Podcast Summary: "Dave DeCamp" on Part Of The Problem

Podcast Information:

• Title: Part Of The Problem
• Host: Dave Smith (GaS Digital Network)
• Guest: Dave DeCamp, News Editor at AntiWar.com and Host of Anti War Radio
• Release Date: May 1, 2025
• Description: Dave Smith delves into current events, government policies, foreign affairs, and Libertarian perspectives. This episode features Dave DeCamp discussing US involvement in Yemen, the dynamics with the Houthis, and the broader implications for US foreign policy.

1. Introduction and Guest Background

[00:06] Dave Smith welcomes Dave DeCamp to the show, highlighting DeCamp's role at AntiWar.com and his consistent coverage of foreign wars.

• Quote:
  Dave Smith: "If you go to antiwar.com as I do every day, Dave is always writing something just about every day it seems multiple things most days to just kind of keep you up to pace with the latest of what's going on in foreign wars."
  [00:26] Dave DeCamp: "Anti War News is the Anti War News."

2. Historical Context of US Involvement in Yemen

Dave DeCamp provides a comprehensive overview of US military actions in Yemen, tracing back to the Bush administration with the first airstrike and escalating under Obama with drone wars targeting Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

• Key Points:
  • US support for Saudi-led coalition starting in 2015 against the Houthis (Ansar Allah).
  • Shift from cooperation with Houthis against Al Qaeda to backing a prolonged bombing campaign.
  • Quote:
    Dave DeCamp: "From 2015 to 2022, the US backed a horrifically brutal war bombing campaign, ground campaign, blockade, on a scale with the barbarity that we've seen in Gaza."

3. Current Bombing Campaign under the Trump Administration

Dave Smith discusses the resurgence of heavy US bombing in Yemen under Trump, surpassing the previous administration's efforts.

• Key Points:
  • Rationale presented as protecting shipping lanes, akin to traditional US Navy roles.
  • Quote:
    Dave DeCamp: "The US has been bombing Yemen heavily for a long time... starting in 2009 with Obama's drone wars."

4. The Houthis: Capabilities and Responses

Dave DeCamp elaborates on the Houthis' resilience and evolving military capabilities, including drone and missile advancements.

• Key Points:
  • Houthis' ability to withstand prolonged bombings and adapt their strategies.
  • Recent successful downing of US MQ-9 Reaper drones and an F-18 incident.
  • Quote:
    Dave DeCamp: "The Houthis are improving their missile and drone programs, making them more formidable against US assets."

5. Critique of US Foreign Policy and War Powers

The discussion critiques the War Powers Act, emphasizing its unintended consequences by granting excessive executive power without sufficient checks.

• Key Points:
  • War Powers Act allows the President to engage in military action for 90 days without congressional approval, leading to unilateral decisions.
  • Quote:
    Dave Smith: "The War Powers Act... gives you the authority to start a war, and like that it was already in the Constitution that you need Congress, so we shouldn't have even added that."

6. Implications for US-Iran Relations and Potential Escalation

Exploration of the tense dynamics between the US, Iran, and Israel, with concerns about impending conflict escalation.

• Key Points:
  • Trump's aggressive stance towards Iran, including threats of bombing nuclear sites.
  • Potential for retaliation from Iran leading to wider conflict.
  • Quote:
    Dave Smith: "It's dangerous times... it seems like Bob is the only one that has any chance of actually preventing a larger war from happening here."

7. The Role of Israel in US Foreign Policy

Analysis of how US support for Israel influences broader Middle Eastern policies and conflicts.

• Key Points:
  • US bombing in Yemen seen as indirect support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
  • Lack of accountability and pressure on Israel to adhere to ceasefire agreements.
  • Quote:
    Dave DeCamp: "This bombing campaign in Yemen is about ensuring Israel can continue to do whatever it wants."

8. Media Coverage and Public Awareness

Critique of media focus and public discourse, highlighting the marginalization of Yemen's plight in favor of other narratives.

• Key Points:
  • Limited mainstream attention to civilian casualties in Yemen compared to other conflicts.
  • Quote:
    Dave DeCamp: "It's a massacre on a huge scale, and barely anyone has noticed in the US at least."

9. Consequences of Military Actions: Insurgent Math

Discussion on the concept of "insurgent math," where increased military aggression leads to greater resistance and insurgency.

• Key Points:
  • Historical examples from Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrating that more bombing fuels insurgency.
  • Quote:
    Dave Smith: "The War Powers act was horrible... if the threat has to be imminent... you don't have the right to just launch military operations."

10. Future Outlook and Potential Scenarios

Dave DeCamp and Dave Smith hypothesize about future developments, including the likelihood of US-Iran conflict and the perpetuation of the Yemen war.

• Key Points:
  • Continued bombing without meaningful diplomatic efforts is likely to escalate conflicts.
  • Potential for miscalculations leading to broader wars involving multiple nations.
  • Quote:
    Dave DeCamp: "There's a real risk of this unless something really changes."

11. Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode concludes with a reinforcement of the need for informed discourse and criticism of ongoing military engagements.

• Key Points:
  • Encouragement to stay informed through resources like AntiWar.com.
  • Quote:
    Dave DeCamp: "It's always better to know the truth than to bury your head in the sand."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dave Smith [00:06]: "If you go to antiwar.com as I do every day, Dave is always writing something just about every day it seems multiple things most days to just kind of keep you up to pace with the latest of what's going on in foreign wars."
• Dave DeCamp [02:33]: "The Houthis are improving their missile and drone programs, making them more formidable against US assets."
• Dave Smith [10:29]: "It's illegal, it's immoral, it's not working, and it's only being done for Israel."
• Dave DeCamp [15:04]: "These are just the way the executive branch operates now."
• Dave Smith [32:57]: "I can't recommend Dave's work highly enough if you do want to stay informed on what's going on."
• Dave DeCamp [50:07]: "Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program. That's what US intelligence has said."

Key Takeaways

• Prolonged US Military Engagements: The US has maintained a continuous bombing campaign in Yemen, historically supported across multiple administrations, with minimal progress towards peace.

• Houthis' Resilience: The Houthis have demonstrated significant resilience and adaptability, making substantial advancements in their military capabilities, which complicates ceasefire efforts.

• Critique of Executive Power in War: The War Powers Act has inadvertently facilitated unilateral military actions by the President, bypassing necessary congressional oversight and leading to potentially illegal engagements.

• Risk of Wider Conflict: Aggressive postures towards Iran and unwavering support for Israel risk escalating into broader regional conflicts, with significant implications for US foreign policy and national security.

• Media and Public Awareness: There's a notable lack of mainstream media attention on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, leading to diminished public pressure to cease US military actions.

• Insurgent Math: Continuous military aggression tends to increase insurgent support and resistance, undermining the effectiveness of bombing campaigns in achieving long-term peace and stability.

Further Resources

• Dave DeCamp's Work:
  • Website: AntiWar.com
  • Show: Anti War Radio
  • Social Media: Follow Dave DeCamp on X (@decamp)

Conclusion

This episode of "Part Of The Problem" provides a critical examination of US foreign policy in Yemen, highlighting the futility of prolonged military engagements and the dangers of escalating conflicts in the Middle East. Through insightful discussion, Dave Smith and Dave DeCamp call for greater accountability, informed public discourse, and a reevaluation of the strategies that have led to ongoing instability and humanitarian crises.