Blowback (podcast)

File:Blowback Season 2.png

The first season of the show was a ten part series dedicated to the Iraq War (codenamed "Operation Iraqi Freedom").{{Cite web|last=Day|first=Meagan|date=May 26, 2020|title=Have We All Forgotten About the Iraq War?|url=https://jacobinmag.com/2020/05/iraq-war-blowback-podcast-review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306082801/https://jacobinmag.com/2020/05/iraq-war-blowback-podcast-review|archive-date=March 6, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021|website=Jacobin|language=en-US}} Throughout the show audio clips from MSNBC and CNN and readings of news reports are provided as well as satirical skits performed by H. Jon Benjamin.{{Cite web|last=Youhana|first=Michael|date=July 13, 2020|title=The Iraq War Is the Skeleton Key|url=https://jacobinmag.com/2020/07/iraq-war-blowback-podcast-bush-rumsfeld-bremer|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723163222/https://jacobinmag.com/2020/07/iraq-war-blowback-podcast-bush-rumsfeld-bremer|archive-date=July 23, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021|website=Jacobin|language=en-US}} The second season of the show focuses on U.S. intervention before and after the Cuban revolution, such as Operation Mongoose, and includes more interviews with those who experienced the events discussed first hand.{{Cite magazine|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=April 19, 2021|title='Blowback' Podcast Tackles America's Meddling in the Cuban Revolution|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/blowback-podcast-cuban-revolution-interview-1156205/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423182013/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/blowback-podcast-cuban-revolution-interview-1156205/|archive-date=April 23, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|language=en-US}} The third season of the show released in July 2022 and covers the events surrounding the Korean War.{{cite web |title=Apple Podcasts Preview - Coming Soon: Blowback Season Three |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-soon-blowback-season-three/id1502178774?i=1000557384849 |website=Apple Podcasts |access-date=16 June 2022}} The fourth season of the show began its release in August 2023, discussing the American involvement in Afghanistan, touching on subjects which mainly focus on Operation Cyclone and its consequences. Season five released in September 2024 and covers the United States bombing campaign in Cambodia known as Operation Menu, the subsequent rise of the Khmer Rouge and the establishment of Democratic Kampuchea.{{cite tweet |last=James |first=Brendan |user=deep_beige |number= 1808923229727170764 |title= Season 5 of @blowbackpod, on Cambodia, Kissinger, and the Khmer Rouge, comes out SEPTEMBER 20 Subscribe at blowback.show}}

While focused on the Iraq War, season 1 begins by examining the early relationship between the United States and Iraq. This includes the United States support for Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War and the Gulf War. In an interview with Gizmodo, when asked about the reasons for the United States invasion of Iraq, James responded, "to what extent the war was to profit off of a newly acquired Iraqi oil industry is a more of an interesting question. It certainly was the main reason why we targeted Iraq – not even just with the Iraq War in 2003, but in 1991. The reason that Iraq could even be in the position to piss America off was because we had made friends with it due to its status as a strong oil producer and its strategic position against Iran, another very strong oil producer"."{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com.au/2020/08/what-the-iraq-war-can-teach-the-climate-movement/ |title=What the Iraq War Can Teach the Climate Movement|last= |first= |date=August 15, 2020 |website=Gizmodo Australia |publisher= |access-date= October 6, 2024 |quote=}}

{{Episode table |background=EE7715 |total_width= |overall=5 |title=20 |aux1=8 |aux1T=Running
time |airdate=16 |episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 0

| Title = Iraqnophobia

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|3|16}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=37|s=19}}

| ShortSummary = An introduction to the podcast and a look at the George W. Bush administration and family of Saddam Hussein. Featuring guests H. Jon Benjamin & James Adomian

| LineColor = EE7715

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| Title = Rosebud

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|6|15}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=59|s=39}}

| ShortSummary = Taking a look at the origins of the United States' relationship with Iraq before and during the Cold War, the Iran-Iraq War, and Saddam Hussein's consolidation of power.

| LineColor = EE7715

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| Title = American Psycho

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|6|22}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=62|s=42}}

| ShortSummary = Focuses on the presidential administrations of George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton as well as the Gulf War.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title = Curveball

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|6|29}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=62|s=42}}

| ShortSummary = This episode discusses the transition from Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan to Iraq and weapons of mass destruction, as well as examining the September 11 Attacks as justification for war in Iraq.

| LineColor = EE7715

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title = Mars Attacks

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|6}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=31|s=38}}

| ShortSummary = Secretary of State Colin Powell visits the United Nations to accuse Iraq and Saddam Hussein to have weapons of mass destruction

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| Title = Dead Links

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|13}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=61|s=49}}

| ShortSummary = Breaking down the media's coverage of the Iraq war. Featuring guest Will Menaker

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| Title = Year Zero

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=63|s=56}}

| ShortSummary = The fall of Saddam Hussein and the beginnings of the United States' occupation of Iraq.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| Title = #Resistance

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|27}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=60|s=36}}

| ShortSummary = This episode covers anti-American resistance by both Sunni and Shi'a militants in response to operations in Fallujah and Sadr City as well as war crimes committed by the American occupation, with a focus on Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse.

| LineColor = EE7715

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| Title = Electioneering

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|3}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=59|s=9}}

| ShortSummary = The episode discusses the second presidential election of George W. Bush and an election in Iraq.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| Title = How Do You Fuck That Up?

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|10}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=62|s=25}}

| ShortSummary =As Iraq breaks out into civil war, the United States begins a new offensive known as The Surge.

| LineColor = EE7715

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| Title = The Iraq War Did Not Take Place

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|17}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=65|s=26}}

| ShortSummary = Examining the end of the George W. Bush administration, the continuation and end of the Iraq war under Barack Obama, the rise of ISIL, and the presidency of Donald Trump.

Note: This episode's title was inspired by Jean Baudrillard's The Gulf War Did Not Take Place.

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}}

{{Episode table |background=EE7715 |total_width= |overall=5 |title=20 |aux1=8 |aux1T=Running
time |airdate=16 |episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Our Man In Baghdad

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|19}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=56|s=56}}

| ShortSummary = Featuring guest Dahr Jamail

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Game Over

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=43|s=51}}

| ShortSummary = Featuring guest Felix Biederman

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Iraqi Horror Picture Show

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|21}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=60|s=56}}

| ShortSummary = Featuring guest Matt Christman

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = The Anti-War Equation

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|22}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=43|s=31}}

| ShortSummary = Featuring guest Kathy Kelly

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Shock Corridor

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|23}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=40|s=9}}

| ShortSummary = Featuring guest Naomi Klein

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

}}

{{Episode table |background = EE7715|total_width= |overall=5 |title=20 |aux1=8 |aux1T=Running
time |airdate=16 |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| Title =The Jupiter Menace

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|4|18}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=80|s=27}}

| ShortSummary = Introducing the historical players of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the United States' fascination with Cuba.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| Title = Lo Hicimos

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|4|18}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=80|s=26}}

| ShortSummary = A brief history of Cuba–United States relations ending with the success of the Cuban Revolution and the fall of Fulgencio Batista.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title = New Normal

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|4|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=76|s=33}}

| ShortSummary = As the new Cuban government takes power, the United States backs Cuban exiles like those in Brigade 2506.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title = Secret Honor

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|5|2}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=75|s=38}}

| ShortSummary = As John F. Kennedy defeats Richard Nixon for the presidency, the CIA begins preparing for the Bay of Pigs Invasion

| LineColor = EE7715

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| Title = Fish Is Red

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|5|9}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=59|s=30}}

| ShortSummary = The CIA executes the Bay of Pigs Invasion, which ends in failure.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| Title = Nothing To Lose

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|8}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=62|s=42}}

| ShortSummary = After recovering from the failure of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the CIA begins Operation Mongoose, a terror and assassination campaign waged in Cuba.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| Title = Anadyr

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|15}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=72|s=38}}

| ShortSummary = In anticipation for another American invasion, the Cuban and Soviet relations strengthen.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| Title = We'll All Meet In Hell

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|22}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=65|s=49}}

| ShortSummary = The United States makes it public knowledge about the existence of Nuclear weapons in Cuba, beginning the Cuban Missile Crisis. John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev begin negotiations.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| Title = Cuba Libre

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|29}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=82|s=42}}

| ShortSummary = The Cuban Missile Crisis is resolved to the dismay of the CIA and Cuban exiles.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber =10

| Title = Infinite Crisis

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|5}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=77|s=27}}

| ShortSummary =Examining Cuban-American relations after the Assassination of John F. Kennedy.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

}}

{{Episode table |background=EE7715 |total_width= |overall=5 |title=20 |aux1=8 |aux1T=Running
time |airdate=16 |episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Lo Distinto Se Parece

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|7|4}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=49|s=9}}

| ShortSummary = Interviews with history professor Michelle Chase and Cuban scholar Marta Nuñez Sarmiento

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Watch Out For That Boy

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|7|11}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=32|s=7}}

| ShortSummary =Discussion with experts about black radicalism and race in relation to Cuba and the revolution

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = CIAin't Kiddin'

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|7|18}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=39|s=10}}

| ShortSummary = Interview with Luna Olavarrio Gallegos about a failed US government attempt to infiltrate and co-opt the Cuban hip-hop scene

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Massive Retaliation

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|7|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=30|s=13}}

| ShortSummary = Overview of the history of American nuclear weapons strategy at the time of the Cuban missile crisis

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Sweet Dirt Tony's Badasssss Song

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|8}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=87|s=41}}

| ShortSummary = Discussion with Bill Corbett about bad depictions of Cuba in film.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Neverland

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|1}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=38|s=13}}

| ShortSummary = Interview with professor Nelson Valdes about Operation Peter Pan

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = The Capital Of Terrorism

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|15}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=68|s=15}}

| ShortSummary = Interview with immigration attorney José Pertierra about his experiences with Cubans in the Miami judicial system

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = The Most Beautiful Cause

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|22}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=36|s=47}}

| ShortSummary = Overview of Cuba's involvement in Africa with Cuban diplomat Oscar Oramas-Oliva

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Havana (Derangement) Syndrome

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|29}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=44|s=37}}

| ShortSummary = Discussion with guests Helen Yaffe, José Pertierra, and Marta Nuñez Sarmiento about the 2021 Cuban protests

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Red-Handed Sleight of Hand

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|13}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=41|s=56}}

| ShortSummary = Overview of the successful CIA orchestrated 1954 Guatemalan coup d'état

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Blowback

| extra_column =

| total_length =

| all_writing =

| all_lyrics =

| all_music = Brendan James as The Great Vorelli

| title1 = Jupiter Missiles

| length1 = 3:39

| title2 = Best & Brightest, Pt. I

| length2 = 2:01

| title3 = Bury the Body and Tell No One

| length3 = 3:28

| title4 = The Fireworks

| length4 = 2:45

| title5 = B.O.P

| length5 = 2:07

| title6 = Anadyr (feat. Robin Hatch)

| length6 = 3:46

| title7 = Love Theme

| length7 = 4:58

| title8 = Best & Brightest, Pt. II

| length8 = 5:06

| title9 = Lo Hicimos

| length9 = 3:36

}}

{{Episode table |background=EE7715 |total_width= |overall=5 |title=20 |aux1=8 |aux1T=Running
time |airdate=16 |episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| Title =Stop Me Before I Kill Again

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=41|s=20}}

| ShortSummary = An introduction to the figures during the Korean War

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| Title =The Uninvited

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|1}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=71|s=17}}

| ShortSummary = A brief history of the Korean peninsula and its relationship with the United States and the Empire of Japan.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title =The Blue House

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|10}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=66|s=52}}

| ShortSummary = A look at the brief moment post World War II that could have led to a unified Korea, but led to the establishment of North Korea and South Korea

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title =Red Island

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|17}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=57|s=42}}

| ShortSummary = Tensions break out on Jeju Island in South Korea, leading to the Jeju uprising.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| Title =Train To Busan

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=79|s=06}}

| ShortSummary = The prelude to the Korean war begins with clashes between North and South Korean forces along the 38th parallel.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| Title =National Smile Week

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|31}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=64|s=13}}

| ShortSummary = American General Douglas MacArthur begins a counter offensive.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| Title =Mao's Poem

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|7}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=64|s=37}}

| ShortSummary = As the Korean War rages on, China enters the battlefield.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| Title =American Caesar

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|14}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=82|s=18}}

| ShortSummary = President Harry S. Truman clashes with General Douglas MacArthur over use of nuclear weapons along the border between China and North Korea.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| Title =No More Targets

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|21}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=74|s=13}}

| ShortSummary = The Korean War reaches a stalemate.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| Title =The Host

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|28}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=96|s=32}}

| ShortSummary = A temporary ceasefire becomes essentially permanent. No peace treaty between North and South Korea is signed, and the Korean War becomes a dormant war.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

}}

{{Episode table |background=EE7715 |total_width= |overall=5 |title=20 |aux1=8 |aux1T=Running
time |airdate=16 |episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =On Cinema With Kim Jong-Il

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=49|s=33}}

| ShortSummary = Discussion with Anna Broinowski about her trip to North Korea, the cinema of the DPRK, and her film "Aim High in Creation"

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Another Country Pt. I

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=29|s=38}}

| ShortSummary = Historian of the Korean War Bruce Cumings on the years of Japanese colonialism and the origins of the Korean War

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =The Northmen

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=55|s=42}}

| ShortSummary = Scholar Suzy Kim, on the nature of the DPRK's revolution, the differences between North and South, and women's role in the revolution

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Another Country Pt. II

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=36|s=24}}

| ShortSummary = Discussion with Bruce Cummings on the breakout of the war, Taiwan, and the destruction visited on the North by America

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Might And Right

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=57|s=24}}

| ShortSummary = Michael Brenes tracks the development of the Cold War economy, and how the Korean War helped solidify America's national security state

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Germinal Pt. I

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=97|s=34}}

| ShortSummary = Thomas Powell, writer and son of journalist John W. Powell, talks about the allegations of US germ warfare and his family's trials during the Korean War

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Living Memory

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=61|s=29}}

| ShortSummary = Journalist Tim Shorrock on the long history of struggle in South Korea, against dictators, military juntas, and the United States

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Prisoners In Paradise

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=44|s=21}}

| ShortSummary = Scholar Monica Kim talks about the key archetype that came out of the Korean War: the American POW

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Germinal Pt. II

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=110|s=45}}

| ShortSummary = Psychologist and writer Jeff Kaye explains the history of Japan's Unit 731 and allegations of US germ warfare in Korea

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =DMZ meets TMZ

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|7|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=52|s=24}}

| ShortSummary = Peace activists and writers Christine Ahn and Elizabeth Beavers talk about more recent US-Korea relations, from the Obama-era to Trump

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Blue House

| extra_column =

| total_length =

| all_writing =

| all_lyrics =

| all_music = Brendan James as The Great Vorelli

| title1 = The Blue House

| length1 = 5:21

| title2 = American Caesar

| length2 = 4:29

| title3 = Mao's Poem

| length3 = 2:37

| title4 = Creep State

| length4 = 2:28

| title5 = Teeth Feel Cold

| length5 = 2:22

| title6 = Beautiful and Tasty

| length6 = 3:24

| title7 = Weird Statistics

| length7 = 3:51

| title8 = Seize the Steel

| length8 = 3:20

| title9 = War Trash

| length9 = 3:12

| title10 = The Uninvited

| length10 = 5:39

| title11 = No More Targets

| length11 = 2:17

}}

James announced a fourth season on his Twitter account in December 2022, to be released in Summer 2023. Season four covers Operation Cyclone and its consequences, including the creation of al-Qaeda and the September 11, 2001 attacks.{{Cite tweet |author=Brendan James |user=deep_beige |number=1604280308555300866 |title=Pleased to announce @blowbackpod SEASON 4, coming summer 2023 from me and @nkulw Teaser }}

{{Episode table |background = EE7715|total_width= |overall=5 |title=20 |aux1=8 |aux1T=Running
time |airdate=16 |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| Title =Snake Eater

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=43|s=34}}

| ShortSummary = An introduction to the Soviet–Afghan War and the United States backing of the Afghan mujahideen

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| Title =Bleeders and Dealers

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|11|15}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=70|s=41}}

| ShortSummary = The beginnings of the Soviet-Afghan War.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title =The Trap

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|11|22}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=60|s=45}}

| ShortSummary = After the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, the Safari Club (a CIA backed intelligence group) begins coordinating with the Afghan mujahideen.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title =They're Yours Now

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|11|29}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=70|s=08}}

| ShortSummary = Operation Cyclone and its consequences terrorize Afghanistan, and the Soviet-Afghan war ends.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| Title =We Can Live With That

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|12|6}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=64|s=12}}

| ShortSummary = The rise of the Taliban and their consolidation of power.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| Title =Ground Zeroes

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|12|13}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=64|s=23}}

| ShortSummary = Terrorists sponsored by the Taliban being spreading their operations across the world

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| Title =Guns of the Patriots

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|12|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=65|s=06}}

| ShortSummary = In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the United States begins the War in Afghanistan.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| Title =Sons of Liberty

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|12|27}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=70|s=20}}

| ShortSummary = A deep dive into the use of contractors during the War in Afghanistan and their consequences.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| Title =Peace Walker

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|1|3}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=70|s=29}}

| ShortSummary = President Barack Obama intensifies the use of drone warfare as his administration continues the War in Afghanistan. Despite Obama's promises to wind down the fighting, American bombing — including the Kunduz hospital airstrike — persists.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| Title =The Phantom Pain

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|1|10}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=59|s=24}}

| ShortSummary = President Donald Trump begins negotiations with the Taliban and United States armed forces begin their withdrawal. The Taliban return to power after the Fall of Kabul (2021).

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}}

}}

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| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Ahmed Rashid Part I

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=32|s=05}}

| ShortSummary =First part of an interview with Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Malalai Joya

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=48|s=44}}

| ShortSummary =Interview with Afghan Feminist activist and politician Malalai Joya

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Red Dawn, Red Scorpion

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=146|s=52}}

| ShortSummary =A discussion of the films Red Dawn and Red Scorpion

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Ahmed Rashid Part II

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=23|s=57}}

| ShortSummary =Second part of an interview with Ahmed Rashid

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Fitzgerald and Gould Part I

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=39|s=02}}

| ShortSummary =Interview with journalists Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould

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}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Seymour Hersh

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=37|s=07}}

| ShortSummary =Interview with journalist Seymour Hersh

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Fitzgerald and Gould Part II

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=27|s=29}}

| ShortSummary =Second part of an interview with Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould

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}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Kill ‘Em All, Let God Sort ‘Em Out

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=16|s=36}}

| ShortSummary =Discussion of the magazine Soldier of Fortune

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}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Anatol Lieven

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=45|s=44}}

| ShortSummary =Interview with scholar Anatol Lieven

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}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title =Hassan Abbas

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=50|s=46}}

| ShortSummary =Interview with scholar Hassan Abbas

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}}

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Ravager

| extra_column =

| total_length =

| all_writing =

| all_lyrics =

| all_music = Brendan James as The Great Vorelli

| title1 = Overworld

| length1 = 3:25

| title2 = Ravager

| length2 = 3:17

| title3 = Box Cutters

| length3 = 2:05

| title4 = The Move

| length4 = 3:25

| title5 = Innerworld

| length5 = 1:06

| title6 = Ouroboros

| length6 = 3:08

| title7 = Safari Club

| length7 = 3:07

| title8 = Bank of Commerce and Credit

| length8 = 2:10

| title9 = Palace Cat

| length9 = 4:30

| title10 = Underworld

| length10 = 1:55

| title11 = The Trap

| length11 = 4:23

}}

{{Episode table |background=EE7715 |total_width= |overall=5 |title=20 |aux1=8 |aux1T=Running
time |airdate=16 |episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| Title = The Wolves Are Closing In

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=44|s=42}}

| ShortSummary = A primer on the United States involvement in Cambodia during the Cold War.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| Title = The French Connection

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|12|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=0|s=56}}

| ShortSummary = As World War II comes to a close, French Indochina begins rebelling which contributed to the end of the French colonial empire.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title = Listen to the Thunder

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|12|27}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=11|s=05}}

| ShortSummary = Then Prince Norodom Sihanouk works on keeping Cambodia out of the Vietnam War.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title = Mad Men

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|3}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=12|s=16}}

| ShortSummary = President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger begin plans for Operation Menu.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| Title = The Last Tango In Paris

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|10}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=06|s=03}}

| ShortSummary = Prince Norodom Sihanouk is overthrown during the 1970 Cambodian coup d'état. The newly established Khmer Republic courts the United States' assistance in fighting the Khmer Rouge.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| Title = Dream Warriors

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|17}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=11|s=09}}

| ShortSummary = A brief history of the Khmer Republic and the end of Richard Nixon's presidency.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| Title = Less Than Zero

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|24}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=08|s=02}}

| ShortSummary = The Khmer Rouge take control of Cambodia after the Fall of Phnom Penh, cutting it off from the outside world.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| Title = Third World War

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|31}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=11|s=05}}

| ShortSummary = Tensions between the Khmer Rouge and Vietnam begin to rise, leading to direct conflict.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| Title = Le Cercle Rouge

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|7}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=07|s=36}}

| ShortSummary = Vietnam overthrows Democratic Kampuchea; the United States begins tacitly supporting the Khmer Rouge. Amidst the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia, China invades Vietnam, initiating the Sino-Vietnamese War.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| Title = The Terrible But Unfinished Story

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|14}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=07|s=25}}

| ShortSummary = The monarchy of Norodom Sihanouk is restored and Cambodia begins to rebuild after the Khmer Rouge insurgency.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

}}

{{Episode table |background = EE7715|total_width= |overall=5 |title=20 |aux1=8 |aux1T=Running
time |airdate=16 |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Elizabeth Becker Part I

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=31|s=55}}

| ShortSummary = Part one of an interview with journalist Elizabeth Becker author of When the War Was Over

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Syndicates

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=27|s=15}}

| ShortSummary = An overview of drug trafficking in South-East Asia.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Elizabeth Becker Part II

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=37|s=39}}

| ShortSummary = Part 2 of an interview with journalist Elizabeth Becker.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = National Treasure

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=19|s=13}}

| ShortSummary = Examining the illegal trade of historical artifacts from Cambodia.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Marv Truhe and Perry Pettus

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=07|s=26}}

| ShortSummary = An interview with ex-JAG attorney Marv Truhe and member of the US Air Force Perry Pettus discussing the USS Kitty Hawk riot.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Vu Minh Hoang

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|h=1|m=45|s=24}}

| ShortSummary = An interview with Vu Minh Hoang, professor of history and Vietnam studies at Fulbright University Vietnam and research associate at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University.

| LineColor = EE7715

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=48|s=59}}

| ShortSummary = An interview with former New York Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Ben Kiernan Part I

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=36|s=21}}

| ShortSummary = Part one of an interview with professor Ben Kiernan of Yale University

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Sy Hersh

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=34|s=58}}

| ShortSummary = An interview with investigative journalist Seymour Hersh who reported on the My Lai massacre and Operation Menu.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = Bonus

| Title = Ben Kiernan Part II

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|9|20}}

| Aux1 = {{Duration|m=36|s=21}}

| ShortSummary = Part two of an interview with professor Ben Kiernan.

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}}

According to Vince Mancini of UPROXX and Derek Robertson of Politico, Blowback was "painstakingly researched" and didactic in its approach, "bombarding the listener with the host's sturm-und-drang argument about the Iraq War as a portal to hell that directly caused our modern-day political ills".{{Cite web|last=Mancini|first=Vince|date=December 29, 2020|title=The Best Non-Fiction Podcasts of 2020|url=https://uproxx.com/entertainment/best-podcasts-2020/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711050432/https://uproxx.com/entertainment/best-podcasts-2020/|archive-date=July 11, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021|website=Uproxx|publisher=Warner Music Group|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Robertson|first=Derek|date=July 3, 2021|title=The Podcasting Feud Over the Iraq War's Legacy|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/07/03/rumsfeld-iraq-war-podcast-slow-burn-blowback-review-497928|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704125606/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/07/03/rumsfeld-iraq-war-podcast-slow-burn-blowback-review-497928|archive-date=July 4, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021|website=Politico|publisher=Capitol News Company|language=en-US}} In a comparison of Blowback and Slow Burn, Slate's podcast about the Iraq War, Derek Robertson of Politico described Blowback as "an unapologetically left-wing re-examination of the war's many causes and ongoing effects". Jake Greenberg of Podcast Review wrote that "Blowback is an excellent piece of history, one that documents the misadventures, deceits, and war crimes" of the Iraq War.{{Cite web |date=December 22, 2020 |title=The Ten Best Podcasts of 2020 |url=https://podcastreview.org/list/best-podcasts-of-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107193936/https://podcastreview.org/list/best-podcasts-of-2020/ |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |access-date=November 7, 2021 |website=Podcast Review |publisher=Los Angeles Review of Books |language=en-US}} Podcast Review called the topic of the second season "a tremendous fit for James and Kulwin's style".{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2021 |title=Three Podcasts to Listen to in June |url=https://podcastreview.org/list/june-2021-podcasts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818172103/https://podcastreview.org/list/june-2021-podcasts/ |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=November 7, 2021 |website=Podcast Review |publisher=Los Angeles Review of Books |language=en-US}} In a review from Jacobin, Blowback is described as being "thoroughly contextualized, fully explained, blow-by-blow account of how and why the United States government ginned up a case for war in Iraq — all the junk intelligence, media manipulation, and diplomatic arm-twisting — and what happened when our military got there."

Boing Boing praised season 2, saying "James and Kulwin demonstrate diligent and expansive research, compiling audio interviews and newspaper reports from that time, consulting existing historical monographs, as well as contemporary interviews with participants that shed light on new information as well as complicating the inherited narratives about these wars."{{cite web |url=https://boingboing.net/2022/09/01/the-blowback-of-embargoes-cigars-and-capitalist-wars.html |title=The blowback of embargoes, cigars and capitalist wars|last=Gomez |first=A.E. |date=September 1, 2022 |website=boing boing |publisher= |access-date=October 10, 2024 |quote=}}

In a review for season 3, James Greig wrote in Jacobin that "Blowback, while interested in excavating history, is ultimately about how these events and strategies still shape politics today and continue to determine which countries the United States positions as villains."{{cite web |url=https://jacobin.com/2022/08/north-korean-war-blowback-podcast-us-imperialism/ |title=The Korean War Is All but Forgotten Today. It Shouldn't Be.|last=Greig |first=James |date=August 13, 2022 |website=Jacobin |publisher= |access-date=October 10, 2024 |quote=}} Jake Cole, writing for Hyperallergic, emphasizes this, "The voluminous background detail and interest in the far-reaching impacts of foreign policy could easily lend itself to conspiracy-minded extemporization, but James and Kulwin never make an assertion not backed up by considerable evidence. This also armors them against potential backlash to their openly leftist bias."{{cite web |url=https://hyperallergic.com/745977/blowback-podcast-us-foreign-intervention/ |title=Blowback Explores the Messy History of US Interventionism|last=Cole |first=Jake |date=July 10, 2022 |website=Hyperallergic |publisher= |access-date=October 10, 2024 |quote=}}

• The Fire This Time (audio documentary)

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://blowback.show/}}

{{Podcast platform links}}

Category:2020 podcast debuts

Category:Audio podcasts

Category:History podcasts

Category:Socialist podcasts

Category:American podcasts

Category:Works about the Iraq War

Category:Works about the Cuban Revolution

Category:Works about the Korean War