The episode opens with a detailed accounting of the immense human and financial toll of the post-9/11 wars, citing the Cost of War Project. The discussion highlights not only the direct and indirect deaths and trillions of dollars spent, but also the devastating impact on civilian populations in countries like Afghanistan and the high rate of suicide among US veterans.
A central argument is that US foreign policy has repeatedly created the very enemies it later fights. This is illustrated by the CIA's support for Afghan Mujahideen (including future al-Qaeda elements) against the Soviets, which directly led to the rise of anti-American jihadist groups.
The discussion traces the influence of the neoconservative movement and its goal of 'benevolent global hegemony,' particularly its role in orchestrating the push for the Iraq War. It connects this ideological movement to the financial interests of the military-industrial complex, citing Lockheed Martin's funding of key pro-war think tanks.
The speaker details a long history of US government miscalculations and outright deception to justify military action. Examples include misreading the Iranian Revolution, using the 'Iraqi incubators' hoax to build support for the first Gulf War, and falsely blaming Iran for the Khobar Towers bombing.
Keep pulling the thread on Scott Horton.