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CounterPunch Radio is hosted and produced by Eric Draitser, you can follow him on Twitter @stopimperialism.
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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
This time Eric welcomes to the show Andom Ghebreghiorgis, a progressive educator in NY running to unseat the pro-war democrat Elliot Engel in NY’s 16th congressional district. Andom discusses his political outlook and why he’s made antiwar politics central to his platform and campaign. Eric and Andom explore some of the power behind Engel, why it’s so critical to defeat him, and whether foreign policy and issues of war and empire even have a place in a local race. From there Andom explains his perspectives on education policy, Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Party, US policy in Africa and much more. A fun conversation with a young progressive candidate this week on CounterPunch Radio.
Music: The Coup – “Ride the Fence”
This time Eric welcomes back to the show Brazil-based multimedia journalist Mike Fox to discuss all the latest political earthquakes coming from Brazil in the wake of The Intercept’s blockbuster reporting on leaks within the government. Mike explains the background of the scandal that led to former President Lula’s imprisonment and the rise of the fascist Jair Bolsonaro, and why these recent leaks seriously damage the credibility of the government itself. Eric and Mike explore everything from the response of the social movements and activists to the erosion of Bolsonaro’s base in the face of this scandal. Mike also presents some important information to consider moving forward in the weeks and months ahead, including how students and others are organizing around Lula and against pension reforms. So much packed into this conversation. You won’t find this analysis anywhere but CounterPunch.
Music: Linton Kwesi Johnson – Fite Dem Back