Stephen Kinzer is an award-winning foreign correspondent who has covered more than 50 countries on five continents. His articles and books have led the Washington Post to place him “among the best in popular foreign policy storytelling.” Kinzer spent more than 20 years working for the New York Times, most of it as a foreign correspondent. His foreign postings placed him at the center of historic events and, at times, in the line of fire. He has authored several books including, "Overthrow: America’s Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq" and "All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror," amongst others. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University.
In this episode, Stephen and I explore the dominant narratives surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war and other U.S. foreign policy. Stephen offers a refreshing, desperately needed, and imminently important (in my view) counter-view to the nearly unanimous narrative offered by U.S. government and media. In particular, we explore:
-The simplistic narrative being portrayed in the U.S. and why the story of "good" versus "evil" is not sufficient to explain this complex conflict.
-The surprising unanimity amongst congress, particularly Democrats, in supporting the war.
-The incentives for congress to support the war (e.g., defense contractor lobbying, money going to districts).
-How the press has abdicated its role to hold people in power accountable, ask deep questions, and provide a balanced take.
-Why the idea that Putin will continue to expand westward if we don't act now deserves to be questioned and challenged.
-The historic relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine and Russia.
-The possibility that the U.S. does not want to diffuse tensions, and instead capitalize on this this as an opportunity to weaken it's enemy.
-How the backdrop of China and Taiwan affects current U.S. policy, and whether "proving a point" to Russia is logical.
-The radical idea of focusing on our own prosperity and development, instead of trying to block other countries from doing so.
-Living in a multipolar world and how cutting defense costs could fund important social justice initiatives.
-The possibility for a new paradigm of leadership based in peace.
Referred to in this episode:
"Congress has appropriated more than $100 billion in aid to Ukraine"
Episode 10 of The Middle Way: "Russia and Ukraine: Compassionate Heart, Pragmatic Action"
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Stephen Kinzer's webite: http://stephenkinzer.com/
Check out Stephen's Books
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