Topic: War On Terror

A theory suggests the United States operates on 80-year war cycles, placing the current period (2020–2024) in line with past major conflicts like the Civil War and World War II. The government's rhetorical shift to a "war on the virus" follows previous domestic "wars" on poverty, drugs, and terror. This framing is viewed as a mechanism for massive federal spending and the establishment of a permanent biosecurity state.

The Coronavirus Preparedness Act allocates $264 million to State Department diplomatic programs and $435 million for global health initiatives. Critics point to suspicious line items that allow funds to be merged with consular and border security programs or transferred to "overseas contingency operations" related to the global war on terrorism. These provisions are characterized as a potential "black budget" for intelligence agencies to siphon emergency virus funding.

The Department of Defense failed its first-ever audit, highlighting a lack of financial accountability for its $700 billion budget. Research from Boston University's Anita Crawford estimates the total cost of the War on Terror since 9/11 at $5.9 trillion, including interest on borrowing and veteran care.

Opium production in Afghanistan has reportedly risen by 43% in the last year despite billions spent by the U.S. on eradication efforts. The hosts suggest that the military is effectively protecting poppy fields rather than destroying them, as the trade now accounts for 90% of the world's supply.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and General Martin Dempsey testified before Congress regarding the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIS. They explained that a proposed three-year "sunset clause" is a political gesture for the next administration rather than a military timeline. Dempsey stated that hostilities will likely extend beyond three years, reinforcing the hosts' view of a "never-ending" war economy.

Adam Curry reads a passage written by Hunter S. Thompson on September 12, 2001, which predicted a permanent state of "Christian Jihad" and expensive global guerrilla warfare. The text criticizes George W. Bush and suggests the war was fueled by religious hatred and the oil industry. The hosts marvel at the accuracy of Thompson's foresight regarding the "mysterious enemy."

New York Times journalist James Risen appeared on PBS to discuss his new book, "Pay Any Price," which examines the financial costs of the War on Terror. Risen argues that the conflict has evolved into a "Homeland Security Industrial Complex," a multi-trillion dollar sector of the economy built on secrecy and greed. The book details how the search for justice after 9/11 transitioned into a permanent hunt for cash and power.

The discussion focuses on Jeh Johnson's previous statements regarding the "tipping point" where the legal authority for the War on Terror might end. The hosts explore the implications of a perpetual wartime footing and the use of drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen.

Adam Curry notes the media's rapid adoption of the term "IED" (Improvised Explosive Device) for domestic incidents, which he views as bringing the language of the War on Terror home to America. The hosts reminisce about childhood experiments with fertilizer, sugar, and paper to create "magician flares," contrasting these innocent activities with modern terrorism concerns.

Jeremy Scahill of *The Nation* appears on MSNBC to discuss the militarization of the CIA and the use of "body counts" as a metric for success on Capitol Hill. He argues that the reliance on drone strikes and assassinations may be creating more terrorists than it eliminates. The hosts compare this to the discredited statistical reporting used during the Vietnam War.

President Obama sent a report to Congress citing Public Law 107-40 (the 2001 AUMF) to justify ongoing military operations in Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, and Egypt. The hosts argue that using a post-9/11 law to justify troops in Egypt or the pursuit of Joseph Kony is a "legal scam." They question how these modern conflicts relate to the original 2001 attacks against the United States.

During a protest in Chicago, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War publicly discarded their military medals to protest the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Veterans criticized the "Global War on Terrorism" as a "war on an adjective" and accused the U.S. government of war crimes and drone attacks. The event received minimal mainstream media coverage despite the significant number of participants.

President Obama's use of the word "thingamajig" when discussing furnace repairs is mocked as a sign of his technological disconnect. This is contrasted with the serious rhetoric of the "Global War on Terrorism," which veterans have rebranded as a "war on an adjective." The segment highlights the perceived absurdity of modern political and military language.

The 1997 film "Wag the Dog" is highlighted for its prophetic dialogue regarding the shift from traditional state-on-state warfare to nuclear terrorism. A specific monologue by Robert De Niro's character describes the need for public alertness and the creation of "drills" to maintain job security for the military-industrial complex. The hosts recommend the film as a essential viewing for understanding modern geopolitical staging.

An encounter in Boston highlights the plight of veterans from the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who are already facing homelessness. While the surrounding city enjoys economic prosperity driven by institutions like Harvard, returning service members are seen panhandling on the streets. This contrast serves as a critique of the domestic disconnect from the ongoing military conflicts.

Bruce Fine rants about the executive branch's claimed authority to place American citizens on assassination hit lists without judicial review. He characterizes the "War on Terror" as a perpetual war against a tactic rather than a specific entity, effectively turning the entire planet into a battlefield. Fine also criticizes the Obama administration's refusal to prosecute prior officials for waterboarding and FISA violations.

The Obama administration has officially moved to retire the phrase "Global War on Terror" in favor of "Overseas Contingency Operations." A memo circulated within the Pentagon instructs staff to avoid terms like "Long War" to describe military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Budget Director Peter Orszag utilized the new terminology during recent fiscal briefings.