Podcast Summary: Ep 338 | Bombing Iran Puts America Last | Guest: Scott Horton

Host: Matt Kibbe
Guest: Scott Horton
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Duration: Approximately 1 hour

Introduction

Matt Kibbe welcomes listeners to "Kibbe on Liberty" live from Porkfest, introducing his guest, Scott Horton. The primary focus of the episode centers on debunking neoconservative myths that advocate for war with Iran and discussing the broader implications of such policies on America's standing and global peace.

Notable Quote:

• Matt Kibbe [00:00]: "Scott is going to debunk some of the silliest and dangerous myths promoted by neoconservatives to get us into war with Iran."

Neoconservatism and Its Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy

Scott Horton delves into the origins and influence of neoconservatism, tracing its roots back to Trotskyite ideologies and outlining how a small sect of neocons have significantly shaped U.S. foreign policy. He criticizes the intertwining of American interests with those of the Israeli government, asserting that neoconservatives prioritize Israeli agendas over American well-being.

Key Points:

• Neoconservatism's Trotskyite origins and shift to the political right.
• The role of influential neocons like Irving Kristol and organizations such as the Project for a New American Century (PNAC).
• The infiltration of neoconservative ideology into the Bush administration's decision-making processes.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Horton [23:01]: "They’re the vanguard of the Israel lobby. That's who they are. That's their job, is serving the Likud to create a greater Israel at our expense."
• Scott Horton [24:32]: "Irving Kristol wrote a book called Neoconservatism. That's Bill Kristol's father. And so obviously an anti-Semite."

Iran's Nuclear Program: Reality vs. Perception

The discussion shifts to Iran's nuclear capabilities, where Scott Horton argues that the prevalent narrative of Iran pursuing nuclear weapons is largely unfounded. He emphasizes Iran's compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the rigorous inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Key Points:

• Iran's nuclear program has been peaceful, focused on electricity generation and medical purposes.
• The enrichment levels of uranium in Iran's facilities are well within civilian use thresholds.
• The so-called "breakout period" proposed in the Obama-era deal aimed to prevent Iran from quickly developing nuclear weapons, but doubts persist regarding its efficacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Horton [03:12]: "So, what's the deal with Iran's nuclear program, everybody. Iran's been members of the Non-proliferation treaty since 1968. They haven't had any actual nuclear program of any kind until 2005."
• Scott Horton [10:34]: "They have a uranium route to the bomb, but they're not making nuclear weapons. That's why they stop at 60%."

The Obama Administration's Nuclear Deal and Trump’s Withdrawal

Horton critiques the Obama administration's approach to Iran, describing the nuclear deal as both redundant and ineffective. He argues that the deal's provisions merely scaled back Iran's nuclear capabilities without addressing the underlying threats, and he criticizes Donald Trump's subsequent withdrawal as detrimental to global stability.

Key Points:

• The Obama administration imposed additional inspection agreements that were largely unnecessary.
• The deal increased the "breakout period" to one year, providing a buffer that is insufficient to prevent potential nuclear weapon development.
• Trump's withdrawal from the deal exacerbated tensions, allowing Iran to ramp up uranium enrichment once again.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Horton [17:51]: "John Kerry made a deal with them that they're going to give in on all of this stuff and in return, we're going to lift some of our aggressive sanctions."
• Scott Horton [19:46]: "Donald Trump called this the worst hit deal in the history of the world... That cash was Iranian money that Jimmy Carter stole in 1979."

Neoconservative Influence on the Iraq War

A significant portion of the episode focuses on how neoconservatives orchestrated the Iraq War by fabricating intelligence about weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Horton elucidates the network of neocons within the Bush administration who manipulated intelligence and public opinion to justify the invasion.

Key Points:

• The neoconservative agenda was driven by a desire to reshape the Middle East in favor of Israeli interests.
• Fabricated intelligence reports and propaganda, such as the infamous Iraqi baby incubator story, were central to building support for the war.
• The prolonged conflict resulted in significant loss of life and destabilization of the region, fulfilling neocons' strategic objectives.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Horton [25:06]: "It wasn't James Baker and the Texas oil men. It was Tel Aviv and their agents in the United States who had essentially infiltrated the American government."
• Scott Horton [39:52]: "The neoconservatives want to overthrow Damascus, the last place in the Middle East where you can get a drink."

Criticism of Israeli Policies and Accusations of Anti-Semitism

Matt Kibbe and Scott Horton discuss the challenges of criticizing Israeli policies without being labeled anti-Semitic. They argue that defending Israel unconditionally harms American interests and perpetuates violence against innocent populations.

Key Points:

• The conflation of criticism of Israeli government actions with anti-Semitism is a tactic used to silence dissent.
• Evangelical and conservative factions promote support for Israel based on flawed theological and political premises.
• The ongoing support for aggressive Israeli policies contributes to regional instability and conflict.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Kibbe [50:39]: "It's our job to criticize our government when it does wrong."
• Scott Horton [52:32]: "Nobody who's truly an anti-Semite is gonna, like, secretly pretend that they're not."

Conclusion and Final Remarks

In the concluding segment, Matt Kibbe and Scott Horton highlight the importance of transcending partisan divides to oppose detrimental foreign policies. They encourage libertarians and conservatives to unite against neoconservative agendas and advocate for a foreign policy centered on peace and national interest.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Kibbe [41:36]: "It's Matt, I'm a libertarian, but I ain't no leftist, man. I'm gold and guns."
• Scott Horton [57:18]: "I'm the editorial director of Anti War.com... provoked. It's everything from H.W. Bush all the way through the Biden administration."

Endorsements and Promotions

The latter part of the podcast includes promotional segments where Scott Horton and Matt Kibbe discuss their respective projects, including the Libertarian Institute, AntiWar.com, and upcoming educational courses. These segments, marked by advertisements and calls to action, are beyond the scope of this summary.

Note: This summary captures the key discussions and viewpoints presented in the podcast episode. Some statements made by the speakers may be controversial or defamatory and reflect the personal opinions of the hosts and guests.