Episode 17: Blood Money and Other Corrupting Forces in the MIC with Ben Freeman

"You start to follow the money, and you don't know where the fuck it's gonna take you." - Lester Freaman from The Wire Jon and Matt were honored to be joined by Dr. Ben Freeman  (no relation to Lester) for a further discussion of the corruption within the military-industrial-congressional complex. Ben is the direc­tor of the For­eign Influ­ence Trans­paren­cy Ini­tia­tive at the Center for International Policy  He is especially adept at exposing the role of private contractor and foreign money in influencing the creation of destructive US foreign policies.  He is the author of The Foreign Policy Auction. Specifically discussed: - Jon's recent article breaking down the waste and opportunity cost of Pentagon spending and the military-industrial- congressional complex  - Ben's background: How did he develop such an interest and talent for tracking the money within the military industrial complex? - The countries that have significant influence on US politics.. hint, it's not Russia! - The influence wielded by he for profit weapons industry and foreign actors through the funding of think tanks - The other nefarious ways through which US foreign policy is influenced by the arms industry and foreign actors - Ben's rejection of Biden's solution to curb foreign influence and a proposal for a better solution - Some concerns regarding the incoming Biden foreign policy team Ben's Work: Please Support Him! Report:  U.S. Government and Defense Contractor Funding of America’s Top 50 Think Tanks  Report : Foreign Funding of Think Tanks in America Report: Japan's Influence in America  Ben's article about nuclear weapons profiteers: Nuclear Weapons Profiteers are Driving the Nukes Debate Ben's book: The Foreign Policy Auction Our Work: Jon's recent article : Tackling the Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex Read our "In the Context of Empire" blog with corresponding and expanded posts to this content! Social Media: Twitter- @Mattylongruns.