Why is America at war with Iran — and how did we get here?On this episode of The Deep Focus Show, host Arn Menconi sits down with Scott Horton, radio host, author, Director of the Libertarian Institute, Editorial Director of Antiwar.com and host of The Scott Horton Show.Horton takes a long historical view of American foreign policy, tracing the history behind the wars in Iran and Ukraine and examining the role of Israel, NATO expansion, U.S. military intervention, sanctions and the broader strategy of American power.The conversation also explores the U.S. relationship with Iran, the history of the Middle East from the Iranian Revolution through the Iraq wars, the rise of the Houthis, the war in Ukraine and NATO expansion after the fall of the Soviet Union.Horton also discusses the U.S. dollar, sanctions, national debt, inflation and what he believes could happen if the long-term economic consequences of American foreign policy continue.Scott Horton is the author of Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan, Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism, and Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine.He also discusses his Scott Horton Academy of Foreign Policy and Freedom.00:00 The Greatest Threat to the Dollar?00:34 Introducing Scott Horton01:40 Daniel Ellsberg & the History of American War02:26 Why Is America at War With Iran?08:49 The “Clean Break” Strategy & Iran12:13 The Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex14:05 Is the Petrodollar Behind the Iran War?15:17 The Dollar as a Weapon18:07 Did Netanyahu Push Trump Toward War?27:07 Why Are We in Ukraine?28:56 The History Behind U.S.-Iran Policy36:22 The Abraham Accords & Israel's Regional Strategy38:13 October 7, Gaza & the War With Iran42:31 Has Iran Become a Regional Power?44:24 The Houthis & the Consequences of U.S. Intervention47:50 How Long Could the Iran War Last?48:44 Why Is America in Ukraine?49:30 NATO Expansion & Russia56:58 The Strategy Behind the Ukraine War58:40 The Cost of the Ukraine War01:00:16 Russia, China & the American Strategy01:02:47 The Bigger Picture: American Empire01:04:14 The Dollar, Debt & the End of Empire01:06:59 Inflation, Debt & the Coming Reckoning01:08:19 How Empires Destroy Their Currency01:11:08 The History Behind America's WarsNote: This interview presents Scott Horton's analysis, interpretations and arguments about U.S. foreign policy and international events. Claims and characterizations made during the conversation are attributed to him and are not presented as independent findings by The Deep Focus Show.What do you think? Let us know in the comments.Subscribe to The Deep Focus Show for in-depth conversations with journalists, authors, newsmakers and leading voices on global politics, economics and the stories behind the headlines.#ScottHorton #Iran #Ukraine #USForeignPolicy #Israel #NATO #DeepFocus #TheDeepFocusShow

What is the United States' role in the war in Gaza — and how has the relationship between Washington and Israel evolved?In this episode of The Deep Focus Show, host Arn Menconi speaks with Institute for Policy Studies fellow Phyllis Bennis, an author and longtime analyst of U.S. foreign policy, the Middle East and the United Nations.Bennis discusses the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the history of the U.S.-Israel relationship, changing public opinion in the United States, the political impact of the war, and developments in the West Bank.The conversation also examines reporting about warnings surrounding the October 7 attack, the role of the United States in providing military assistance to Israel, and what Bennis believes could change U.S. policy.Bennis is the author and editor of 12 books, including her 2025 book Understanding Palestine and Israel, as well as Before and After: U.S. Foreign Policy in the War on Terror and Challenging Empire.00:00 Gaza, U.S. Policy & the Israel-Palestine Conflict01:30 Introducing Phyllis Bennis01:59 How Did We Get Here?03:34 The U.S. Role in Israel's Military Support07:35 Is Public Opinion Changing?10:55 The War With Iran & Its Impact on Palestine14:21 The Human Cost in Gaza17:51 What Is Happening in the West Bank?22:27 What Did Israel Know Before October 7?27:18 The U.S.-Israel Relationship29:42 What Can Change U.S. Policy?Note: This interview presents Phyllis Bennis's analysis, arguments and interpretation of events. Claims and characterizations discussed in the conversation are attributed to her and are not presented as independent findings by The Deep Focus Show.What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments.Subscribe to The Deep Focus Show for in-depth conversations with journalists, authors, newsmakers and leading voices on global politics, economics and the stories behind the headlines.#PhyllisBennis #Gaza #IsraelPalestine #USForeignPolicy #DeepFocus #TheDeepFocusShow

What happens when the climate crisis becomes a crisis of democracy?In this episode of The Deep Focus Show, Arn Menconi sits down with Roger Hallam, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, to discuss climate change, political power, civil disobedience and the future of democratic society.Hallam argues that conventional protests and political reform are no longer enough to address the climate crisis. He makes the case for a fundamental transformation of political systems, including citizens’ assemblies and sustained nonviolent civil resistance.The conversation explores why Hallam believes the climate movement needs a new strategy, how ordinary people might influence political decision-making, and why he sees community, spirituality and a sense of service as essential to sustaining movements over the long term.Arn and Hallam also discuss the limits of traditional environmental advocacy, the role of mass mobilization, and the difficult question at the heart of the interview: Who gets to decide the future — political and economic elites, or ordinary people?Roger Hallam is a climate campaigner, author and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil. His books include Common Sense for the 21st Century and This Is Not a Drill contributor-related works, as well as Suicide: The Political and Legal Implications of Creating Endless Mass Death.This interview presents Hallam’s views and arguments. His claims and forecasts are discussed as part of the conversation and should not be taken as independently established conclusions simply because they are presented here.Subscribe to The Deep Focus Show for in-depth conversations with investigative journalists, authors, activists and leading voices on global politics, economics and the stories behind the headlines.00:00 Who Gets to Decide? Roger Hallam on Democracy00:50 Introducing Roger Hallam: Extinction Rebellion & Just Stop Oil02:41 Why Hallam Says the Climate Movement Isn’t Acting With Urgency08:56 Climate Change, Political Will & the Case for Revolution14:05 Citizens’ Assemblies: Can Ordinary People Lead?17:16 What Would a Nonviolent Political Revolution Look Like?23:23 Why Hallam Says One-Day Protests Aren’t Enough30:25 Climate Change, Political Power & Who Gets to Decide38:51 Spirituality, Community & Preventing Activist Burnout45:45 Building a Movement: What Hallam Wants People to DoLinks to Roger Hallam's work and how to get involved:https://rogerhallam.com/https://rebellion.global/Links to Arn Menconi's work:https://substack.com/@arnmenconihttps://x.com/ArnMenconihttps://arnmenconi.netThanks for tuning in!