Podcast 202

The Islamic State. What to do about it? Is it an existential threat to the United States? Is it the role of the US Government to avenge the horrible death of US Journalist James Foley? The bottom line? Emotional reactions to lurid coverage of a murder does not a foreign policy make. If you want to influence International Relations as practiced by the Executive and Legislative branches of the US Government, you also have to understand the disciplines behind the policy. The State Department, Pentagon, White House, Congress, the Clandestine Services and Non State Actors all speak a language different from ‘civilians’ being manipulated by the media. Where DOES foreign policy come from? What are the disciplines and philosophy behind the concepts driving executive, intelligence, military and legislative positions and, more importantly, actions. How will the death of James Foley be handled. Will airstrikes alone eliminate the ISIS threat? What about intervening in Syria? Is it The President’s fault? Which president? Media coverage of this story is terrible. Viewers and listeners aren’t getting any background in foreign policy development, and we’re hearing the same tired arguments from deliberations over the Iraq war in 2002 and 2003 all over again. Here’s some background and some facts about the situation. Sponsored by Autonomouscad.com.

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Podcast 155

The release of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was supposed to be a story of a hero’s rescue from captivity in Afghanistan. Since the story broke Sunday afternoon, June 1st 2014 that scenario has been breaking down. Is Bergdahl a deserter? Did the President break the law in making the deal with Taliban through the Government of Qatar? Why did the White House make the deal against the advice of the Senate, and Special Forces? Why was the announcement of Bergdahl’s recovery to troops in theater, by Defense Secretary Hagel, greeted with stony silence? Did the story draw attention away from the Veterans Administration Scandal as well as other problems Obama seems to be struggling with these days? How do you answer these questions? What are the important take-aways from this developing story? Sponsored by Sedation and Implant Dentistry. 

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The Bob Davis Podcast

Podcast 154

Updating top stories for the week ahead. Former VA head Shinseki says he didn’t know about incompetence, corruption and coverups at the VA and so the President didn’t know either. Yet as many as 18 detailed reports have been placed on Shinseki’s desk – maybe the President’s too – since 2008. Was White House Press Secretary Jay Carney’s resignation announced the same day as Shinseki’s to draw eyes and ears away from the ‘When and What did you know’ question? The White House announces it has negotiated the release of a US soldier held since 2009 by Taliban, but he is referred to as a ‘Prisoner of War’. Is he? Did the US pay too high a price for the release of Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl? And what were the circumstances of his capture. Why was Secretary Hagel’s announcement of his release treated with stony silence by the troops in Afghanistan? This was political convention weekend in Rochester (republicans) and Duluth (democrats). While the democrats came out of their convention unified, the same might not be said of the Republicans. Looking ahead to primary season, one wonders what possesses the brains of  Republican insiders. El Nino, Oprah and George Clooney. Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul. 

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