With David Satter, Senator Jon Kyl, John Fonte, and Gordon Chang

What will 12 more years of authoritarian Putin rule mean for democracy in Russia and the future of US-Russia relations? Expert on Russia and the Soviet Union and author of the Age of Delirium: The Decline and Fall of the Soviet Union, David Satter relays his views on the recent disclosure by Vladimir Putin that he will switch places with the current President, Dmitry Medvedev. What does this switch mean for the international community and, more importantly, for the national security of the United States? By admitting Putin has more influence in Russia than Medvedev, he is dropping any pretense that there is political competition in Russia. The Russian leadership wanted to be perceived as a democracy, without being one in reality. This sort of leadership is a throwback to the Soviet regime, which attempted to create a substitute for reality based merely on ideology. This habit of fooling and manipulating is deeply rooted in modern Russian culture. If this continues, Western leaders such as Obama will continue to be seduced by the Kremlin-like Russian government.

Next, Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona joins Frank to give his expert opinion on how Putin “ripped the mask off of” the current affairs in Russia. According to Senator Kyl, this is merely a continuation of the Soviet days, where the leadership took any effort to advance Russian interests, while harming those of the United States. The Obama administration is further curbing US interests abroad and exposing our weaknesses by ratifying the New START treaty. While this treaty is the most important treaty passed with the Russians for President Obama, it was an ill-advised method of arms reduction. The only means of reducing the impact that this treaty will have on the United States under the leadership of President Obama, argues Senator Kyl, is instigating a major push back from the Senate. The Senate must make its voice heard in order to stop Obama from reducing our nuclear deterrent plan. Additionally, the United States, by putting defense on the chopping block is “inviting trouble by not being strong.”

John Fonte, of the Hudson Institute discusses his new book, “Sovereignty or Submission: Will Americans Rule Themselves or be Ruled by Others?” Sovereignty can simply be defined as a “self-government political community with nothing ruling above the Constitution.” The globalist movement occurring within the United States is sabotaging the supremacy of the Constitution. In the minds of these globalists, international law should dictate rulings in the American Supreme Court. This “downloading of international law” into the American judiciary system is even threatening to define the US’s role in war. According to Protocol 1 of the Geneva Convention, of which the United States is not a signatory, bombing raids can only be carried out after notifying civilians in the region. This has no place in the constitutional judiciary system, as judges should interpret law and not create it.

Writer at Forbes.com and resident China expert here at Secure Freedom Radio, Gordon Chang concludes today’s show with the Chinese angle on Putin’s decision to swap places with Medvedev. Putin has always had an interesting relationship with China, as he is on the one hand competing with them and on the other hand participating in mischievous deeds with Beijing. However, Russia is facing the continued threat from the Chinese who are crossing the border and settling in far-east Russia. These Chinese are boosting the economy from trading and other industrious activities. This could be seen as an attempt by the Chinese to reclaim the portion of Siberia that they lost during the Qing Dynasty.

With CLARE LOPEZ, MARK KRIKORIAN, TREY KNIGHT & JIM HANSON

As the rebels move closer to overthrowing Qaddafi, it remains to be seen what the Transitional National Council will make of a new Libya.  But what is for certain, says Clare Lopez: “these individuals, first of all, are a motley crew.” What Andy McCarthy calls the “Libya Mujahedeen,” the rebels consist of a strong flicker of Al-qaeda, and after years of authoritarian rule absent the values of pluralism, equality and man-made law, lies only an uphill battle for Democracy.  Lopez, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Security Policy, confirms that Article One of the draft constitution states establishes Islamic law over Libya, with the TNC leading Spokesman a strong advocate of Shariah. Lopez also speaks of Iran’s relationship with Syria and a rivalry with Turkey for the role of regional hegemon.

Next, Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, joins Frank to discuss President Obama’s “administrative amnesty.”  By using Prosecutorial Discretion, a very limited authority necessary for any Executive Branch, the Obama Administration is turning that wiggle room within the law into a matter of policy, contrary to the will of Congress.  The policy orders law enforcement to not arrest illegal immigrants that fall in a broad range of categories, and furthermore, those illegal immigrants “in the pipeline,” as Krikorian calls it, of civil proceedings are being released, unless they are a murderer or rapist.  The Administration has, in fact, taunted the use of Immigration law only for use in these cases, “like going after Al Capone for tax fraud,” he says.  Through “Deferred Action” many are released and able to apply for work permits and Social Security numbers.  This growing act of lawlessness denies illegal immigration as a criminal act, and telegraphs the government’s acceptance of the practice.  So, Krikorian asks, “How can that not lead to more illegal immigration?”

Then, Trey Knight, Vice President of Knights Armament, explains his company’s contribution to the war efforts by manufacturing the M110 Sniper rifle, used readily in Afghanistan and Iraq.  There is “not another tool that we can put on the ground…that can command the field like a sniper,” says Knight, who describes how this essential weapon has evolved throughout the years.  The technological advances of scopes, silencers, lasers and night vision have “taken the gun to a different level,” he says, but ultimately it’s the soldier’s observation, endurance and intelligence that make the gun successful.  Through his company’s innovation, the sniper has been able to be turned  into a dual weapon, and is saving lives, like Sgt. G, seen below.

Finally, Jim Hanson, our weekly “boots on the ground” perspective, wraps the show with his analysis of the developments in Libya:  “We may have just traded one crazy Islamist for a collection of crazy Islamists, and I don’t know if that is a net gain.”  As it is revealed that billions in Qaddafi’s assets will be transferred from the U.S. to the Transitional National Council, Hanson is skeptical that, although the rebels may “get nicer tents” and be “riding around in range rovers,” not much good will be bought for the U.S.  The former Green Beret also comments on the report of the CIA assistance to the NYPD in conducting covert monitoring of Muslim mosques.  Hanson praises the efforts, hopes it can avoid the PC stigma and that it will find public support, adding, “Dearborn, Mich. PD could probably use this help, too.”

From Today’s Show Prep

Knight’s Recognizes ‘SGT G’ of the 82nd Airborne

Below is a short letter we received from one of our Nation’s superb fighting men:

To whom it may concern,
Just wanted to say thank you for building a platform as useable and amazing as the M110. This sniper is forever in your debt. My entire deployment was spent on a sniper team and your SASS was by far the best all around tool we used. I could actually say without the capability you have added to my team this sniper might not be with his family now. Thank you in all you do and for having the initiative to field such a tool. I cannot say thank you enough.  

-SGT G
82nd ABN DIV

U.S. Pledges No Ground Troops in Libya, But…

Through six months of war in the skies over Libya, the Obama administration has had one big, fat red line: it won’t put any troops on the ground. Except that red line turned out to be permeable, as CIA operatives made their way to the shores of Benghazi. And as the fall of Tripoli turns into a battle for the city, NATO isn’t closing the door on sending western peacekeeping forces to Libyan soil.

On today’s edition of Secure Freedom Radio, Peter Berkowitz, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins Frank to discuss the latest “Progressive bents,” from contempt for the recent debt deal to efforts that will erode our national sovereignty.  Berkowitz reminds us of the 2010 elections in which the will of the people rejected further spending and growth of the nation’s debt, and how Progressives are up in arms as Congress moves ever so slightly in that direction.  The chair of the Hoover Task Force on National Security and Law also explains how the Left is seeking to submit U.S. sovereignty to International law via the Law of the Sea Treaty.  Berkowitz wonders whether the political class will recognize that America is the main guarantor of International order, and not International bureaucrats or trans-nationalists.

Roger Noriega, of the American Enterprise Institute, offers insights into the situation in Mexico, where the New York Times reported the implementation of CIA and retired law enforcement officials on the ground.  Noriega asserts some positive results have been reached while working with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.  However, as Calderon nears the end of his term, Noriega warns the upcoming elections could leave the government in the hands of the radical Leftist Andrés Manuel López Obrador.  The Former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs also explains Hugo Chavez’s reluctance to leave Venezuela for chemotherapy treatments in Cuba because of the infighting in his regime.  The dangerous situation amongst Chavez’s crooks and cronies makes Noriega weary given the instincts of the Obama Administration’s foreign policy team, which “are usually wrong when it comes to a choice between democracy and a soft landing for our enemies.”

Next, Erick Stakelbeck, of CBN News, illuminates the shocking lawsuit that reveals Iran’s connection to the 9/11 attacks.  Although most Americans believe without hesitation Al-Qaeda was the sole perpetrator, it is becoming more apparent that this is not the case.  According to three Iranian defectors from within the Islamist regime, the 9/11 hijackers travel to Afghanistan was facilitated by Imad Mugniyeh, a Hezbollah operative who worked with Iran.  Now the families of the 9/11 victims have filed suit in light of what Stakelbeck calls “rock solid” evidence, dating back seven years to the 9/11 report.  The “Stakelbeck on Terror” host explains the government’s refusal to investigate since the facts would demand action against Iran.

Finally, Congressman Duncan Hunter, of California, shares his regrets over the tragic helicopter crash in Afghanistan.  A former combat veteran himself, Rep. Hunter explains why we shouldn’t Monday morning quarterback the event and dishonor the lost.  A member of the House Armed Services Committee, Hunter also predicts imminent massive defense cuts as both Republicans and Democrats usually “take the path of least resistance” when faced with hard choices in Washington.  Hunter finally explains the naivety of those who hold a “Small Wars” philosophy dismissing the notion of a World War in the future, given the many threats we face.

From Today’s Show Prep

Federal Lawsuit Links Iran to 9/11 Attacks

In just a month, America will observe the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Over the past decade, the U.S. government has relentlessly pursued the al Qaeda masterminds behind that day’s catastrophic events: Osama bin Laden has been killed, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has been captured and Ayman al Zawahiri remains on the run.    

The Debt Deal and the Progressive Crack-Up

The debt-limit crisis of 2011 brought the federal government harrowingly close to defaulting on its financial obligations. As the dust settles, it is more harrowing still to contemplate the implications of what the democratically negotiated settlement revealed about the panic of the progressive mind.

The Dangers of Further Defense Cuts

In a classic case of closing the barn door after the horses have bolted, newly appointed Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and retiring Joint Chiefs chairman Adm. Mike Mullen held a joint news conference Thursday in which they decried the impending cuts to the defense budget made likely by the debt ceiling deal.

James Carroll, Photo Editor at American Legion Magazine, tells the amazing story of Marine Sgt. Jonathon Blank, who last year volunteered to extend his tour in Afghanistan.  Just months before he would return home, Blank stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), resulting in the loss of his legs.  Since, the American Legion Riders, motorcyclists’ part of the American Legion family, have raised over $125,000 to pay for Blank’s medical expenses.  Carroll, an Air Force Veteran, documented Sgt. Blank’s story, and explains how the patriotic organization has been helping Veterans like Sgt. Blank across the country, since 1919.

Next, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, of the 6th district Virginia, joins Frank to discuss the “Diversity Visa Lottery,” and what he’s doing to eliminate it.  Goodlatte calls the program unfair and unnecessary, as 10 to 15 million people around the world apply for visas and 50,000 winners are drawn out of a computer, based solely on luck rather than U.S. policy interests.  Rep. Goodlatte speaks on the dangers from the program as well-organized terrorist groups can enter hundreds of applications, and if drawn “not only do they get a visa to come to the United States like the 9/11 hijackers did, they get a green card, a permanent resident status in the United States,” he says.  This is why the Congressman has introduced the Security and Fairness Enhancement for America act (SAFE), which recently passed out of the House Judiciary Committee, to put an end to a system that randomly picks immigrants potentially from State Sponsors of Terrorism, all in the name of “diversity.”

Then, Georgian Ambassador Temuri Yakobashvili describes how Russia is trying to undermine his nation’s statehood.  “We chose to be free, we chose to be democratic, and we chose to be part of the West,” he says, and as a result Russia continues to punish Georgia, from the invasion in 2008 to the bombings last year.  The Ambassador gives his take on the latest developments that a Russian GRU military intelligence officer was behind those bombings, including the one on the U.S. Embassy right as the U.S. began voting to ratify the START Treaty.

Finally, Steven Groves, of the Heritage Foundation, updates us on the Law of the Sea Treaty, appropriately named LOST, that may be voted on in Congress this fall.  The treaty, long championed by Sen. John Kerry, would force the U.S. to pay royalties to the International Seabed Authority on resources obtained in the extended continental shelf.  Groves explains why the treaty is “World Socialism on a global scale,” as wealth that could total in the hundreds of billions would be redistributed from the United States to land-locked nations.

From Today’s Show Prep

Russian agent linked to U.S. Embassy blast Allegations could disable ‘reset’ button with Moscow

A bomb blast near the U.S. Embassy in Tblisi, Georgia, in September was traced to a plot run by a Russian military intelligence officer, according to an investigation by the Georgian Interior Ministry.

Shota Utiashvili, the most senior official in charge of intelligence analysis for the ministry, said in an interview with The Washington Times that the recent spate of bombings and attempted bombings – including what he said was a blast targeting the U.S. Embassy – was the work of Russian GRU officer Maj. Yevgeny Borisov.

Law of Sea Treaty Could Cost U.S. Trillions

It’s the year before a presidential election, so it must be time to debate the Law of the Sea Treaty (“LOST”) again. As recently as last Thursday the Chief of Naval Operations pleaded for the U.S. to join the treaty. The Obama Administration has supported Senate action on LOST since at least May 2009 when it released its Treaty Priority List.

The last time LOST came up was in 2007 when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, then chaired by Sen. Joe Biden, held hearings. But the treaty was never brought to the floor for a vote. 2011 is beginning to feel a lot like 2007.

Douglas Murray, Director of the Centre for Social Cohesion, joins Frank to discuss the massacre in Norway and warns against those who may use the tragedy for political motivations.  Murray cites the division between the urging to not jump to conclusions when an attacker cries “Allahu Akbar,” versus immediately asking “Why did Sarah Palin do it?” when Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot.   Murray sees parallels to the shooting in Tucson, Arizona, as he understands Anders Behring Breivik to be a lone wolf with an “entirely insane view,” and fears the attack in Olso will bring more calls for censorship in Europe, much like Tucson brought cries for “civility,” in America.

Next, Cynthia Ayers, Vice President of EMPact America, discusses how our electric grid is vulnerable to an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) event, either naturally from a geo-magnetic storm or by an attack from our adversaries.  Ayers’ warns that a high altitude blast could devastate the electric grid, knocking the U.S. back to the technology of the 1800s, leading to massive casualties.  With the recent news of China’s development of an EMP weapon, as well as being overdue for a geo-magnetic storm, Ayers encourages the passing of the SHIELD act in congress to protect the grid.

Jeremy Rabkin, Professor of Law at George Mason University, then joins Frank for a special sovereignty watch.  The author of Law without Nations?: Why Constitutional Government Requires Sovereign States, expresses his concerns for the Administration’s acts of lawlessness from potentially invoking the 14th amendment as a means to raise the debt ceiling, to abandoning the enforcement of the Defense of Marriage Act.  He also talks about the situation in Libya, where there is no precedent for a four-month long military action without congressional approval.  Rabkin asserts the rationale for the unilateral action:  “It doesn’t matter if this is not consistent with our Constitution; it’s consistent with somebody’s.”

Finally, Gordon Chang, our resident China expert, sheds light on what Asians generally believe about the debt ceiling debate and whether or not the U.S. will default.  Chang, of Forbes.com, also explains how North Korea wants to restore the six-party talks, and why the U.S. would be foolish to do so.

From Today’s Show Prep

Report: China building electromagnetic pulse weapons for use against U.S. carriers

China’s military is developing electromagnetic pulse weapons that Beijing plans to use against U.S. aircraft carriers in any future conflict over Taiwan, according to an intelligence report made public on Thursday.

Portions of a National Ground Intelligence Centerstudy on the lethal effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and high-powered microwave (HPM) weapons revealed that the arms are part of China’s so-called “assassin’s mace” arsenal – weapons that allow a technologically inferior China to defeat U.S. military forces.

Islamophobia and Mass Murder

If a blonde blue-eyed Aryan Scandinavian kills dozens of other blonde blue-eyed Aryan Scandinavians, that’s now an “Islamophobic” mass murder? As far as we know, not a single Muslim was among the victims. Islamophobia seems an eccentric perspective to apply to this atrocity, and comes close to making the actual dead mere bit players in their own murder. Yet the Associated Press is on board.

How close is America to Greece’s economic abyss? Trader and Market wizard Victor Sperandeo talks with Frank about the fiscal crises in Greece and how we can avoid one here. Next, Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan, of Military Officers Association of America, discusses the need to modernize the military but also to keep our soldiers refreshed, as a toll is taken from many multiple deployments. Ryan also introduces the Voices for America’s troops program that allows civilians to “stand up and speak in unison with others in support of the military, their families, and a strong national defense.” Then, Douglas Feith, former undersecretary of Defense and author of War and Decision: Inside the Pentagon at the Dawn of the War on Terrorism, dissects the Obama Doctrine, one which seeks to correct the errors of America’s ways and lead to the restraining of U.S. power. This ideology currently contrasts with Obama’s aim for reelection, making Feith assert as to why we should fear a second term with a foreign policy absent of political restraints. Finally, Jim Hanson, of Blackfive.net, discusses Lieutenant General John Allen’s admission that President Obama’s troop withdrawal plan was not among the options advanced by his military officers, and how cries for cuts in the budget are always aimed at defense first, and not entitlements, where Hanson says the real problem lies.

From Today’s Show Prep

The Obama Doctrine Defined

The words “vacillating” and “aimless” are commonly used by both left and right to describe President Barack Obama’s approach to the Libya war. His political friends and foes alike lament that he has no clear goal in Libya—and that, by failing to articulate one, he is revealing his unease at having been dragged into the fight to oust the regime of Muammar Qaddafi. Democratic Senator James Webb of Virginia issued a press release on March 21, 2011, noting that the U.S. mission in Libya “lacks clarity.” Former Republican Senator Slade Gorton wrote in the Washington Post: “We should never enter a war halfway and with an indecisive goal. Regrettably, that is where we stand today.” The criticism has some validity, but it misses an important point: the administration’s approach has logic and coherence in the service of strategic considerations that extend far beyond Libya.

GOP Compromise on Debt

“To get anything through the House, you’re going to need some Democratic votes. This isn’t a one-way street here,” said a senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door sessions. “It’s clear that any package is going to have to have significant spending reductions, including in Pentagon spending.” The official said the package must also “have some of these tax deductions closed,” referring to perks in the tax code that benefit the oil and gas industry, hedge fund managers and jet-setting corporate executives. But if Republicans agree to significant Pentagon cuts, the White House may find it easier to accept a deal that includes less in new revenue, people familiar with the talks said.