Counterpunch Radio

This time Eric welcomes progressive Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives from California's 12th district, Shahid Buttar, who is challenging Nancy Pelosi in November's general election. Eric and Shahid discuss his background and formative political experiences, his time in Washington and as an activist, and his reasons for running. From there, the conversation explores the Pelosi era in SF politics: gentrification, segregation, Pelosification. What are the power blocs in Bay Area politics? Which sectors of capital does Pelosi represent? How will his campaign overcome these institutional obstacles? The second half of the show assesses Bernie's campaign, his impact on American political life, and the possibility (or impossibility) of taking over the Democratic Party. Finally, Eric and Shahid examine the critical question: what role is there for the Left in US politics?

While we're all stuck at home, there's a world of films waiting to be seen. This week, we discuss ten films that every lefty must watch. Joining Eric is CounterPunch's resident film critic Louis Proyect, and PhD student and author Shalon van Tine. Films discussed include: Sansho the Bailiff (Mizoguchi, 1954) Strike (Eisenstein, 1925) Battleship Potemkin (Eisenstein, 1925) Salt of the Earth (Biberman, 1954) Crimson Gold (Panahi/Kiarostami, 2003) La Chinoise (Godard, 1967) Ceddo (Sembene, 1977) El Norte (Nava, 1983) Seventh Seal (Bergman, 1957) Sorry to Bother You (Riley, 2018) Music: The Kinks - Celluloid Heroes

This time Eric welcomes to the show activist, unionist, and leading candidate for the Green Party nomination for President in 2020, Howie Hawkins. Eric and Howie discuss the importance of a left political alternative to the Democratic Party, and why arguments against it are disingenuous. Howie describes his background as a trade unionist, co-founder of the Green Party, and activist, and explains how that informs his politics today. Eric and Howie explore electoralism vs activism, the role of the Green Party with it shortcomings, and whether it can be a vehicle for the Left. Howie also provides some perspective on the Bernie Sanders campaign and explains why he wasn't surprised to see Bernie do well in 2016. Finally, and most importantly, Howie answers the million dollar question: why bother with a third party in an undemocratic capitalist duopoly? Music: David Rovics - "Failed State"

This time Eric welcomes back to the show CounterPunch contributor Paul Street to discuss capitalism and the pandemic, the Orange Antichrist, Bernie's flame-out, and the shocking collapse of Truthdig. First, Eric and Paul go in depth on how the pandemic is a direct result of capitalist development and ecocide, and the fact that Trump's base is only interested in white nationalism and authoritarianism. The second half of the show is a post-mortem of the Bernie Sanders campaign as Eric and Paul discuss what went wrong, and whether or not Bernie represents the final nail in the coffin of the "transforming the Democratic Party" mantra. Finally, Paul gives his inside perspective on what happened at Truthdig and why independent left media is so critical in these crazy times. Music: The Mekons - "Simone"

This time Eric welcomes back to the show Marxist economist and author Michael Roberts to discuss the prospects for the global economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Eric and Michael begin by discussing whether the virus was an exogenous calamity or merely the tipping point for much deeper structural problems with global production and profitability. From there, Michael explains why Keynesians are wrong in describing "demand crises" when really it's supply crises that drive economic downturns, and why comparisons of 2020 and 1987 fall flat. The second half of the episode explores the role of oil price collapse and corporate debt in exacerbating the coming depression, and the material reality of life for workers under the dire economic conditions we now face. Lots of ground covered with one of the best economists working today. Don't miss it! Music: Dean Wareham - Wayfaring Stranger

Counterpunch Radio returns with a conversation with philosopher Jason Stanley, author of "How Fascism Works" (2018). Eric and Jason explore the nature of contemporary fascism, its historical roots, and the connection between the politics and culture. They examine fascism as defined by Marxists versus that defined by liberal democrats and explore whether a single interpretation is insufficient. From there the interview touches on how Trump and fascists use language, the precarity of truth in a fascist era, and the question of whether Trump represents a unique threat or simply the removal of the white supremacist mask. Lots of ground covered in this great conversation. Music: Audiobinger - Pumpkin Spice

This week Eric welcomes to the show activist and author Eric Blanc whose book Red State Revolt (Verso, 2019) documented the teachers strike wave across the country in 2018-2019. The conversation begins with a discussion of the nature of the strikes, the political context in which they happened, and the juxtaposition of labor activism in red versus blue states. From there, Eric explains how standardized testing, charter schools, and privatization broadly has decimated the teaching profession in recent decades, and how the recent labor uprising from teachers and education professionals is a backlash to those trends. The final part of the conversation focuses on the Bernie 2020 campaign, and the specifics of Bernie's proposals on education and rolling back the Wall Street-financed privatization movement. Music: Max Romeo - "Socialism Is Love"

This week Eric welcomes to the show investigative journalist and founder of Forensic News, Scott Stedman, along with Deutsche Bank whistleblower Val Broeksmit, to discuss the bombshell report from Forensic News confirming a direct link between Trump's Deutsche Bank loans and the Russian bank VTB. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the story and Val's background, including his father, a former Deutsche Bank executive who committed suicide in 2014. Val and Scott help lay out the connections between Trump, the US subsidiary of Deutsche Bank, and the Russian oligarch bank VTB. The conversation touches on numerous angles to this story including Val's cooperation with the FBI, the main pieces of evidence, and a macro-level view of how this revelation fits into the broader Trump-Russia puzzle. Whether you're a Russiagate enthusiast, skeptic, or somewhere in between, this week's show is all about the evidence. Music: Constantines - "Young Lions"

This week Eric welcomes to the show Iraq war veteran, antiwar activist, and filmmaker Mike Prysner to help us understand what's going on in the minds of soldiers with the US on the brink of another war. Mike tells us about his journey from enlisting to finding himself on the ground in Iraq to coming home and organizing against the war and US imperialism. Eric and Mike discuss the reasons young people join, the myth versus reality, and the coercive nature of military recruitment. Mike also reminds us the history of war resisting, from the Philippines to Vietnam, and the historical tradition from which he comes. As we careen over the cliff into another war, it's all the more important to listen to voices like Mike Prysner. Don't miss this conversation. Music: Minutemen - "The Big Stick"

After a hiatus, Counterpunch Radio returns with an urgent new episode on the crisis with Iran. Joining Eric this time is Oxford senior researcher and founder of Hands Off the People of Iran, Yassamine Mather. Eric and Yassamine discuss the assassination of Soleimani and the crisis it has sparked, the internal politics and protests in Iran, the complicated regional picture, and more. Recorded January 8, 2020 Music: Devendra Banhart - Heard Somebody Say

This week Eric welcomes to the show Marxist economist and blogger Michael Roberts to discuss the latest global economic issues. The conversation begins with the interesting moves by the US Federal Reserve in late September and what they might mean for the US domestic, and ultimately global, economic outlook. From there the conversation shifts to macroeconomic trends and how Trump's trade war with China might impact the depressed global situation, including laying the groundwork for a technology and supply chain war. The second half of the show focuses on the oil price and global oil markets, and how they are impacting the geopolitics and economic interests of the world's power blocs. Finally, Eric and Michael discuss financialization and the rentier economy, and explore whether these are sufficient to explaining the current economic crisis. Music: Lee Scratch Perry & Errol Walker - "In These Times"

This week Eric welcomes to the show investigative journalist and editor of Sludge, Alex Kotch, to talk Trump, Ukraine, campaign finance violations, and much more. Naturally, the conversation begins with a discussion of the latest in Trumplandia, including the opening of the impeachment inquiry and what that might mean for Trump and the Democrats. From there, Alex discusses his latest investigation into Facebook's profiting from far-right propaganda, including the broader implications of social media as a platform for such politics. Finally, Eric and Alex discuss the death of David Koch and the legacy of the Koch Brothers' insidious, decades-long right wing project. Don't miss this week's show! Music: Mission of Burma - "That's When I Reach for My Revolver"

This week Eric welcomes back to the show political analyst and all around news vandal, JP Sottile, curator of the Newsvandal daily newsletter. Eric and JP discuss oil, oil, and more oil; how global politics and economics are being shaped by it, and what the future may hold. JP explains why he refers to this period as "Donald Trump's Oily Presidency" and what the rule of Big Oil has meant for the geopolitical chessboard in the Middle East and beyond. Eric and JP discuss the recent drone strike against Saudi oil facilities, who might have been involved, how the war in Yemen is related and so much more. The second half of the show features an in depth discussion of Russia, the strategic calculus in the era of late stage oil, and much more. A quick episode summary won't do this discussion justice. Don't miss it! Music: John Mayall - "Gasoline Blues"

This week Eric welcomes political analyst Dan Glazebrook back to the show to discuss the latest in the wild world of British politics. Eric and Dan begin with an overview of the developments of recent months and the political context within which they've taken place. With Brexit looming over everything, Boris Johnson is now PM and all hell has broken loose. Dan explains why he thinks Steve Bannon is an important key to understanding Johnson's political calculation, and why Corbyn and Labour remain so politically weak even as Rome burns around them. Dan explores some of the possible scenarios that could play out and gives his best guess as to what comes next. Don't miss this in-depth examination of UK politics this week on Counterpunch Radio. Music: XTC - "Roads Girdle the Globe"

This week Eric welcomes to the show New Delhi-based journalist Sumedha Pal to discuss the situation in Kashmir and the political context within which it should be understood. The conversation begins with important background on the conflict: the history, stakeholders, and domestic politics. Sumedha explains the rise of PM Narendra Modi, the forces backing him, and why he and the far right Hindu nationalists have made this move on Kashmir now. From there, the conversation explores everything from the role of capital and the ruling class in backing Modi, the actions and mobilization by the left in India, the reactions from Pakistan and China, and so much more. Don't miss the in-depth discussion of one of the most important and dangerous conflicts in the world today. Music: FONTAINES D.C. - "The Lotts"

This week Eric welcomes to the show singer, songwriter, and composer Dean Wareham to talk music, politics, and CounterPunch. Dean tells us about his rock and roll journey, including his bands Galaxie 500 and Luna, and what he learned about contacts, money, and "The Industry." Eric asks Dean about the state of music today, how it changed with mp3s and streaming, and whether things are better or worse than "the good old days." Dean explains how he first found CounterPunch and why music with a political edge is so important. This was a fun conversation with a great CounterPuncher, don't miss it! Music: Luna - "Chinatown"

This week Eric welcomes back journalist and CounterPunch contributor Robert Hunziker to discuss his recent articles on Greenland and sea level rise. Hunziker explains how a recent Arctic heatwave paints a terrifying picture of our climate change future. Melting ice, rising seas, a world in chaos...and the President doesn't even believe it's real. How do we live for the future through this nightmare? Eric and Robert counsel each other through it all on CounterPunch Radio this week.

This week Eric welcomes to the show Ohio-based activist and teacher Kelly Weber to discuss her successful infiltration of the Trump rally in Cincinnati, what it was like demonstrating amid a sea of racist hate, and why she and her friends felt compelled to do it. Kelly gives us a glimpse into the nightmarish reality of Trumpism, including the casual racism, the violence, etc. Eric and Kelly discuss the trajectory of the rallies, and whether Kelly sees them getting more extreme (Hint: she does, and they are). Finally, Eric and Kelly discuss her upcoming trip to the border to provide food, medical care, and other necessities to migrants languishing in the purgatory of Border Patrol's jurisdiction. We are on the brink of a truly terrifying new world. Kelly's seen it and she's here to tell us CounterPunchers all about it.

This week Eric welcomes to the show author and academic Samuel Stein to discuss his new book "Capital City: Gentrification and the Real Estate State." Eric and Samuel explore the rise of the real estate state, the role of capital in urban planning, and the connection between real estate and financial speculation. Samuel explains how zoning and other tools are utilized by capital to enforce political and social order. The second half of the show examines gentrification, land use and profitability, and the recent struggle in NYC against Amazon which was in large part a tenants rights struggle. And, of course, Eric and Samuel place Donald Trump in proper context as the ultimate real estate scumbag turned Commander-in-Chief. That and so much more in the latest CounterPunch Radio! Music: Leadbelly - "The Bourgeois Blues"

This time Eric welcomes back to the show journalist and author Arun Gupta to discuss the No More Concentration Camps movement which he helped organize. Eric and Arun discuss the impetus behind the call to action and the immediate response both from social justice advocates and corporate and independent media. The conversation covers a lot of ground: the failures of the corporate press on this issue and throughout the Trump era, the role of tech companies in providing the tools and know-how for ICE and the deportation machine, the historical precedents of what we're witnessing today, and so much more. Don't look away! Don't scroll past it! This issue cuts to the heart of what it means to have compassion and a commitment to social justice, and we're glad to air it here on CounterPunch Radio. Music: Heaven 17 - (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang