Counterpunch Radio

This week Eric welcomes Kali Akuno back to the show to discuss the bizarre political moment we're living through and the historical context necessary to understand it. Eric and Kali explore everything from the end of Black Reconstruction and the economic underpinnings of the modern imperial state, to geopolitics and the nature of the ruling class conflicts shaping our world today. Don't miss the latest CounterPunch Radio!

On the latest podcast Eric does an Election 2020 wrap up with CounterPunch managing editor Joshua Frank. Eric and Joshua discuss how Trump's loss will impact him and his movement, including the possibility that Trump will not relinquish power. From there the discussion explores parallels and differences between 2020 and 2008, including the economic and psychological impact. The second half of the conversation explores the future Biden Administration, what should be expected of the assorted ghouls in the running for top cabinet posts, how it might approach issues ranging from Palestine to white supremacist militias, and why a return to normalcy is a return to liberal imperialism. Another great chat with one of the hardest working guys in the left media.

On this special Election 2020 episode, Eric sits down with CounterPunch regulars Anthony DiMaggio and Paul Street to discuss the latest as the US elects its next executioner and much of the country hopes and prays for the Orange Fascist's exit from power. The conversation touches on everything from the lasting impacts of Trump's tenure to the possibility of Trump attempting a "soft coup." The guys discuss conspiracy theory, COVID's impact on Trump's chances, the likely pathetic reality of a Biden Administration, and so much more. This was a fun conversation even as the world seemingly burns. But hey, at least there will no be no more daily Trump overdose...but CounterPunch will still be here to mainline every morning.

This time Eric welcomes to the show Bolivia-based researcher Thomas Becker to discuss the recent election which saw the Movement for Socialism (MAS) returned to power after the right wing coup which deposed Evo Morales in 2019. Thomas provides a summary of the events of the last year leading up to last week's elections, including the racism, violence, and ethnic cleansing carried out by the right wing coup government. From there, Eric and Thomas discuss the election results, the role of indigenous social movements, the failures of the international left, and much more. This important conversation touches on all the critical issues you need to know to understand where Bolivia has been and where it's going. Don't miss CounterPunch Radio this week!

This time Eric sits down with Ian Scott Horst, author of the new book "Like Ho Chi Minh! Like Che Guevara! The Revolutionary Left in Ethiopia 1969-1979." Eric and Ian discuss the history of the Ethiopian student movement and the revolution itself, its connections to other liberation movements, the redirection of the revolution by the military, and the events that followed. The conversation explores everything from Ethiopia's experience with Italian fascism and corrupt monarchy, to how this seemingly forgotten chapter of revolutionary history connects to events in Africa today, as well as to the experiences of activists the world over.

This week Eric welcomes back to the show political scientist and author Anthony DiMaggio to discuss social media, conspiracy theory in America, and his latest book "Unequal America." Eric and Anthony explore the role of social media in propagating conspiracy theories, fake news, and eroding social and cultural institutions. They discuss how fake news and conspiracism is nothing new in America while also exploring the nature of Americans' economic consciousness and self-deception. This conversation goes in-depth on some of the key issues facing us today. Don't miss it!

This week Eric welcomes back to the show Paul Street, author of the brand new book Hollow Resistance: Obama, Trump, and the Politics of Appeasement published by CounterPunch. Eric and Paul discuss the various ways that Obama paved the way for Trump and the fact that Trump could not exist were it not for Obama. Eric and Paul explore Obama's reactionary effect on liberals and Black voters, his electoral fetishism, his faux resistance to Trump, and much more. From the fascist backlash against him to his attacks on the Left, Eric and Paul dissect everything Obama...and it ain't pretty.

This week Eric introduces listeners to CounterPunch+, the new subscriber section of CounterPunch, by discussing his exclusive article "The Plot Against Libya" which tells the story of Obama's mostly forgotten war on Libya, one of the most brazenly criminal acts committed by a US president. Eric explains why it's important to remember the truth of Libya now, nine years later. Eric also discusses other pieces currently featured on CP+. Don't miss this week's show and don't forget to sign up for CounterPunch+!

This week Eric welcomes to the show essayist, editor, and host of the Working People podcast, Maximillian Alvarez, to discuss the state of the working class in the time of COVID. Eric and Maximillian discuss the contours of the class war, what the pandemic has revealed about the failures of neoliberalism and the true nature of American capitalism, and the action and inaction of organized labor against the backdrop of America's social movements. Also, Eric and Maximillian ask (and try to answer) the question: What does it mean to be working class in 2020?

This week Eric welcomes back to the show author and journalist Dave Zirin to discuss the strike wave in US professional sports and what it means for the future. Eric and Dave discuss the NBA being in the forefront of the issue, the significance of professional baseball getting involved, and the future of the NFL in this year of COVID and police brutality. The conversation touches on everything from the diametrically opposed roles of Kaepernick and Obama to the political and economic concerns at the heart of the issues. Don't miss CounterPunch Radio this week!

This week Eric welcomes to the show California State Senate candidate Jackie Fielder to discuss her campaign, the issues facing San Franciscans, and the overlapping crises facing all workers in the US. Eric and Jackie discuss why she launched the campaign, and how her experiences as an indigenous woman, and especially as a water protector at Standing Rock, helped shape her politics and activism. From there, the conversation touches on labor issues, the housing apocalypse in California, the raging wildfires and pandemic and how they're impacting workers, what "democratic socialism" really means, and so much more. Don't miss CounterPunch Radio this week!

This week Eric welcomes to the show journalist Doug Henwood to talk about the latest terrifying economic numbers, how COVID is changing the economic life of America's working class, what we should expect in the near- and medium-term, and so much more. The second half of the show finds Doug and Eric discussing Trump's attempts to undermine the election, what a constitutional crisis in the US would look like, and whether the US is a failed state. Also, the spectre of fascism makes its usual appearance. Hot, spicy takes abound in this week's CounterPunch Radio. Don't miss it!

This week Eric welcomes to show journalists Alex Kotch and Walker Bragman to discuss the latest developments from Trumpistan, the state of left journalism, and their new media project OptOut. The conversation begins with discussion of Trump's threat to cancel the election, his Portland goon squads, and the shadowy American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) getting in on the culture war. They talk class war, Trump's real base, and the myopia of Americans. The second half of the chow is focused on left media, the importance of developing our own independent media ecosystem, and the new app OptOut. Lots of good stuff packed into this week's CounterPunch Radio, don't miss it!

This week Eric welcomes to the show Laura Briggs, author of the new book "Taking Children: A History of American Terror." Eric and Laura discuss Trump's family separation policy and the long and shameful American tradition of breaking up families and stealing children. Briggs explains the economic and social function of such practices in context of slavery, dispossession of Native peoples, and US imperialism in Latin America. The conversation touches on many points including the bipartisan nature of such policies and ways we might begin to resist.

This week Eric sits down with commentator, journalist, and author, Grace Blakeley, to discuss her new book "Stolen: How to Save the World from Financialisation." Eric and Grace explore the nature of the neoliberal period and what the process of financialization has done to the economic, political, and social life of the Global North. The conversation touches on everything from the nature of financialization as intertwined with imperialism to the role of electoral politics versus that of mass mobilization and street organizing. Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Sanders make cameos, as do Lenin, Hilferding, and Schumpeter. Oh, and also climate breakdown. It's socialism or barbarism, and the choice is ours. Don't miss this wide-ranging chat on CounterPunch Radio!

This week Eric welcomes journalist Sumedha Pal to the show to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting India and its 1.2 billion people. Sumedha explains the devastation of India's health care system, the mismanagement of the crisis by the central government, and the impact COVID is having on the rural poor, indigenous people, urban sex workers, and other marginalized groups. In the second half of the conversation, Sumedha details her personal experience with the health care system during the pandemic, as well as providing updates on the situation in Kashmir one year after the lockdown, growing tensions with China, India's far right ultra-nationalist forces, and more. Break music: The Mekons - "Last Night on Earth"

This week Eric sits down with journalist and author Lucy Schiller to discuss her recent investigation into the multi-billion dollar senior living industry in the COVID era, and the concept of loneliness in our world today. Music: Dean Wareham - "Wayfaring Stranger"

This time Eric chats with journalist, author, and chef Arun Gupta about his recent investigation into the COVID pandemic in rural agriculture and its impact on migrant workers. Eric and Arun also discuss the ongoing #BLM protests, real journalism and the danger of spreading unverified rumors in times of social struggle, and Arun's new Instagram cooking series, "Apocalypse Chow" As always, Arun Gupta on CounterPunch Radio is a must-listen! Music: The Coup - Laugh/Love/F**ck

As the US erupts in protest in the wake of George Floyd's murder, Eric chats with Kali Akuno, co-founder and co-director of Cooperation Jackson and organizer with People's Strike. Kali gives his reactions to Trump's quasi-martial law decree and some of the rhetoric he used in his disturbing "Law and Order" speech. Eric and Kali discuss the importance of Black and Brown youth leadership in this uprising, and how the level of political consciousness is much higher than previous uprisings. From there the conversation touches on everything from the formation of Trumpist brownshirts and how the Left must organize itself for defense to the understanding that Trump has brought the War on Terror home. Don't miss the critical discussion on CounterPunch! Music: Durand Jones and the Indications - "Morning in America"

This week Eric welcomes back to the show professor of economics, radio host, and author Richard Wolff to discuss unemployment, systemic failures, and the future of capitalism in the Age of COVID. Eric and Richard discuss his recent piece "Mass Unemployment Is a Failure of Capitalism" and why unemployment, and all the hardships it causes, is a choice made by capitalists. From there they explore the 2000, 2008, and 2020 crashes as a feature, not a bug, capitalism, and why a redistribution of labor has led to a generation of precarious gig workers and debt-ridden college graduates with little hope of a financial future. And what should the government be doing? Listen to this week's show to find out.