
251 Interventions in 30 Years: A System Addicted to War w/ Ben Norton
The United States has acknowledged almost 500 military interventions, listed in detail in a report by congressional researchers. More than 200 were just in the last 31 years, since the fall of the Soviet Union, representing a significant increase over the hundreds of years prior. What does this explain about the nature of capitalism, war, and imperialism? Brian is joined by Ben Norton, an investigative journalist based in Latin America, and editor of the independent news website Multipolarista, which you can find at multipolarista.com. Ben’s article that Ben and Brian discuss is here on his website: https://multipolarista.com/2022/09/13/us-251-military-interventions-1991. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
6 Loka 202249min

Hurricane Ian exposes inhumanity of U.S. capitalism's disaster response
On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how Hurricane Ian has caused historic devastation throughout Florida, leaving over 100 dead and destroying homes and critical infrastructure. All of the extreme inequalities of the capitalist system are on display in the wake of this massive disaster. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
5 Loka 202229min
![Brazil’s Elections, Nordstream Explosion, Anti-War Movement, and More [Brian Becker Seminar #18 - Preview]](https://cdn.podme.com/podcast-images/9CE3C1F297EF95DCD15BA8C80784A9CC_small.jpg)
Brazil’s Elections, Nordstream Explosion, Anti-War Movement, and More [Brian Becker Seminar #18 - Preview]
In this patrons-only seminar, Brian analyzes Secretary of State Blinken's gloating about the Nordstream pipeline explosion and what this tells us, what is needed for a big anti-war mobilization, and how to effectively provide mutual aid. He also talks about Brazil's presidential election, with popular left candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva winning in the first round but headed to a runoff against far-right Jair Bolsonaro, and the U.S. government's view on it, and more. Check out the preview now and subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest!
4 Loka 202210min

The China-Russia Alliance: Will It Endure? Will It Grow?
Two of the biggest world powers, Russia and China, have formed an alliance based on common interest, despite a very complex history. Seven months into the Russian military intervention in Ukraine, what is the state of the relationship? Brian is joined by Marco Fernandes, researcher with Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, member of Dongsheng News collective & organizer with the No Cold War campaign. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
29 Syys 20221h 10min

Fed's Interest Rate Campaign Sends Shockwaves Through Global Economy
On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how the Federal Reserve’s relentless campaign to raise interest rates is having profound consequences not just in the United States, but around the world. As rates rise in the United States, the value of other currencies is plummeting, intensifying inflation and a whole host of other economic and social issues. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
28 Syys 202229min

Behind the Scenes: How the Right Wing Is Quietly Planning to Seize Election Infrastructure
The far right is on the move, installing themselves in key places throughout the election infrastructure of the country. States are considering further attacks, like eliminating early voting, after Republicans have spent decades filling the state legislatures. These attacks are racist, undemocratic, and coming to a head this November. Brian is joined by Esther Iverem, a longtime journalist, producer and host of the show ‘On the Ground: Voices of Resistance From the Nation’s Capital,’ which comes out weekly on Fridays. Check it out at onthegroundshow.org and two dozen Pacifica stations nationwide. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
27 Syys 202243min

Ukraine War Escalates—And Nuclear War Threats Grow
The Ukraine war is escalating—dramatically. Russian President Putin & U.S. President Biden both made major and dramatic speeches in the last day, after a successful and U.S.-backed Ukrainian counter-offensive earlier in the week. What did Putin and Biden reveal in their addresses and where is this headed? Brian is joined by Eugene Puryear, the host of the BreakThrough News podcast The Punch Out, co-host of the BT live video show The Freedom Side, and a writer, including the article “Should we really blame NATO for the Ukraine war?” Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
22 Syys 20221h 4min

Inflation Crisis & the March Towards Recession
On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how fears of an all-out economic crisis are deepening as FedEx announces that it expects a global recession based on a sharp decline in world shipping activity, and a higher-than expected inflation report deepens the federal reserve’s determination to raise interest rates. The capitalist class remains determined to drive the economy off a cliff to eviscerate workers’ living standards and bargaining power. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
21 Syys 202234min