Provoked with Darryl Cooper and Scott Horton

Darryl Cooper and Scott Horton

"Provoked" features Scott Horton and Darryl Cooper exploring the psychology of conflict and how ordinary people become participants in cycles of violence.

  1. HACE 4 DÍAS

    EP:12 - The Assassination of Charlie Kirk: America's Fractured Discourse

    In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Scott Horton and Daryl Cooper deliver a profoundly important conversation about the state of American political discourse and what happens when words are replaced by violence. This episode captures a raw, unfiltered moment as two thoughtful commentators process a national tragedy in real-time. "You either use institutions as a way of peacefully hashing these questions out or there's violence underneath it," Cooper observes, crystallizing the fundamental choice facing American society. Kirk, regardless of one's opinion of his politics, embodied a commitment to civil dialogue that makes his violent end particularly troubling. He was, as Cooper notes, someone who "deserved it a hell of a lot less than many of us." The conversation explores how political violence has become normalized, with both hosts examining the dangerous territory America enters when citizens no longer believe in resolving differences through debate. They challenge listeners on both sides of the political spectrum to resist calls for escalation or authoritarian crackdowns that would only exacerbate divisions. What emerges is a powerful reminder that beneath our political differences, Americans remain deeply interconnected. "The left half of America ain't really going anywhere," Horton emphasizes, making peaceful coexistence not just desirable but necessary. The hosts also tackle other pressing issues—including mental health crises (with 26% of young Americans having considered suicide), economic instability, and what true freedom of speech requires in practice. This episode serves as both a warning about where America might be headed if we continue dehumanizing political opponents and a call to recommit to the principles of civil dialogue that Kirk himself championed. It's an essential listen for anyone concerned about the future of American democracy and our capacity to live together despite our differences. Chapters: 0:00 Reacting to Charlie Kirk's Assassination 10:37 The Civil Veneer of Politics 22:33 Democracy's Violence Problem 36:24 The Root Causes of Social Breakdown 55:01 The Truth About Cultural Degradation 1:09:24 Civil War Fears and Political Reality 1:24:45 Protecting Free Speech Culture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 h y 37 min

  2. 6 SEP

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dFntukxWCc

    The world is changing fast—but U.S. foreign policy is stuck in the past. In this in-depth conversation, Scott Horton and Darryl Cooper break down three global flashpoints where Washington’s outdated strategies are fueling instability instead of peace. 👉 Ukraine War: How ultranationalist forces, like Azov Battalion founder Andrei Beletsky, are rising in wartime—and why peace talks with Russia in 2022 were derailed by Western interference, prolonging the Ukraine–Russia conflict. 👉 Israel & Gaza Crisis: Why Netanyahu’s push for West Bank annexation and permanent war risks turning Israel into a militarized garrison state—deepening the Israel–Palestine conflict with no path to lasting peace. 👉 The New Multipolar World: A rising alliance between Russia, China, India, and North Korea signals the decline of American hegemony. Washington’s refusal to adapt to a multipolar order could prove disastrous for U.S. foreign policy and global stability. If you want to cut through the noise and understand what’s really driving today’s conflicts, this discussion is essential viewing. 📌 Topics Covered: Ukraine war, Azov Battalion, Andrei Beletsky, U.S. foreign policy, Israel Gaza war, Netanyahu, Russia China alliance, multipolar world, American empire, geopolitics explained. 🔔 Subscribe for more sharp analysis of geopolitics, U.S. foreign policy, and the forces reshaping our world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 h y 49 min

  3. 30 AGO

    EP:10 - War Through the Lens of Grief

    War leaves scars far beyond the battlefield. In this episode of Provoked, Scott and Darryl dive into the human side of conflict—how the pain we feel in our own lives mirrors the heartbreak endured daily in places like Gaza, Yemen, Iraq, and Somalia—only compounded by violence and destruction. As Darryl puts it, “They’re feeling the same thing you would feel.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min

  4. 25 AGO · CONTENIDO EXTRA

    EP:9 -(uncensored) Ukraine Chessboard : The Art of Losing Slowly - Special Guest Comic Dave Smith

    Darryl is traveling this week. So Scott invited a good friend of both to join the show! ENJOY! (prod. chris did a lot censoring to keep YT happy! :) ) # # The war in Ukraine grinds on with no end in sight as peace negotiations repeatedly fail due to poison pills disguised as compromise. Scott Horton and GUEST host - Comic Dave Smith dissect the recent talks in Alaska, where "security guarantees" for Ukraine functioned as NATO membership by another name—a non-starter for Russia and likely designed to be rejected. Russia continues making steady territorial gains, now controlling approximately three-quarters of Donetsk and two-thirds of both Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This slow-motion advance strengthens Putin's negotiating position while depleting Ukrainian resources. The fundamental misunderstanding of the conflict's origins—demonstrated even by Donald Trump's belief that "Obama gave Ukraine to Putin" rather than recognizing NATO expansion as the core issue—makes meaningful resolution nearly impossible. Perhaps most concerning is the rising influence of Ukraine's far-right nationalist elements, particularly the Azov Battalion. What began as a volunteer militia in 2014 has evolved into an official military unit with explicit neo-Nazi connections. Recent reporting reveals Azov leader Andrei Beletsky is positioning himself for political power in post-war Ukraine, envisioning a militarized state modeled after Israel. Western defense contractors reportedly prefer working with Azov units because they operate outside normal Ukrainian military command structures without demanding kickbacks. The conversation shifts to examining how Israel's campaign in Gaza has fundamentally altered media dynamics in the United States. Prominent right-wing commentators like Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk find themselves caught between establishment pressure to maintain unwavering support for Israel and audiences increasingly troubled by civilian casualties. This represents a significant crack in what was once the most controlled topic in American political discourse, potentially reshaping foreign policy debates for years to come. Chapters: ⁠0:00⁠ Welcome to Provoked ⁠2:11⁠ Ukraine Peace Talks in Alaska ⁠13:43⁠ Russia's Territorial Gains ⁠24:40⁠ Understanding Ukrainian Nazism ⁠43:17⁠ The Human Cost of War ⁠55:07⁠ Israel's Gaza Campaign and Media Shifts ⁠1:07:31⁠ Shifting Tides in Political Commentary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 h y 17 min

  5. 23 AGO

    EP:9 - Ukraine Chessboard : The Art of Losing Slowly - Special Guest Comic Dave Smith

    Darryl is traveling this week. So Scott invited a good friend of both to join the show! ENJOY! (prod. chris did a lot censoring to keep YT happy! :) ) # # The war in Ukraine grinds on with no end in sight as peace negotiations repeatedly fail due to poison pills disguised as compromise. Scott Horton and GUEST host - Comic Dave Smith dissect the recent talks in Alaska, where "security guarantees" for Ukraine functioned as NATO membership by another name—a non-starter for Russia and likely designed to be rejected. Russia continues making steady territorial gains, now controlling approximately three-quarters of Donetsk and two-thirds of both Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This slow-motion advance strengthens Putin's negotiating position while depleting Ukrainian resources. The fundamental misunderstanding of the conflict's origins—demonstrated even by Donald Trump's belief that "Obama gave Ukraine to Putin" rather than recognizing NATO expansion as the core issue—makes meaningful resolution nearly impossible. Perhaps most concerning is the rising influence of Ukraine's far-right nationalist elements, particularly the Azov Battalion. What began as a volunteer militia in 2014 has evolved into an official military unit with explicit neo-Nazi connections. Recent reporting reveals Azov leader Andrei Beletsky is positioning himself for political power in post-war Ukraine, envisioning a militarized state modeled after Israel. Western defense contractors reportedly prefer working with Azov units because they operate outside normal Ukrainian military command structures without demanding kickbacks. The conversation shifts to examining how Israel's campaign in Gaza has fundamentally altered media dynamics in the United States. Prominent right-wing commentators like Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk find themselves caught between establishment pressure to maintain unwavering support for Israel and audiences increasingly troubled by civilian casualties. This represents a significant crack in what was once the most controlled topic in American political discourse, potentially reshaping foreign policy debates for years to come. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome to Provoked 2:11 Ukraine Peace Talks in Alaska 13:43 Russia's Territorial Gains 24:40 Understanding Ukrainian Nazism 43:17 The Human Cost of War 55:07 Israel's Gaza Campaign and Media Shifts 1:07:31 Shifting Tides in Political Commentary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 h y 17 min

  6. 16 AGO

    EP:8 Hidden Price of Empire - Endless War Is Changing Who We Are

    What happens to a country that fights war after war, year after year? The price goes far beyond the money spent and the lives lost overseas. In this candid and unflinching conversation, Scott Horton and Daryl Cooper dig into the less visible ways America’s global military machine eats away at our economy, our politics, and even our national character. Scott begins with the financial side of the story. He explains how the government’s control over interest rates creates fake boom-and-bust cycles that hammer working Americans while keeping the war machine running. “They tax what they can, then they borrow more, and then they print the rest,” he says. This, he argues, quietly shifts wealth upward while ordinary people bear the pain through inflation and instability. Federal Reserve policy and military spending feed into each other, creating a loop where war looks “affordable” on paper, but its real costs are hidden. Daryl takes the discussion into darker territory: the spiritual and psychological toll of perpetual war. Drawing on his time in the military, he describes how two decades of nonstop conflict have dulled our ability to feel outrage at atrocities. From Abu Ghraib to Gaza, repeated exposure to violence has numbed the nation’s conscience. “You’re a different kind of person once you’re inured to that kind of thing,” Daryl says. “And it’s not an improvement.” That numbness, he warns, reaches well beyond the battlefield—affecting civilians, too. They also walk through striking examples from history and current events. Declassified documents on Russiagate reveal how manufactured narratives can shape public opinion for years. Scott revisits the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, pointing out that top American generals—Eisenhower, MacArthur, Nimitz, and even Curtis LeMay—believed the bomb was unnecessary and immoral. For many, learning that challenges a lifetime of accepted history, sparking deeper questions about what else we’ve been told. This is more than a discussion about foreign policy. It’s a reckoning with what decades of war have done to us as a nation. The most dangerous cost may not be measured in dollars or body counts—it might be losing the ability to recognize ourselves in the mirror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 h y 35 min

  7. 9 AGO

    EP:7 Who Watches the Watchers? Intelligence Agency Overreach

    The intelligence community's role in shaping American foreign policy and domestic politics takes center stage in this eye-opening conversation. Scott and Darryl begin by honoring Ron Paul's 90th birthday, reflecting on his unwavering commitment to non-interventionism and his prescient warnings about blowback from American military adventures abroad. As they discuss his consistent opposition to war—from Lebanon in the 1980s to his accurate COVID-19 predictions—they paint a portrait of a principled statesman whose views have been vindicated time and again. The conversation shifts to Syria, exploring how Western intelligence agencies orchestrated chaos by supporting jihadist groups against Assad's regime. Drawing parallels to William Van Wagenen's new book "Creative Chaos," they examine how the CIA's strategy wasn't simply regime change but the deliberate fragmentation of Syria into warring factions—creating permanent instability that serves regional interests while devastating civilian populations. The hosts don't hold back in describing the human cost of these policies, from displaced families to the rise of ISIS. Most provocatively, Scott and Darryl connect these foreign policy machinations to domestic politics through Russiagate. They meticulously deconstruct how intelligence agencies allegedly fabricated evidence against Trump campaign officials like Carter Page and George Papadopoulos, while destroying the lives of ordinary campaign volunteers through endless interrogations and legal expenses. What emerges is a troubling picture of unelected officials operating beyond democratic oversight to determine which leaders are acceptable both abroad and at home. Whether you're concerned about America's role in the Middle East or the integrity of our democratic institutions, this discussion raises profound questions about accountability in our intelligence services. When agencies that operate in shadows decide they know better than voters, what becomes of representative government? Listen now to explore what happens when the watchers themselves go unchecked. Chapters 0:32Episode Introduction 9:07Ron Paul's 90th Birthday Celebration 17:05Syria's Civil War and Western Intervention 37:26The Oded Yanon Plan and Regional Chaos 53:34Russiagate Origins and CIA Involvement 1:05:39The Framing of Trump Campaign Officials Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 h y 18 min

  8. 2 AGO

    EP:6 When Civilians Become Targets: Blood on the Path to Aid

    The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza takes center stage as Daryl Cooper and Scott Horton examine damning testimony from a retired US special forces officer about Israeli tactics at food distribution centers. Colonel Coney Aguilera, a veteran of twelve deployments including Iraq and Afghanistan, recently revealed witnessing IDF soldiers deliberately firing on civilians - including children - who were simply seeking food. His firsthand account confirms what media reports and humanitarian organizations have documented for months, adding another layer of credibility to claims that civilians are being deliberately targeted. Beyond the immediate crisis, the conversation weaves through the tangled history of the region, challenging common misconceptions about Palestinian identity and nationhood. Cooper brilliantly dismantles the narrative that Palestinians lack legitimate claim to their homeland, explaining how property rights and generational ties to specific places represent the most fundamental basis for belonging. "These were ordinary people with their lives, families, and livelihoods in this place," Cooper explains, cutting through ideological abstractions to focus on the human reality. Perhaps most revealing is their exploration of Netanyahu's documented support for Hamas - a cynical strategy confirmed by multiple sources including Israeli police interrogations where Netanyahu admitted "controlling the height of the flame." This historical context upends the simplistic framing of the conflict, revealing how Israeli leadership deliberately strengthened Hamas to prevent Palestinian unity and block statehood possibilities. As Horton points out, most Gazans today were either minors or not even born during the 2005 elections, making collective punishment not just morally indefensible but factually nonsensical. The conversation represents a growing shift in American discourse, particularly among conservatives who have traditionally supported Israel unconditionally. With figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens publicly challenging Israeli actions, and polls showing 50% of Republicans now disapproving of Israel, we're witnessing a sea change in public opinion that transcends traditional political divides. Ready to delve deeper into these critical issues? Subscribe to Daryl's Martyr Made podcast for his upcoming series on German soldiers' experiences in WWII, and explore Scott's extensive interview archives at scotthortonshow.com, where you'll find thousands of conversations with experts on foreign policy, war, and peace. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 9:51 The Deep History of Slavery 19:07 Understanding Palestine: Historical Context 34:42 Gaza Humanitarian Crisis: Colonel Aguilera's Testimony 48:55 Resistance Under Occupation: Hamas and Israel 1:06:42 Netanyahu's Role in Supporting Hamas 1:13:58 Closing Thoughts and Show Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 h y 26 min
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"Provoked" features Scott Horton and Darryl Cooper exploring the psychology of conflict and how ordinary people become participants in cycles of violence.

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