U.S. Officials' Goal is to "Weaken Russia" in a Long War in Ukraine
On today's In the News roundtable, Brian Becker, Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek discuss how a high profile visit to Kiev by Defense Secretary Austin and Secretary of State Blinken further cemented the central role of the United States in equipping and organizing the Ukrainian war effort -- and blocking peace talks. They also discuss Elon Musk moving in on Twitter, French President Macron winning re-election, and more. 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.
26 Apr 20221h 11min
New Cold War Witch Hunt Targets Journalists Opposed to US Empire
The war in Ukraine has ushered in a new era of global politics, and it has also ushered in a new political witch hunt against dissenting voices. With more and more intensity, the corporate media – including social media giants – are closing ranks to squeeze out anyone who dares speak up in opposition to the Pentagon’s narrative and against catastrophic confrontation between the United States and Russia. Brian is joined by Ben Norton. He is a journalist and editor of Multipolarista. You can find his work at BenNorton.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 Apr 202257min
Tax Day: Exposing the Lies of the Rich
On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the extreme injustices of the U.S. tax system. Monday was Tax Day — no cause for celebration for millions of ordinary people. But for the ultra rich, it wasn’t so bad. Many of the wealthiest people on the planet actually pay a tax rate that is lower than a typical worker — how do they get away with this scam? 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.
20 Apr 202227min
Politicians Push for an Even Wider War in Ukraine
On today's In the News roundtable, Brian Becker, Esther Iverem, Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek discuss how powerful figures in the West are pushing for even graver acts of reckless escalation in Ukraine, and how big oil is cashing in on the war with plans for massive drilling expansion with the help of the Biden administration. The panel also discusses the latest right wing attacks on so-called “Critical Race Theory”, how the super rich pay little to nothing in taxes, the latest developments in Palestine, and more. 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.
19 Apr 20221h 13min
Ukraine War & the New Era in Global Politics: Where Are We Headed?
On today's episode Nicole Roussell interviews Brian Becker about the new phase of heightened conflict that world politics is entering. As the United States moves aggressively to maintain its position of the world's dominant power, the globe is becoming increasingly polarized between supporters of this world order and those who fall outside of it -- a process dramatically accelerated by the war in Ukraine. This is playing out economically, diplomatically, and militarily. 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.
14 Apr 20221h
Historic Price Surge Continues -- Recession Coming?
On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss what's coming next for our economy as inflation rises and pressure mounts on the Federal Reserve to pull back its extraordinary support for big business. Is a recession coming? 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.
13 Apr 202233min
Ukraine Fighting Shifts As NATO Eyes Even Further Expansion
On today's In the News roundtable, Nicole Roussell, Esther Iverem and Walter Smolarek discuss how the fighting in Ukraine is intensifying in the country’s east at the same time as the United States and its NATO allies are seeking to prolong the war for their own geopolitical benefit. The panel also discusses how the courts continue to offer impunity for police brutality, the arrest of a Texas woman on murder charges for having an abortion, the presidential election in France, the status of Iran nuclear deal negotiations, and more. Article referenced in this show: The Origins of Ukraine’s Fascists & Why It Matters, with Historian Tarik Cyril Amar https://www.breakthroughnews.org/post/the-origins-of-ukraine-s-fascists-why-it-matters-with-historian-tarik-cyril-amar 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.
12 Apr 20221h 19min
Give War a Chance: NATO and Neo-Nazis Want Ukraine Conflict to Go on Forever
The war in Ukraine is entering a new phase. NATO leaders are meeting and are clearly worried that the Zelenskyy government might agree to a negotiated end to the war. Brian Becker and Dr. Gabriel Rockhill discuss the internal politics in Ukraine with a focus on the role of the far right, fascists and neo-Nazis. Brian is joined by Dr. Gabriel Rockhill, Founding Director of the Critical Theory Workshop and Professor of Philosophy at Villanova University. You can check out his latest article on today’s subject at LiberationNews.org, titled, “Nazis in Ukraine: Seeing through the fog of the information 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.
7 Apr 20221h 7min
