American Exception

We are joined by Gerard Colby and Charlotte Dennett, the authors of Thy Will Be Done: The Conquest of the Amazon : Nelson Rockefeller and Evangelism in the Age of Oil. Gerard Colby is also the author of Du Pont: Behind the Nylon Curtain. Charlotte is also the author of Follow the Pipelines: Uncovering the Mystery of a Lost Spy and the Deadly Politics of the Great Game for Oil. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for producing the episode! Music: "Til the Mornin" by Mock Orange

Aaron and Seamus are joined by independent researcher Robert Skvarla to discuss three notorious, interrelated US clandestine operations: Gladio, COINTEL, and CHAOS. Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for producing the episode! Music: "This Nation" by Mock Orange

We talk with John Kiriakou, the former CIA officer who blew the whistle on the agency’s illegal torture program. John is co-host of the Political Misfits radio show on Sputnik International. He also has a Substack in addition to writing for Consortium News and CovertAction Magazine. Music: "Only in Dreams" by Mock Orange Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for producing the episode!

We talk with Daniele Ganser about his new book, USA: The Ruthless Empire. Ganser is a historian and peace researcher based in Basel, Switzerland. Author of several books in European languages, he is best known in the US as the author of NATO's Secret Armies: Operation GLADIO and Terrorism in Western Europe. You can follow Daniele Ganser on Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube. Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for producing the episode! Music: "Silent Motion" by Mock Orange

We talk with Seth Harp about the mysterious crime wave around the US military’s special forces headquarters at Ft. Bragg. Seth Harp is an investigative reporter, foreign correspondent, and magazine writer. He is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, and has also reported from Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Mexico for publications including Harper’s, The New Yorker, The Intercept, The New York Times, The Daily Beast, and the Columbia Journalism Review. Harp is a veteran of the Iraq war, and before becoming a journalist was an assistant attorney general for the state of Texas. He is currently working on a book about the subject we discuss in this episode: The Ft. Bragg Murders. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for producing the episode! Music: "Nine Times" by Mock Orange

We speak with James DiEugenio, the screenwriter and co-creator of Oliver Stone’s JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass as well as JFK: Destiny Betrayed—the four-hour cut of the film which is now available for digital purchase. Jim also runs the fantastic Kennedys and King website and is the author of Destiny Betrayed: JFK, Cuba, and the Garrison Case as well as The JFK Assassination: The Evidence Today. His latest book is JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass. An accompaniment to the documentary film, the book includes a section from me. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for producing the episode! Music: “I’m Leaving” by Mock Orange

We speak with Monika Wiesak about her excellent new book America’s Last President: What the World Lost When It Lost John F. Kennedy. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Grow Your Soul Away” by Mock Orange

We are is joined by Kit Klarenberg and Tom Secker. As GrayZone UK Editor, Kit Klarenberg is an investigative journalist whose work explores the role of intelligence services in shaping politics and perceptions. Tom Secker is a British-based journalist, author, and podcaster. His specialties include the security services, Hollywood, propaganda, censorship and the history of terrorism. Tom Secker’s writing and research have appeared in The Mirror, RT, Salon, Newsweek, The Atlantic, The Independent, Insurge Intelligence, Shadowproof, TechDirt and elsewhere. He runs the excellent Spy Culture website and the ClandesTime Podcast. In this episode, we talk about the recent GrayZone UK article by Klarenberg and Secker: Declassified intelligence files expose inconvenient truths of Bosnian war. Here is the video which I reference during the episode: Michael Parenti - To Kill A Nation. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "High Octane Punk Mode" by Mock Orange

We look at the existential issues raised by the Cuban Missile Crisis. This is the 24th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Again I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Geopolitical Economy as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Note: the audio in the later segment sounds different because for some reason the app switched me from my good microphone to my computer’s factory microphone. Music: “The End of the World” by Mock Orange

We are joined by Dr. Piers Robinson, founding editor of Propaganda in Focus. We discuss a number of topics, including his 2022 article, "Cock-up or Conspiracy? Understanding COVID-19 as a ‘Structural Deep Event" and the recent tribute to Lance DeHaven-Smith published at Propaganda in Focus—a piece which Piers asked me to co-write with Professor Matthew Witt. Piers Robinson is also co-director of the Organisation for Propaganda Studies, convenor of the Working Group on Syria, Propaganda and Media, associated researcher with the Working Group on Propaganda and the 9/11 Global ‘War on Terror’, and member of Panda and BerlinGroup21. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: “Payroll” by Mock Orange

We look more at JFK’s Cuba policies—specifically Operation Mongoose—and how these policies led to the Cuban Missile Crisis, which we also begin to discuss. This is the 23rd installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Again I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Geopolitical Economy as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Music: “The End of the World” by Mock Orange We look more at JFK’s Cuba policies—specifically Operation Mongoose—and how these policies led to the Cuban Missile Crisis, which we also begin to discuss. This is the 23rd installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Again I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Geopolitical Economy as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Music: “The End of the World” by Mock Orange

Sarah Kendzior joins us to talk about her book, They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent. She is also the author of Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America and The View from Flyover Country: Dispatches from the Forgotten America. Sarah is the co-host of the podcast, Gaslit Nation. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Do You Want Out" by Mock Orange Sarah Kendzior joins us to talk about her book, They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent. She is also the author of Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America and The View from Flyover Country: Dispatches from the Forgotten America. Sarah is the co-host of the podcast, Gaslit Nation. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Do You Want Out" by Mock Orange

We look at JFK’s conflicting Latin America policies—specifically the Alliance for Progress and his Cuba policies in the wake of the Bay of Pigs fiasco. This is the 22nd installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Again I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange We look at JFK’s conflicting Latin America policies—specifically the Alliance for Progress and his Cuba policies in the wake of the Bay of Pigs fiasco. This is the 22nd installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Again I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

Jeffrey Kaye joins us to discuss a controversial topic—the alleged US use of biological weapons in the Korean War. A retired psychologist turned blogger and forensic historian, Kaye is the author of Cover-up at Guantanamo and a number of Korean War biowarfare articles on medium which we discuss: Secret History: U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps Flyers’ Confessions on Use of Biological Weapons in the Korean War REVEALED: The long-suppressed official report on US biowarfare in North Korea Secret Plan Revealed: CIA Told to “Destroy” Those Supporting Communist Germ Warfare “Myth” Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "East Side Song" by Mock Orange EDIT: We have replaced the original audio file after repairing the low volume from Aaron's original introduction! Jeffrey Kaye joins us to discuss a controversial topic—the alleged US use of biological weapons in the Korean War. A retired psychologist turned blogger and forensic historian, Kaye is the author of Cover-up at Guantanamo and a number of Korean War biowarfare articles on medium which we discuss: Secret History: U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps Flyers’ Confessions on Use of Biological Weapons in the Korean War REVEALED: The long-suppressed official report on US biowarfare in North Korea Secret Plan Revealed: CIA Told to “Destroy” Those Supporting Communist Germ Warfare “Myth” Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "East Side Song" by Mock Orange EDIT: We have replaced the original audio file after repairing the low volume from Aaron's original introduction!

We examine how JFK dealt with Wall Street and the domestic US economy—with a special focus on his showdown with US Steel, aka “The Corporation.” This is the 21st installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Again I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange We examine how JFK dealt with Wall Street and the domestic US economy—with a special focus on his showdown with US Steel, aka “The Corporation.” This is the 21st installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Again I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

We talk with Jefferson Morley about the latest developments in the JFK assassination—specifically the documents which were released in part yesterday, Thursday the 15th of December. Unsurprisingly, the CIA is still withholding many documents, after 59 years and counting. Jefferson Morley is a Washington author and veteran journalist whose novelistic non-fiction books explore untold chapters in the history of the American nation. His latest book is Scorpions' Dance: The President, the Spymaster, and Watergate. Some of his other books include The Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton and Our Man in Mexico: Winston Scott and the Hidden History of the CIA. Follow and support Jefferson Morley’s work at JFK Facts. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "This Nation" by Mock Orange We talk with Jefferson Morley about the latest developments in the JFK assassination—specifically the documents which were released in part yesterday, Thursday the 15th of December. Unsurprisingly, the CIA is still withholding many documents, after 59 years and counting. Jefferson Morley is a Washington author and veteran journalist whose novelistic non-fiction books explore untold chapters in the history of the American nation. His latest book is Scorpions' Dance: The President, the Spymaster, and Watergate. Some of his other books include The Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton and Our Man in Mexico: Winston Scott and the Hidden History of the CIA. Follow and support Jefferson Morley’s work at JFK Facts. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "This Nation" by Mock Orange

In this episode, we look at how JFK approached the so-called Third World—examining Rostow’s modernization theory as well as cases in Africa and Indonesia. This is the 20th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Again I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange In this episode, we look at how JFK approached the so-called Third World—examining Rostow’s modernization theory as well as cases in Africa and Indonesia. This is the 20th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Again I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

Aaron is joined by Grayzone UK Editor Kit Klarenberg—an investigative journalist exploring the role of intelligence services in shaping politics and perceptions. They discuss three of Kit’s recent articles: EXPOSED: Before Ukraine blew up Kerch Bridge, British spies plotted it Leaked documents: British spies constructing secret terror army in Ukraine FTX partnership with Ukraine is latest chapter in shady Western aid saga Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Stuck In" by Mock Orange Aaron is joined by Grayzone UK Editor Kit Klarenberg—an investigative journalist exploring the role of intelligence services in shaping politics and perceptions. They discuss three of Kit’s recent articles: EXPOSED: Before Ukraine blew up Kerch Bridge, British spies plotted it Leaked documents: British spies constructing secret terror army in Ukraine FTX partnership with Ukraine is latest chapter in shady Western aid saga Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Stuck In" by Mock Orange

In this episode, we look at how JFK approached American policy in SE Asia in 1961—the first year of his presidency. Specifically, we look at how handled Laos and Vietnam during this time—culminating in his November 22, 1963 NSAM which increased military support and training for South Vietnam, even as JFK resisted enormous Pentagon/CIA pressure to commit US ground troops. This is the 19th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange In this episode, we look at how JFK approached American policy in SE Asia in 1961—the first year of his presidency. Specifically, we look at how handled Laos and Vietnam during this time—culminating in his November 22, 1963 NSAM which increased military support and training for South Vietnam, even as JFK resisted enormous Pentagon/CIA pressure to commit US ground troops. This is the 19th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

In this episode, we start to look at JFK’s presidency. Coincidentally, we are able to kick off our exploration of the Kennedy years right after our last episode (#87) on the 59th anniversary of the assassination in Dallas. In this episode, we discuss JFK’s background—his rise from son of privilege to World War II hero to Congressman to Senator to President. We look at the forces he had to accommodate and confront, and we look at how the Bay of Pigs fiasco impacted the early months of his presidency. This is the 18th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange In this episode, we start to look at JFK’s presidency. Coincidentally, we are able to kick off our exploration of the Kennedy years right after our last episode (#87) on the 59th anniversary of the assassination in Dallas. In this episode, we discuss JFK’s background—his rise from son of privilege to World War II hero to Congressman to Senator to President. We look at the forces he had to accommodate and confront, and we look at how the Bay of Pigs fiasco impacted the early months of his presidency. This is the 18th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

A special double episode on the 59th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination: Aaron speaks with the venerable James DiEugenio. After the discussion, Aaron looks at JFK’s “Peace Speech” at American University in which JFK called for “not just peace in our time, but peace for all time.” Calling for an end to the Cold War and for moves toward full disarmament, the speech was repeatedly broadcast in the Soviet Union afterward. JFK would not have long to pursue his vision for world peace. The speech was delivered in the Summer of 1963; he would be assassinated in the Fall. DiEugenio is the screenwriter and co-creator of Oliver Stone’s JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass as well as JFK: Destiny Betrayed—the four-hour cut of the film which is now available for digital purchase. Jim also runs the fantastic Kennedys and King website and is the author of Destiny Betrayed: JFK, Cuba, and the Garrison Case as well as The JFK Assassination: The Evidence Today. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Captain Love" by Mock Orange A special double episode on the 59th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination: Aaron speaks with the venerable James DiEugenio. After the discussion, Aaron looks at JFK’s “Peace Speech” at American University in which JFK called for “not just peace in our time, but peace for all time.” Calling for an end to the Cold War and for moves toward full disarmament, the speech was repeatedly broadcast in the Soviet Union afterward. JFK would not have long to pursue his vision for world peace. The speech was delivered in the Summer of 1963; he would be assassinated in the Fall. DiEugenio is the screenwriter and co-creator of Oliver Stone’s JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass as well as JFK: Destiny Betrayed—the four-hour cut of the film which is now available for digital purchase. Jim also runs the fantastic Kennedys and King website and is the author of Destiny Betrayed: JFK, Cuba, and the Garrison Case as well as The JFK Assassination: The Evidence Today. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Captain Love" by Mock Orange

Aaron discusses the latest in the world of “biodefense” with journalist Sam Husseini and the illustrious independent researcher who posts as Gumby on Twitter. Please check out Sam Husseini’s Substack page and his recent article “Did West Africa’s Ebola Outbreak of 2014 Have a Lab Origin?” which he cowrote with virologist Jonathan Latham. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Til the Mornin" by Mock Orange Aaron discusses the latest in the world of “biodefense” with journalist Sam Husseini and the illustrious independent researcher who posts as Gumby on Twitter. Please check out Sam Husseini’s Substack page and his recent article “Did West Africa’s Ebola Outbreak of 2014 Have a Lab Origin?” which he cowrote with virologist Jonathan Latham. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Til the Mornin" by Mock Orange

In this video version of the episode, we close out the Eisenhower years. Specifically, we look at Eisenhower’s policies in Cuba and Congo—as well as how he made weak, half-hearted attempts to respond to the threats posed by the dangerously unaccountable CIA and the murderously greedy military industrial complex. As you will see, Ike’s was indeed a legacy of Ashes! This is the 17th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange In this episode, we close out the Eisenhower years. Specifically, we look at Eisenhower’s policies in Cuba and Congo—as well as how he made weak, half-hearted attempts to respond to the threats posed by the dangerously unaccountable CIA and the murderously greedy military industrial complex. As you will see, Ike’s was indeed a legacy of Ashes! This is the 17th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

Aaron talks to the tireless and iconoclastic historian of post-colonial Indonesia, Greg Poulgrain. In this final part, they discuss how JFK, Dag Hammarskjold, and Sukarno were unable to stop Allen Dulles’ murderous grand strategy to turn Indonesia into world history’s most valuable neocolony—under imperial US auspices. Greg Poulgrain teaches history at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. He is the author of The Genesis of Konfrontasi: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, 1945-65, The Incubus of Intervention: Conflicting Indonesia Strategies of John F. Kennedy and Allen Dulles, as well as the more recent JFK vs. Allen Dulles: Battleground Indonesia. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Old Man" by Mock Orange Aaron talks to the tireless and iconoclastic historian of post-colonial Indonesia, Greg Poulgrain. In this final part, they discuss how JFK, Dag Hammarskjold, and Sukarno were unable to stop Allen Dulles’ murderous grand strategy to turn Indonesia into world history’s most valuable neocolony—under imperial US auspices. Greg Poulgrain teaches history at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. He is the author of The Genesis of Konfrontasi: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, 1945-65, The Incubus of Intervention: Conflicting Indonesia Strategies of John F. Kennedy and Allen Dulles, as well as the more recent JFK vs. Allen Dulles: Battleground Indonesia. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Old Man" by Mock Orange

Aaron talks to the tireless and iconoclastic historian of post-colonial Indonesia, Greg Polugrain. In this first of two episodes, they discuss Allen Dulles' dark influence over US policy in Indonesia up through the Eisenhower administration. Greg Poulgrain teaches history at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. He is the author of The Genesis of Konfrontasi: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, 1945-65, The Incubus of Intervention: Conflicting Indonesia Strategies of John F. Kennedy and Allen Dulles, as well as the more recent JFK vs. Allen Dulles: Battleground Indonesia. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Old Man" by Mock Orange Artwork: From the cover of TIME, Dec. 23, 1946 Aaron talks to the tireless and iconoclastic historian of post-colonial Indonesia, Greg Polugrain. In this first of two episodes, they discuss Allen Dulles' dark influence over US policy in Indonesia up through the Eisenhower administration. Greg Poulgrain teaches history at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. He is the author of The Genesis of Konfrontasi: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, 1945-65, The Incubus of Intervention: Conflicting Indonesia Strategies of John F. Kennedy and Allen Dulles, as well as the more recent JFK vs. Allen Dulles: Battleground Indonesia. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Old Man" by Mock Orange Artwork: From the cover of TIME, Dec. 23, 1946

We look at how Eisenhower and the Dulles Brothers handled two geopolitical hot spots of the Cold War: Indonesia and Egypt. This is the 16th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange We look at how Eisenhower and the Dulles Brothers handled two geopolitical hot spots of the Cold War: Indonesia and Egypt. This is the 16th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

Nick Bryant discusses his prolific efforts to expose sexual blackmail as, in effect, a deep state institution. Nick is the author of The Franklin Scandal: A Story of Powerbrokers, Child Abuse & Betrayal and co-author of Confessions of a DC Madam The Politics of Sex, Lies, and Blackmail. He also has a new book coming out in a few months entitled The Truth About Watergate: A Tale of Extraordinary Lies & Liars. Nick’s website is here. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: “Payroll” by Mock Orange Nick Bryant discusses his prolific efforts to expose sexual blackmail as, in effect, a deep state institution. Nick is the author of The Franklin Scandal: A Story of Powerbrokers, Child Abuse & Betrayal and co-author of Confessions of a DC Madam The Politics of Sex, Lies, and Blackmail. He also has a new book coming out in a few months entitled The Truth About Watergate: A Tale of Extraordinary Lies & Liars. Nick’s website is here. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: “Payroll” by Mock Orange

In this episode we briefly discuss what the deep state is and is not before looking at the Eisenhower administration’s imperial chicanery in Guatemala and Vietnam. This is the 15th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange In this episode we briefly discuss what the deep state is and is not before looking at the Eisenhower administration’s imperial chicanery in Guatemala and Vietnam. This is the 15th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

In this episode we look at Eisenhower’s ties to Big Oil and how they influenced Operation AJAX--the CIA conspiracy which overthrew Iran’s democratically elected Mohammed Mossedegh in order to install a US puppet, the Shah of Iran. This is the 14th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Check out the attached PDF to see the slides we refer to. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange In this episode we look at Eisenhower’s ties to Big Oil and how they influenced Operation AJAX--the CIA conspiracy which overthrew Iran’s democratically elected Mohammed Mossedegh in order to install a US puppet, the Shah of Iran. This is the 14th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Check out the attached PDF to see the slides we refer to. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

[Update: We fixed and replaced the original audio file which had a problem around the introduction] In this episode we look at the history behind NSC-68, the seminal document of the US military industrial complex. This is the 13th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. The latter portion of this episode was already posted on YouTube because we thought it was so timely after the Nord Stream attack. I hope the larger, book-related portion of the episode also provides good context for this. Strangely enough, I added that extra material to the episode plan because I thought that all of the historical exegesis from the book was really relevant to our current moment. With the Nord Stream bombing, it turned out that I was more correct than I knew. Check out the attached PDF to see the slides we refer to. Special thanks to Seamus for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange [Update: We fixed and replaced the original audio file which had a problem around the introduction] In this episode we look at the history behind NSC-68, the seminal document of the US military industrial complex. This is the 13th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. The latter portion of this episode was already posted on YouTube because we thought it was so timely after the Nord Stream attack. I hope the larger, book-related portion of the episode also provides good context for this. Strangely enough, I added that extra material to the episode plan because I thought that all of the historical exegesis from the book was really relevant to our current moment. With the Nord Stream bombing, it turned out that I was more correct than I knew. Check out the attached PDF to see the slides we refer to. Special thanks to Seamus for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

Ben Howard and Aaron continue the Long Shadow of 9/11 series with a discussion on the history of USUK imperial support for reactionary Islamism. The first article in the series is now up at American Exception: “Prequel to Terror: The 9/9 Massoud Assassination.” Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for his editorial work on the article and to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "High Octane Punk Mode" by Mock Orange The image in the episode art is of the Al-Baqi cemetery before its 1926 demolition by the Saudis. The episode title is a mishmash of three relevant book titles: Dreyfuss' 'Devil's Game', Talbot's The Devil's Chessboard, and Brzezinski's The Grand Chessboard. Ben Howard and Aaron continue the Long Shadow of 9/11 series with a discussion on the history of USUK imperial support for reactionary Islamism. The first article in the series is now up at American Exception: “Prequel to Terror: The 9/9 Massoud Assassination.” Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for his editorial work on the article and to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "High Octane Punk Mode" by Mock Orange The image in the episode art is of the Al-Baqi cemetery before its 1926 demolition by the Saudis. The episode title is a mishmash of three relevant book titles: Dreyfuss' 'Devil's Game', Talbot's The Devil's Chessboard, and Brzezinski's The Grand Chessboard.

In this episode, we begin our historical exploration of the post-World War 2 US empire. As explained in the book and in previous episodes of this history, the history of the post-World War 2 US empire is essentially the history of the US deep state. This is the 12th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Check out the attached PDF to see related images. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange [Edit: The original episode file was missing the introduction as well as the final minutes.] In this episode, we begin our historical exploration of the post-World War 2 US empire. As explained in the book and in previous episodes of this history, the history of the post-World War 2 US empire is essentially the history of the US deep state. This is the 12th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration of my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Check out the attached PDF to see related images. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

Aaron is joined by Christopher Mott to discuss his recent article, “Woke Imperium: The Coming Confluence Between Social Justice and Neoconservatism.” Christopher Mott is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy and the author of The Formless Empire: A Short History of Diplomacy and Warfare in Central Asia. Follow Christopher on Twitter and check out his personal website: geotrickster.com. Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Stuck In" by Mock Orange

In this episode, we wrap up our social science exploration of imperial criminality. We discuss dark power—i.e., top-down or despotic political power. Dark power is to be contrasted with open or democratic power—power derived from consensus and persuasion. This is the 11th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Seamus for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange In this episode, we wrap up our social science exploration of imperial criminality. We discuss dark power—i.e., top-down or despotic political power. Dark power is to be contrasted with open or democratic power—power derived from consensus and persuasion. This is the 11th installment of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Seamus for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

Aaron and Ben Norton of Multipolarista discuss Establishment scholar Francis Fukuyama and his strange intervention into deep state discourse. I am hoping that Fukuyama is just building up to addressing the deep state construct in future installments because he does mention some important aspects of the emergence of the state, even as he leaves out many other angles: Valuing the Deep State, Part I Valuing the Deep State Part II: The Origin of States Special thanks Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: “Nine Times” by Mock Orange Aaron and Ben Norton of Multipolarista discuss Establishment scholar Francis Fukuyama and his strange intervention into deep state discourse. I am hoping that Fukuyama is just building up to addressing the deep state construct in future installments because he does mention some important aspects of the emergence of the state, even as he leaves out many other angles: Valuing the Deep State, Part I Valuing the Deep State Part II: The Origin of States Special thanks Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: “Nine Times” by Mock Orange

Aaron and Ben Norton of Multipolarista discuss Establishment scholar Francis Fukuyama and his strange intervention into deep state discourse. I am hoping that Fukuyama is just building up to addressing the deep state construct in future installments because he does mention some important aspects of the emergence of the state, even as he leaves out many other angles: Valuing the Deep State, Part I Valuing the Deep State Part II: The Origin of States Special thanks Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: “Nine Times” by Mock Orange Aaron and Ben Norton of Multipolarista discuss Establishment scholar Francis Fukuyama and his strange intervention into deep state discourse. I am hoping that Fukuyama is just building up to addressing the deep state construct in future installments because he does mention some important aspects of the emergence of the state, even as he leaves out many other angles: Valuing the Deep State, Part I Valuing the Deep State Part II: The Origin of States Special thanks Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: “Nine Times” by Mock Orange

Ben Howard and Aaron kick off the Long Shadow of 9/11 series with a discussion on their own personal reckonings with the great terror spectacle of 2001. The first article in the series is now up at American Exception: “Prequel to Terror: The 9/9 Massoud Assassination.” Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for his editorial work on the article, to Casey Moore for the episode art, and to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "High Octane Punk Mode" by Mock Orange Ben Howard and Aaron kick off the Long Shadow of 9/11 series with a discussion on their own personal reckonings with the great terror spectacle of 2001. The first article in the series is now up at American Exception: “Prequel to Terror: The 9/9 Massoud Assassination.” Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for his editorial work on the article, to Casey Moore for the episode art, and to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "High Octane Punk Mode" by Mock Orange

We discuss trace the development of parapolitics, deep politics, and the deep state in this penultimate episode on the social science of imperial criminality. This is Part 10 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well as our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "World of Machines" by Mock Orange [Sorry for initially posting the wrong file--Aaron] We discuss trace the development of parapolitics, deep politics, and the deep state in this penultimate episode on the social science of imperial criminality. This is Part 10 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well as our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "World of Machines" by Mock Orange

Aaron and Seamus discuss the Security Research Staff (SRS), the inner sanctum of the CIA’s Office of Security. We also discuss James McCord’s friend Lee Pennington and related issues from Jim Hougan’s masterpiece, Secret Agenda: Watergate, Deep Throat, and the CIA. Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "World of Machines" by Mock Orange Aaron and Seamus discuss the Security Research Staff (SRS), the inner sanctum of the CIA’s Office of Security. We also discuss James McCord’s friend Lee Pennington and related issues from Jim Hougan’s masterpiece, Secret Agenda: Watergate, Deep Throat, and the CIA. Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "World of Machines" by Mock Orange

We discuss the higher immorality and crackpot realism as described in The Power Elite—the scholarly masterpiece of sociologist C. Wright Mills—and how these concepts can inform the sociology of the imperial American deep state. This is Part 9 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Seamus for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True"by Mock Orange We discuss the higher immorality and crackpot realism as described in The Power Elite—the scholarly masterpiece of sociologist C. Wright Mills—and how these concepts can inform the sociology of the imperial American deep state. This is Part 9 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Seamus for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True"by Mock Orange

Aaron and Seamus discuss the deep state personage of James McCord and related issues from Jim Hougan’s masterpiece, Secret Agenda: Watergate, Deep Throat, and the CIA. Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Til the Mornin" by Mock Orange Aaron and Seamus discuss the deep state personage of James McCord and related issues from Jim Hougan’s masterpiece, Secret Agenda: Watergate, Deep Throat, and the CIA. Special thanks to Seamus McGuinness for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Til the Mornin" by Mock Orange

Aaron and Seamus discuss and expand on a Watergate timeline from two critical luminaries—Jim Hougan (author of Secret Agenda: Watergate, Deep Throat, and the CIA) and Peter Dale Scott. Because this is a unique episode in terms of the minutiae we cover, I created and posted a PDF of the timeline that might be helpful for anyone who is not steeped in this material. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "World of Machines" (live version) by Mock Orange Aaron and Seamus discuss and expand on a Watergate timeline from two critical luminaries—Jim Hougan (author of Secret Agenda: Watergate, Deep Throat, and the CIA) and Peter Dale Scott. Because this is a unique episode in terms of the minutiae we cover, I created and posted a PDF of the timeline that might be helpful for anyone who is not steeped in this material. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "World of Machines" (live version) by Mock Orange

We discuss The Power Elite—the scholarly masterpiece of sociologist C. Wright Mills—and how it informs our understandings of the imperial American deep state. This is Part 8 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series--and who did the art for this episode! Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True"by Mock Orange We discuss The Power Elite—the scholarly masterpiece of sociologist C. Wright Mills—and how it informs our understandings of the imperial American deep state. This is Part 8 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series--and who did the art for this episode! Special thanks to Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True"by Mock Orange

Aaron and Seamus discuss and expand on a Watergate timeline from two critical luminaries—Jim Hougan (author of Secret Agenda: Watergate, Deep Throat, and the CIA) and Peter Dale Scott. Because this is a unique episode in terms of the minutiae we cover, I created and posted a PDF of the timeline that might be helpful for anyone who is not steeped in this material. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "World of Machines" (live version) by Mock Orange Aaron and Seamus discuss and expand on a Watergate timeline from two critical luminaries—Jim Hougan (author of Secret Agenda: Watergate, Deep Throat, and the CIA) and Peter Dale Scott. Because this is a unique episode in terms of the minutiae we cover, I created and posted a PDF of the timeline that might be helpful for anyone who is not steeped in this material. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "World of Machines" (live version) by Mock Orange

We discuss the dual state and Professor Michael Glennon’s double government. This is Episode 7 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Nortonof Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True"by Mock Orange We discuss the dual state and Professor Michael Glennon’s double government. This is Episode 7 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am again joined by series co-host Ben Nortonof Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuinness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True"by Mock Orange

We discuss American scholars and their failure to grapple with US imperialism. This is Episode 6 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuiness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange We discuss American scholars and their failure to grapple with US imperialism. This is Episode 6 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuiness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

We discuss the historians and historiography of the US empire. This is Episode 5 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuiness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "This Nation" by Mock Orange We discuss the historians and historiography of the US empire. This is Episode 5 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuiness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "This Nation" by Mock Orange

Released in conjunction with the upcoming publication of Peter's "lost" (read "stolen by the CIA in 1970") article originally intended for Ramparts, we present a 2011 debate between the two top experts on the Postwar Southeast Asian heroin traffic: Professors Peter Dale Scott and Alfred McCoy. I add some context at the beginning which will hopefully be of interest to everybody! Peter Dale Scott is the prolific poet, historian, and political theorist who gave us parapolitics as well as the deep politics approach. Alfred McCoy is History Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin and the author of The Politics of Heroin—now in its third edition. Apologies for the weird noises during the debate. We have no idea exactly what was making that intermittent whirring and clicking noise. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: “Payroll” by Mock Orange Released in conjunction with the upcoming publication of Peter's "lost" (read "stolen by the CIA in 1970") article originally intended for Ramparts, we present a 2011 debate between the two top experts on the Postwar Southeast Asian heroin traffic: Professors Peter Dale Scott and Alfred McCoy. I add some context at the beginning which will hopefully be of interest to everybody! Peter Dale Scott is the prolific poet, historian, and political theorist who gave us parapolitics as well as the deep politics approach. Alfred McCoy is History Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin and the author of The Politics of Heroin—now in its third edition. Apologies for the weird noises during the debate. We have no idea exactly what was making that intermittent whirring and clicking noise. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: “Payroll” by Mock Orange

We discuss the concepts of hegemony and empire in relation to the USA! [We updated the file after a slightly incomplete file was missing...basically without the very brief intro] This is Episode 4 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuiness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange We discuss the concepts of hegemony and empire in relation to the USA! [We updated the file after a slightly incomplete file was missing...basically without the very brief intro] This is Episode 4 of our Empire and the Deep State series--an in-depth exploration on my new book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. I am joined by series co-host Ben Norton of Multipolarista as well our own Seamus McGuiness who is producing the series. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" by Mock Orange

Aaron and guest cohost Brace Belden talk to David Talbot about his book, The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government. This episode is dedicated to our dear friend and colleague, Professor Peter Dale Scott. Peter Dale Scott and Ben Howard also both appear in this episode. Follow Ben on Twitter and check out his latest series on the Boston Bombing over at TrueAnon: Episode 220: Marathon Men (Part 1) And of course, check out Brace at TrueAnon. This episode is also Part 13 in our Destiny Betrayed series on the JFK assassination. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Old Man" by Mock Orange Aaron and guest cohost Brace Belden talk to David Talbot about his book, The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government. This episode is dedicated to our dear friend and colleague, Professor Peter Dale Scott. Peter Dale Scott and Ben Howard also both appear in this episode. Follow Ben on Twitter and check out his latest series on the Boston Bombing over at TrueAnon: Episode 220: Marathon Men (Part 1) And of course, check out Brace at TrueAnon. This episode is also Part 13 in our Destiny Betrayed series on the JFK assassination. Special thanks to Casey Moore for the episode art and Dana Chavarria for the sound engineering! Music: "Old Man" by Mock Orange