CounterPunch Radio

This time Eric welcomes back to the show Brazil-based journalist and researcher Mike Fox to discuss the latest political developments in that country as it witnesses social upheaval resulting from a political crisis. Mike and Eric discuss former President Lula’s dramatic surrender to the government, what the social movements have done in defense of Lula and democracy, and what it means for the future of the movements and the country. Mike explains how we got to this point, the role of the Temer government and its grand strategy, and what to expect in the upcoming elections, including a right wing in ascendance as a Trump-like figure emerges. The conversation also touches on the recent assassination of a prominent activist and leader and how that is connected to everything happening in the country. So many topics covered in this wide-ranging conversation…don’t miss it. Music: Max Romeo – “Socialism Is Love” The post Mike Fox – Episode 101 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

This time Eric welcomes to the show CounterPunch editors Jeffrey St. Clair and Joshua Frank to mark the 100th episode of the podcast as the bombs of WWIII fall around us. While Jeff and Eric record from deep in their respective strongholds, Josh remains foolishly above ground, open to the elements and nuclear bombs. Nevertheless, the show must go on, so Eric, Jeff and Josh discuss everything from Trump’s bombs over Syria to Putinmania, from Democratic Party orcs to the Great Syria Meme War of 2017. The guys discuss CounterPunch’s close encounters with fake news and fake personas, the fractures and/or collapse of the Left, the total evisceration of regulatory agencies under Trump, and why the Degenerate-in-Chief is more like Bill Clinton than Barack Obama or George Bush. This was a fun conversation, don’t miss it! Music: Jackson Browne – “Lawyers in Love” The post Jeffrey St. Clair & Joshua Frank – Episode 100 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

This week Eric welcomes back to the show Kobani-based political scientist and activist Hawzhin Azeez to discuss the Turkish invasion of Afrin, the general attack on Kurdish autonomy and sovereignty, the role of jihadis in this strategy, and so much more. The conversation begins with an analysis of the attack on Afrin (at time of recording, the main battle was still ongoing), and the Turkish motivations in doing so. From there, the Hawzhin and Eric touch on everything from anti-Kurdish propaganda from various quarters, the strategic calculus within which the Kurds are operating, and the role of foreign powers (US, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc). The second half of the discussion examines the response from the international left, media coverage of the war, and what concerned people around the world should be doing. So much ground covered in this wide-ranging conversation that goes in depth where most media outlets won’t dare. Don’t miss it! Music: Max Romeo – “Socialism Is Love” The post Hawzhin Azeez – Episode 99 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

This week Eric welcomes to the show author and journalist Dahr Jamail to discuss climate change, climate politics in the Age of Trump, and our responsibilities to future generations. The conversation begins with a discussion of the emotional and psychological impact of an issue as enormous as climate change, and how we can even discuss it without falling into despondency. From there, Eric and Dahr discuss everything from climate change trends to polar ice, the impact of methane, agriculture and food production, and so much more. The second half of the show features an examination of the impact that the Trump Administration has had on climate science and environmental regulation, as well as the increased influence of China in renewable energy and environmental responsibility. All this and so much more in this wide-ranging interview on CounterPunch Radio. Music: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – This Land Is Your Land The post Dahr Jamail – Episode 98 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

This week Eric welcomes to the show author and academic Patrick Bond to discuss the political situation in South Africa domestically, as well as the role that the country plays on the African continent, and globally. The conversation begins with an analysis of recent developments as former President Zuma was ousted, replaced by the billionaire Cyril Ramaphosa, and what that portends for the future of the country. Eric and Patrick examine the other parties, the role of the trade unions, and the grassroots social movements in order to pain a clear picture of a complex and dynamic political situation in South Africa. The second half of the program features an in depth discussion of regional African issues, as well as a detailed examination of the role of China in Africa, the BRICS, and so much more. Don’t miss this week’s show! Music: William Onyeabor – “Better Change Your Mind” The post Patrick Bond – Episode 97 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

CounterPunch Radio is back this week after a long hiatus as Eric welcomes returning guest, and regular CounterPunch contributor, Paul Street to the show. Eric and Paul discuss Russiagate and the competing narratives around it, how the Trump-Russia discourse has changed on the Left as new details emerge, and what we should look forward to, both good and bad. But fear not, this conversation goes well beyond the corporate media hysteria to touch on everything from Bernie Sanders’ recent comments and what the motivation behind them might be, the impact of guns and the gun control issue on Trump’s ability to connect with his base and core supporters, the dangerous trajectory of American political life and society, the end of US hegemony, and so much more. CounterPunch Radio is thrilled to be back on the air! Thanks for coming back to listen. Music: Chumbawamba – “Bella Ciao” #Trump #Russia #Russiagate #Putin #Mueller #FireAndFury #guncontrol #HillaryClinton #BernieSanders #fascism #socialmedia #imperialism #hegemony The post Paul Street – Episode 96 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

CounterPunch Radio returns this week after more than two months away. Eric welcomes to the show investigative journalist Steve Horn to discuss the state of the Republican and Democratic parties and the ongoing conflicts, perceived or real, within them. Eric and Steve talk about the anti-environment, climate-denying degenerates appointed by Trump to head every relevant agency, the role of ALEC in shaping Trumpian policy, and more. The conversation also explores Steve Bannon and his role in maintaining and shepherding the Trump lunatic base. The second half of the show focuses on energy and the international political issues surrounding it. First, Eric and Steve examine the role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the profit-seeking business equations of both energy companies and the Trump Administration. From there, the conversation explores everything from China and Iran as energy players in the minds of US strategic planners to the evolution of the former Soviet countries in Central Asia in the energy calculus of both Beijing and Washington. From the South China Sea to the Arctic, the scramble for energy continues, and all these issues are at the center of foreign policy decisions for the world’s powers. Topics: #Trump #JeffFlake #RepublicanParty #DemocraticParty #climatedenial #antienvironment #Bannon #ALEC #energy #Iran #Russia #China #Azerbaijan #Turkmenistan #pipelines #LNG #oilprice Music: Nouvelle Vague – “Guns of Brixton” The post Steve Horn – Episode 95 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

This week Eric sits down with journalist Abby Martin to discuss the situation in Venezuela, and her recent trip to the country. Eric and Abby begin by examining the “protests” on the streets of Caracas as Abby witnessed first-hand: the violence of the guarimbas, the class character of the protests and protesters, the attitudes of Chavistas, the economic and psychological war against the people of Venezuela, and much more. From there, Eric and Abby touch on everything from the role of organized crime and Colombian paramilitaries to the US-sponsored subversion of the country. The second half of the show focuses on a variety of topics including the recently elected constituent assembly, the obstructionism of the right wing opposition in the National Assembly, the means of defending Chavismo and the Bolivarian Revolution, and so much more. Don’t miss this week’s CounterPunch Radio! The post Abby Martin – Episode 94 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

**Note: This episode was recorded 10 days before the events in Charlottesville** This week Eric sits down with author Paul Street to discuss his recent article in CounterPunch entitled “Unity with the Right? A Deplorable Idea” (Aug. 4, 2017). The conversation touches on renewed calls for building alliances with the far right, and interrogates whether such a strategy is desirable, or even possible. Eric and Paul discuss the current state of the Left, and examine why anyone would think unity with the far right would be anything other than self-immolation. From the importance of armed self-defense, to the history of the collapse of the Left in the last 50 years, this wide-ranging conversation touches on some of the key questions facing socialists, anarchists, and progressives in the Age of Trump. And, considering this was recorded before the violence in Charlottesville, listeners might get a unique perspective from this discussion. Don’t miss it! The post Paul Street – Episode 93 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

This week Eric sits down with Dr. Francisco Dominguez, national secretary of the UK-based Venezuela Solidarity Campaign to discuss the latest from the Bolivarian Republic as it faces perhaps the worst crisis since Hugo Chavez rose to power at the end of the last century. Eric and Francisco begin with a discussion about the global political situation, and the imperialist imperatives of the United States in Venezuela, and Latin America. They discuss everything from global oil prices to the nature of the economic war being perpetrated against the people of Venezuela, from corporate media propaganda to the methods of destabilization and manufactured chaos. The second half of the conversation focuses on the protests, their class nature, and the disinformation being spread by corporate media about the situation on the streets. Eric and Francisco also touch on the role of the international Left, and some of the burning questions about solidarity, critique, and revolutionary movement-building. All this and much much more in this week’s CounterPunch Radio! Music: Rebel Diaz – “Work Like Chavez” The post Dr. Francisco Dominguez – Episode 92 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.