Eyes Left Podcast

Six months after EYES LEFT broke the Ron DeSantis GITMO torture story (which has now become a national scandal for the presidential hopeful) we have exclusive new eyewitness corroboration of his participation in human rights abuses. Story by Mike Prysner. TRANSCRIPT available at ⁠empirefiles.substack.com EYES LEFT is a project of The Empire Files, a 501(c)(3) media non-profit—support our work with a tax-deductible donation on Patron or on PayPal FOLLOW us on Twitter & Instagram @EyesLeftPod All music by ANAHEDRON

In this first installment of our “Wake Ups” series, former Navy Petty Officer Erica Gordon shares her journey from a homeless shelter, to a hidden war, to creative forms of resistance while still in uniform. EYES LEFT is a project of The Empire Files, a 501(c)(3) media non-profit—support our work with a tax-deductible donation here: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles or on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/empirefilesinc Check out Erica's anti-recruitment efforts at https://twitter.com/LeftFlankVets All music by ANAHEDRON

In this debut episode of our new monthly segment, Mike Prysner and SFC (Ret.) Jeff Sauter cover a range of stories that deal with the economic hardships facing active-duty troops and potential recruits—contrasted with a behemoth new Pentagon budget that funnels hundreds of billions to corporations. Plus: abortion rights for troops, the potential renaming of 9 major Army bases named after Confederate bastards & the problems with the new PACT Act. SUPPORT Eyes Left at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles [this podcast is a project of Empire Files, a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible.] MUSIC by Anahedron FOLLOW us @EyesLeftPod on Twitter and Instagram CONTACT us at eyesleftpod[at]gmail.com

A journey into Ron DeSantis's shadowy military career reveals shocking new details about his complicity in illegal torture. Featuring exclusive never-before-heard testimony from former Guantanamo prisoner Mansoor Adayfi about DeSantis's actions at the prison camp. Support this show at https://www.patreon.com/EyesLeft Eyes Left is a project of The Empire Files: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles

After a long absence, let's talk about where the show went and where it is going.

Interview with Sergeant Kevin Benderman, sentenced to 15 months in military prison for refusing to return to Iraq on moral grounds.

The harrowing story of a VA long-term care facility where veterans watched friends die of Covid, then sentenced to a solitary-confinement lockdown. Special guest Spencer Ackerman joins to discuss this story, his new book Reign Of Terror, and more.

Spenser and Mike discuss the BLM upsurge, the role of the National Guard in suppression, and looking inward to find new paths. PLUS: Radical Military History - The story of the 'Fort Hood 43'

Retired Major Danny Sjursen joins Eyes Left for part II of his interview, explaining his research uncovering the West Point Class of 1986 and the powerful positions it's alumni control in the Trump Administration.

Spenser and Mike interview Army Major Danny Sjursen about his journey from West Point officer in Iraq and Afghanistan to an anti-war author, commentator and activist. Sjursen is host of 'Fortress On A Hill' podcast and author of several books. Find his work at https://skepticalvet.com/

Spenser & Mike get deep in pandemic brain with philosophy and updates on COVID warfare at home & abroad. Show notes: - Join upcoming May 30 national actions to Cancel The Rents @ www.canceltherents.org/ - Get the new album 'Rend Wake' by our audio engineer Anahedron: condinarecords.bandcamp.com/album/rend-wake - Learn about this 72nd anniversary of the Nakba: english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indept…nexation-looms

Spenser and Mike discuss Bernie leaving the presidential race: why & what's next for the movement

Spenser & Mike discuss the science of COVID-19, the political implications of the pandemic, and the need to come together as a community (just, not in person please!)

On the eve of Super Tuesday, Spenser and Mike are joined by Miguel Medrano, Iraq war veteran and Southeast Political Director for the Bernie campaign.

As the the potential for major US war in the Middle East looms greater than the days before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Spenser Rapone and Mike Prysner are joined by former Army Ranger, Afghanistan veteran and war resister Rory Fanning to discuss the Iran crisis, options service members have to resist, and reactions to the Democratic candidates' statements in response to Trump's war crimes.

Spenser and Mike discuss the bombshell Afghanistan Papers, proving the depth to which the US government has been lying to keep us in the senseless war.

Your Halloween treat, on the killing of ISIS leader al-Baghdadi, the Army's new recruitment strategy, and more video games. PLUS Radical Military History on lost stories from the Gulf War

Spenser and Mike catch up after a month-long break to talk about Gaza, what the Epstein case reveals about the ruling class, Trump’s very large purchase of Ketamine for veterans, communist sci-fi and more.

Trump's appointed a "beer mogul" to revamp PTSD treatment... and he's into some really weird pseudoscience. Eyes Left interviews investigative journalist Jasper Craven—who investigates the Dept. of Veterans' Affairs for the New York Times, The Intercept and more—about this impact of VA privatization, the hidden scandal of police brutality at Veterans' Affairs hospitals and much more. Follow Jasper Craven on Twitter @Jasper_Craven

Spenser and Mike discuss the Democratic Party Primary candidates, Bernie Sanders, and Trump's war criminal pardons; PLUS: Afghanistan War Update & Radical Military History

Trump ramps up wars on two fronts: his Christian extremist war on Trans people, and his Blood For Oil war on Iran. Spenser and Mike discuss why we must oppose both. FOLLOW: @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT: Patreon.com/EyesLeft

Spenser and Mike mark the 16th anniversary of the US invasion and occupation of Iraq

With another white nationalist terror attack taking the lives of at least 50 Muslims, Spenser and Mike explore the many expressions of neo-Naziism today: from 4chan, to Ben Shapiro, MAGA-ism and the US military itself.

John Bolton sent 5,000 of us to die for oil in Iraq. Elliott Abrams oversaw genocide in Guatemala. Now they've teamed with Trump to launch another oil war in Venezuela. Spenser Rapone and Mike Prysner tell you why it's your right, and duty, to refuse to fight.

Spenser Rapone and Mike Prysner discuss the Army Captain who waved a Trump flag in uniform, the sociopath Marine General Jim Mattis, and Army Major Tulsi Gabbard entering the 2020 race

Nowhere is safe from the US Army; not even your video games. Learn about how Twitch has joined the Military Industrial Complex—putting recruiters in your headsets—among other new tactics to recruit gamers. ALSO: Sadistic SEALs murdering civilians, and fellow soldiers, for sport; and Radical Military History covers the only veteran to ever renounce his Congressional Medal of Honor.

As Trump send upwards of 15,000 US troops to three states, Spenser Rapone and Mike Prysner discuss what's behind the deployment, it's relation to a rising right-wing movement, your rights if you're ordered to the border, the truth about the migrant caravan and it's historical context. FOLLOW US on Twitter & IG at @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT US on www.patreon.com/EyesLeft

George W. Bush will soon be presented with an award for his "commitment to veterans" despite unprecedented neglect and cuts under his administration. We explore his true legacy and how he is responsible for the crises veterans face today, as well as: - Tomas Young, US soldier paralyzed in Iraq, writes his "last letter" to Bush upon deciding to end his own life. - The "Save The VA" campaign led by Veterans For Peace fights back against privatization - What you're fighting for: a leadership that serves the likes of Kavanaugh and the Proud Boys FOLLOW US on Twitter & IG at @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT US on https://www.patreon.com/EyesLeft

In a special full episode of Radical Military History we explore the life and legacy of Private Andy Stapp, honoring the fourth anniversary of his death. Stapp joined the Army during the Vietnam War not to fight, but to organize against it. His "American Servicemen's Union" grew tens of thousands of enlisted members in just a few years as he became known as "the thorn in the Pentagon's side." FOLLOW US on Twitter & IG at @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT US on www.patreon.com/EyesLeft

How much are the Pentagon Generals lying about the war in Afghanistan? Much more than you thought. With new US casualties to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, as well as record fatalities for Afghan Army and civilians, Eyes Left gives updates and analysis on all the important recent developments in the never-ending occupation. FOLLOW US on Twitter & IG at @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT US on www.patreon.com/EyesLeft

War crimes. Freakouts. Drugs. Rebellion. A narrative of the Iraq war buried by the media and politicians, told through the incredible oral history of Clifton Hicks--a tank crewman in Iraq who refused to go back, won a Conscientious Objector fight, then spent years helping other soldiers do the same. FOLLOW US on Twitter & IG at @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT US on www.patreon.com/EyesLeft

In this episode: In Brief: Spenser Rapone and Mike Prysner analyze the curious incident of a US Marine receiving a Purple Heart for combat wounds in an “undisclosed location.” (Begins at 02:52) The Class War Budget: A breakdown Trump’s bi-partisan “defense” budget: from “Army Futures Command,” to the Space Force scam. (Begins at 10:05) Veterans Affairs HQ Moves to Mar-a-Lago: What it means that outlet Pro-Publica uncovered “shadow rulers” for the VA among Trump’s golfing buddies. (Begins at 35:30) Radical Military History: Honoring forgotten WWII heroes—the African American sailors of the Port Chicago Strike. (Begins at 46:04) FOLLOW US on Twitter & IG at @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT US on www.patreon.com/EyesLeft

In this episode: Afghanistan War Update: Major announcement that the Trump Administration will enter into direct talks with the Taliban, what it exposes about the endless war, and the latest US and Afghan deaths Army News: Racist new policy of discharging immigrant soldiers after being asked to join for citizenship, and why it gives more reason for service members to resist Radical Military History: Individual acts of resistance by service members during Vietnam that set the stage for a massive GI rebellion FOLLOW US on Twitter & IG at @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT US on www.patreon.com/EyesLeft

In this debut episode of Eyes Left, hosts Spenser Rapone and Mike Prysner discuss the vision and goal of the podcast, how their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan led them to become socialists, and why US troops should resist U.S. foreign policy. FOLLOW US on Twitter & IG at @EyesLeftPod SUPPORT US on www.patreon.com/EyesLeft