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A single clip can reveal the whole playbook. When a powerful senator calls military aid to Israel his “baby,” it says everything about priorities, leverage, and who pays the price. We pull the thread from that moment into the reality on the ground in Gaza, where a supposed ceasefire overlaps with daily killings and a systematic assault on healthcare. Detained physicians describe torture and maiming that read less like isolated abuses and more like a strategy to make Gaza unlivable. Pair that with efforts to block international medical work and you get collapse by design, not accident. We also tackle the battlefield of narratives. For years, Gaza's death tolls were dismissed as propaganda. Now, with the IDF effectively acknowledging those figures, the numbers stand—and so does the moral weight behind them. Meanwhile, legacy outlets still reach for soft phrasing, telling readers a ceasefire is being “tested” while children are buried. That language isn't neutral; it shapes consent. The question is whether accuracy can survive the pressure to keep audiences comfortable. Then we turn to Iran, where swagger and strategy collide. We dissect claims about a near-term nuclear bomb, point to inspections and intelligence, and examine how a cheap Iranian surveillance drone downed by an F-35 exposes a losing economic logic for endless escalation. With carriers near the Strait of Hormuz and merchant vessels as potential triggers, miscalculation could do what no speech intends: start a war. Add in maximalist U.S. demands—from missile limits to severing regional ties to dismantling civilian enrichment—and it's clear why talks stall. These aren't guardrails; they're tripwires. We close by pushing back on a convenient myth that Americans don't care about the Epstein files. Crimes against children cut across ideology, and accountability still matters. We're lining up a guest to go deeper and separate signal from noise as more documents surface. If you value frank analysis over spin—on Gaza, Iran, media narratives, and elite impunity—this conversation is for you. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who cares about foreign policy and accountability, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Your support keeps independent voices in the fight.

 Download Audio. Scott interviews Matt Williams, known as WillyOAM on YouTube, about the partial release of the Epstein files. They discuss what was revealed, how it all fits into what we already know and why it matters. Matt is an Australian Army veteran, independent journalist, and content creator. He served in the Australian Infantry with the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment from 2014-2021 and was awarded a Queen's Order of Australia Medal. Since 2022 he has worked as an independent war correspondent and analyst. Subscribe to his YouTube Channel. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

 Download Audio. Scott brings Kyle Anzalone back to discuss some of the latest foreign policy news. They start with the US-Iran talks this week and Trump's plan for striking Iran when the talks almost certainly fail. They then discuss where things stand with Gaza and Israel's territorial expansion in southern Lebanon and Syria. Discussed on the show: “Fantasies of Fragmenting Iran Only Serve Israeli Interests” (Libertarian Institute) Kyle Anzalone is news editor of the Libertarian Institute, opinion editor of Antiwar.com, co-host of Conflicts of Interest and host of The Kyle Anzalone Show. Follow him on Twitter @KyleAnzalone_  Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

War planners love simple stories. Threaten, strike, and watch a “decisive” blow topple a hated regime. Today we peel back the layers on the rush toward Iran—what a decisive strike actually means, what the timelines look like from the Pentagon and Tel Aviv, and why air defenses are being surged across the Middle East. We connect the dots between public threats, carrier deployments, and leaked briefings that point to leadership-targeting plans paired with an oil blockade. Then we stress-test the assumptions: Iran's missile and drone arsenal, Israel's interceptor stockpiles, and the uncomfortable reality that U.S. bases from Iraq to Qatar sit squarely within range. Diplomacy flickers at the edges with Turkish backchannels and whispered sit-downs, but Israeli “red lines” demanding zero enrichment and broader curbs on missiles and partners make agreement unlikely. We walk through the regional escalation ladder—Hezbollah in the north, Iraqi militias at home, the Houthis stretching air defenses from another axis—and explain how a “limited” strike becomes a map-wide conflict overnight. This isn't an abstract war game; it's a risk ledger for U.S. troops, Israeli civilians, and millions of people caught between missile arcs and sanction-induced scarcity. Then we pivot to Cuba. The script feels eerily familiar: choke oil flows, squeeze the economy, court insiders, promise a clean transition. We unpack why decades of embargo failed to topple Havana, how sanctions can cement regimes by shifting blame, and why the most likely export of a forced collapse is a new migration wave to Florida, not a stable democracy. If the goal is real security, we argue for smarter off-ramps—credible diplomacy with Iran that sets achievable constraints, and calibrated engagement with Cuba that prioritizes humanitarian access and measured leverage. If you care about avoiding a wider war and the blowback from brittle regime-change bets, this one's for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who follows foreign policy, and leave a review with your take: what's the off-ramp leaders keep missing?

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  US forces conducted live-fire military drills in the Persian Gulf. The exercise happened as President Donald Trump is threatening to attack Iran. “Last week, Navy Sailors from USS Santa Barbara participated in the exercise Killer Tomato, a live-fire maritime gunnery exercise conducted in the Central Command's area of responsibility and supported by an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on X Sunday. It continued, “The exercise provided realistic training to improve surface gunnery proficiency while reinforcing joint air-maritime integration, combat readiness, and deterrence across the region.” Last week, @USNavy Sailors from USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) participated in the @USAFCENT-led exercise Killer Tomato, a live-fire maritime gunnery exercise conducted in the @CENTCOM area or responsibility and supported by @usairforce A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. The exercise… pic.twitter.com/esO5BtCMKT — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) February 8, 2026 Last month, the US held war games across the Middle East. Additionally, the US and Israeli military held joint naval drills. President Donald Trump is threatening to attack Iran. He has reportedly ordered the Department of War to develop battle plans for a decisive strike on Iran. The President is also considering other actions to create regime change in Iran, including an oil blockade. Over the past month, Trump has significantly increased the US military footprint in the Middle East by sending an aircraft carrier strike group, warplanes, and advanced missile defense to the region.

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to travel to the US to meet with President Donald Trump on Wednesday. The discussion will center on Iran. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump this Wednesday in Washington, and will discuss with him the negotiations with Iran,” a statement posted to the Israeli Prime Minister’s account on Saturday said. Prime Minister’s Office announcement: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump this Wednesday in Washington, and will discuss with him the negotiations with Iran. — Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 7, 2026 The meeting was requested by Netanyahu, and it will be the seventh with Trump in the past year. The Israeli leader wants to ensure the American President reaches an agreement with Tehran that does not cross Tel Aviv's red lines.  The statement was posted following US and Iranian talks held in Oman. “They had a very good meeting with a very high representative Iran, of Iran, and we'll see how it all turns out,” Trump said on Air Force One on Friday.  “We're going to meet again early next week, and they want to make a deal, Iran, as they should want to make a deal.” He continued, “They know the consequences if they don't. If they don't make a deal, the consequences are very steep. So we'll see what happens.” Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran in recent weeks over the country's nuclear and missile programs, as well as Tehran’s crackdown on demonstrators. The President has ordered a massive military buildup in the Middle East and instructed the Department of War to create military plans for a “decisive” attack on Iran.  Even if Tehran agrees to a deal with Washington, Israeli officials have told Trump that Tel Aviv may decide to unilaterally attack Iran if the agreement does not meet Israel's redlines on Iranian ballistic missiles. “We told the Americans we will strike alone if Iran crosses the red line we set on ballistic missiles,” a source told The Jerusalem Post.  An Israeli defense official told the outlet that Tel Aviv had a “historic opportunity” to strike a blow to Tehran's missile program. Another Israeli official said Tel Aviv was concerned Trump may decide to strike Iran, but it will not be expansive enough to eliminate the threat posed by Iran's ballistic missiles.  “The worry is he might choose a few targets, declare success, and leave Israel to deal with the fallout, just like with the Houthis,” they explained.  A source explained to Axios that Netanyahu “intended to send a message to Iran that Trump has other options if the negotiations fail.” In June, Israel attacked Iran, knowing that the US would have to be drawn into the conflict for Tel Aviv to achieve its goals. After about a week, Trump ordered the US to attack three Iranian nuclear facilities that Israel lacked the military capability to destroy.  On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran was unwilling to negotiate on its missile program. Tehran has said it’s willing to negotiate additional inspections and limitations on its civilian nuclear program. 

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  The Kremlin said US and Russian officials agreed that talks to establish a new nuclear arms control agreement must begin as soon as possible. Last week, the New START Treaty, the last remaining bilateral nuclear agreement, expired.  “There is an understanding, and they talked about it in Abu Dhabi, that both parties will take responsible positions and both parties realize the need to start talks on the issue as soon as possible,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday. The issue was discussed by US and Russian officials last week in the UAE. The US is currently mediating talks between Russia and Ukraine in the Emirates.  A new bilateral agreement is needed, as there are no longer any treaties restricting the strategic weapons programs of the two nuclear superpowers. Both Washington and Moscow are upgrading their strategic arsenals.  Before the New Start Treaty expired last week, Russia proposed a one-year extension of the pact to give the two sides more time to negotiate a new agreement. However, the US failed to respond to the Russian proposal. Additionally, President Donald Trump claimed the New START Treaty was a bad deal for the US.  “Rather than extend ‘NEW START' (A badly negotiated deal by the United States that, aside from everything else, is being grossly violated), we should have our Nuclear Experts work on a new, improved, and modernized Treaty that can last long into the future,” Trump posted Thursday on  Truth Social.  Axios reported last week that Washington and Moscow had agreed informally to continue complying with the New START restrictions for six months. Peskov dismissed the idea that an informal agreement could work.  “Obviously, its provisions can only be extended in a formal way,” Peskov said. “It’s hard to imagine any informal extension in this sphere.”

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 Download Audio. Scott interviews author and researcher Gordon Hahn about the negotiations taking place between the Ukrainian and Russian governments, where things stand on the ground right now, the ambitions of Ukraine's far right and more. Discussed on the show: Ukraine Over the Edge: Russia, the West and the “New Cold War” by Gordon Hahn “The Rise of Azov’s Gen. Andriy Biletskiy” (Substack) Gordon M. Hahn is an expert for Corr Analytics and a senior researcher for the Center for Terrorism and Intelligence Studies, Akribus Group. He is the author of Ukraine Over the Edge. Subscribe to his Substack.  Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  President Donald Trump said that the US was engaging with Cuba, and called for the country to be made “free again.” “We're starting to talk to Cuba,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday. “It doesn't have to be a humanitarian crisis. I think they probably would come to us and want to make a deal. So Cuba would be free again.” Trump did not provide details on what the US hoped to achieve in the negotiations or who was leading the American delegation. The White House has been attempting to increase economic pressure on Havana by cutting off Cuba from Mexican and Venezuelan oil.  Mexico City decided to cut oil sales to Havana over fear of reprisals from Washington.  The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the White House is now “searching for Cuban government insiders who can help cut a deal to push out the Communist regime by the end of the year.” Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio is a long-time advocate for American regime change in Cuba. Trump recently posted on Truth Social that Rubio could be the President of Cuba. 

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  Israel has banned Doctors Without Borders (MSF) from conducting humanitarian missions in Gaza. MSF has helped to keep the battered healthcare system at a minimal functioning level.  On Sunday, Tel Aviv announced that MSF would no longer be allowed to operate in Gaza. Israeli agencies claimed the humanitarian aid organization failed to provide Tel Aviv with sufficient documentation on its staff in the Strip.  MSF said it attempted to negotiate with Israel to share information about its staff, with safeguards to protect them, but those talks were unsuccessful. “Following many months of unsuccessful engagement with Israeli authorities, and in the absence of securing assurances to ensure the safety of our staff or the independent management of our operations,” the group's statement explained. “MSF has concluded that it will not share a list of its Palestinian and international staff with Israeli authorities in the current circumstances.” MSF supports about a fifth of all hospital beds in Gaza and a third of births. When Israel announced the ban last year, the UN's human rights chief, Volker Türk, condemned the ban as “outrageous” and explained it was part of an Israeli policy to prevent aid from entering Gaza.   During Israel's onslaught in Gaza, nearly all of the Strip's hospitals were damaged or destroyed. Tel Aviv has also barred medical supplies from entering Gaza and injured Palestinians from leaving. The shortage of medical supplies has led to preventable deaths. 

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  The US is positioning its most advanced missile interceptors in the Middle East to prepare for a major war with Iran.  According to the Wall Street Journal, the US is moving THAAD and Patriot interceptors into the Middle East. The air defenses will be sent to bases where US troops are stationed in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The White House views the advanced missile defense systems as necessary if President Donald Trump wants to launch a large-scale attack on Iran.  Trump has ordered a significant military buildup in the Middle East, including an aircraft carrier strike group and fighter jets. Many of the warships carry additional interceptors, and fighter jets can shoot down Iranian drones.  The deployments have put thousands of additional American troops within range of Iranian weapons. There are over 5,000 sailors on the aircraft carrier, 300-350 soldiers on each of the eight destroyers in the region, and 100 troops for each THAAD system.  Trump is reportedly considering a range of options for creating regime change in Iran, including an oil blockade and strikes targeting high-level officials in Tehran. According to the WSJ, the President wants a “decisive attack” on Iran.  Drop Stie News reports speaking with US officials who said the White House informed its Arab allies that a war with Iran could begin at any time. Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said on Sunday he does not believe a US attack is imminent, but will happen within two months.  Zamir's remarks followed a meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine in the Pentagon on Friday.  Trump renewed the threat to attack Iran on Sunday. He told reporters, “We have the biggest and strongest ships there, very close. They'll be ready within days. I hope we make a deal. If we don't make a deal, we'll find out.” Trump has threatened to attack Iran over its nuclear and missile programs. Additional he said he may strike Iran for cracking down on demonstrators.  However, a large-scale attack on the Islamic Republic will likely lead to Iran launching retaliatory strikes on US bases in the region and Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Trump against attacking Iran earlier this month because Israel was unprepared for the fallout.  Former CIA officer and torture program whistleblower John Kiriakou said he spoke with multiple, well-paced, Arab princes who explained that Israel was urging Trump to exercise caution in dealing with Iran as Tel Aviv was still in the process of replenishing its stockpile of missile interceptors.  Israel used a significant portion of its Iron Dome and Arrow interceptors during its war with Iran in June. Tel Aviv relied heavily on American interceptors to supplement its missile defenses.

ICE tactics in MN have been heavy handed and the “protesters” are funded by the same people that have funded every color revolution of the 21st century. You don't have to be on either side.

Greenland on the table, NATO on edge, and an algorithm deciding who gets a knock at the door. We dive into President Trump's Davos remarks claiming the U.S. will pursue Greenland, then trace the fallout across European capitals as Denmark draws a hard line on sovereignty and lawmakers move to unwind trade ties. If Greenland is already protected by NATO, what problem is “acquisition” solving—and at what cost to U.S. credibility, markets, and the transatlantic alliance? From there, we cut through fuzzy NATO math. The much‑touted jump to 5 percent defense spending looks more like creative accounting than real muscle, with roads and rail counted as deterrence and deadlines pushed years out. Theater might buy applause, but it doesn't buy readiness. On Ukraine, the rhetoric of nearing peace collides with a harsher map: mass drone and missile strikes, a frayed grid, rare hypersonic shots, and manpower strains that no press conference can paper over. Signing a bilateral pact that Moscow rejects as a red line isn't a glide path to de‑escalation; it's a fresh wedge that could harden the war. The most chilling turn lands at home. We reveal how a Palantir‑powered tool helps ICE score neighborhoods and surface targets, while agencies purchase sensitive data from tech brokers to sidestep warrants. When a confidence number can trigger a raid, due process becomes optional and your phone becomes a surveillance beacon. Security doesn't require pretending algorithms are oracles; it demands laws that protect rights and a strategy that separates signal from noise. If you value clear analysis over spin, tap follow, share this episode with someone who tracks foreign policy and tech, and leave a quick review telling us which topic you want us to dig into next. Your support helps this show reach the people who need it most.

A letter about the Nobel Peace Prize. A claim that America needs “complete and total control of Greenland.” And a war that almost started, then didn't. We follow the thread from ego-driven spectacle to real-world consequences, unpacking how image-making can bend strategy and endanger lives. We begin with the Greenland fixation and why it fails every basic test of strategy. Greenland is already protected under NATO via Denmark, and the specter of a Chinese or Russian occupation collapses under logistics and alliance math. So what's left? Legacy. The urge to redraw the map and be remembered becomes a risky compass when it steers policy toward symbolic victories over coherent national interest. From there, the focus shifts to Iran and a night when airspace closed, assets moved, and insiders braced for impact. The order never came. Not because escalation was unthinkable, but because defenses were thin and retaliation looked imminent. Reports point to Netanyahu's warning and U.S. readiness gaps as decisive. That's sobering: it implies delay, not de-escalation, while carriers, interceptors, and air wings redeploy. We also dig into Lindsey Graham's fury at Gulf allies who want to avoid turning their own bases and ports into targets—a reminder that geography and self-preservation shape their decisions more than Washington talking points. Back home, we trace the money and the megaphone. Miriam Adelson's outsized influence, built on massive checks, highlights how single-issue loyalty can purchase foreign-policy outcomes. Pam Bondi's boasts about unprecedented DOJ actions on campus “anti-Semitism” expose the dangerous slide from policing threats to policing dissent. When pro-Palestinian protest and criticism of U.S.-Israel policy are rebranded as bigotry, federal power becomes a cudgel against speech rather than a shield for it. We close with a regime change reality check. Dinesh D'Souza's nostalgia for post-WWII “success” meets Dave Smith's rebuttal: those outcomes were born of total war, mass death, and decades of occupation—conditions America will not, and should not, reproduce. Swapping in “friendlier thugs” isn't strategy; it's a recipe for failed states, insurgency, and endless costs. If this breakdown helps you see the stakes more clearly, subscribe, share the show, and leave a review. What do you think is the biggest risk on the horizon: an Iran strike, a Greenland gambit, or the creeping crackdown on dissent?

I discuss Minneapolis ICE situation and we finish up the last of 3 presidential debates from 1992

 Download Audio. Scott brings Daniel Davis back to run through some of the latest developments related to American foreign policy. They discuss how close the war in Ukraine is to ending, whether US-EU cooperation is starting to fracture, whether Russia has been effectively weakened by NATO since it invaded Ukraine in 2022 and more.  Discussed on the show: Daniel Davis / Deep Dive Daniel Davis did multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during his time in the army. He is a Senior Fellow at Defense Priorities and is the author of the reports “Dereliction of Duty II: Senior Military Leaders' Loss of Integrity Wounds Afghan War Effort” and “Go Big or Go Deep: An Analysis of Strategy Options on Afghanistan.” Find him on Twitter @DanielLDavis1and subscribe to his YouTube Channel. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

A president on camera says only his own morality can stop him. That single line sets the tone for a high-stakes hour where we track real-time war signals around Iran, interrogate the Greenland fantasy, and examine how power bends rules when no one close is willing to say no. We connect the dots between rhetoric, logistics, and escalating options—from sanctions and cyber operations to reports of potential strikes on non-military targets in Tehran—while reading the tea leaves of embassy closures, airspace changes, and force posture moves across the region. We also unpack the protest landscape inside Iran: genuine economic anger, contested casualty figures, and the fog of information operations that can turn small fires into regional infernos. If the United States acts without congressional authorization or public persuasion, it won't just risk a wider war; it will cement a template for executive overreach that future presidents will inherit. That same impulse shows up at home in the response to the ICE shooting in Minnesota, where dissent gets rebranded as disrespect and disrespect is treated like a crime. When loyalty becomes the yardstick for justice, constitutional limits become optional. Finally, we turn to the media arena. Dave Smith's blunt challenge to Dan Bongino raises a hard question: what happens when those who pledged to expose the “deep state” are accused of shielding it, especially on the Epstein saga? Independent platforms earn trust by pressing for receipts, not rehearsed talking points. Along the way we decode the Greenland push—why NATO already covers the threat it cites, and why chasing cartographic glory would shatter alliances without delivering strategic value. If you care about constitutional guardrails, Middle East stability, media accountability, and honest statecraft, this one's for you. Listen, share with a friend, and tell us where you draw the line—then hit follow so you don't miss what comes next.

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  In an effort to quell concerns that US bombs would soon be falling on Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum said she received assurance from Washington that there would be no military flights over Mexico. On Monday, Sheinbaum explained she had received “written” assurance from the US that no military flights would take place over Mexico. She added that Washington pledged to inform Mexico City of any military operations before they take place. Sheinbaum's remarks followed warnings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to civilian aircraft to watch for military flights over Mexico and parts of Central and South America. The FAA issued a similar advisory before the US attacked Venezuela and kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump has pressed Sheinbaul to allow the US to conduct military operations against cartels in Mexico. She has repeatedly refused to permit any foreign ministry actions inside Mexico. Multiple outlets have reported that the US is preparing to conduct military operations inside of Mexico, including strikes on suspected drug labs and raids targeting cartels. Under Trump, the US has designated several Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The White House justified its strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean by arguing the vessels were operated by cartels designated as a narco-terrorist group. First Published at Antiwar.com

The Greenland debacle is bringing the NATO relationship into better focus on just how bad the EU/SSR has become. America should take a non-interventionist pause and get its internal house in order before standing astride the world again and lighting fires that never go away and continuously make things worse. Stop the madness. Recent episodes on NATO. First part here: Ep 009 “Fixing Fight Club: Just Say No to NATO: Part One” Second part here: Ep 016 “Fixing Fight Club: Just Say No to NATO: Part Two” References: Defense of Greenland: Agreement Between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark, April 27, 1951 Winning The Salvo Competition: Rebalancing America's Air And Missile Defenses The Russian Reconnaissance Fire Complex Comes of Age Nyet Means Nyet (William Burns 2008) Pat Buchanan Where Does NATO Enlargement End? DoS Cable: NATO ENLARGEMENT: RUSSIAN ASSERTIONS REGARDING THE TWO-PLUS-FOUR AGREEMENT ON GERMAN UNIFICATION Books: Edward Bernays Propaganda Sevim Dagdelen NATO: A Reckoning with the Atlantic Alliance Matt Kennard The Racket: A Rogue Reporter vs The American Empire Daniel Ellsberg The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner Scott Horton Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine Nassim Taleb Incerto: Fooled by Randomness, The Black Swan, The Bed of Procrustes, Antifragile, Skin in the Game Mark Gunzinger & Bryan Clark Winning the Salvo Competition: Rebalancing America's Air and Missile Defense Christian Brose The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare My Substack Email at cgpodcast@pm.me

 Download Audio. Scott brought Daniel McAdams back on the show to talk about the prospects of Trump taking over Greenland, the capture of Maduro, protests in Iran and the status of America's antiwar movement more broadly.   Discussed on the show: “US Surging Military Assets To the Middle East To Prepare for War With Iran After Trump Postpones Attack” (Antiwar.com) The Panama Deception Daniel McAdams is the executive director of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity and the co-host of the Ron Paul Liberty Report. Follow him on Twitter @DanielLMcAdams and read all of his work over at Antiwar.com. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  A call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convinced President Donald Trump not to order an attack on Iran last week. Netanyahu was concerned that the attack would not be decisive, and Israel would be unable to repel an Iranian counterattack without more American military support. On Wednesday, American diplomats and military officials in the Middle East were convinced they would receive orders from President Trump to strike Iran. Expectations for a US attack on Iran were built over the previous two weeks as Trump threatened the Islamic Republic for cracking down on protesters. Members of his cabinet, including Vice President JD Vance, were pushing Trump to authorize strikes. Vance argued Trump had drawn a red line that Iran had crossed by killing protesters, and the President must enforce it. However, the President received a call from Netanyahu, who warned that the planned strikes would not be decisive and that the US lacked the military equipment in the Middle East to repel an Iranian counterattack. Axios reporter Barak Ravid spoke with several US officials who said Netanyahu's warning and the potential for Iranian retaliation were significant factors in Trump's decision not to order an attack. Since the US and Israeli was on Iran in June, two aircraft carrier strike groups and an advanced air defense system have been deployed out of the Middle East. Late last week, Trump dispatched the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the region. An Iranian official said on Sunday that at least 5,000 people had been killed over three weeks of demonstrations. The protests often turned into riots, and over 500 members of the Iranian security forces had also been killed. While the demonstrations in Iran have mostly ceased, US officials say the potential for an attack on the Islamic Republic remains a possibility. First Published at Antiwar.com

 Download Audio. Max Blumenthal returns to the show to discuss what's been happening in Iran and what may come to pass as the US and Israel continue to escalate their effort to overthrow the current government in Iran.   Discussed on the show: “Western media whitewashes deadly riots in Iran, relying on US govt-funded regime change NGOs” (The Grayzone) Max Blumenthal is a senior editor of the Grayzone Project and the author Goliath, Republican Gomorrah and The 51 Day War. Follow him on Twitter @MaxBlumenthal. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

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We discuss Trump's ideology (or lack thereof) and watch the 2nd presidential debate of 1992.

Missed signals are costly; misplaced confidence is worse. We open by unpacking the concrete indicators that war planners watch—carrier deployments, airspace changes, and last‑minute strike deliberations—and what they tell us about the real likelihood of a U.S. hit on Iran. From there, the conversation widens to a quieter battlefield: development frameworks that trade normalization for access. Our guest, Matt Wolfson of the Libertarian Institute, explains how the Isaac Accords mirror the Abraham Accords across Latin America, offering water tech, finance, and modernization while pulling states into a specific geopolitical lane. We trace how these packages play out on the ground—smart cities and smart villages that promise efficiency but often centralize control, displace farmers, and refit local economies around external capital. The throughline is leverage: funding and technology become tools to align foreign policy, not just build infrastructure. Tying this to current flashpoints, we connect Venezuela's isolation and Iran's containment to a paired strategy that narrows options for countries considering alternative blocs. Whether or not missiles fly, the architecture of influence expands through boards, grants, and MOUs. Personalities and networks add sharp edges. Reports pointing to Marco Rubio and Stephen Miller as key drivers reflect long-standing alliances among neoconservatives, Zionist donors, and anti-communist exile circles, stretching from Iran-Contra to today. We weigh that ideological push against a president's resource-first instincts and aversion to quagmires, a tension that explains dramatic reversals and transactional messaging. The big takeaway: sovereignty can erode by clause and contract as surely as by cruise missile. If we care about costs and consequences, we need to scrutinize the financing vehicles and “nonprofit” corridors that precede the headlines. If this breakdown sharpened your lens, follow the show, share it with a friend who tracks foreign policy, and leave a review with the one question you want answered next. Your feedback shapes what we tackle in upcoming episodes.

What happens when war becomes a market and foreign policy turns into an odds board? We dive into the uneasy world of prediction platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, where traders place bets on battlefield maps, covert raids, and even the exact words politicians will say. With researcher Nick Cleveland Stout from the Quincy Institute, we unpack how a briefly altered Ukraine map preceded a major payout, why a $400,000 win hit just hours before a surprise operation in Venezuela, and how these signals can tip off adversaries long before headlines catch up. Together we explore the ethics and incentives behind “the news of tomorrow today.” If market rules hinge on a single source, a map tweak or an official statement can decide millions—inviting manipulation rather than insight. We look closely at the regulatory blind spot: the CFTC treats these venues as prediction markets, leaving no insider trading framework even when life-and-death events are on the line. That vacuum tempts those with privileged access to profit, while retail bettors absorb the risk and confusion. The conversation follows the money. Defense contractors tout hardware after high-profile raids, budgets swell, and the arms industry wins. Oil players eye Venezuela's reserves and refineries, with some majors ready to expand and others demanding ironclad guarantees after prior expropriations. We examine how talk of reimbursements, control over refining, and contested asset sales like Sitgo feed a broader strategy to exert power without boots on the ground—and how markets amplify or distort that story. If prediction markets can surface real signals, they can also nudge reality. We outline concrete guardrails: diversified resolution sources, audit trails, institutional no-trade policies, event-type limits for active conflicts, and anomaly flags when flows cluster around sensitive moments. Then we ask the core question: should anyone profit from outcomes they can influence? Listen and decide with us, and if this conversation sharpened your thinking, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so others can find it.

A young woman lies dead on a Minneapolis street, an ICE officer pulled the trigger, and the official story leans on power instead of necessity. We open with what the footage actually shows, why the shot trajectory matters, and how a federal investigation shifts accountability away from local control. The human loss is personal and visceral—and the reaction is telling. When partisan voices celebrate lethal force as a message, we all lose a piece of our democratic soul. From there we follow the thread to Venezuela, where a brazen kidnapping of a foreign leader and airstrikes get sold as something short of war. Megyn Kelly's caution and Kat Timpf's pushback puncture the cheerleading and force the real questions: What's the plan after the “win”? Who pays when “rebuilding” turns into contracts for friends and photo ops in Caracas? And if drug flows are the excuse, why ignore the obvious—demand starts at home, and public health beats cruise missiles every time. We break down the Senate's War Powers maneuver, applaud rare moments of GOP restraint, and explain why a veto threat still matters for shaping the debate. Finally, we take apart the latest NATO spin. If Europe adds little to American defense relative to what we provide, committing more while inflating 5 percent spending fantasies won't fix deterrence. It's mission creep masquerading as solidarity. Across policing, foreign policy, and alliances, our case is simple: draw firm lines, resist the spectacle, and demand strategy over swagger. If you value clear-eyed analysis without the corporate gloss, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review telling us where you stand on Minneapolis, Venezuela, and NATO. Your voice shapes what we dig into next.

 Download Audio. Tom Eddlem returns to the show to talk about Trump's intervention in Venezuela. He and Scott discuss the actual problems with Maduro and the big-government “Chavismo” establishment in Venezuela as well as how every attempt by the US to intervene there makes the situation worse for Venezuelans and Americans alike.   Discussed on the show: “Florida Man Occupied Government vs Venezuela” (The Wayward Rabbler) Blue Collar Breakdown Thomas R. Eddlem is the William Norman Grigg Fellow at the Libertarian Institute, an economist and a freelance writer. He has written three books and holds a masters of applied economics and data scientist certification from Boston College. He lives in Taunton, Massachusetts with his wife Cathy and family. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

 Download Audio. As we hit the twenty-fourth anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay “detention center,” Scott brings Andy Worthington on the show to discuss the history of this illegal prison and the status of the men still being held there. Discussed on the show: The Guantanamo Files by Andy Worthington Guantánamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi Don’t Forget Us Here by Mansoor Adayfi Outside The Law: Stories from Guantánamo Scott's interview with Sterling Thomas Andy Worthington is the author of Guantanamo Files and the director of “Outside the Law: Stories from Guantanamo.” Read his work at the Future of Freedom Foundation and AndyWorthington.co.uk and follow him on Twitter @GuantanamoAndy. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  President Donald Trump has a more limited range of options for attacking Iran now than he did in June. The US has moved military assets out of the Middle East in recent months, including moving an aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean.  Since the US and Israel’s war against Iran last year, the US has moved two aircraft carrier strike groups out of the Middle East. The USS Nimitz is now at a US port, and the USS Gerald R. Ford is in Latin America.  An advanced American air defense system that was deployed to the Middle East in June is now back in East Asia. Politico notes, “The Trump administration also has been eating away at dwindling US weapons stockpiles with the fast pace of military operations in the Red Sea, Iran and Venezuela.” Trump has made several pledges to back Iranian protesters and attack Iran. The lack of available military resources in the region could limit Trump’s operations for attacking Iran, although the US still maintains the capability to strike the Islamic Republic.  Over the past decade, the pace of US military interventions has spread across the globe. Under President Joe Biden, the US flooded weapons to Ukraine and Israel. President Donald Trump has bombed seven countries. Additionally, the US used a significant portion of its arsenal of interceptors to defend Israel from Iranian retaliation in June.  

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  There are multiple indicators that the US will soon launch an attack on Iran. Iran and the US appear to be positioning their military for war, and a Western military official warned that an attack could be imminent.  A Western official told Reuters on Wednesday, “All the signals are that a U.S. attack is imminent, but that is also how this administration behaves to keep everyone on their toes. Unpredictability is part of the strategy.” The US appears to be on the brink of war with Iran over President Donald Trump's threats to intervene in Iran if the government continued to kill protesters. Hundreds of people have died since protests broke out in Iran in late December.  Trump has encouraged and vowed to assist the demonstrators. Some protests have turned into riots, and members of the Iranian security forces have been killed.  The President has suggested that he could take military action against Iran for killing protesters. Multiple reports have said the White House is considering strikes on non-military targets, sanctions, cyber warfare, and restoring the internet in Iran.  In recent months, Trump has also threatened to attack Iran for rebuilding its civilian nuclear program and its missile sites.  The US is moving its military assets in the Middle East in preparation for Iranian retaliatory attacks. Iran has said that it is prepared for an attack and will respond with strikes on US bases in the Middle East and Israel.  European airlines are rerouting flights in preparation for a potential conflict.  In a sign that Trump may be backing away from strikes on Iran, the President said Wednesday that Iran had called off planned executions of alleged rioters. 

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  President Donald Trump called on Iranians to continue protesting. Rights groups say at least 500 people have been killed since demonstrations began over two weeks ago.  “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers,” the President wrote on Truth Social Tuesday. “They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!” Trump and Senator Lindsey Graham have sported hats that say “Make Iran Great Again” (MIGA) in recent weeks.  President Trump poses with Lindsey Graham and a “Make Iran Great Again” hat. pic.twitter.com/YqwkSh41Mp — The American Conservative (@amconmag) January 5, 2026 The protests in Iran began in late December. Tehran's crackdown has resulted in hundreds of deaths. Some of the demonstrators have engaged in arson, and dozens of members of the Iranian security forces have been killed.  Trump did not provide details on what kind of assistance would be provided to the protests. Reports have said the White House is considering a range of actions in Iran, including strikes on non-military targets in Tehran, restoring internet, cyber attacks, and new sanctions. Additionally, Trump ruled out further talks with Tehran while the protests are ongoing.  Israel is also stoking the protests by planting information in news outlets, according to Axios reporter Brack Ravid.  Barak Ravid, the former IDF intelligence officer who writes for Axios, had this to say about Iran International a few years ago. https://t.co/Ga14F2EFYm pic.twitter.com/TSnMN01ZKH — Dave DeCamp (@DecampDave) January 13, 2026

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  The UK is attempting to build a new tactical missile for Ukraine that will have a range of over 300 miles.  The initiative, dubbed “Project Nightfall,” aims to develop a ground-launched tactical ballistic missile with a range of 310 miles and a 450-pound warhead. If that metric is met, it will be one of the longest-range weapons the West has provided to Ukraine.  The project will come with a substantial price tag for London and likely take years before the missiles are operational. The UK has awarded three companies $12 million to design a prototype missile. London expects to conduct the first testfire in a year.  The UK expects each Project Nightfall missile to cost over $1 million once the munition enters production. London also expects to incorporate the missiles into its arsenal.  Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, said, “A secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine. These new long-range British missiles will keep Ukraine in the fight and give Putin another thing to worry about.” Moscow views the West supplying Ukraine with long-range munitions as highly provocative. Kiev has launched multiple attacks on military, civilian, and energy targets inside Russia.  Moscow has also pummeled Ukraine with nightly waves of missile and drone attacks. Last week, Russia destroyed a Ukrainian aircraft repair facility with an Oreshnik hypersonic missile.

 Download Audio. Scott interviews writer Chris Brunet about Paul Singer, American oil companies and everyone else who stands to benefit from what Trump is doing in Venezuela.   Discussed on the show: “The Biggest Winner in Venezuela: Paul ‘The Vulture' Singer” (Substack) Vultures’ Picnic by Greg Palast Christopher Brunet is an investigative journalist. He began his career as an economist for the Canadian government before moving into conservative media. He now writes full-time on Substack. Follow him on X @chrisbrunet Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  The Russian Defense Ministry said an Oreshnik hypersonic missile strike hit a military site in western Ukraine.  “On the night of January 9th, the Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant was put out of action by the Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system,” Russia's Defense Ministry said on Monday. It added that an airfield and a drone warehouse were also destroyed. Kiev claimed the hypersonic missile hit a civilian target.  The Oreshnik is one of Russia's most advanced missiles. Friday's attack is the second public use of an Oreshnik, and was a response to a Ukrainian drone attack on one of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s residences in the Novgorod Region.  While President Donald Trump is attempting to negotiate an end to the conflict, the war is continuing to escalate. Ukraine has launched several long-range drone attacks on Russian military and oil infrastructure. Moscow has attacked Ukrainian military and energy sites. Additionally, Russian forces are making small gains along multiple areas of the front lines.  Trump has expressed frustration with Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky for refusing to agree to an end to the conflict. The two sides remain far apart over several key issues, including war crimes tribunals, Ukrainian neutrality, and territory.  On Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine was using provocation, such as the attack on Putin's home, to delay negotiations.

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  President Donald Trump invoked the National Emergencies Act to ensure he controls the funds generated from selling stolen Venezuelan oil. “The attachment or the imposition of other judicial process against the Foreign Government Deposit Funds will substantially interfere with our critical efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela,” the executive action signed by Trump on Friday stated. “The failure of these critical efforts would jeopardize major foreign policy objectives of the United States.” After ordering the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, Trump claimed that the US was controlling the country. The White House policy calls for taking the South American country's oil, selling it, and using the money to run Venezuela. Additionally, the US has seized five oil tankers carrying Venezuelan oil in recent weeks. A senior US official told Axios that the US would be running Venezuela's oil industry “indefinitely.” Trump's plan for controlling Venezuela's oil is already facing challenges. On Friday, major oil executives met with Trump in the White House and failed to make significant commitments to the President's plan to rebuild Venezuela's oil infrastructure. “It's uninvestable,” ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods told White House officials after hearing Trump's proposal to invest in the country.“There are a number of legal and commercial frameworks that would have to be established to even understand what kind of returns we would get on the investment.” First Published at Antiwar.com

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  President Donald Trump threatened that he was willing to take control of Greenland the “hard way.” “I'm not talking about money for Greenland yet. I might talk about that. But right now we are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” the President said Friday. “I would like to make a deal. You know, the easy way. But if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way.” Trump's plan to take over Greenland will face several challenges. Greenland is a colony of Denmark, a NATO ally. Copenhagen says it will not give the US control of its colony. Last week, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned “unacceptable pressure” by the Trump administration to acquire Greenland, warning it would destroy NATO. “If the United States were to choose to attack another NATO country, then everything would come to an end,” Frederiksen said. “The international community as we know it, democratic rules of the game, NATO, the world's strongest defensive alliance – all of that would collapse if one NATO country chose to attack another.” Additionally, Greenland's government opposes becoming an American colony. “We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Friday. During Trump's remarks to the press, he challenged Denmark's claim to Greenland. “You know, the fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn't mean that they own the land pure.” The President added, “We had lots of boats go there also.” Trump claimed the US needed to seize Greenland to prevent China and Russia from taking control of the Danish colony. “If we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland. And we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor,” the President said. First Published at Antiwar.com 

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  Senior Department of War officials have told President Donald Trump they need more time to consolidate American troops deployed to the Middle East before the US launches an attack on Iran. According to The Telegraph, “Trump has been warned that the US military needs more time to prepare for strikes against Iran.” Military commanders in the Middle East stated they need to “consolidate US military positions and prepare defences” in anticipation of an Iranian retaliatory attack. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that if it attacks Iran, the Islamic Republic will strike Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Trump has threatened Iran several times in recent weeks. “If Iran [shoots] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump said earlier this month. Demonstrations began in Iran two weeks ago, and some protests have escalated into riots. Some groups report that 200 people have been killed during the demonstrations, including over 40 members of Iranian security forces. Iranian authorities have reportedly used live ammunition to break up protests, and Tehran has cut off internet service in an attempt to quell the movement. Israel Hayom spoke with American officials who said the White House is preparing a range of actions against Iran, including using Starlink to provide protesters with internet access, a cyber attack, new sanctions, and kinetic military action. The Telegraph reports that potential targets of US strikes include non-military targets in Tehran and Iranian security forces. At the end of last year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to the US to lobby Trump to restart the war with Iran. In June, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran that ignited a 12-day war. During the conflict, Trump ordered American bombers to strike three Iranian nuclear sites. The Islamic Republic responded by striking a US military base in Qatar. The Iranian response was viewed as symbolic, and a ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran was reached shortly after. First Published at Antiwar.com

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  US forces boarded and took control of an oil tanker in the Caribbean on Friday. The Olina is the fifth ship seized by the US in recent weeks. “In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford and apprehended Motor/Tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea without incident,” a statement from US Southern Command explained. SOUTHCOM claimed the raid was in defense of “our homeland by ending illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere.” An oil industry source told The Guardian that the Olina left Venezuela last week after President Nicolas Maduro was kidnapped by US forces. The tanker later turned around and was sailing back to Venezuela when it was seized by US forces. President Donald Trump claimed that the Olina was seized in coordination with the interim government in Venezuela, led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. “Today, the United States of America, in coordination with the Interim Authorities of Venezuela, seized an oil tanker which departed Venezuela without our approval,” the President wrote on Truth Social. “This tanker is now on its way back to Venezuela, and the oil will be sold through the GREAT Energy Deal, which we have created for such sales.” Last week, the US seized a Russian-flagged tanker in the northern Atlantic. Russia's Foreign Ministry also issued a statement, calling for the US to treat any Russian nationals on the crew “humanely” and for them to be allowed to return home as quickly as possible. A Russian warship and submarine were reportedly in the vicinity of the Marinera during the seizure, but there was no confrontation between US and Russian forces. First Published at Antiwar.com

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  Multiple outlets report that Israeli leaders are drawing up military plans to launch an invasion of Gaza City in March. The Wall Street Journal spoke with people familiar with the planning in Tel Aviv, who explained that the IDF has new battle plans for ground operations in Gaza. A ground invasion in Gaza would destroy the ceasefire and peace deal that was brokered by President Donald Trump. Israel has violated the truce over 1,000 times in three months and blocked aid from entering Gaza. While over 425 Palestinians have been killed by Israel during the truce, Israel was killing scores of Palestinians daily before the ceasefire. At least three Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Sunday. The Times of Israel reports speaking with an Israeli official who said the new operations would begin in March and start with an invasion of Gaza City. One Arab diplomat told the outlet that he believes President Donald Trump could prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from resuming negotiations in Gaza. Netanyahu and Trump are demanding that Hamas give up power in Gaza and disarm as a condition for continuing the ceasefire. Hamas has stated it is willing to hand over power to an independent Palestinian government in Gaza and would disarm in the process of creating an independent Palestinian state. While Israel has decimated the Strip, its forces are likely to face stiff resistance from Gaza if it restarts the invasion. Tel Aviv estimates Hamas has at least 20,000 fighters and 60,000 rifles. First Published at Antiwar.com

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 Download Audio. Scott interviews journalist Ramzy Baroud about what's happening in Gaza, how the so-called “ceasefire” has impacted how many Palestinians Israel kills every day, the broader moves towards ethnic cleansing and more.   Discussed on the show: “The Gaza War is Lost: But Will Netanyahu Concede?” (Antiwar.com) Ramzy Baroud is a US-Arab journalist and is the editor-in-chief of the Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of My Father Was A Freedom Fighter: The Untold Story of Gaza and The Last Earth: A Palestinian Story, These Chains Will Be Broken: Palestinian Stories of Struggle and Defiance in Israeli Prisons, and more. His new book is Our Vision For Liberation. Follow Ramzy on Twitter @RamzyBaroud and read his work at RamzyBaroud.net. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

I discuss the current state of the economy, how Trump is attempting to recover a nation of vitality, and we watch the 1992 presidential debate.

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  Following reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to restart Israel's aggressive war against Iran, the Iranian Foreign Minister said the Islamic Republic is prepared for conflict.  “America and Israel have tested their attack on Iran, and this attack and strategy faced extreme failure. If they repeat it, they will face the same results,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday. “We are ready for any choice. We don't desire a war but we are ready for it.” In June, Israel attacked Iran without provocation. The strikes targeted Iranian scientists, officials, military sites, civilian infrastructure, and nuclear facilities. Over 1,000 people were killed in Iran. The US joined the war on Iran and targeted three Iranian nuclear sites.  Last week, Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump in Florida to lobby the American leader to restart the war with Iran. Netanyahu's claims that the Islamic Republic presents a threat to the Jewish State is disputed by a top Israeli think tank analyst.  “Stability serves [Iran] well, because even when there is no immediate existential threat, instability makes the regime feel challenged,” Danny Citrinowicz, a fellow in the Iran Program at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and a former head of the Iran desk in the IDF Intelligence Directorate, told yNet. He continued, “The first objective is to restore order, and to do that, it does not want to find itself in an external confrontation, neither with the United States nor with Israel. The last thing Iran needs right now is to attack Israel or the United States.” The aggressive war derailed the nuclear talks between the US and Iran. Araghchi said diplomacy between Washington and Tehran was still possible. But I say that the negotiations should be based on mutual respect and mutual interests.” He added, “We believe that once the Americans reach the outcome that constructive and positive negotiations rather than ordering dictation are the framework, then at that time the results of these negotiations become fruitful.”

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least ten people, including children. One Israeli strike hit a school.  Journalist Osama Abu Rabee reported on Thursday that the Abu Hussein School in northern Gaza was hit with an Israeli strike, killing one person. The school was being used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians.  Preliminary reports indicate one martyr and several injuries following Israeli shelling of Abu Hussein School, which shelters displaced people, in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/0VoCYuxWHB — Osama Abu Rabee أسامة أبوربيع (@dn_osama_rabee) January 8, 2026 In southern Gaza, a strike on a camp for displaced Palestinians killed four people, including three children. Another Israeli bomb dropped on the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis killed a Palestinian father and injured his son. President Donald Trump brokered the ceasefire and hostage exchange. The President has claimed the deal brought historic peace to the Middle East.  Israeli forces have violated the ceasefire over 1,000 times, killing at least 425 Palestinians, since agreeing to a ceasefire in October. Additionally, Tel Aviv has continued to restrict aid deliveries into Gaza, leading to the deaths of about a dozen children during the truce.  During a press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, Trump said Israel had “lived up to the plan 100%,” despite the daily ceasefire violations by Israel. 

A president is kidnapped, the government remains, and we're told it isn't regime change. We pull back the curtain on what our guest calls “regime changeover,” a strategy that uses spectacle and lawfare to force leverage without admitting occupation. From sanctions that harden national unity to a reworked indictment against Nicolás Maduro that quietly retreats from early cartel claims, we dissect how narratives are built, sold, and then reshaped when facts don't fit the script. We get specific about why Venezuela resists the usual playbook. The Bolivarian civil-military structure blunts elite-driven coups, and a hybrid economy makes redistribution politics both urgent and volatile. When sanctions stall, pressure shifts to the shadows: covert action, destabilization, and the threat of a managed civil war. But force carries a heavy price. Without the will to occupy, Washington risks isolating itself across Latin America and the Global South while strengthening alternative alliances. That's where heavy crude and strategic minerals enter the story—these aren't just commodities; they're logistical lifelines for militaries and power systems in a world edging toward multipolar confrontation. The regional map matters. Cutting fuel flows to Cuba raises the stakes, inviting Russian or Iranian lifelines and reviving Cold War optics—tankers instead of missiles. Meanwhile, the financial track turns sanctions into profit centers, enabling distressed-asset deals and court-enabled seizures that move wealth under the veneer of legality. At home, executive overreach and headline diplomacy make lasting agreements harder, not easier. Durable deals rely on predictability and trust; tweets and tariffs deliver neither. We close with a clear takeaway: if the policy toolkit is limited to pressure and spectacle, the outcome is shrinking leverage, hardened resistance, and a region looking elsewhere for partners. If this perspective challenges how you've seen Venezuela, Cuba, and U.S. foreign policy, share the episode, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss future deep dives. Your feedback shapes what we dig into next.

It’s been quite some time since I have responded to “mail” so I have curated five questions to address:. What are your thoughts on the Maduro and VZ kerfuffle? How do you fix the defense acquisition system and fraud? What should the US Navy do in the 21st century? How did GEN Paul Emil Lettow-Vorbeck do it? Are American SOF capable of 21st century mission success? References: Soryu (16SS) class Attack Submarine – SSK Robert Gaudi African Kaiser: General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and the Great War in Africa, 1914-1918 David Smith The East Africa Campaign 1914–18: Von Lettow-Vorbeck's Masterpiece (Campaign, 379) RAND wish-casting on drones in 2015. Slaughterbots (2017) Slaughterbots: if human: kill() (2021) How are Drones Changing Modern Warfare? Sun Tzu The Art of War Carl von Clausewitz On War Miyamoto Musashi A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy H. John Poole The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO's Contribution to Warfare Christian Brose The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare Qiao Liang & Wang Xiangsui Unrestricted Warfare: China’s Master Plan to Destroy America My Substack Email at cgpodcast@pm.me

A pre-dawn post, a capital in darkness, and a president in cuffs aboard a U.S. ship—what started as a “one-night raid” is already morphing into something far bigger. We unpack how the strike on Venezuela unfolded, why the official story leaves key gaps, and what it means when the White House says, without hesitation, that we'll “run the country” until a “judicious transition.” If that sounds like regime change and occupation, it's because that's exactly how it's being sold. We walk through the mechanics of the operation—air defenses knocked out, a citywide blackout, special operators intercepting Maduro before a reinforced bunker—and the uncomfortable questions that raises about access and complicity. Then we pull the legal thread: the Article II claim that troops were inserted first and then “defended” with airstrikes, the decision to bypass Congress entirely, and the attempt to rebrand a cross-border assault as “law enforcement.” War powers aren't a suggestion, and treating sovereignty like a paperwork issue invites blowback that won't stop at Venezuela's borders. The promises don't get sturdier from there. “Oil will pay for it” clashes with reality: a battered energy sector, massive capital needs, sabotage risks, and the legitimacy crisis that follows any U.S.-installed authority. We map potential power paths—opposition figures abruptly dismissed, Delcy Rodríguez floated for continuity—and ask the hard question: if negotiation was possible, why bomb first? Along the way, we hit the regional shockwaves, from casual warnings aimed at Cuba and Colombia to the mismatch between cocaine narratives and the fentanyl crisis that actually kills Americans. Expect migration pressure, market risk, and a new precedent great powers will cite when it suits them.

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  In an interview, a senior Israeli security analyst said that Iran is attempting to avoid war and conflict with the US and Israel.  “Stability serves [Iran] well, because even when there is no immediate existential threat, instability makes the regime feel challenged,” Danny Citrinowicz, a fellow in the Iran Program at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and a former head of the Iran desk in the IDF Intelligence Directorate, told yNet He continued, “The first objective is to restore order, and to do that, it does not want to find itself in an external confrontation, neither with the United States nor with Israel. The last thing Iran needs right now is to attack Israel or the United States.” INSS is a top security think tank in Israel.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the US last week and urged President Donald Trump to restart the war against Iran. After the meeting, the President threatened to attack the Islamic Republic if it continued to rebuild its missile and nuclear programs.  In June, Israel launched an unprovoked war on Iran that killed thousands and destroyed the country's civilian nuclear program. The US joined Israel's war and bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities. 

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  North Korea claimed it conducted a successful test of a hypersonic missile.  “A sub-unit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People’s Army conducted a missile launching drill on January 4,” a statement in North Korean state media said. “The drill was conducted as part of the operational evaluation of the sustainability, effectiveness, and operation of the DPRK’s war deterrent while evaluating the readiness of the hypersonic weapon system, verifying and confirming its capability for fulfilling mission and developing the missile soldiers’ firing capability.” Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the missile test. “To be honest, our such activity is clearly aimed at gradually putting the nuclear war deterrent on a highly developed basis.” He continued, “The reason why it is necessary is exemplified by the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events.” The test was conducted shortly after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was kidnapped by US forces. While Kim did not link the test to Maduro's capture, the North Korean leader has often argued that Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal prevents the US from attempting an Iraq or Libya-style regime change.   The North Korean Foreign Ministry denounced the US attack on Venezuela. “The incident is another example that clearly confirms once again the rogue and brutal nature of the US which the international community has so frequently witnessed for a long time.” The statement added, “The Foreign Ministry of the DPRK strongly denounces the U.S. hegemony-seeking act committed in Venezuela as the most serious form of encroachment of sovereignty and as a wanton violation of the UN Charter and international laws with respect for sovereignty, non-interference and territorial integrity as their main purpose.” Sunday's missile launch follows North Korea testing a long-range strategic cruise missile and a new anti-aircraft system late last year.