Episodes

This week Eric sits down with education and labor activist and Green Party candidate for Lt. Governor of New York, Jia Lee. Eric and Jia explore everything from the neoliberal assault on education to the disaster capitalism at work in Puerto Rico. The conversation begins with a discussion about the ways in which Wall Street and billion-dollar corporations are privatizing and capitalizing public education while undermining teachers unions and destroying teaching as a profession. From there, Jia d...

This week Eric welcomes to the show Israeli dissident, activist, and co-founder of Boycott from Within, Ronnie Barkan, to discuss the current situation in Palestine, some of the important history that has led to the current moment, and various forms of resistance to Israeli oppression and apartheid. The conversation begins with an exploration of Jewish society and the distinctions between liberal Zionists and the right-wing Zionists, the importance of the Israeli legal system in upholding aparth...

This week Eric welcomes author and Yale professor Jason Stanley to discuss his brand new book “How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them.” The conversation opens with a discussion of the motivation for writing the book, and what “Us” and “Them” means for understanding fascist politics of the past and today. From there, Eric and Jason touch on some of the key elements of fascism discussed in the book while providing examples of how those ideas are being expressed in the context of Trumpism a...

This week Eric welcomes to the show award-wining journalist Barrett Brown to discuss his recent and very public falling out with Julian Assange, his perspective on Wikileaks and the role of Assange within it, and his exciting new Pursuance Project. The first half of the conversation explores Brown’s work, his relationship to Assange/Wikileaks, and the circumstances that led to Brown’s serving four years in prison. Barrett explains how his conflict with Assange developed, and provides insights in...

Warning: this interview between Louisa Willcox and actress and activist Margot Kidder could change your life. Margot was a brilliant spokesperson for the underdog and the dispossessed, who cared deeply about wilderness and the fate of the planet. Margie was also my friend, and one of the most generous, hilarious, smart and beautiful people I have ever met. Margie enjoyed a successful career acting, known, in particular, for her role as Lois Lane in the Superman Series alongside Christopher Reeve...

This week Eric welcomes back to the show author and journalist Arun Gupta to discuss everything from being a journalist in the Trump era to immigration, trade wars, and the sorry state of analysis on the left today. The show begins with a discussion of the Trump news cycle, the importance of sticking to issues, and some banter about Russia and what is, or isn’t, important to our political reality. From there, Eric and Arun discuss Trump’s trade wars, and whether it’s a brilliant move from a posi...

This week Eric welcomes to the show author and academic Stan Malinowitz to discuss the recent elections in Colombia, among other important developments. The conversation begins with a rundown and analysis of the elections, including a profile of the two main candidates from the left and far right. Eric and Stan then discuss the recent wave of political assassinations, and what this means for the incoming administration and the people of Colombia. Additionally, Stan explains how neoliberalism man...

This week Eric welcomes to the show author and academic Rob Larson to discuss his latest book “Capitalism vs. Freedom: The Toll Road to Serfdom” and the ideologies and politics that inspired it. Rob explains why he felt it was important to combat the pernicious influence of right wing economic ideas, and the discourse by which it is spread. Eric and Rob examine the origins of neoliberalism and modern far right economics, and how they were translated into policy, both domestically and internation...

This week Eric welcomes to the show undocumented activist and organizer Aly Wane to discuss refugees and migration, the Trump Administration’s policies at the border, and the political trajectory that brought us here. Aly and Eric discuss everything from the horrific, fascistic enforcement policy of the Orange Beast to the complicity of Democrats and liberals in creating the infrastructure that Trump now employs. The conversation explores the connection between the refugee/migration issue and US...

This time Eric welcomes to the show researcher and activist John Ackerman to discuss the upcoming Mexican elections, the issues at play, and the significance of these elections for the country and the region as a whole. The conversation begins with an in depth examination of the front-runner, left wing candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), his policy proposals, and the challenges he’ll face as president. Eric and John discuss where big capital fits into this, whether they’re united in th...

This time Eric welcomes to the show scholar and activist Edna Bonhomme to discuss her research on Tunisia, and how that country – a flashpoint during the Arab Spring – has evolved since protests erupted in 2010. Edna explains how the country has undergone a process of militarization, and that the US and other western powers have been behind the military in its expansion. Eric and Edna touch on everything from the role of Tunisia in the migrant crisis, to the US AFRICOM initiative and how that ma...

This week Eric welcomes to the show UK-based Iranian exile Yassamine Mather to discuss the latest developments in Iran and the Middle East. Eric and Yassamine begin with an analysis of the Iran nuclear agreement (JCPOA) and the decision by the Trump administration to violate the treaty. From there, the conversation explores some of the political, economic, and strategic context within which these latest events must be understood. Yassamine provides her perspective on the regional and global issu...

This time Eric welcomes back to the show Brazil-based journalist and researcher Mike Fox to discuss the latest political developments in that country as it witnesses social upheaval resulting from a political crisis. Mike and Eric discuss former President Lula’s dramatic surrender to the government, what the social movements have done in defense of Lula and democracy, and what it means for the future of the movements and the country. Mike explains how we got to this point, the role of the Temer ...

This time Eric welcomes to the show CounterPunch editors Jeffrey St. Clair and Joshua Frank to mark the 100th episode of the podcast as the bombs of WWIII fall around us. While Jeff and Eric record from deep in their respective strongholds, Josh remains foolishly above ground, open to the elements and nuclear bombs. Nevertheless, the show must go on, so Eric, Jeff and Josh discuss everything from Trump’s bombs over Syria to Putinmania, from Democratic Party orcs to the Great Syria Meme War of 20...

This week Eric welcomes back to the show Kobani-based political scientist and activist Hawzhin Azeez to discuss the Turkish invasion of Afrin, the general attack on Kurdish autonomy and sovereignty, the role of jihadis in this strategy, and so much more. The conversation begins with an analysis of the attack on Afrin (at time of recording, the main battle was still ongoing), and the Turkish motivations in doing so. From there, the Hawzhin and Eric touch on everything from anti-Kurdish propaganda...

This week Eric welcomes to the show author and journalist Dahr Jamail to discuss climate change, climate politics in the Age of Trump, and our responsibilities to future generations. The conversation begins with a discussion of the emotional and psychological impact of an issue as enormous as climate change, and how we can even discuss it without falling into despondency. From there, Eric and Dahr discuss everything from climate change trends to polar ice, the impact of methane, agriculture and ...

This week Eric welcomes to the show author and academic Patrick Bond to discuss the political situation in South Africa domestically, as well as the role that the country plays on the African continent, and globally. The conversation begins with an analysis of recent developments as former President Zuma was ousted, replaced by the billionaire Cyril Ramaphosa, and what that portends for the future of the country. Eric and Patrick examine the other parties, the role of the trade unions, and the g...

CounterPunch Radio is back this week after a long hiatus as Eric welcomes returning guest, and regular CounterPunch contributor, Paul Street to the show. Eric and Paul discuss Russiagate and the competing narratives around it, how the Trump-Russia discourse has changed on the Left as new details emerge, and what we should look forward to, both good and bad. But fear not, this conversation goes well beyond the corporate media hysteria to touch on everything from Bernie Sanders’ recent comments a...

CounterPunch Radio returns this week after more than two months away. Eric welcomes to the show investigative journalist Steve Horn to discuss the state of the Republican and Democratic parties and the ongoing conflicts, perceived or real, within them. Eric and Steve talk about the anti-environment, climate-denying degenerates appointed by Trump to head every relevant agency, the role of ALEC in shaping Trumpian policy, and more. The conversation also explores Steve Bannon and his role in mainta...

This week Eric sits down with journalist Abby Martin to discuss the situation in Venezuela, and her recent trip to the country. Eric and Abby begin by examining the “protests” on the streets of Caracas as Abby witnessed first-hand: the violence of the guarimbas, the class character of the protests and protesters, the attitudes of Chavistas, the economic and psychological war against the people of Venezuela, and much more. From there, Eric and Abby touch on everything from the role of organized c...

**Note: This episode was recorded 10 days before the events in Charlottesville** This week Eric sits down with author Paul Street to discuss his recent article in CounterPunch entitled “Unity with the Right? A Deplorable Idea” (Aug. 4, 2017). The conversation touches on renewed calls for building alliances with the far right, and interrogates whether such a strategy is desirable, or even possible. Eric and Paul discuss the current state of the Left, and examine why anyone would think unity with...

This week Eric sits down with Dr. Francisco Dominguez, national secretary of the UK-based Venezuela Solidarity Campaign to discuss the latest from the Bolivarian Republic as it faces perhaps the worst crisis since Hugo Chavez rose to power at the end of the last century. Eric and Francisco begin with a discussion about the global political situation, and the imperialist imperatives of the United States in Venezuela, and Latin America. They discuss everything from global oil prices to the nature ...

This week Eric sits down with political scientist and author Anthony DiMaggio to discuss Trump’s Russia problems, the real significance of the latest revelations, and what they mean for the future of the Trump administration. Eric and Anthony explore whether anyone should care about the Trump Jr.-Russian lawyer meeting, how to talk about Trump-Russia without legitimizing the Democratic Party and liberal establishment narrative, and what a post-Trump future could look like. The second half of the...

This week Eric welcomes to the show author Ellen Brown to discuss the movement for public banking, and why a transformation of the US banking system is so necessary. The conversation begins with a discussion of public banking: What is it? Why is it important? What interests are threatened by it? From there, Eric and Ellen explore a wide variety of topics, from the Bank of North Dakota to the roots of the monetary debates of the late 19th Century and their impact on our financial system today. In...