August 8, 2011 – Trita Parsi – The Scott Horton Show – Episode 1976

Trita Parsi, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council, discusses the Mujahideen-e Khalq’s tendency to accuse their critics of working for the Iranian government; how constant US belligerence and the MEK’s violent radicalism serve as useful foils for the Iranian regime – discrediting dissidents and keeping the people in fear; how violent coups beget radical authoritarian governments, while nonviolent methods often deliver democratic results; the many former US officials now employed as well-paid lobbyists, working toward the MEK’s de-listing from the State Department’s terrorist group list; the implausibility of a Hamas, al-Qaeda or Hezbollah fundraising and lobbying event on Capitol Hill (though they share the same terrorist designation as the Congress-friendly MEK); and MEK’s loyal service to Saddam Hussein, helping put down the 1991 uprisings and acting as his shock troops throughout the 1990s.

Check out the interview page here

For more on Scott's work:

Check out The Libertarian Institute

Read Scott's book, Fool's ErrandTime to End the War in Afghanistan

Follow Scott on Twitter using the handle @scotthortonshow

Like Scott's Facebook Page

And check out Scott's full interview archives

You can also support Scott's work by making a onetime or recurring donation at

Or you can donate per interview at Patreon