CounterPunch Radio

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p> This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser sits down with renowned Cuban-American attorney José Pertierra to discuss the latest developments in Latin America, especially the warming of relations between the US and Cuba. Pertierra draws on his decades of experience working in international cases dealing with both Cuba and Venezuela, providing insight into issues ranging from the opening of embassies in Washington and Havana, to the geopolitical imperatives driving the shift in US policy. José and Eric contrast the US attitude toward Cuba and Venezuela, and discuss the political and strategic reasons for this. They also touch on the state of the Cuban economy, the mindset of young Cubans today, the importance of Hugo Chavez and his legacy, and the role of China and other non-western countries in the region. All this and much more in Episode 13 of CounterPunch Radio featuring, as always, intro and outtro music from the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest</a>, and musical interlude from <a href=”https://rebeldiaz.blogspot.com/”>Rebel Diaz</a>. The post José Pertierra – Episode 13 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser goes one on one with award winning filmmaker and journalist, the inimitable John Pilger. Eric and John discuss the role of the corporate media in manufacturing narratives, its relationship to capitalism and commodification, and the importance of independent media to pierce through the propaganda. Pilger provides his blistering critique of the especially insidious liberal media whose misinformation and disinformation is so critical to the ruling class. Eric and John touch on an array of other topics including Greece, Ukraine, and debt as a neocolonial weapon. All this and much more on a slightly abbreviated Episode 12 of CounterPunch Radio, featuring as always intro and outtro music from the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest</a>. The post John Pilger – Episode 12 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser chats with two excellent guests about independent media, and the importance of critical analysis outside of the mainstream establishment. The first half of the show features a great conversation with CounterPunch Managing Editor Joshua Frank, who talks about the launch of the new and improved CounterPunch website while waxing poetic on the importance of family, from an independent media perspective, of course. Eric and Joshua examine some of the key issues on which CounterPunch stands apart from the crowd, including the left progressive paeans and campfire kumbayas for Bernie Sanders, and the state of the organized left in America. In the second half of the show Eric is joined by Mickey Huff, Director of Project Censored. Eric and Mickey discuss dominant narratives, the writing of history, and the mis-education of the educational system. They touch on everything from the Orwellian phenomenon of groupthink and its predominance in our political culture to the use of the term “conspiracy theory” as a pejorative term and a weapon of political and intellectual marginalization. All this and much more on Episode 11 of CounterPunch Radio, featuring intro and outtro music provided by the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest</a>, and interlude by Chumbawamba. The post Joshua Frank & Mickey Huff – Episode 11 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser speaks with author Ron Jacobs, whose new book <a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/day-dream-sunset/”>Daydream Sunset: The 60s Counterculture in the 70s</a> is available from CounterPunch. Eric and Ron discuss many of the important themes of the book, including the role of music and culture in reflecting the evolution of the counterculture, and of American culture broadly, during this period. They examine how issues of class, race, and identity took their respective places in politics and society during the 70s, as well as the role of the Vietnam War in galvanizing various forms of countercultural protest and expression. Eric and Ron also juxtapose the politics of the younger generation and that of the 60s and 70s, and how the experiences of today’s youth are both related to, and distinct from, those of the counterculture of the previous generation. All this and much more in Episode 10 which also includes intro and outtro music provided by the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest</a>, and interlude by <a href=”https://www.iseehawks.com/”>I See Hawks in LA</a>. The post Ron Jacobs – Episode 10 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser sits down with two important guests to discuss all things Syria. The first part of the show is an in depth discussion with Beirut-based political analyst and commentator Sharmine Narwani. Eric and Sharmine examine the latest developments in the war in Syria with particular attention to the battles along the Syria-Lebanon border, as well as the role of Turkey and other regional players. They also touch on the ongoing conflict in Iraq and the way in which the US continues to play a double-game when it comes to Baghdad and the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). The second part of the show features an oddly congested Eric Draitser in conversation with Syrian-Australian political activist Reme Sakr speaking from Syria. Sakr provides her insight into the collective psyche and daily life of ordinary Syrians after more than four years of war. She explains some of the hardships they face, as well as the nuances of how Syrians actually view this conflict, their country, and its institutions. Don’t miss this important episode, which also include intro and outtro music provided by the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest</a>, and interlude by The Mekons. The post Sharmine Narwani & Reme Sakr – Ep. 9 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser speaks with Glen Ford, Executive Editor of Black Agenda Report about everything from the #BlackLivesMatter Movement to the importance of revolutionary consciousness and organizing. Eric and Glen discuss the meaning of the slogan “No Justice, No Peace” and the implications of such a statement in terms of political action. They dissect some of the burning questions that the movement must answer, and draw on historical context in order to frame their analysis. The conversation also touches on the pernicious role of what Black Agenda Report has termed “The Black Mis-Leadership Class,” and the Democratic Party as a whole, in diverting black politics into the political establishment, thereby preventing any structural or substantive change. All this and more on Episode 8 of CounterPunch Radio. Intro and outtro music provided by the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest.</a> The post Glen Ford – Episode 8 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser sits down with journalist and author Pepe Escobar to talk geopolitics and the emerging conflicts of the 21st Century. Eric and Pepe discuss the much publicized tensions between the US and China in the South China Sea, examining some of the principal motivations of China and its neighbors and competitors. They go in depth about the Chinese New Silk Roads strategy and what it means for political and economic development and integration in Eurasia. Eric and Pepe also explore the vast implications of the Chinese and Russian moves, and the ways in which the West is attempting to counter some of these developments, including Washington’s corporate-sponsored power grabs of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) and Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA). All this and much much more on Episode 7 of CounterPunch Radio. Intro and outtro music provided by the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest.</a> The post Pepe Escobar – Episode 7 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p> This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser catches up with renowned peace activist Kathy Kelly to talk about civil disobedience, the reality of the prison-industrial complex, and Kathy’s experiences in Afghanistan. The conversation touches many of the most pressing issues of war and peace in the 21st Century, including the insidious and indescribably brutal nature of drone warfare, and the impact of nearly 15 years of war and occupation on the young people of Afghanistan. Kathy paints a vivid picture for listeners of both utter despair and incredible resilience, providing a window into both the humanity and stark reality of life in that war torn country. Eric and Kathy also break down the moribund anti-war movement in the US while discussing ways that young people can still get involved in peace work. All this and more on Episode 6 of CounterPunch Radio. Intro and outtro music provided by the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest.</a> The post Kathy Kelly – Episode 6 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>In Episode 5 of CounterPunch Radio, host Eric Draitser sits down with author and political analyst Paul Street to discuss a wide range of issues related to US politics and the precarious state of the “liberal Left.” Paul provides his perspective on what it means to be a liberal in America today, and how that is directly related to a willingness to accept serial betrayal of those one supports. Eric and Paul examine the recent history of liberal Democrats, including the treachery and subservience of Bill Clinton to Wall St., and what that tells us about Hillary’s campaign. They also discuss the upcoming election, the role of Bernie Sanders, and the illusory nature of his campaign. These and other critical issues are examined in Ep. 5 of CounterPunch Radio. Intro and outtro music provided by the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest.</a> The post Paul Street – Episode 5 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a></p>In Episode 4 of CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser has an in depth conversation with analyst and commentator Yvette Carnell, founder of the popular website <a href=”https://www.BreakingBrown.com”>BreakingBrown.com</a>. Yvette discusses her recent article in CounterPunch entitled “The White Terrorists: Lynching in America,” which attempts to pull back the curtain on some of the hidden history of lynching and its social, cultural, and economic underpinnings. Eric and Yvette discuss the “pathologizing” of blackness in America and the impact that it has had on both perceptions of Black people, and their own perceptions of themselves. Additionally, they attempt to draw out the connection between the lynchings of the past and the violence and police murders of today, with particular attention to the socio-cultural context within which these should be examined. All this and more on Ep. 4 of CouterPunch Radio. Intro and outtro music provided by the Dr. of the Blues, the man with a PhD in Boogie Woogie, <a href=”https://www.davidvest.ca/”>David Vest.</a> The post Yvette Carnell – Episode 4 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.