Skullduggery

US Central Command’s top general Kenneth McKenzie last week had to make one of the most painful mea culpas in the history of the US Government’s war on terror. A drone strike intended to save the lives of US soldiers had ended up taking the lives ten innocent Afghan civilians. Seven of them were children.   A rare acknowledgment that a tool the Pentagon and CIA have relied on for years to target terrorists was in this instance tragically botched thanks to sketchy intelligence that confused a civilian aide worker with an ISIS suicide bomber. McKenzie came clean, only after reporters on the ground exposed the Pentagon’s mistake raising new questions about how many other civilians in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen have also been killed in US drone strikes. And how does this affect the Biden administrations planned use of “over the horizon” drone strikes to prevent Al-Qaeda resurgence in the country we just abandoned?  Joe Cirincione joins to discuss the botched strike and where we go from here. GUEST: - Joe Cirincione (@Cirincione), Analyst, Author, Distinguished Fellow @QuincyInst, Fmr. President @plough_shares, VP @amprog, Hill rat. HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft - Here. - Yahoo News' Dylan Stableford and Chris Wilson's original piece on the bothced drone strike - Here. - Dan Klaidman's book Kill or Capture on focusing on drone strikes - Here. Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s a legacy of the progressive era in American politics. Voters in California get to recall State office holders if they don’t like the job they’re doing without waiting for the next election. It’s facing one of its biggest tests this week when Gavin Newsome, the liberal democratic governor who was elected by a whopping twenty-four percent margin in 2018 will face a recall fueled by discontent. Yahoo News’ political correspondent Andrew Romano as well as former GOP strategist turned academic who’s studied the recall movement help sort out the confusing details of the said election.  GUESTS: - Dan Schnur (@danschnur), Professor at the University of California – Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies - Andrew Romano (@AndrewRomano), National Correspondent, Yahoo News. Former Newsweek/Daily Beast HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Dan Schnur's "Politics in the Time of Coronavirus." - Here. - Andrew Romano's Yahoo News articles - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On that gorgeous Tuesday morning twenty years ago, Kristen Breitweiser was one of thousands who’s lives were shattered forever. Her husband Ron, a Senior VP at a brokerage firm was working on the 94th floor of the World Trade Center South Tower when Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked the plane that crashed into the building. The second wave of a terrorist attack that killed nearly three thousand. Breitweiser soon emerged as one of the most outspoke 9/11 family members, a trained lawyer that prodded lawmakers to create the national commission to investigate the attack. And ever since she’s embarked on a tireless campaign demanding accountability for the terrorists and for those in authority who allowed the attack to happen. As the country commemorates the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, we talked to Breitweiser about her own recollections of that terrible day and what still needs to be done. And then we talked to Karen Greenberg, Director of the Center on National Security at Fordham Law, and the author of a new book about how 9/11 transformed the country's politics.  GUESTS: - Kristen Breitweiser (@kdbreitweiser), 9/11 widow and activist, widely credited with forcing the creation of the 9/11 Commission - Karen Greenberg (@KarenGreenberg3), Director @CNSFordhamLaw, Author of new book Subtle Tools, Host @VI_PodcastCNS. HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Kristen Breitweiser's op-ed for The Intercept: My Husband Died on 9/11. I'm Still Waiting for a Trial of His Killers. Here. - Karen Greenberg's new book Subtle Tools. Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It has been the law of the land for forty-eight years, women have had the constitutional right to abortion. This was a decision made by the Supreme Court back in 1973. But this week, the court with no written opinion allowed to go into effect a harsh new Texas law that effectively eviscerates the landmark decision of Roe v Wade. The new law bans most abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant and makes no exception for rape or incest. And it deputizes private citizens to file lawsuits who aids or abets an abortion. Dahlia Lithwick joins to discuss. Then, outspoken Congresswoman Susan Wild of Pennsylvania weighs in on the Biden administrations handling of Afghanistan. A sign of some discontent within the Democratic Party. GUESTS: - Dahlia Lithwick (@Dahlialithwick), writes about the courts and the law for Slate and hosts the podcast Amicus. - Congresswoman Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild), represents Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Jon Ward's latest Yahoo News article on Jan. 6th committee and its requests - Here. - Mark Hosenball's article on FBI's findings in regards to insurrection being a coordinated attack. Here. - Kim Wehle's latest article on Trump's lawyers abuse of the court system for political gain. - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In May of 2003, then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, flew to Kabul to declare that combat operations were indeed over in Afghanistan. "The country is now secure." This was quite the misleading statement as our guest Craig Whitlock explains. Just one example of numerous half-truths told over four administration about the US' now longest war. On this day, the last flight out of Afghanistan carrying American troops has left, ending the endless war. We'll take a deep dive as to how we got here with the aforementioned author the brand new book, THE AFGHANISTAN PAPERS: A Secret History of the War. GUEST: - Craig Whitlock (@CraigMWhitlock), Investigative reporter for The Washington Post Author HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Whitlock's new book, The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War - Here. - Whitlock's Washington Post bio page - Here. - Yahoo News' latest article on the end of the war in Afghanistan - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The January 6th committee is in full swing. It has made sweeping requests for records and information as they work towards discovering what actually happened leading up to the insurrection on the US Capitol. Will the requests reveal Trump administration officials had a hand in the attack? And if so, what will become of them? Who will receive a subpoena and who will claim executive privilege? And how long will this whole process take? Mark Hosenball, investigative reporter for Reuters, talks about his latest article on the FBI's findings and Kim Wehle, Professor of Law, talks about what the consequences could or would be as it all plays out. GUESTS: - Kim Wehle (@kimwehle), Professor of Law, Fmr Asst US Attorney, Author. - Mark Hosenball (@Reuters), investigative correspondent at Reuters. Formally of Newsweek and Dateline NBC HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Jon Ward's latest Yahoo News article on Jan. 6th committee and its requests - Here. - Mark Hosenball's article on FBI's findings in regards to insurrection being a coordinated attack. Here. - Kim Wehle's latest article on Trump's lawyers abuse of the court system for political gain. - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The worst case scenario just got even worse. Today, ISIS-K struck the area outside the airport in Kabul twice. Two bombings, one a suicide attack. The events resulted in casualties for both Americans and Afghans, something President Biden said was inevitable in a situation like this. There's finger pointing from all sides, but in the end the deaths ring loud and true. The first loss of American life in Afghanistan since February of 2020. Biden condemned today's attack by responding, "We will hunt you down and make you pay" Does this mean that the endless war won't be coming to and end after all?August 31st is just days away and intelligence tells us that there are more potential attacks. General McMaster, Trump's National Security Advisor, and US Rep. Michael McCaul join to discuss. GUESTS: - General McMaster (@LTGHRMcMaster), Former US National Security Advisor, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution - Congressman Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul), Republican US Representative for Texas's 10th congressional district HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Isikoff's McMaster Article - Here. - Biden's speech after terrorist attack in Kabul - Here. - Latest info on terrorist attack at Kabul Airport - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The clock is ticking ever closer to August 31st. That's the day that President Biden claims we'll have all US citizens out of Afghanistan. Something he doubled down on in his latest press conference on the matter. But what about all those Afghans that fought alongside the US over the last twenty years? Will the US help them escape the oppressive regime that is the Taliban? With only a week to go before the deadline, and too many people to evacuate, the mess has become a debacle. David Sedney, former President of the American University of Afghanistan weighs in on the struggle to get not only the Americans out, but those Afghans who have spent the last twenty years building a new life only to have it seized away in less than twenty days. GUEST: - David Sedney (@david_sed), Frm. President of American University of Afghanistan, Frm. US Diplomat & Frm. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in Afghanistan HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Biden claims US is on track to finish Afghanistan evacuations by Aug. 31st - Here. - David Sedney Bio - Here. - Yahoo News' Jon Ward article, Who are the Taliban today - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As US Troops and Afghan refugees are being evacuated from Afghanistan, media outlets are reflecting on the twenty year war that was. But the truth is, it's actually been forty. It dates back to the time when President Jimmy Carter signed a secret finding authorizing the CIA to funnel lethal weapons to the Mujahideen warriors who were resisting the Soviets. This was the arming of Islamic rebels who later became the Taliban. Our guest Annie Pforzheimer, former US diplomat who served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Afghanistan, gives us a harsh reality check on the situation currently going on lead by the Biden administration. GUEST: - Annie Pforzheimer (@pforzheimera), Deputy Chief of Mission in Afghanistan '17-'18 HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Isikoff's latest article on Afghanistan - Here. - Conspiracyland Season 3 Episode 3 (Afghanistan excerpt source) - Here. - Yahoo News' Jon Ward article, Who are the Taliban today - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kabul has fallen. It was the last city under control of the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani until he decided to flee before it was lost. And now we are left with the striking images of the Taliban inside the Presidential Palace he once occupied. Disturbing video, which now plays on a loop across the news media, shows desperate Afghanis clinging to a US military jet as it departs from Kabul. Shocking footage that has instantly become a stain on the Biden administration despite being something that three presidents before him wanted to do, remove our US troops. It seemed universally what everyone wanted, but apparently not how everyone thought it should have been done. Biden boldly defended himself and the move in a press conference while placing blame on others even after admitting that the Taliban takeover happened more quickly than expected. Where do we go from here as we rapidly approach the twentieth anniversary of 9/11. The optics are not good. GUEST: - Peter Bergen (@peterbergencnn), VP at New America, CNN National Security Analyst, Prof. Arizona State, author, documentary producer. HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Bergen's new book: The Rise and Fall of Osama Bin Laden - Here. - Bergen's latest CNN article - Here. - Shocking Video of people clinging to US plane as it departs Afghanistan - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Back in April, President Biden announced the full U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by Sept. 11th. With said date now less than a month away, the news out of the region is that city after city is falling to Taliban forces. And now the U.S. is asking the Taliban to spare its embassy in the capital city of Kabul with the anticipation of an upcoming fight for its control. Quite the mess to say the least. Where do we go from here? Everyone agrees that this solution isn't the best, yet no one has a solution that satisfies all those involved. One thing we do know for sure is that more blood will be shed in the coming days, months, and potentially years in a place the U.S. has spent so much time, money, and loss of life in order to protect. This is quickly shaping up to be another Saigon. GUESTS: - Elliot Ackerman (@elliotackerman), Author and Fmr. U.S. Marine, served multiple tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. - Carol Leonnig (@CarolLeonnig), Washington Post reporter, MSNBC contributor, and co-author of I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year - Phil Rucker (@PhilipRucker), Washington Post Senior Washington Correspondent, NBC News Political Analyst, and co-author of I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief of Yahoo News   RESOURCES: - 2034: A Novel of the Next World War - Here. - Carol Leonnig Washington Post Profile page - Here. - Phil Rucker Washington Post Profile page - Here. - I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year book - Here. - Hindsight Up Front: Afghanistan: Ambassador Mark Green in conversation with H.R. McMaster - Here. - Biden announces troop withdrawal by Sept. 11th - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the Delta variant of the coronavirus runs rampant across not only the US, but the world, new hot spots have emerged and hospitals are once again filling up to capacity. It appears we are right back where we started with things trending in the wrong direction. And with summer comes huge gatherings at places like concerts, vacation destinations, and weddings. The messaging on Covid seems to change daily and the public confusion grows as misinformation and disinformation spread just as fast and effectively as the virus itself. So where are we now? How do we change this downward trend? With the new school year on the horizon and the fight over masks taking place at the Federal, State, and Local levels, we check in with Doctor Leana Wen, former Health Commissioner for the City of Baltimore, and author of the new book Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health. GUESTS: - Leana Wen (@DrLeanaWen), Fmr. Health Commissioner for the City of Baltimore, and author of the new book Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health. HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News   RESOURCES: - Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health. - Here. - Washington Post Contributor Profile page - Here. - Current Coronavirus Map & Statistics via John Hopkins University - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When the Cuomo Report from the NY Attorney General's office was released, it revealed that eleven women - more than previously reported, had come forward with charges of sexual harassment against the current NY State Governor. The details were both graphic in nature and painted the picture of a hostile work environment. Now everyone, including President Biden is calling for his resignation. Karen Hinton, Former Press Secretary for Andrew Cuomo while he was in the cabinet for then sitting President Bill Clinton, joins the podcast to talk about her own experience with Cuomo and how the harassment and intimidation goes back more than 20 years. GUESTS: - Karen Hinton, (@KarenHinton), Frm. Press Secretary for Andrew Cuomo HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Hunter Walker (@hunterw), Reporter @theuprising   RESOURCES: - Report of Investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo - Here. - Biden calls for Governor Cuomo's resignation - Here. - NY AG Letitia James announces findings in the sexual harassment investigation against Gov. Cuomo - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The first of what will most likely be many hearings to uncover the truth about the January 6th insurrection on the US Capitol has taken place. It was a sobering approach by the select committee. Something we haven't seen at a hearing in quite some time. The result, an emotional and electrifying set of testimonies from those who were on the front lines of the riot that day. From Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell's quote, "This is how I'm going to die," to Officer Michael Fanone of the Metropolitan Police Department stating, "the indifference shown to his colleagues by Republicans even after officers risked their lives to keep those same lawmakers safe that day, Disgraceful," then slamming the table. In addition, previously unseen body camera and CCTV footage revealed just how real and raw the attack was. Bill Kristol, neoconservative political analyst who has served in both the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, joins to discuss the reaction of Republicans to the hearing and what's in store for the future of the party. GUESTS: - Bill Kristol, (@BillKristol), Director, http://defendingdemocracytogether.org. Editor at large, http://thebulwark.com. Host, http://conversationswithbillkristol.org. Fellow, @HarvardIOP HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Just Security document - "Questions the January 6 Select Committee Should ask Its Witnesses" - Here. - Lawfare - "House Select Committee Investigating Jan. 6 Holds Its First Hearing" - Here. - Testimonies highlights from Capitol and Metropolitan Police - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It has been just about twenty years since the opening of Guantanamo Bay and we are no closer today than we were back then to resolving what will go down in history as one of the biggest debacles in American history. After the recent news that Chief Guantánamo Prosecutor Gen. Mark Martins announced his surprise retirement, what will be the next steps in relieving the stalemate preventing things from moving forward? The families of those lost in the horrific attacks on 9/11 are sitting on what is now two decades worth of frustration with no end in sight. Carol Rosenberg, reporter for The New York Times, who's been covering Guantanamo since the beginning joins to put forth her solution. Then, Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, weighs in on the matter in addition to the withdrawing of US Troops in Afghanistan. GUESTS: - Carol Rosenberg (@carolrosenberg), covers Guantánamo Bay, the base, policy, prison, people and war court for The New York Times - Jeh Johnson, Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security HOSTS: - Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News - Daniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo News - Victoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host)   RESOURCES: - Rosenberg latest article on Guantanamo - Here.   Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPod Listen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.