Counterpunch Radio

This week Eric sits down with journalist Ben Norton to discuss the early days of the Trump Administration: what's happened, what it means, and where it's going. Eric and Ben explore the nature of the new administration, the forces that propelled it into power, and the political and economic circumstances that allowed it to emerge. From there, the conversation probes some uncomofortable questions about the current state of anti-war and anti-imperialist causes, and what that tells us about the political reality of 2017. From the rise of fascism throughout the Western world to the Syria question and the nature of resistance in the era of Trump, Eric and Ben tread some rather uneasy territory in hopes of understanding what we're witnessing around us, and charting a path forward for the Left. These and many other topics in the latest CounterPunch Radio. Don't miss it. Music: Linton Kwesi Johnson - "Fite Dem Back"

After a couple weeks MIA, CounterPunch Radio is back! This week, Eric sits down with journalist and author Karl Grossman to discuss the exciting news that Indian Point, one of the oldest and most dangerous nuclear plants in the US, will be closed in the next few years. Eric and Karl examine the background and implications of the agreement between Entergy (the operator of the plant) and the state of New York, as well as some of the history of the nuclear industry, from weaponization to corporate-state monopolization. Additionally, the conversation goes in depth on Fukushima, the health and environmental impacts of nuclear power, alternative sources of energy, and the responsibility of activists for having brought us to this point, and further into the future. As Karl Grossman noted, "Get active, or get radioactive!" Musi: Lee "Scratch" Perry & Errol Walker - "In These Times"

This week Eric sits down with scholar and activist Dr. Hawzhin Azeez speaking from Kobani, Syria about Aleppo, competing narratives in the Syria war, the development of Rojava and Kurdish self-determination, and much more. The conversation begins with a discussion about media coverage of Aleppo and the future of Syria, as well as the role of the international left in the Syria conflict. From there, Eric and Hawzhin examine the outside actors involved in the war, and the prospects for peace in the country. The second half of the show focuses on developments in the Kurdish part of Northern Syria, the continued development of the confederal Rojava system, and the role of Kurds both in the war, and in a future, post-war Syria. This episode covers a lot of ground that is entirely ignored in most conversations you'll hear about Syria. What are you waiting for? Download or stream it now. Music: Heaven 17 - (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang

This week Eric welcomes to the show peace activist Sabia Rigby to discuss her experiences working with refugees both in Europe and in the Global South. The conversation begins with a discussion of Sabia's time working in the refugee camp known as "The Jungle" in Calais, France where she interacted with many refugees, each telling their unique story. Eric and Sabia discuss some of the critical aspects of the refugee issue including the politics behind the crisis, the nature of the racist narratives and their political and cultural expressions, the class nature of the refugees that have made it to Europe, and much more. From French fascists to blankets for Afghan children, this episode of CounterPunch Radio has everything to make you lose your faith in humanity, only to see it restored. Music: Max Romeo - "Socialism Is Love"

This week Eric welcomes back to the show Yvette Carnell and Pascal Robert for a retrospective look at Barack Obama's presidency: the lies and the crimes, the sell-job and the sell-out. Eric, Yvette, and Pascal discuss how Obama will be remembered by Americans, and especially Black Americans, as well as his image and legacy around the world. The conversation touches on everything from Obama as Wall Street's creature to his committment to conservative politics to Obama as precursor to Trump. Yvette Carnell argues that we have now entered the period of post-Hope politics, and it's hard to disagree. Pascal calls Obama neoliberal confectioners sugar, and it's hard to disagree. Check out this week's CounterPunch Radio for some real analysis on Obama's legacy - we promise it's better than Trump's twitter feed. Music: Lee Scratch Perry & Errol Walker - "In These Times"

This week Eric welcomes human rights attorney and lecturer Dan Kovalik onto the program to discuss recent developments in Colombia, and how that strategic US ally fits into the broader politics and geopolitics of Latin America. Dan provides his analysis of the recent referendum on a peace agreement between the Colombian government and FARC rebels, and how this latest news impacts the politics of the country. The conversation also highlights the ongoing genocide in Colombia and the systematic oppression and mass murder against indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. Eric and Dan also examine the role that Colombia plays in the destabilization of Venezuela, and as a foothold for US political and military power projection in the region. From paramilitary deep state networks to the fraudulent War on Drugs, CounterPunch Radio brings you another episode of analysis and commentary you simply won't find anywhere else. Music: Minutemen - "The Big Stick"

David Hearst, Editor-in-Chief of Middle East Eye, joins Eric this week to discuss the latest developments in Syria and the global geopolitical scene. Eric and David begin with a discussion of the retaking of Aleppo by Syrian governmnet forces, and what this means for the future course of the war. The conversation also focuses on the role of western and non-western media in shaping the narratives and language around this conflict, as well as Russian involvement and what it means both now and in the future. From there, Eric and David examine how the incoming Trump administration could impact events on the ground as well as policy decisions in Washington and Moscow, and how China and Iran fit into the larger jigsaw puzzle of the global chessboard. All this and much more in this wide-ranging conversation. Music: Chumbawamba - Bella Ciao

This week Eric welcomes to the show journalist and activist Shane Burley to discuss the rise of the alt-right, and the trajectory of contemporary fascism. Eric and Shane begin with a discussion of the alt-right, its relation to 20th Century fascist movements, and its ideological features. The conversation then touches on everything from the fascist infiltration of anti-imperialism and radical environmentalism to the importance of reconigizing entryism in defending Left spaces. While things may seem bleak, Burley reminds listeners that the transformation to a fully realized fascist state depends on the Left, and on its ability to defend our values and our people. This was a great conversation, don't miss it! Music: Phantom - "Lazy Fascist"

This week Eric welcomes back to the show CounterPunch Editor Jeffrey St. Clair to discuss his new book Bernie and the Sandernistas: Field Notes From a Failed Revolution, and provide a retrospective view of the movement and its adherents. Eric and Jeff touch on Bernie's failings as a leader and his slavish devotion to the Democratic Party despite its being moribund and utterly worthless. The conversation also touches on the danger of Trump and the trumpen proletariat that will not take kindly to the inevitable betrayals Trump has in store, as well as the importance of using Trump as an opportunity to rebuild our social justice movements after their dormancy under Obama. Jeff also explains how he manages to simultaneously be a shill for Putin and a rabid anti-Putin Russophobe. Get your doublethinking caps on for this episode of CounterPunch Radio! Music: Constantines - "Young Lions"

In this final post-election episode of CounterPunch Radio, Eric welcomes back to the show scholar and activist Anthony Monteiro to discuss the results of the election and what it means for the future of the US and the world. Eric and Tony discuss a wide range of topics from the media narrative in the post-election days to divisions within the ruling class, from election fraud to the fraud of Hillary Clinton and neoliberalism itself. The conversation got a bit testy at times with some important disagreements on a number of points, while also highlighting the many points of agreement. This was a fun conversation, don't miss it. Music: Max Romeo - "Socialism Is Love"

Eric welcomes to the show filmmaker and podcaster Robbie Martin to discuss the incoming Trump Administration's deep ties with neoconservatives, the mainstreaming of far right conspiracism and its transformation into a media force and major constituency, the competing narratives about the anti-Trump protests, and much more. Did you ever wonder why Trump was so adamant about the border wall and his ability to build it? Robbie Martin has an answer, and it connects to Rudy Giuliani and the neocons' corporate ties with the military-industrial complex. Did you ever wonder why Trump dabbled in the far right conspiracy world? The answer might be as troubling as it is illuminating. Listen to these and many other uncomfortable questions and observations in this wide-ranging conversation. Musical Interlude: Nouvelle Vague - Guns of Brixton

This week Eric welcomes back to the show author and professor of media studies Mark Crispin Miller to discuss the possibility that the US election was once again stolen, and why this issue is so important. Eric and Mark discuss the exit poll numbers versus the final vote counts, the mechanics of election tampering, and the dangerous complacency of much of the Left when it comes to election theft. The discussion touches on the stealing of the nomination from Bernie Sanders, the role of activists in jumpstarting an electoral reform movement, the importance of unity in opposing Trump, and much more. Eric and Mark also examine what the election outcome tells us about the ruling class, and how it views the future of a Trump presidency: It's not as anti-establishment as we've been led to believe. All this and much much more in the latest CounterPunch Radio. Musical Interlude: Heaven 17 - "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang"

Eric sits down with photographer and publisher Yoav Litvin to discuss his latest project 2Create - Art Collaborations in New York City and the launch on November 18, 2016 at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Eric and Yoav discuss the history of graffiti and its origins in New York City as a background to the concept of collaboration and street art. The conversation touches on the dialectical nature of art collaboration, the interplay of art and politics, and how the commodification of graffiti and street art in NYC has mirrored the gentrification and commodification of the city itself. All this and more in the latest CounterPunch Radio.

In the second in a series of special election episodes of CounterPunch Radio, Eric is joined by attorney, professor of political science, and author Bob Fitrakis to discuss the results of the US election and why they should worry anyone interested in election integrity. Eric and Bob examine the exit poll and final vote data, and discuss the possibility that the election was stolen for Donald Trump. They explore the recent history of voter fraud, how election tampering works in the age of electronic voting machines, voter suppression, the role of private companies in administering elections, and much more. Trump was right to suggest the election could be rigged; he was wrong about who would benefit. Forget the anger at the prospects of the Age of Trump, and instead consider the question: Is a Trump Administration even legitimate? Musical Interlude: Devo - "Freedom of Choice"

It happened! Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States of America. And so, get your bourbon, medical-grade purple haze, and/or bottle of valium, and listen to Eric chat with ideological criminal extraordinaire Paul Street as they try to make sense of what just happened in America. Eric and Paul examine the stunning implosion of the Clinton political machine, the surprising demographic data on Trump voters, the capitulation of Bernie Sanders, the power/weakness of the ruling elites, the future of social movements in the Age of Trump and so much more. Yes, this is happening...and yes, we need CounterPunch more than ever.

Election news making you ill? CounterPunch Radio has your antidote to the Clinton-Trump poison as Eric sits down with activist and organizer Kali Akuno to discuss the exciting movement to create people power in Jackson, Mississippi. Akuno, an organizer with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, discusses the ongoing Cooperation Jackson, a community-led initiative to transform Jackson, Mississippi and, ultimately, the entire country. Kali explains the origins of Cooperation Jackson and how the movement envisions its future, as well as detailing what the last few years have taught the community. Eric and Kali also examine how revolutionary technologies are being used in Jackson to transform the city into a center of decentralized production and economic and social resistance in the US. From COINTELPRO to 3D printers, climate change to the ownership of the means of production, this is a conversation you don't want to miss! Visit CooperationJackson.org to find out more. Also follow the Malcolm X Grassroots Mov

This week Eric welcomes back to the show activist and filmmaker Sukant Chandan to discuss his recent projects, the legacy of the war on Libya, as well as the rise of racism and fascism in the UK and Europe. The conversation opens with a discussion of Sukant's new documentary film "NATO War on Libya" and collection of writings about Libya, the legacy of Muammar Gaddafi, and the US-NATO war of 2011. Eric and Sukant examine the relationship between the war in Libya and everything happening in North Africa and the Middle East today. The second half of the show discusses the rise of racist and fascist politics in the UK in the wake of Brexit, and how this same phenomenon is manifesting throughout Europe and the US. Eric and Sukant also critique much of the so-called "anti-imperialist" camp and the infiltration of those circles by fascists and their collaborators. All this and much more in this wide-ranging discussion. Musical Interlude: Prayers - Mexica

This week, on a very special episode of CounterPunch Radio, Eric gets in touch with his feelings. OK, not really...but he does chat with CounterPunch Managing Editor Joshua Frank and Business Manager Becky Grant about the fund drive and the importance of donating to CounterPunch to keep it going strong. Eric, Josh, and Becky talk about the day to day operations of CP, the challenges and the successes, and the necessity of maintaining integrity and independence. Becky regales listeners with tales of Alex Cockburn and his Puma fetish, Josh discusses how he went from groupie to lead guitarist, and Eric makes biblical references for no apparent reason. Another fun conversation on CounterPunch Radio. Also, don't be lame, donate to CounterPunch today!

This week Eric welcomes to the show presidential candidate from the Socialist Party USA Mimi Soltysik to discuss his campaign, the importance of movement-building, and the state of the Left in 2016. The conversation begins with a discussion of the SPUSA's campaign, and the central question for every non-establishment party: Why bother running a presidential campaign at all? From there Eric and Mimi discuss how the Left might consider moving forward as the US and the world face the daunting challenges of war, economic crisis, and ecological meltdown. They touch on a wide variety of issues from the viability of the Green Party as a vehicle for revolutionary change to the necessity for non-electoral solutions in local communities and much more. Don't miss this episode of CounterPunch Radio.

This week Eric sits down with author and academic Mark Crispin Miller to discuss the controlled corporate media and its grip on discourse in the United States, conspiracy theories versus conspiracy facts, US elections as both farce and illusion, and much more. Eric and Mark begin with a discussion of the history of media propaganda, and how the corporate media we know and loathe came to be the monolithic servant of power it is today. The conversation then turns to the issue of conspiracy theories and the importance of nuanced analysis that is skeptical of power but also avoids the pitfalls, and outright fascism, of the online conspiracy world. The final part of the program shifts into vote fraud and the controlled and manipulated election system in the US which, Eric and Mark both argue, simply cannot be trusted. So much ground is covered in this wide-ranging discussion on CounterPunch Radio. Also, check out the Forbidden Bookshelf series edited by Mark Crispin Miller. Musical Interlude: The Doors - "St