870 - Holiday in Cambodia feat. Brendan James & Noah Kulwin (9/23/24)
870 - Holiday in Cambodia feat. Brendan James & Noah Kulwin (9/23/24)Digest
The episode begins with Choco introducing the Blowback boys, Noah and Brennan, and discussing the latest season of their podcast, Blowback, which focuses on the war in Lebanon. Choco then discusses two news pieces that highlight the US's role in the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon, arguing that the US's policy of providing military and diplomatic support to Israel while claiming to seek de-escalation is contradictory and ineffective. The conversation shifts to the Blowback season 5 topic: Cambodia. Choco and the Blowback boys discuss the US's involvement in the Cambodian Civil War, including its support for the Khmer Rouge regime. They highlight the absurdity and tragic consequences of US policy in Cambodia. Choco and the Blowback boys discuss their experiences interviewing Cambodians about the US's role in the Khmer Rouge era. They emphasize the Cambodians' desire for peace and their lack of animosity towards the US, despite the country's history of suffering. The conversation explores the US-China rivalry and its impact on Cambodia and Vietnam. They discuss how both countries are trying to navigate their relationships with both superpowers while seeking economic development and peace. Choco and the Blowback boys discuss Hillary Clinton's comments about the TikTok controversy and the "body snatcher thesis," which suggests that young people are being manipulated by foreign powers through social media. They critique this perspective and argue that it is a way to deflect blame for US policy failures. Choco and the Blowback boys discuss Israel's propaganda efforts and the impact of its actions on public opinion. They argue that the average American is becoming increasingly aware of the repulsiveness of Israel's behavior, which may be contributing to a shift in public sentiment. Choco and the Blowback boys discuss the lasting consequences of US intervention in Vietnam and Cambodia. They highlight the desire for peace and normalization expressed by the people of these countries, despite the suffering they have endured. The episode concludes with a discussion about the concept of civilization and barbarism. Choco and the Blowback boys argue that the US's actions in the Middle East and its support for Israel expose the hypocrisy of its claims to represent civilization.
Outlines
US Intervention and its Unintended Consequences
This episode of Blowback explores the unintended consequences of US intervention in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, focusing on the US's role in the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon, its support for the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, and the impact of the US-China rivalry on Cambodia and Vietnam.
US Policy in the Middle East: Escalation Through De-escalation
Choco discusses two news pieces that highlight the US's role in the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon. He argues that the US's policy of providing military and diplomatic support to Israel while claiming to seek de-escalation is contradictory and ineffective.
The Khmer Rouge and the Legacy of US Intervention in Cambodia
Choco and the Blowback boys discuss the US's involvement in the Cambodian Civil War, including its support for the Khmer Rouge regime. They highlight the absurdity and tragic consequences of US policy in Cambodia.
Cambodian Perspectives on the US Role in the Khmer Rouge Era
Choco and the Blowback boys discuss their experiences interviewing Cambodians about the US's role in the Khmer Rouge era. They emphasize the Cambodians' desire for peace and their lack of animosity towards the US, despite the country's history of suffering.
The US-China Rivalry and its Impact on Cambodia and Vietnam
The conversation explores the US-China rivalry and its impact on Cambodia and Vietnam. They discuss how both countries are trying to navigate their relationships with both superpowers while seeking economic development and peace.
The TikTok Controversy and the "Body Snatcher Thesis"
Choco and the Blowback boys discuss Hillary Clinton's comments about the TikTok controversy and the "body snatcher thesis," which suggests that young people are being manipulated by foreign powers through social media. They critique this perspective and argue that it is a way to deflect blame for US policy failures.
Israel's Propaganda and the Repulsiveness of its Actions
Choco and the Blowback boys discuss Israel's propaganda efforts and the impact of its actions on public opinion. They argue that the average American is becoming increasingly aware of the repulsiveness of Israel's behavior, which may be contributing to a shift in public sentiment.
The Legacy of US Intervention and the Desire for Peace
Choco and the Blowback boys discuss the lasting consequences of US intervention in Vietnam and Cambodia. They highlight the desire for peace and normalization expressed by the people of these countries, despite the suffering they have endured.
Who Represents Civilization?
The episode concludes with a discussion about the concept of civilization and barbarism. Choco and the Blowback boys argue that the US's actions in the Middle East and its support for Israel expose the hypocrisy of its claims to represent civilization.
Keywords
Blowback
A term used to describe the unintended consequences of a particular action, especially in foreign policy. It refers to the negative repercussions that can arise from a country's intervention in another country's affairs.
Khmer Rouge
A communist party that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. They were responsible for the Cambodian genocide, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 2 million people.
US Intervention
The involvement of the United States in the affairs of other countries, often through military force, economic aid, or political pressure.
Cambodia
A country in Southeast Asia that has a long history of conflict and instability, including the Cambodian Civil War and the Khmer Rouge regime.
Israel
A country in the Middle East that has been involved in numerous conflicts with its neighbors, including the Palestinian territories.
Lebanon
A country in the Middle East that has been plagued by civil war and political instability for decades.
US-China Rivalry
The ongoing competition between the United States and China for global power and influence.
TikTok
A social media platform that has become increasingly popular among young people, but has also been the subject of controversy over its potential for foreign influence.
Propaganda
Information that is used to promote a particular political cause or point of view, often in a biased or misleading way.
Q&A
What is the main argument Choco makes about US policy in the Middle East?
Choco argues that the US's policy of providing military and diplomatic support to Israel while claiming to seek de-escalation is contradictory and ineffective. He believes that the US is actually enabling Israel's aggression and contributing to the escalation of conflict in the region.
What is the significance of the Blowback season 5 focus on Cambodia?
The Blowback boys chose Cambodia as the focus of their fifth season because it provides a compelling example of the unintended consequences of US intervention. They argue that the US's support for the Khmer Rouge regime, despite its horrific human rights abuses, is a stark reminder of the dangers of supporting authoritarian regimes in the name of fighting communism.
How do Cambodians view the US's role in the Khmer Rouge era?
The Cambodians interviewed by the Blowback boys expressed a desire for peace and a lack of animosity towards the US, despite the country's history of suffering. They emphasized that they want to move forward and avoid further conflict.
What is the impact of the US-China rivalry on Cambodia and Vietnam?
Both Cambodia and Vietnam are trying to navigate their relationships with both superpowers while seeking economic development and peace. They are caught in the middle of a geopolitical struggle, but they are also seeking to benefit from the economic opportunities that come with globalization.
What is the "body snatcher thesis" and how does it relate to the TikTok controversy?
The "body snatcher thesis" suggests that young people are being manipulated by foreign powers through social media. Hillary Clinton used this thesis to explain the protests against her at Columbia University, suggesting that they were orchestrated by outside forces. Choco and the Blowback boys critique this perspective, arguing that it is a way to deflect blame for US policy failures.
Show Notes
Find all things Blowback at https://blowback.show/
Tickets on sale for our Mon. Nov. 4 show in Los Angeles tomorrow for Patreon subscribers.
Sales for No Pasaran! Matt Christman’s Spanish Civil War start Oct. 1 at chapotraphouse.store.
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