Marx Engels Institute

In this episode of the bulletin we look at the latest from the frontlines in Ukraine.  This includes the fall of Soledar and the encirclement of Artymovsk, the role of the Wagner group and the new Russian offensive in the Zaporozyhe region.  From there we look at the latest Ukrainian conscription drive and the likelihood of a Ukrainian offensive.  We also consider the resignation of Zelenskys chief spin doctor Arestovich and what his revelations can tell us about the war.   Episode Outro is a revolutionary hymn from the Russian revolution period Episode Artwork is 'Hunter With Golden Eagle' (1938) by the Soviet Kyrgyz artist Semyon Chuikov Be sure to check out the Marx-Engels Institute website Support us on patreon

I start off this episode by talking about the launch of the Marx Engels Institute which is now the home of this podcast.  As I say on the episode there will be an essay accompanying this epiosde published on the site in the next few days. For the bulk of the episode I examine how did the concept of anti facsism change from being a socialist force driven by the working class to being a laundry service for the reputations of imperialist politicians?  In this episode I explore the historical changes that generated this and why it has proven to be such a poisonous development that leads to strengthening of anti-working class actions from the capitalist state. Outro Music Is the Italian version of the Song of the United Front

In this episode I speak with Dr Bob Gill. He is a medical doctor working within the British National Health Service and long time campaigner against health service privatisation.  In the hour he talks about media decepitons over health policy, the treacherous role of the health union leaders and the identical nature of the NHS policies promoted by both labour and conservative parties. Be sure to follow Dr Gill on twitter @drbobgill

Will the classified documents stashed in his corvette's glove box spell the end for Joe Biden?  Have the Russians sacked their commander? Is British capitalism actually capable of waging a real war?  All these questions and more will be answered in tonights Red Star Radio bulletin!  Episode Artwork is 'The First Red Army Soldiers in 1918' by the Soviet Russian Artist Ivan Georgievich Drozdov (1924)

What are the reasons behind the recent riot of Bolsonaro supporters in Brazil? What does this tell us about the nature of capitalist democracy in Brazil? Are there any comparisons to be made to the January 6th events in the USA? Or is such a comparison facile nonsense peddled by instagram influencers?   Outro music is the anthem of the landless workers movement of Brazil 

In this special episode I look at the two speeches given by the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.  By reading through we can tell much about British capitalism and how the priorities of the ruling class are expressed by the politicians within the bourgeois state.   Episode Outro is 'High Germany' by Martin Carthy

In this episode I look at the real meaning of Zelenskys Christmas in Washington, the sheer brute cynicism of the likes of Lindsay Graham and the return of Oliver North.  I then turn to domestic British politics and Rishi Sunaks proposed attacks on the right to strike.  I conclude by looking at the long term rates of poverty in Britain and why they never actually reduce over the last 30 years.  Outro Music is 'Washington Bullets' by The Clash from the album 'Sandinista' (1980)  Episode artwork is 'Winter Evening' by the Soviet Russian artist Viktor Bibikov (1971)

I star the bulletin tonight by looking at the latest from the war in Ukraine, including Putin visiting Minsk and the possible implcations of it. The bulk of the episode thought is taken up with an examination of the strikes going on in Britain and why the labour party offers no way out for the working class. Outro is 'The Red Flag'

With the German parliament recently passing a resolution proclaiming that the Soviet leadership in the ealry 1930's engaged in a deliberate policy of starvation in Ukraine it was clearly time to look at the mythology this resolution is based on.  Comrade Slava from the Chicago Workers School joins me for this episode where we examine why the 'holodomr' is a myth created by a combination of the Nazi regime, Ukrainian fascists, the Hearst press and reactionary British historian Robert Conquest.  We also examine why this myth has been sustained and how it is used by Ukrainian fascists to this day.  We also look at the role played by Trotsky in all this (and it's not a good one).  The final part of the episode deals with the reality of collectivisation, crop failures and the actual actions of the Soviet government in Ukraine and Moscow.   Sources used in this episode: Fraud, Famine and Fascism - Douglas Tottle The 1932 Harvest and the Famine of 1933 - Mark Tauger Natural Disaster and Human Actions in the Soviet Famine of 1931-1933 - Mark Tauger Another View of Stalin - Ludo Martens Blood Lies - Grover Furr Stalin-History and Critique of a Black Legend - Domenico Losurdo  Stalin The Temporary Holder of Ukraine - Leon Trotsky  Outro music is 'You Glorious Soviet Ukraine'  Episode Artwork is 'Sunny Day Before Spring' by the Soviet Ukrainian artist Victor Puzrykov

As the Kiev regime prepares another doomed offensive in Zaporozhye I ask what, what the hell are they doing?  The Saudis realign but remain the same collection of ultra reactionaries they always have been. The Serbian ruling class wait and watch whilst trying to avoid a shooting war with NATO over Kosovo but the wars fuelled by US imperialism in the former Yugoslavia cannot remain frozen for too much longer as the American empire visibly falls apart.  And finally a look at why the British trade union leaders are paying Keir Starmer to kick them in the balls.  Outro Music is 'The Future' by Leonard Cohen Episode Artwork is the work 'Paratroopers' by the Soviet Russian Artist Pyotr Tarasovich Maltsev