Podcast appearances and mentions of Craig Whitlock

The podcast episode explores Fat Leonard: The Con Man Who Corrupted the US Navy by Craig Whitlock, focusing on the astonishing true story of Leonard Glenn Francis and his large-scale corruption scandal involving the U.S. Navy. Hosts Jerry and Stably delve into the book's narrative, beginning with Francis's origins as a Malaysian entrepreneur and his rise as a defense contractor, where he exploited weaknesses in Navy operations. Through bribes, lavish gifts, and manipulation, Francis secured lucrative contracts while engaging in systematic fraud, inflating invoices, and misappropriating resources.The hosts highlight how Francis's operation thrived in an environment rife with negligence and complicity, exposing systemic vulnerabilities in military oversight. They discuss specific examples, such as the misuse of Navy funds for personal gain and the pervasive culture of secrecy and entitlement that allowed Francis's schemes to flourish. The story is presented as both riveting and disheartening, with the moral complexities and human failings of those involved taking center stage.Jerry and Stably reflect on the broader implications of the scandal, including its impact on trust in military institutions and the challenges of reforming such entrenched corruption. Despite its detailed account of misconduct, the book is acknowledged as an engaging and accessible read that illuminates a lesser-known aspect of military history. The discussion blends critique, analysis, and a touch of incredulity at the audacity of Francis's operations, making for an insightful exploration of a shocking case of institutional failure. 

The November Book of the Month is FAT LEONARD by Craig Whitlock. Fat Leonard is the gripping account of one of the most explosive corruption scandals in American history. This is the story of how Leonard Glenn Francis, a charismatic Malaysian defense contractor, orchestrated a massive scheme of bribery, fraud, and espionage that targeted the U.S. Navy, cost American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, and jeopardized national security. • Craig Whitlock is an investigative journalist for The Washington Post, three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Afghanistan Papers.   • To learn more, follow Craig on X @CraigMWhitlock. SPONSORS TARGETED: BEIRUT – The first in Jack's new non-fiction series https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/targeted-beirut/ Bravo Company Manufacturing: Visit us on the web at http://jackcarr.co/bcm and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA.com  SIG: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the legendary SIG SAUER P226. Learn more here - https://jackcarr.co/SIG40thP226  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here - https://jackcarr.co/gear

Washington Post investigative reporter Craig Whitlock, author of “The Afghanistan Papers,” is Jeff Stein's guest on the sad anniversary of the chaotic retreat. Craig WitlockCraig Whitlock - The Washington Post Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substackhttps://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Steve Schooner, Jeffery & Martha Kohn associate dean for Academic Affairs and Nash & Cibinic professor of Government Procurement Law at The George Washington University Law School, joines Off the Shelf for a wide-ranging discussion focusing on green acquisition and the role of sustainability policy in the federal procurement market.Schooner recently received the Coalition for Government Procurement's Sustainability – Green Excellence Award for his thought leadership on the nexus between federal procurement and sustainability. He outlines key initiatives and policy developments advancing green acquisition in the federal market. He also compares federal green procurement with efforts at the state level and internationally.Finally Schooner discusses his most recent book recommendation, Craig Whitlock's Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked and Seduced the U.S. Navy. The book tells the remarkable story of a wide-ranging procurement scandal. It is a cautionary tale of susceptibility, lack of accountability, and individual and organization ethical lapses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steve Schooner, Jeffery & Martha Kohn associate dean for Academic Affairs and Nash & Cibinic professor of Government Procurement Law at The George Washington University Law School, joines Off the Shelf for a wide-ranging discussion focusing on green acquisition and the role of sustainability policy in the federal procurement market. Schooner recently received the Coalition for Government Procurement's Sustainability – Green Excellence Award for his thought leadership on the nexus between federal procurement and sustainability. He outlines key initiatives and policy developments advancing green acquisition in the federal market. He also compares federal green procurement with efforts at the state level and internationally. Finally Schooner discusses his most recent book recommendation, Craig Whitlock's Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked and Seduced the U.S. Navy. The book tells the remarkable story of a wide-ranging procurement scandal. It is a cautionary tale of susceptibility, lack of accountability, and individual and organization ethical lapses.

FAT LEONARD: #1 New York Times bestselling author Craig Whitlock's masterful account of one of the biggest public corruption scandals in American history-exposing how a charismatic Malaysian defense contractor bribed scores of high-ranking military officers, defrauded the US Navy of tens of millions of dollars, and jeopardized our nation's security. All the admirals in the US Navy knew Leonard Glenn Francis-either personally or by his legendary reputation. He was the larger-than-life defense contractor who greeted them on the pier whenever they visited ports in Asia, ready to show them a good time after weeks at sea while his company resupplied their ships and submarines. He was famed throughout the fleet for the gluttonous parties he hosted for officers: $1,000-per-person dinners at Asia's swankiest restaurants, featuring unlimited Dom Pérignon, Cuban cigars, and sexy young women. On the surface, with his flawless American accent, he seemed like a true friend of the Navy. What the brass didn't realize, until far too late, was that Francis had seduced them by exploiting their entitlement and hubris. While he was bribing them with gifts, lavish meals, and booze-fueled orgies, he was making himself obscenely wealthy by bilking American taxpayers. Worse, he was stealing military secrets from under the admirals' noses and compromising national security. Based on reams of confidential documents-including the blackmail files that Francis kept on Navy officers-FAT LEONARD is the full, unvarnished story of a world-class con man and a captivating testament to the corrosive influence of greed within the ranks of the American military. "Explosive, brilliantly reported and meticulously documented, Craig Whitlock's Fat Leonard reads like a thriller but depicts one of the most sordid chapters in U.S. military history, a tale of brazen corruption that soiled the Navy and is an infuriating insult to the American taxpayer. You won't be able to put this book down, and you won't stop wondering how it could have happened."-David E. Hoffman, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Billion Dollar SpyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

Anyone even remotely around the Navy or the national defense area in DC and the Pacific knows this two words, “Fat Leonard” and the unprecedented impact it has had on the navy as an institution and its very highest uniformed leadership for well over a decade. Visiting the topic on Midrats for the full hour will be Craig Whitlock, investigative reporter for The Washington Post. #1 NYT Bestselling author of "Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked, and Seduced the U.S. Navy" (2024) and "The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War" (2021).

In Fat Leonard, journalist Craig Whitlock tells the story of a defense contractor who plied Navy commanders with lavish meals, trips, cash and sex workers. In return they let him overcharge taxpayers.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Naval Betrayal Exposed: The Scandalous Saga of 'Fat Leonard' Unveiled The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living Interview Series Welcome to a riveting episode of "The Not Old Better Show" on radio and podcast. Today's episode is brought to you by Newspapers.com. Today, we delve deep into one of the most shocking scandals to rock the U.S. Navy. I'm your host, and in this episode, we explore the book "Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked, and Seduced the U.S. Navy," authored by Craig Whitlock, an esteemed Washington Post journalist whose relentless investigation sheds light on a saga of corruption that seems straight out of a high-stakes thriller. A tempest of decadence and deceit was brewing in the tranquil waters of the Western Pacific, beneath the veneer of routine naval operations. At the center of this storm was Leonard Glenn Francis, a charismatic defense contractor who earned the nickname "Fat Leonard." His arsenal? Luxurious dinners, lavish parties, and an endless supply of bribes. From lobster thermidor to Osetra caviar and vintage champagnes, Leonard knew the price of everyone's silence. For over a decade, Leonard's influence ran deep, seducing high-ranking officers with the allure of opulence they seemingly couldn't refuse. In return, they turned a blind eye as Leonard overcharged and defrauded millions from U.S. taxpayers, all under the guise of servicing fleet necessities. But how did Leonard weave such an intricate web of influence and corruption? And at what cost to the integrity of the U.S. Navy? Join us as Craig Whitlock takes us behind the scenes of his ten-year investigation, unraveling a complex narrative enriched by terabytes of leaked government data and a trail of greed that leads straight to the top. Today, we'll confront the hard truths about the vulnerabilities within our armed forces and ponder the price of unchecked entitlement and power. Prepare for a discussion that is as enlightening as it is unsettling, as we ask tough questions about responsibility, reform, and the way forward for America's naval guardians. This is not just a story about one man's corruption; it's a cautionary tale about what happens when guardians become exploiters. So, stay tuned as we navigate the choppy waters of justice, accountability, and the arduous task of cleaning house in one of the nation's most respected institutions. Thanks for joining us today on The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast.  Today's episode is brought to you by Newspapers.com. Please support our sponsors as they support our show.  My thanks to Sam Heninger for his role as Executive Producer.  My thanks to you, our wonderful audience on radio and podcast.  Please be well, be safe, and Let's Talk About Better™. The Not Old Better Show is on radio and podcasts.  Thanks, everybody.  We'll see you next week.

In Fat Leonard, journalist Craig Whitlock tells the story of a defense contractor who plied Navy commanders with lavish meals, trips, cash and sex workers. In return they let him overcharge taxpayers.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

When the U.S. Navy needed something in the South Pacific or Asia, Leonard Francis seemed to be able to provide just about anything. Nicknamed "Fat Leonard," Francis showered senior officers with bribes - lavish dinners, prostitutes and gifts. In exchange, the officers kept lucrative contracts flowing to Francis's companies, which often overcharged the government for services and supplies. Francis was also able to extract something even more valuable than Navy contracts: classified information. Join us for a conversation with author and Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock whose scintillating new book "Fat Leonard" dives into one of the wildest scandals in U.S military history. We're at Ris in Washington, D.C.'s West End neighborhood.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

FAT LEONARD: #1 New York Times bestselling author Craig Whitlock's masterful account of one of the biggest public corruption scandals in American history-exposing how a charismatic Malaysian defense contractor bribed scores of high-ranking military officers, defrauded the US Navy of tens of millions of dollars, and jeopardized our nation's security. All the admirals in the US Navy knew Leonard Glenn Francis-either personally or by his legendary reputation. He was the larger-than-life defense contractor who greeted them on the pier whenever they visited ports in Asia, ready to show them a good time after weeks at sea while his company resupplied their ships and submarines. He was famed throughout the fleet for the gluttonous parties he hosted for officers: $1,000-per-person dinners at Asia's swankiest restaurants, featuring unlimited Dom Pérignon, Cuban cigars, and sexy young women. On the surface, with his flawless American accent, he seemed like a true friend of the Navy. What the brass didn't realize, until far too late, was that Francis had seduced them by exploiting their entitlement and hubris. While he was bribing them with gifts, lavish meals, and booze-fueled orgies, he was making himself obscenely wealthy by bilking American taxpayers. Worse, he was stealing military secrets from under the admirals' noses and compromising national security. Based on reams of confidential documents-including the blackmail files that Francis kept on Navy officers-FAT LEONARD is the full, unvarnished story of a world-class con man and a captivating testament to the corrosive influence of greed within the ranks of the American military. "Explosive, brilliantly reported and meticulously documented, Craig Whitlock's Fat Leonard reads like a thriller but depicts one of the most sordid chapters in U.S. military history, a tale of brazen corruption that soiled the Navy and is an infuriating insult to the American taxpayer. You won't be able to put this book down, and you won't stop wondering how it could have happened."-David E. Hoffman, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Billion Dollar Spy "A relentless investigative reporter, Craig Whitlock has unearthed the truly jaw-dropping story the U.S. Navy hoped you'd never learn: how a master operator and defense contractor named Fat Leonard wined, dined and blackmailed senior Navy brass so they would help him bilk taxpayers of millions of dollars. This book has the receipts, down to the names of the sex clubs, the menus for the $30,000 dinners, and Fat Leonard's own confessions."-Carol Leonnig, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret ServiceBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

Subscribe to The Realignment to access our exclusive Q&A episodes and support the show: https://realignment.supercast.com/REALIGNMENT NEWSLETTER: https://therealignment.substack.com/PURCHASE BOOKS AT OUR BOOKSHOP: https://bookshop.org/shop/therealignmentEmail Us: realignmentpod@gmail.comFoundation for American Innovation: https://www.thefai.org/posts/lincoln-becomes-faiCraig Whitlock, Washington Post reporter and author of Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked, and Seduced the U.S. Navy & The Afghanistan Papers, joins The Realignment. Marshall and Craig discuss how a Malaysian defense contractor, Leonard Francis (nicknamed "Fat Leonard"), bribed scores of high-ranking U.S. Navy officers across three decades, defrauded the Navy out of tens of millions of dollars, exposed vast security and counter-intelligence gaps in the military, and the reforms needed to prevent future corruption scandals.

Craig Whitlock, investigative reporter and author of FAT LEONARD: How One Man Bribed, Bilked & Seduced the US Navy, Secretary of State candidate Dennis Linthicum catches us up on his campaign.

It's a mind blowing story. In Fat Leonard, the Washington Post's prize winning investigative journalist Craig Whitlock tells of a Malaysian contractor called Leonard Glenn Francis who successfully seduced up to a thousand US naval officers with prostitutes, fancy dinners and expensive gifts. The most astonishing thing of all, he explains, is that many Naval officers seems to have known exactly what Fat Leonard was up to. So what, I asked Whitlock, does this tell us about the state not just of the Navy but of all the armed services. Might there be other Fat Leonards also lurking in the closets of the US Air Force and Marines?Craig Whitlock is an investigative reporter for The Washington Post and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Afghanistan Papers. He has worked for the Post since 1998 as a foreign correspondent, Pentagon reporter, and national security specialist, and has reported from more than sixty countries. His coverage of the war in Afghanistan won the George Polk Award for Military Reporting, the Scripps Howard Award for Investigative Reporting, the Investigative Reporters and Editors Freedom of Information Award, and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for international reporting. He is also a three-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

For over 10 years, Washington Post investigative reporter Craig Whitlock has tracked the story of Malaysian shakedown man Leonard Francis, aka "Fat Leonard," and his collusion with hundreds of U.S. Navy officers, several of whom have spent time in prison. Now comes the book titled "Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked, and Seduced the U.S. Navy." Craig Whitlock writes: "On the surface, with his flawless American accent, Fat Leonard seemed like a true friend of the Navy. What the brass didn't realize, until far too late, was that Francis had seduced them by exploiting their entitlement and hubris." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For over 10 years, Washington Post investigative reporter Craig Whitlock has tracked the story of Malaysian shakedown man Leonard Francis, aka "Fat Leonard," and his collusion with hundreds of U.S. Navy officers, several of whom have spent time in prison. Now comes the book titled "Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked, and Seduced the U.S. Navy." Craig Whitlock writes: "On the surface, with his flawless American accent, Fat Leonard seemed like a true friend of the Navy. What the brass didn't realize, until far too late, was that Francis had seduced them by exploiting their entitlement and hubris." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ad Verbrugge in gesprek met Sangar Paykhar, journalist en voormalig tolk, host van de podcast 'Afghan Eye' en een kenner van de Afghaanse geschiedenis. Bronnen en links bij deze uitzending: - De podcast 'Afghan Eye': https://afghaneye.org/author/sangarafghaneye/ - The Afghanistan Papers, Craig Whitlock, 2021: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Afghanistan-Papers/Craig-Whitlock/9781982159016 -- Steun De Nieuwe Wereld. Word patroon op petjeaf.com/denieuwewereld of doneer op NL61 RABO 0357 5828 61 t.n.v. Stichting De Nieuwe Wereld.

Leonard Francis, known as "Fat Leonard," was a defense contractor at the center of a huge scandal within the U.S. Navy. He is part of a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Venezuela announced Wednesday and was returned to the U.S. So who is Francis, what did he do and who was implicated? Amna Nawaz discussed that with Craig Whitlock, author of "Fat Leonard: The Con Who Corrupted the U.S. Navy." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Leonard Francis, known as "Fat Leonard," was a defense contractor at the center of a huge scandal within the U.S. Navy. He is part of a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Venezuela announced Wednesday and was returned to the U.S. So who is Francis, what did he do and who was implicated? Amna Nawaz discussed that with Craig Whitlock, author of "Fat Leonard: The Con Who Corrupted the U.S. Navy." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Guest host Tim Pawlenty discusses Congressman Tom Emmer's chance to win the Speaker's gavel now that he is the Republican nominee. Later, author and Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock joins to discuss his book about the war in Afghanistan and all that the public wasn't told during the conflict.

Author and Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock joins Tim Pawlenty to discuss his book about the war in Afghanistan and all that the public wasn't told during the conflict.

Lyle Jeremy Rubin is a veteran of the U.S. Marines who served in Afghanistan. He is the author of the new memoir Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body: A Marine's Unbecoming, which documents his evolution from a Young Republican patriot into a socialist critic of U.S. empire through direct exposure to the front-line realities of the U.S. “war on terror.” He shows how the “politics of overcompensation” convinces young men who want to feel secure and masculine to submit to oppressive hierarchical systems and is astute in showing the connection between toxic masculinity and U.S. foreign policy.“At the time I told myself there were purely rational intellectual reasons for why I was being drawn to these certain types of politics but in retrospect I think it's clear that there was a deeper need to no longer feel defenseless, to feel strong, to feel secure … While I was talking to my friends and family members and others about this kind of neoconservative vision of humanitarian intervention, it was clear when I was being honest with myself that I wasn't all that dissimilar to a lot of my comrades-in-arms who just wanted to see action and feel like a man.” — Lyle Jeremy RubinShorter writings from Lyle on some of the subjects discussed in the book can be found in The Guardian and The Nation. (He has also written for Current Affairs.) The books Lyle mentions are Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America by Kathleen Belew and Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump by Spencer Ackerman. The song is, of course, the Bush-era classic “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Toby Keith.This interview pairs well with our recent interviews with W.D. Ehrhart (about Vietnam), Yasmin Nair (about Western views of Afghanistan), Craig Whitlock (about the Afghanistan war), and Chris Hedges (about war in general).“If you're an occupying power, there's no way you can really win the hearts and minds of the people. You are by definition a force of domination, an oppressive force. You're an outsider force that is doing things without the express permission of the people there and the people themselves in one way or another have to submit to whatever your whim at any given moment is. ... The counterinsurgency ideal itself is an impossible ideal. This quickly becomes clear to front line troops. … Violence is guaranteed and required to ensure the maintenance of an occupying regime no matter how culturally sensitive it is.” — Lyle Jeremy Rubin

After only 45 days in office, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned, making her the shortest-serving leader in British history. After former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's abrupt departure is instability the new norm in British politics? King's College London Politics Professor Anand Menon joins us. Then, some retired former U.S. military generals appear on the payrolls of foreign governments. They're being paid to provide their military expertise, and some question how ethics, oversight and national security factor into the issue. Washington Post investigative reporter Craig Whitlock joins us. And, live music is more than just artists playing instruments in front of an audience. It also has a rich history in the U.S. as a major business venture. Steve Waksman, music professor at Smith College and author of "Live Music in America: A History from Jenny Lind to Beyoncé" joins us to discuss both its cultural and business significance.

The biggest bribery investigation in US military history revolves around a Malaysian defense contractor who just made an escape as brazen as the case itself: Leonard Francis aka Fat Leo snipped off his ankle monitor and disappeared from house arrest.We're talking about the case of Leonard Glenn Francis, a defense contractor who owned a company named Glenn Defense Marine Asia, or GDMA for short. He bribed his way literally to the top of the US Navy chain of command, and the fallout included an admiral who was short-listed for chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, but now is the first serving admiral to be convicted and serve jail time in US history. If you like our content please become a patron to get our premium episodes available exclusively to our premium subscribers, as well as our public episodes ad-free. 1 Leonard aka Fat Leo was born to a Scottish father and a Malaysian mother whose family owned a similar shipping supply business to the one he grew to prominence of late. His father's abuse of his mother, both physical and emotional, led to Leo having the same duality of obsession with and dislike of women. Like his father, this would ultimately be Leo's undoing, as the angry wives of US Navy officers like Michael Misiewicz were the ones who provided the initial reports to the NCIS which began the Fat Leonard investigation into the US Navy Pacific fleet chain of command. 2 Leo grew from scrappy husbanding agent to preferred military contractor between the time of the USS Cole bombing and 9/11, by providing whatever "services" the US Navy officers he dealt with wanted. Women, booze, parties, hotel suites, 5 star meals... Leo could get it if you wanted it, as long as you had some influence in the US Navy that could turn Leo a profit down the line. Leo even procured a former British ship, which he renamed "The Braveheart", to serve as a floating brothel-slash-casino which followed the 7th fleet around the south Pacific with diplomatic clearance. Even when NCIS caught wind of Leo's exploits, he was difficult to prosecute both because of the reach of his influence within the chain of command, and because Leo also had the NCIS director at Quantico, Virginia on his payroll. As it turned out, special agent in charge John Beliveau had befriended Leo when he was a security aide to an admiral in Japan years before. In fact Leo was so problematic to prosecute that he wasn't... earlier this month he removed his ankle monitor and disappeared from his San Diego home. As it turns out the security company contracted to look after him wasn't doing their job very well either, they hadn't been to his home in days and didn't notice the tampering with the ankle monitor for 6 hours. 3 Leo was due to be sentenced tomorrow, but he's now on the run. Episode #Dubimeter: 9.0 1. Craig Whitlock. The man who seduced the 7th Fleet. The Washington Post. May 2016. ⇤2. Greg Moran. Jury convicts four former Navy officers in ‘Fat Leonard' bribery trial. Los Angeles Times. June 2022. ⇤3. Fat Leonard's bold escape from California home was judge's worst fear come true. The Mercury-News. September 2022. ⇤

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…the long-running Fat Leonard scandal took an unexpected turn when Leonard Glenn Francis – also known as Fat Leonard – fled federal house custody in San Diego on September 4, disappearing and presumably on the run. Ironically the escape came just a couple weeks before he was finally going to be sentenced in court. We'll talk about what is probably the longest-running scandal ever to hit the US Navy with Craig Whitlock of the Washington Post, one of the key reporters doggedly pursuing the case.

Iraq's capital city has seen violent protests that left at least 21 dead after weeks of tensions. The spark was ignited after influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced on Twitter that he was quitting politics for good. This comes after his supporters were unable to form a government, despite winning the most seats in parliament last year. Al-Sadr's announcement sent a shockwave through Baghdad and his loyalists stormed the so-called Green Zone, prompting al-Sadr to apologize to the nation for the violence and urged protesters to go home. Correspondent Ben Wedeman has the latest. For more on the unrest, and to explain the background, Sara speaks with Feisal Amin al-Istrabadi, who as Iraq's deputy ambassador to the United Nations had firsthand experience of Iraqi politics and diplomacy.  Also on today's show: Craig Whitlock, author of The Afghanistan Papers, which examines how that country's war was sold -- and mis-sold -- to the public; Jason Reid, author of Rise of the Black Quarterback; Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans and Grammy Award-winning musician Angelique Kidjo on the 10th anniversary of the Global Citizen Festival.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

In 2019, through FOIA requests and lawsuits, the Washington Post obtained hundreds of interviews conducted by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) for its Lessons Learned Program. The interviews showed that behind the scenes, U.S. military and government officials in Afghanistan presented a far gloomier picture of the war and reconstruction efforts than was presented to the American public by officials in Washington. Washington Post investigative reporter Craig Whitlock, author of "The Afghanistan Papers," joins us to talk about the Post's efforts to obtain the SIGAR interviews, the war in Afghanistan, his reporting on the U.S. Navy's "Fat Leonard" scandal, and more.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grammy-winning jazz bassist Ron Carter plans to celebrate his 85th birthday with a concert at Carnegie Hall on May 10. We revisit a conversation with Carter from March. And, Craig Whitlock, investigative reporter for The Washington Post, talks about what went wrong in Afghanistan over the two decades the U.S. had troops there. He wrote the book "The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War."

The war in Afghanistan was a calamity from the start and four US presidents (Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden) have deceived the American public about it as they wrecked the country. This is the inescapable conclusion one gets from reading Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock's bestselling book The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War (Simon & Schuster). Whitlock obtained internal government records showing that U.S. officials at every level knew that the war lacked coherent objectives and that it was costing untold Afghan and U.S. lives with little benefit to anyone. As the Pentagon Papers did for Vietnam, The Afghanistan Papers exposes the way U.S. officials manipulated public perception and buried inconvenient facts over the course of a 20-year quagmire. Today on the podcast, Whitlock joins to explain the revelations contained in this "secret history" and recount the true facts of a military mission that has ended with the Taliban back in power and the country in ruins. The Washington Post report by Susannah George on the starvation of the Afghan people is here. The 2001 story about the U.S. rejecting a Taliban offer to turn over Osama bin Laden is here.

Craig Whitlock of the Washington Post describes the sleaze and corruption that compromised the top ranks of the Seventh Fleet.

It's still shocking to me to read a lot of these documents and interviews in, The Afghanistan Papers, things that most people would think are obvious. What's the plan to end the war? What benchmarks do we have to achieve so that we know we can leave? You know, none of those things were thought out or articulated.Craig WhitlockA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Craig Whitlock is an investigative reporter at The Washington Post and the author of The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsWhen did the War in Afghanistan Go WrongThe Lies and Deception in Communications on the WarDifferences in the Approach to the War Between Bush and ObamaFailures to Provide a Long-Term Political SolutionLessons for Involvement in Ukraine and Beyond Key LinksThe Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War by Craig WhitlockAfghanistan Papers Document Database at The Washington Post"At War With Truth" by Craig WhitlockDemocracy Paradox PodcastJennifer Brick Murtazashvili and Ilia Murtazashvili on Afghanistan, Local Institutions, and Self-GovernanceKaren Greenberg on the War on Terror, Donald Trump, and American DemocracyMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/demparadox)

Five presidents from both political parties oversaw the two decade debacle in Afghanistan that ended in the national humiliation at the end of August 2021 at the airport in Kabul where we retreated under fire following a negotiated surrender - leaving up to a thousand Americans behind and untold thousands of Afghan nationals who fought with us to their fate as the Taliban returned to the power we took from them in 2001.People in the executive branch, Department of Defense, Department of State, Congress, media, and the well credentialed chatterati said they were "shocked," "surprised," and otherwise unprepared for what unfolded. Should they have been, or was this the inevitable outcome warned of in official government lessons learned and historical interviews dating from the beginning of the conflict?Our guest for the full hour this Sunday will be Craig Whitlock, and we will be using his book “The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War” (Simon & Schuster, 2021) as a starting point for our conversation.Craig has been a staff writer for The Washington Post since 1998. He is assigned to the Investigative Desk, where he specializes in national security.At The Post, he's covered the Pentagon beat for the National Desk from 2010 until 2016. Before that, he was a foreign correspondent and served as the Berlin bureau chief for six years. While overseas, his primary assignment was investigative reporting into terrorism networks and counterterrorism policy in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. He has reported from more than 60 countries.

Ulfat-Seddiqzai, Jasaminwww.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Studio 9

Ulfat-Seddiqzai, Jasaminwww.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Studio 9

Ulfat-Seddiqzai, Jasaminwww.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Studio 9

How do you organize a leaderless movement?   The Syrian Revolution was a decentralized movement of localized cells, but enterprising activists still managed to coordinate with each other and reach out to the outside world.   We examine how the Local Coordination Committees attempted to create a post-Assad government before speaking to a civil society activist who still resides in Syria. We also speak with Ahmad, an engineer and civil society activist who has spent the last ten years enduring horror after horror and tragedy after tragedy in order to establish a Free Syria.   Ahmad is the first guest to call us directly from Syria, where he is currently hiding from both the regime and jihadists. He doesn't have anything good to say about either one, for what it's worth.    Sources “How the Syrian Revolution was Organized - And How it Unraveled,” by Zaina Erhaim, New Lines Magazine Syria by Samer N. Abboud "U.S. Secretly backed Syrian opposition groups, cables released by WikiLeaks show," by Craig Whitlock, The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-secretly-backed-syrian-opposition-groups-cables-released-by-wikileaks-show/2011/04/14/AF1p9hwD_story.html   Music Licensing Fragments by Nomyn https://soundcloud.com/nomyn Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/l-fragments Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/ndyyIhwojys   "Emotional Sad Piano Music" by Mattia Cupelli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JYHk_D5A44   "Yalla Erhal Ya Bashar" by Ibrahim Qashoush   "Jannah, Jannah, Jannah," sung by Abdul-Baset al-Sarout

It was my turn this week. Avin and I used the book “The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War.” by Craig Whitlock. We talk about the Middle East. Enjoy.

President Biden is set to deliver a major speech on the next phase of pandemic response as the infection rate spikes, with 1 in 4 of the weekly U.S. Covid-19 cases now in children. Hospitalizations among children are approaching 2500 across the country. Many hospitals are being pushed to the brink with critical ICU staff shortages. Kentucky has called in FEMA Strike Teams, The National Guard and has deployed nursing students all over the State. A source tells CNN that Senator Joe Manchin has been privately suggesting to his colleagues that $1.5 trillion is the price tag he could accept in the Democrats' reconciliation bill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNN earlier today, that she and many others would not vote for the bill unless it is tied together with the Build Back Better Act. House Democrats are urging Attorney General Garland to use the full power of the DOJ to defend a woman's constitutional right to choose an abortion, which is now under assault by Texas' restrictive abortion bill. The sober new reality in Afghanistan - The U.S. has no choice but to negotiate with the new Taliban caretaker government as a number of Americans still remain in the country. Its members include several Taliban hard liners the state department labels terrorists, including one with a $10 million bounty on his head. On today's panel: CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash, CNN Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins and National Politics Reporter Eva McKend. Plus: Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, Craig Whitlock and Rep. Mondaire Jones. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Journalist Shefali Luthra from The 19th News joins Bianna Golodryga to break down one of the strictest abortion laws in the country just introduced in Texas and how it will hit the most vulnerable the hardest. Turning to Afghanistan, Whitlock sued to access confidential documents for "The Afghanistan Files." He explains that the war would have ended sooner if leaders told the truth earlier. Then our Walter Isaacson speaks to retired General David Petraeus who led troops in Iraq during the 2003 war and also led coalition forces in Afghanistan. He discusses this longest of wars coming to an end in such a chaotic fashion, what constitutes good strategic leadership and wartime lessons that can be applied to fighting the pandemic. And finally, after being diagnosed with ALS, Ady Barkan threw himself into the fight for healthcare justice, as shown in the new film "Not Going Quietly". Barkan speaks with about his extraordinary activism and love for his family. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

With the Tablian in control of Afghanistan after the U.S. troop withdraw, Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock explains to CBS News' Elaine Quijano how two decades of decision-marking in Washington got us to current situation. Whitlock is the author of the new book, "The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War," which is published by Simon & Schuster, a division of ViacomCBS. Whitlock explains how the mission in Afghanistan evolved over the last 20 years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on "Hot Wash," host John Sorensen and RealClearDefense Editor David Craig speak with Craig Whitlock, Investigative Journalist at the Washington Post and author of "The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War." Based in part on confidential Pentagon interviews obtained through two Freedom of Information lawsuits, the book reveals the doubts policymakers and military leaders were sharing in private throughout the war in stark contrast to their optimistic assessments in public. We are also joined by Steve Liewer, who covers the military for the Omaha World-Herald, and previously wrote for Stars and Stripes. Most recently he has been reporting on how Gold Star families and veterans are dealing with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. What can we learn from looking back over the past 20 years to the internal criticisms expressed by those fighting the war? And how is that affecting today's veterans? Subscribe to the Morning Recon newsletter at https://www.realcleardefense.com/daily_newsletters/ for a daily roundup of news and opinion on the issues that matter for military, defense, veteran affairs, and national security. Be sure to subscribe to Hot Wash on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/realclear-defense-presents-hot-wash/id1575373700

The Afghan Papers & the Real Cost of the Afghan War reveal a long Pattern of Govt & Media Lies & omissions: Myth of Women's Rights Progress; Cost of War- US Casualties, Suicide Rates, Privatizing War & does War as an Economic Windfall explain its Real Motive? Over $2.2T is the estimated cost of the longest war in US history, the Afghan War. These monies are largely unaccounted for, and we reveal where does it go. The Afghan Papers,12/9/19 Washington Post article At War with the Truth, by Craig Whitlock is reviewed and reveals a concerted effort to intentionally mislead the US public by high government and military officials just as had been done in Vietnam and was done concurrently in Iraq and Libya. A long list of sourced quotes is presented to verify this reality. It is hard to escape the reasonable conclusion that this deceit to promote US foreign policy interventions is the nature of rather than an aberration of our dominant informational sources. Our guest Matthew Hoh served in Iraq and in Afghanistan as a Marine as well as served in our US State Department joins us as we reveal how war makes money for a small elite as we also detail the costs in human suffering to our veterans put in harm's way. Suicide rates, the privatizing of military operations line the pockets of some while millions have perished in the countries, we have intervened in. Meanwhile, mainstream media push false narratives that we have worked so hard to promote women's rights and now the Taliban will reverse all of that rather than the truth of history that you will learn if you tune in such as in US supported Afghan government-controlled areas 70-80% of Afghan Women are forcibly married, a majority of which are children. Some 80% of suicides are by women again in government-controlled areas. Yes, in the very rich neighborhoods less that 5% of Afghanistan women's rights have improved, but it is only there. Yet those are the ones already being trotted out onto mainstream medias such as CNN and NPR to speak about and create this false image that there is this great reversal of women's rights due to our military withdrawal. Our well informed and studied guest, Matt Hoh provides an array of important insights and reminds us why if you want to get much closer to the truth you are well-advised to tune into Bringing Light Into Darkness every Monday night at 6-7pm CST on 91.7 FM in Austin Texas and through koop.org on the worldwide web, if you do not want to be played by our major media again and again. So please, listen in and study the content of our show and join the discussion by emailing the show and tell us what you think. In pursuit of social justice & Siempre fieles, Pgatos pgatos00@gmail.com 8/16/2021

The Afghan Papers & the Real Cost of the Afghan War reveal a long Pattern of Govt & Media Lies & omissions: Myth of Women's Rights Progress; Cost of War- US Casualties, Suicide Rates, Privatizing War & does War as an Economic Windfall explain its Real Motive? Over $2.2T is the estimated cost of the longest war in US history, the Afghan War. These monies are largely unaccounted for, and we reveal where does it go. The Afghan Papers,12/9/19 Washington Post article At War with the Truth, by Craig Whitlock is reviewed and reveals a concerted effort to intentionally mislead the US public by high government and military officials just as had been done in Vietnam and was done concurrently in Iraq and Libya. A long list of sourced quotes is presented to verify this reality. It is hard to escape the reasonable conclusion that this deceit to promote US foreign policy interventions is the nature of rather than an aberration of our dominant informational sources. Our guest Matthew Hoh served in Iraq and in Afghanistan as a Marine as well as served in our US State Department joins us as we reveal how war makes money for a small elite as we also detail the costs in human suffering to our veterans put in harm's way. Suicide rates, the privatizing of military operations line the pockets of some while millions have perished in the countries, we have intervened in. Meanwhile, mainstream media push false narratives that we have worked so hard to promote women's rights and now the Taliban will reverse all of that rather than the truth of history that you will learn if you tune in such as in US supported Afghan government-controlled areas 70-80% of Afghan Women are forcibly married, a majority of which are children. Some 80% of suicides are by women again in government-controlled areas. Yes, in the very rich neighborhoods less that 5% of Afghanistan women's rights have improved, but it is only there. Yet those are the ones already being trotted out onto mainstream medias such as CNN and NPR to speak about and create this false image that there is this great reversal of women's rights due to our military withdrawal. Our well informed and studied guest, Matt Hoh provides an array of important insights and reminds us why if you want to get much closer to the truth you are well-advised to tune into Bringing Light Into Darkness every Monday night at 6-7pm CST on 91.7 FM in Austin Texas and through koop.org on the worldwide web, if you do not want to be played by our major media again and again. So please, listen in and study the content of our show and join the discussion by emailing the show and tell us what you think. In pursuit of social justice & Siempre fieles, Pgatos pgatos00@gmail.com 8/16/2021

The Pentagon attempts to speed up evacuations for as many as 10,000 Americans still in Afghanistan, with the aim to airlift 5,000 to 7,000 passengers out per day. The Pentagon revealed in a briefing a short time ago they are in regular communication with the Taliban. Today the Taliban promised amnesty to Government workers and said they would not victimize women, as old fears of brutal rule, especially for women have roared back to life. In a bid for international legitimacy, the Taliban are trying to convince the United States and the rest of the World that they will abide by international norms including respect for women's rights, protecting women, and the Afghans who worked with the Afghan forces against them. What behaviours could be expected from the Taliban in the future? The Government is poised to recommend a coronavirus vaccination booster shot once the FDA reviews the available preliminary efficacy data. Millions of Americans could be eligible for a third shot as early as next month. On tonight's panel: CNN's Barbara Starr, CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Jackie Kucinich of the Daily Beast, CNN Political Analyst Laura Barrón-López, Craig Whitlock of The Washington Post, CNN Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley, Afghanistan Veteran Kristen Rouse and Megan Ranney Professor of Emergency Medicine at Brown University. Hosted by John King. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Each Memorial Day, our thoughts turn to all the men and women who have died serving our country in the military, both during peacetime and during war. It is a time when individually and as families and as a nation we reflect on the nature of war and the significance of military service, and to help in our reflection, we welcome Geronimo Whitaker and Peter Lucier to our program. Our guests are veterans of two very different wars fought in very different times, one as an Army foot soldier in Vietnam and the other as a Marine in Afghanistan, but each has known the violence, the loneliness, and the lasting effects of war, and in that sense, they also share a common bond. We offer our special appreciation to Garett Reppenhagen, Executive Director of Veterans for Peace, and Pat Alviso, Executive Director of Military Families Speak Out, for their assistance in arranging for our guests on this podcast. RELEVANT LINKS Washington Post series on "The Afghanistan Papers" Peter Lucier, a veteran and a Catholic, wrestles with the lies of war and his faith. Peter Lucier, writing on "Not Your Messiah" Peter Lucier reflects, "As a soldier I was loved for my sins. Now I must repent for them." Veterans for Peace Military Families Speak Out About Face - Veterans Against the War Note: The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War by Craig Whitlock is expected on Aug. 31, 2021.   GUEST INFO Geronimo Whitaker Geronimo was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1949 into a career military family. His father, James A. Whitaker, was in the US Army Air Force and served as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. Growing up on military bases all around the world gave Geronimo a perspective of equality among people. When he enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War, he was continuing a long tradition among his family members of service in the military. During his Army enlistment, he served as an Infantry Squad leader/Non-Commissioned officer in the 1st Cavalry Division, Airmobile, Republic of Vietnam, 1971.  Today, Geronimo describes himself as an artist, writer, and storyteller, especially of traditional African and Afro-American folk tales, as well as a drummer, guitarist, song writer and singer. He is familiar with theater as both an actor and a director, and has been a playwright, novelist and military journalist, as well as a martial artist, a Licensed Physical Therapist and an instructor in the Healing Arts. Geronimo is a Nationally Certified “B Level” AYSO Youth Soccer Coach, an entrepreneur and a world traveler.  Geronimo lives in Edmonds, Washington with his wife, surrounded by grandchildren and family. His three sons and newest grandbaby live in the Bay area of CA, and in Brooklyn NY.   Peter Lucier Born in St. Louis, raised in Dallas, Peter moved back to St. Louis in 2004. In 2008 he graduated from Saint Louis University High School, a Jesuit school in the city of St. Louis. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2008. From 2009-2011 he served in a Fleet Anti-Terrorism and Security Team (FAST) platoon, deploying to Guantanamo Bay, Spain, and Bahrain. From 2011-2013 he was a scout with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in Camp Pendleton, deploying to Afghanistan in 2011. He was honorably discharged from active duty as a corporal in 2013. Peter attended Montana State University where he graduated with an undergraduate degree in political science in 2018. His writing career began in 2015 when he joined a group of former junior enlisted writers who contributed to Tom Rick's Best Defense blog. His writing has since appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times, America Magazine, US Catholic, and many more publications. He primarily writes about military and veteran issues, especially faith and military service.  His 2017 piece, “Not Your Messiah,” examines how veterans fulfill a dual messianic role in American civil religion – sacrificial lambs and high priests of civic holidays. His 2019 piece for America Magazine looked at the Catholic ritual of penance as a mechanism for healing the wounds of war. He has also written for the Washington Post on how to respond to the lies of war, as a Catholic, and in response to the Afghanistan Papers.  Lucier currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri where he continues to write, and is a law student at St. Louis University.   SUPPORT PFJ We greatly appreciate your financial support so that we can continue to educate, advocate and pray for the things that matter to our organization.  Please consider donating through PayPal. People of Faith for Justice is a 501 (c )(3)  non-profit  organization. CREDITS The People of Faith for Justice Podcast is produced and edited by Jeff Manildi Music for the People of Faith for Justice Podcast is provided by Andrew Gorman

8 AM - 1 - Tragic Oakland fire update. 2 - Washington Post's Craig Whitlock on his piece: "Pentagon buries evidence of $125 billion in bureaucratic waste". 3 - The News with Marshall Phillips. 4 - Obamacare stuff; If you shave down there you're more likely to have an STD.

1 - More Mister Thrump versus Megyn; More Hillary email stuff. 2 - Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock talks about his story: "The admiral in charge of Navy intelligence has not been allowed to see military secrets for years". 3 - The News with Marshall Phillips. 4 - Texts on stuff; Pong's School Of How To Stick A Needle In You.

8 AM - 1 - More Mister Thrump versus Megyn; More Hillary email stuff. 2 - Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock talks about his story: "The admiral in charge of Navy intelligence has not been allowed to see military secrets for years". 3 - The News with Marshall Phillips. 4 - Texts on stuff; Pong's School Of How To Stick A Needle In You.

After a few weeks as "The Law and Order Guy" and "That Guy Who Wants to Use FedEx to Track Immigrants," Governor Christie is shape-shifting again. This time, he's the Common Man of the People and Defender of the Middle Class. NJPR's Matt Katz and the Star-Ledger's Tom Moran join host David Furst to discuss the latest message from the campaign trail, and how this one might actually work better.  We'll also explain what Governor Christie has done to weaken the state's Election Law Enforcement Commission and how it all may be part of a plan to help out his best Democrat bud, Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo. Also this week: Cronyism in the New Jersey National Guard. Widespread discontent among the ranks and charges of racism. Add to that, the detail that Christie has given the overweight head of the NJ National Guard 90 days to slim down and "meet his obligations." Washington Post Reporter, Craig Whitlock joins us to discuss how the guard has become "dysfunctional" under Governor Christie. Whitlock says, "I've covered the military at a national level for several years... and I've never seen an instance where you have such a high percentage of the... senior command staff filing complaints." Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.