, as both Sunni and Shi'a militants emerge to kick us out. War crimes and atrocities in Fallujah, Sadr City and Abu Ghraib fuel the flames of anti-American resistance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 6 - "Year Zero"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2020 63:56


    Welcome to the Green Zone, where America rules from Saddam’s old palace. The US occupation begins the destruction of Iraq, Rudy Giuliani almost becomes Viceroy, and Halliburton hunts and kills baby kittens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Bonus Episode 5 - "Shock Corridor feat. Naomi Klein"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020 40:09


    Author Naomi Klein joins us to discuss the American exploitation-fest in Iraq, her own experience coming up during the Bush years, the rehabilitation of the Bush administration, and its continuities with the Trump gang. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 5 - "Dead Links feat. Will Menaker"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020 61:49


    The media episode, breaking down some of the journalistic fuck-ups and pundit idiocy that steered us toward war in Iraq. Featuring special guest Will Menaker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Bonus Episode 4 - "Iraqi Horror Picture Show feat. Matt Christman"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2020 60:56


    Brendan and Noah survey the underwhelming landscape of Iraq War cinema with special guest Matt Christman. They dissect both Hollywood's hits and flops — neither of which were very good — and recommend very few flicks worth watching. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 4 - "Mars Attacks"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2020 59:48


    America sends Colin Powell, Good Cop, to the UN for one last PR stunt before we invade Iraq. The portal to Gozer the Destructor is opened and the war begins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 3 - "Curveball"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2020 61:03


    September 11th gives America the perfect excuse to finish our hit job on Iraq. We put together the Bush administration's case for war — WMD and al-Qaeda — and take it apart piece by piece. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 2 - "American Psycho"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2020 61:21


    Before George W. Bush, there was Daddy Bush and Bill Clinton, who killed thousands of Iraqis and pushed the country to the brink of famine. The Gulf War, brutal sanctions, and the End of History. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Bonus Episode 1 - "Our Man In Baghdad feat. Dahr Jamail"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2020 56:56


    In this first bonus episode, Noah talks to author and journalist Dahr Jamail, one of the few journalists who covered the occupation of Iraq, on the ground, without being embedded with the US military or its allies. Dahr is the author of “Beyond the Green Zone,” “The Will To Resist,” and “The Mass Destruction of Iraq.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 1 - "Rosebud"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2020 58:18


    We trace the origins of America’s perverse relationship with Iraq, from the Cold War to the Iran-Iraq War in the 80s. Assassinations, coups, counter-coups, and the rise of Saddam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 0 - "Iraqnophobia" feat. H. Jon Benjamin & James Adomian

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2020 36:28


    Brendan and Noah drag the Iraq War out of America’s memory hole to see how it shaped our hellworld today. Meet the rogues’ gallery of George W. Bush’s administration and Saddam Hussein’s family. Featuring special guests James Adomian and H. Jon Benjamin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    New Podcast Coming Soon: Blowback

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2020 0:31


    The Iraq War did not take place. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    S4 Episode 10 - "The Phantom Pain"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 61:10


    Donald Trump cuts a deal with the Taliban — and America begins its withdrawal.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S3 Episode 4 - "Red Island"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 57:42


    The war before the war on a self-reliant island off South Korea.Soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/album/4e9hkmGdDhycmgcGKe3bF0?si=d97_H1fvS5CV84ZvcEhZqQAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S4 Episode 6 - "Ground Zeroes"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 63:52


    The Afghan jihad spreads to Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S4 Episode 2 - "Bleeders and Dealers"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 70:20


    The build-up to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S4 Episode 5 - "We Can Live With That"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 63:44


    The warlord years, and the rise of the Taliban.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Coming Soon: Blowback Season Three

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 0:40


    The third season of Blowback — the story of the Korean War — arrives July 2022. Pre-order and listening details at https://blowback.supportingcast.fmAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S3 Episode 1 - “Stop Me Before I Kill Again”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 41:20


    A new season, a new story: The Korean War. To listen to the rest of season 3 right now, visit www.blowback.showAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S3 Episode 8 - "American Caesar"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 82:18


    President Truman and his “Big General in the Far East” enter their final standoff over the war.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S3 Episode 6 - "National Smile Week"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 64:13


    The US Army is almost pushed off the peninsula. Gen. MacArthur executes his revenge.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S3 Episode 5 - “Train to Busan”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 79:06


    With a rightwing, US-backed klepto-case to his South, Kim Il-Sung bets the house.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S4 Episode 4 - "They're Yours Now"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 70:08


    Operation Cyclone whips through Afghanistan — until a deal is finally struck.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S4 Episode 7 - "Guns of the Patriots"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 65:06


    The Bush administration unleashes the first war of the 21st century.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S3 Episode 7 - "Mao's Poem"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 64:37


    The US threatens to cross the Yalu. The Chinese leadership debates its options in Korea.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S3 Episode 10 - "The Host"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 96:32


    The armistice in Korea is supposed to be temporary. But a peace treaty never comes. As decades roll on, the war becomes permanent.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S3 Episode 9 - "No More Targets"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 74:13


    Stalemate on the battlefield does not stop the United States from obliterating North Korea.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Claim Blowback

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel