Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ Apologies for background, but it was raining at Dorsey's house in Singapore. On this edition of Parallax Views, Israel continues bombing Gaza, Houthis launch a drone strike on the Israeli city of Eilat, Israel conducts airstrikes in Doha, Qatar, the Gaza aid flotilla is being swarmed by Israel according to crew, and European states are recognizing Palestinian statehood. A lot is going on in terms of the Middle East and especially Israel Palestine. James M. Dorsey of the Turbulent World blog/Substack, a longtime scholarly commenter on the Middle East, returns to break it all down and discuss a number of topics including the two-state solution vs. the one-state solution vs. the one-state reality, Gulf and Arab states now seeing Israel as a bigger security threat than Israel, Israel's attack on a compound in Gaza that killed members of the Doghmush clan and its implications, Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard's Knesset run, problems with the Palestine Authority, Israel's West Bank annexation plans, and much, much more.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, a previously unreleased conversation from July 2025 with Yale historian and legal scholar Samuel Moyn returns to the program to unpack the arguments in his recent Guardian article, “America is over neoliberalism and neoconservatism. Trump is not.” Moyn argues that while Donald Trump has often been portrayed as an unprecedented break with American politics—whether as a populist challenger to the status quo or as an authoritarian threat—the reality is more complicated. Yes, Trump has moved in an authoritarian direction, from mass immigration roundups to open pandering to extremist forces. But at the same time, his administration has doubled down on the “zombie ideologies” of the past fifty years: neoliberalism in domestic policy and neoconservatism in foreign policy.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, a cross-over episode w/ Jason Myles' This is Revolution that was recorded last Thursday on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what political violence in America means in the 21st century. This was recorded before many of the facts in the case were public, and deals more with the nature of political violence and its potential consequences in this turbulent moment of America's history.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this episode of Parallax Views, Charlotte Dennett, author of Follow the Pipelines: Uncovering the Mystery of a Lost Spy and the Deadly Politics of the Great Game for Oil, unpacks the high-stakes geopolitical and economic forces behind the war in Gaza. Drawing on decades of research—including declassified CIA documents connected to her father’s post-WWII counterintelligence work in the Middle East (who died in a mysterious plane crash)—Dennett explores how energy interests, infrastructure projects, and pipelines have shaped conflicts from the Arabian Peninsula to the Eastern Mediterranean in what she calls "The Great Game for Oil. We discuss the so-called “Gaza post-war plan,” the IMEC pipeline linking India to Haifa, and how longstanding ambitions to transform Israel into a regional energy corridor intersect with war, displacement, and geopolitics. Dennett also traces surprising links between conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and the broader web of financial, intelligence, and political interests that underlie modern crises. Topics include: How energy infrastructure has influenced decades of Middle East policy. The “costs", including depopulation and military campaigns, associated with securing oil and gas reserves. The intersection of geopolitics, corporate interests, and intelligence operations from WWII to today. Connections between global conflicts, including Gaza and Ukraine, and "The Great Game for Oil". The GREAT (Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation) Trust plan And... The Jeffrey Epstein connection? Supplementary Materials and Images to Help You Understand This Episode: Image: Rendering of the GREAT Trust "Day After" plans for Gaza Image: Netanyahu presenting controversial maps at the UN, Sept 2023, surprising delegates by omitting Palestine. The “curse” represents the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” while the “blessing” shows what appears to be the route (by red arrow) of the IMEC pipeline connecting India to Saudi Arabia and the port of Haifa. Links: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: Connectivity in an era of geopolitical uncertainty - Atlantic Council Let's Call the 'GREAT' Gaza Post-War Plan Exactly What It Is: Ethnic Cleansing - Zeteo Netanyahu Presents Controversial Maps at UN, Surprising Everyone by Omitting Palestine | India.com

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, Richard Silverstein joins us to discuss his reporting for Jacobin on the dramatic shift in American public opinion on Israel amid the ongoing civilian casualities in Gaza. For the first time ever, polls show more Americans support Palestinians than Israel, with majorities opposing U.S. arms shipments and the Democratic Party’s unconditional support for the Israeli state. Silverstein breaks down the IDF’s leaked internal report admitting failures in Gaza, highlighting poor strategic planning, ineffective operations, and the resilience of Hamas despite massive Israeli assaults. He also analyzes the so-called GREAT Trust plan— a postwar scheme framed as reconstruction but effectively a Trump-backed grift, offering Palestinians just $5,000 to leave while opening Gaza to luxury resorts, high-tech investments, and U.S.-administered “trusteeship” oversight, enriching private investors while displacing millions. We explore how these developments are reshaping U.S. politics, divisions within the Democratic Party, and the broader implications of it all.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael speaks with journalist and author Ross Halperin about his new book Bear Witness: The Pursuit of Justice in a Violent Land. Halperin takes us deep into the Honduran barrio of Nueva Suyapa, where poverty and gang violence created a landscape of fear and impunity. At the heart of his narrative are Kurt Ver Beek, an American sociologist, and Carlos Hernández, a Honduran educator, who together founded the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ). Rejecting traditional models of charity, ASJ pursued justice through daring, sometimes clandestine, methods—taking on gangs, corrupt officials, and a failing state. We discuss the book’s central themes: the moral compromises of activism, the dangers of confronting entrenched power, the role of faith in motivating social justice, and the question of whether justice is possible in places where institutions have collapsed. Along the way, we examine how Halperin’s reporting complicates tidy narratives about NGOs, reform, and the global fight against corruption. Bear Witness has already drawn praise from writers like David Grann and Larissa MacFarquhar for its gripping, ethically charged storytelling. In this conversation, Halperin reflects on the limits of reform, the risks of speaking truth in violent lands, and what it really means to “bear witness.”

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist and author Daniel Lazare, author of The Frozen Republic: How the Constitution is Paralyzing Democracy, joins the show to dissect the forces behind Trumpism and the broader American political landscape. They explore why Lazare believes Trump is not a fascist, despite popular claims, and what his rise reveals about the collapse of liberal institutions. This does not, however, mean that Lazare think Trump is benign. Nor is he claiming that Trump isn't authoritarian. But the analysis can't of Trump, he argues, can't claim that the phenomena of Trumpism is alien to America. Lazare explains how the U.S. Constitution, far from being inherently protective of democracy, contains authoritarian mechanisms that have enabled the concentration of power. The conversation also delves into Trump’s foreign policy, drawing parallels with Putin’s consolidation of power and the revival of Teddy Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” approach in a multipolar world. Lazare analyzes how neoliberal elites and cultural movements intended to strengthen their position have inadvertently fueled working-class resentment, contributing to Trump’s appeal. This episode is a deep dive into the structural forces shaping contemporary American politics, the myths of “alien fascism,” and the real threats to democracy that come from within. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

Taking a slight detox from social media to recalibrate. So I thought now was a good time for a replay. Specifically this episode about Howard Stern, who has been in the news lately over the question of whether SiriusXM will renew his contract. Howard Stern has gone from a sleazy shock jock interviewing C-list celebrities to a pop culture icon whose a friend of Jimmy Kimmel and a judge on America's Got Talent. Not all of Howard's fanbase have stayed with him through thick and thin, however. In fact, a group of former fans have started a podcast called Radio Gunk dedicated to exposing what they see as the alt-radio host's hypocrisy. Radio Gunk's Monique joins us to discuss the podcast and her journey from Howard fanatic to Stern critic. Howard Stern has been feuding with shock jockette Wendy William who accused Howard of being a sell out recently Monique and I begin the conversation by discussing the genesis of Radio Gunk. Then Monique turns the tables to ask why a non-Howard Stern listener like myself invited her onto the show. From there we delve into why the Radio Gunk crew have become ex-Howard Stern fans since Stern's famous jump from K-Rock to Sirius Radio. We then discuss a number of issues related to the hypocrisies of Howard Stern and even how Donald Trump and Howard Stern, who fancies himself as a feminist Democrat nowadays, have a lot in common.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist and war correspondent Tom Mutch, author of The Dogs of Mariupol: The Invasion of Ukraine and the Future of War, joins the show to discuss his frontline reporting on the Russia–Ukraine war and the hard lessons of a conflict that continues to reshape global politics. We begin by revisiting the shocking first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, when many in Moscow and the West assumed Ukraine would collapse within days. Why did so many analysts underestimate Ukraine’s resilience, and what explains the country’s remarkable ability to withstand Vladimir Putin’s assault? From there, we examine how the war has evolved between 2022 and 2025—highlighting acts of courage by Ukrainian civilians and soldiers, but also the immense human cost of the conflict. Tom reflects on mistakes made by Ukraine and the West, including the absence of a coherent U.S. strategy for aiding Kyiv, and whether Washington’s focus has sometimes been more about weakening Russia than guaranteeing Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty. We also address difficult questions such as the controversial defense of Bakhmut, whether Ukraine committed critical tactical errors, and what the future may hold: negotiations, diplomacy, or total victory. The conversation goes beyond Ukraine as well. We discuss the significance of Nagorno-Karabakh in understanding today’s revived great-power politics, and how the war in Gaza has negatively impacted Ukraine, especially as Israel's actions have come under scrutiny and undermined U.S. moral credibility as an arbiter of the global order. Finally, Tom speaks to audiences split on the war—those skeptical of Ukraine’s continued fight and U.S. military aid, and those who strongly defend Kyiv’s efforts. While Mutch comes from a firmly pro-Ukraine perspective, he offers a nuanced and critical edge that challenges simplistic narratives on both sides of the debate. He also offers criticisms of the American right-wing's views on Ukraine, addresses controversies around the Azov Battalion and the cultural significance of WWII-era far-right figure Stepan Bandera in modern Ukraine, and more.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, Alex Jordan and Courtney Rawlings — hosts of the Quincy Institute’s foreign policy podcast Always at War — join the show for a hard-hitting conversation on some of the most urgent global issues. We discuss the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where starvation is setting in and U.S. politicians have failed to halt the suffering or reconsider military aid to Israel. From there, we examine the rise of a multipolar world order, the dangers of unmanaged Great Power competition, and how smaller nations risk being trampled by larger powers. We also break down the role of the U.S. national security state and the foreign policy “Blob” in eroding democratic governance, the connection between endless wars abroad and diminished freedoms at home, and how unaccountable institutions shape policy without public consent. The conversation concludes with a look at the Ukraine–Russia war, its global ramifications, and what it reveals about shifting geopolitical realities.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. In this explosive episode of Parallax Views, investigative journalist Jack Poulson joins host J.G. Michael to uncover the shadowy post-retirement career of Michael Anne Casey-Tyler, a former CIA official alleged to be one of the real-life inspirations behind Jessica Chastain’s character “Maya” in Zero Dark Thirty. She's also for her controversial role in the CIA’s Bin Laden Issue Station, namely being accused of blocking critical 9/11 intelligence from reaching the FBI. Now Casey-Tyler has resurfaced in the private sector and her latest affiliations are raising eyebrows. Poulson breaks down his bombshell reporting on how Casey-Tyler consulted with McNally Capital, a private equity firm that now has an “economic interest” in Safe Reach Solutions, the security partner behind the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a militarized aid operation accused of facilitating the deaths of over 600 Palestinians and providing cover for Israeli displacement efforts. We dive deep into: Connections between former intelligence officials and militarized humanitarian aid The role of private military contractors like Safe Reach Solutions and UG Solutions How McNally Capital and Orbis Operations are profiting from crisis zones The controversies around the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is being called a “fig leaf for further violence” by UN officials Is humanitarian aid being weaponized? Is the post-CIA private sector creating a new form of covert empire? And what do these shadowy networks say about the future of war, intelligence, and privatized power?

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist Eric Margolis returns to discuss his articles "The Honey Trap on East 71st" and, more recently, "The Epstein Scandal". Margolis recounts his experience at a luncheon hosted by Epstein at his palatial residence on East 71st Street in New York City. Margolis was offered a 'massage' soon after arriving at Epstein's house, and was puzzled by it. As someone who'd spent time in Russia and dealt with KGB, he immediately believed that this was a honey trap. That is to say, an operation to get kompromat on prominent, influential, and powerful individuals through sexual liasons. Margolis believes that at the heart of the Epstein scandal is espionage, specifically an intelligence operation, and blackmail. He also speculates that Israeli intelligence fingerprints are all over the case. We discussed all of this as well as the Jonathan Pollard spying case, the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal (which has received renewed attention due to an article entitled "Did Benjamin Netanyahu Blackmail Bill Clinton Over the Monica Lewinsky Sex Tapes?" by Ryan Grim at Drop Site News), and more.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. In the wake of Hulk Hogan’s death, this episode of Parallax Views looks past the familiar WWE narrative to uncover the real history of professional wrestling’s popularity—before, during, and after Hulkamania. Wrestling historian Matt Farmer joins us to explore the career of Hulk Hogan—from his early days in Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association and Japan as well as his first WWE run to the meteoric rise of "Hulkmania" as a phenomenon that took America by storm— and assess his legacy as it pertain to the wrestling. Additionally, you'll hear Farmer discuss the days of pro wrestling prior to Vince McMahon's national expansion of the WWE. Farmer gives an insight into the landscape of wrestling before Hogan, how it marked by regional territories run by various promoters, and its overlooked popularity in the pre-Hulkmania era. We examine the massive crowds and box office success of stars like Jim Londos, Rikidōzan, and Bruno Sammartino, who sold out arenas and stadiums long before the WWF’s national expansion in the 1980s. At the same time, Farmer doesn’t deny Hogan’s genuine drawing power. He talks about how Hogan became a cultural icon, one of pro wrestling's biggest box office attraction of all time and played a key role in fundamentally transforming wrestling during the cable TV boom. We'll also discuss the factors that led to Vince McMahon and WWE's national expansion, the target audience of the WWE during the Hulkamania era, how McMahon having access to the New York market gave him a structural advantage in his pursuits, and much, much more. But what did the industry gain—and what did it lose? We look at the audience that faded away after Hogan’s massive rise to superstardom, and why history often forgets them. We also tackle the problem of revisionist history: how simplified corporate narratives rewrites wrestling’s past, erasing earlier eras and larger contexts in favor of a historically inaccurate and imprecise narratives about the profession's storied history. And not all the blame can be placed on WWE. That's part of it, but there's also the issue of how institutions didn't exist after the territories fell to McMahon's national expansion to preserve collective memory. Additionally, Farmer explains how regional wrestling promoters played a role in the profession's history not always being preserved. All that and much more in this edition of Parallax Views that should also be of interest to those interested in case studies of how history is remembered and forgotten as well as the reasons why oversimplified revisionism takes hold. In that sense, it's not just an episode about pro wrestling and Hulk Hogan, but historiography, hagiography, and the ways in which the two often butt heads like a grueling bout in the squared circle.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, Matthew Ellis, a senior instructor in Portland State University's film and media studies program, joins the show to discuss, and more specifically demystify, the much celebrated "New Hollywood" period of American cinema. Don't be mistaken, this episode isn't an attack on the great films that came out of that period: Arthur Penn's Bonnie & Clyde, William Friedkin's Sorcerer, Haskell Wexler's Medium Cool, Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather, Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch, and Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull. It is, however, an attempt to look at the material and economic factors that led to this incredible period in American cinema. In other words, a material analysis. Coming from a Marxist perspective, Ellis is more than equipped to look at the ways in which economic forces influenced the trajectory that gave us New Hollywood. In that sense, this conversation is a look at the myths and realities of New Hollywood. We discuss the birth of the modern blockbuster in the 1970s through Steven Spielberg's Jaws and George Lucas's Star Wars, the uses and abuses of Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory in film studies, the narrative about Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate and the end of New Hollywood, Roger Corman and how B-movies paved the way for A-list 70s movies like Jaws, the auteur theory of cinema and criticisms of it, the Paramount drama series The Offer (which is about the development of Coppola's adaptation of Mario Puzo's The Godfather), the companies behind production and distribution in Hollywood vs. the hired hands (directors), how French director's viewed American filmmakers like John Ford and Alfred Hitchcock, neoliberalism and cinema, capitalism and the production of movies, the 1948 ruling that broke up the Hollywood studio system's monopoly on film production, Old Hollywood's producer unit system of production and the shift to the package unit system in the 1960s, and much, much more

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, we dive deep into the 17th BRICS summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 6–7, 2025. BRICS—originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—is an bloc of emerging economies seeking to build an alternative to the U.S. global economic order outside traditional Western-dominated institutions. In recent years, BRICS has expanded to include countries like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the UAE, representing an even larger share of the Global South. Journalist Michael Fox joins us to report on what he saw at the summit: Brazilian President Lula da Silva's words at the summit and what it says about BRICS vision, the question of global reform to address pressing international issues balanced with national sovereignty, de-dollarization, and more. We also discuss the newly created BRICS Popular Council, a civil society forum designed to amplify grassroots voices from across the Global South and break down what the official BRICS Leaders’ Declaration tells us about the bloc’s evolving vision.

On this episode of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael is joined by writer and self-described film analyst Albert Lanier to discuss his work on the blog The Final Cut and his Retro Reviews website. We kick things off by exploring why Albert prefers the term “film analyst” over “movie reviewer,” delving into what it means to engage deeply with cinema rather than simply judge it. From there, we dive into his thoughtful takes on: Psycho II, the surprising and often overlooked sequel to Hitchcock’s classic, and how it rethinks Norman Bates for a new era. Tobe Hooper’s Lifeforce, a wild blend of sci-fi, horror, and eroticism that could only have come out of the 80s. The heyday of raunchy 80s comedies, what they reflected about the culture at the time, and why they endure (or don’t). Split Image, a lesser-known thriller about cults that holds up as both a tense drama and a cultural artifact of its period. It’s a conversation that ranges from cult cinema (and movies about cults) to the philosophy of film criticism, nostalgia, and why some forgotten gems deserve a second look.

On this edition of Parallax Views, George Beebe — Director of Grand Strategy at the Quincy Institute, former director of the CIA's Russia analysis, and a former staff advisor on Russia matters to Vice President Dick Cheney — about the shifting architecture of global power and its impact on U.S. foreign policy. We begin by unpacking the rise of multipolarity: what it really means for America, why it could encourage balance and restraint, and why it also carries serious risks of miscalculation and instability. From there, we turn to the surprising recent signs of frustration between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and what that might portend for the grinding, entrenched nature of the Russia-Ukraine war. We explore potential pathways to negotiation, asking what concessions would be unacceptable for either side — and what a settlement might look like from a realist perspective. Throughout, Beebe draws on his background in the realist school to argue for understanding geopolitical interests without morally excusing aggression. It’s a conversation that moves beyond daily headlines to consider how shifting power dynamics, great-power rivalry, and hard strategic choices could shape the next phase of the war — and the world order that follows.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this episode of Parallax Views, J.G. spoke with Lev Parnas—former Trump insider turned whistleblower—for an unfiltered conversation about Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and the transactional world of MAGA politics. For many, Parnas is a controversial figure. Some hail him as a whistleblower, others question his credibility due to his conviction related to campaign finance crimes. His story involves working with Rudy Guiliani for the Trump campaign and going to Ukraine to dig up dirt on the Biden family. Parnas will be in D.C. soon to receive the Pillar Award at the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival on July 30th, and he plans to speak with beltway congressmen and power players while in town. Lev reveals how he broke away from what he calls the "MAGA cult" and offers an insider’s view of Trump not as a foreign agent, but as a useful idiot—a figure driven by self-interest and easily manipulated by others. We discuss Trump's shadowy dealings with the UAE, Gulf States, and other foreign nations, and how figures like RFK Jr. and JD Vance are carving out their own opportunistic lanes ahead of the next election. But the real bombshell? Lev goes in-depth on his latest explosive article about Trump's alleged cover-up efforts around the Epstein scandal. He explains why he believes U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche—once Paul Manafort's lawyer and his own legal adversary—is now being sent in as, in Lev's words, "Trump's fixer" to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell. Lev argues this isn’t about justice, but about controlling the narrative, burying the truth, and shielding powerful elites linked to Epstein’s trafficking network. We also talk about Trump’s move to disavow outraged MAGA supporters after Epstein files remained sealed, the rumored rift between Trump and Dan Bongino, and why Lev sees this as part of a much larger strategy to protect Trump and powerful figures associated with him.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, Chris Lehmann, D.C. Bureau Chief at The Nation, joins the program to unpack the unraveling of Trump’s deep‑state narratives — and how it could spark fractures within his own movement. At the heart of our conversation: Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Faced with mounting pressure from the QAnon‑influenced wing of MAGA — who’ve long treated “the Epstein client list” as proof of a hidden global cabal — Trump recently pivoted to claiming the list exists but was fabricated by Obama and the Democrats. Lehmann explains how Trump's moves in relation to Epstein threatens to alienate the very conspiratorial base that, for years, functioned almost like a religious movement around Trump, providing meaning and a sense of cosmic struggle. We explore how this moment reveals deeper tensions: what once unified the MAGA coalition is now splintering into paranoia and internal suspicion — setting the stage for a potential “MAGA civil war.” From there, we dive into Lehmann’s other recent piece on Trump’s omnibus “Big Beautiful Bill,” which quietly funnels billions into ICE and federal law enforcement — constructing the scaffolding of an unprecedented police state, largely unnoticed amid the media circus. Finally, we turn to the Democratic Party’s failures: why their reluctance to engage on issues like immigration and their procedural, visionless opposition have helped clear the path for authoritarian expansion. Together, we trace how conspiracy, disillusionment, and institutional power are converging — and what that might mean for America’s political future. Further reading: Trump’s Deep-State Conspiracy Theories Are Getting Beyond His Control | The Nation Trump’s Big Bill Is Building a Big Police State | The Nation

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist Klaus Marre—senior editor for Politics and director of the Mentor Apprentice Program at WhoWhatWhy—joins the show to explore rising tensions inside the MAGA movement over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and whether it could spark a kind of “MAGA Civil War.” Recently, Donald Trump has publicly dismissed supporters still demanding answers about the Epstein case. Meanwhile, the FBI and DOJ insist there’s nothing more to investigate and no secret “client list.” Some MAGA influencers have rushed to defend Trump or shifted blame to figures like Pam Bondi—but at the grassroots level, frustration and disillusionment with Trump appear to be growing. Klaus breaks down what his reporting reveals about this internal MAGA divide, analyzes how the right‑wing media and propaganda ecosystem shape the narrative, and offers a critical look at how Democrats have mishandled both the Epstein issue and America’s deepening economic inequality. Further reading: Flailing Trump Disavows His Core Supporters Over ‘Epstein Hoax’ - WhoWhatWhy GOP, Fox, MAGA Influencers Comply With Trump’s Directive to Move on From Epstein - WhoWhatWhy A Golden Opportunity for Democrats Arises After Trump Bungles Epstein Response - WhoWhatWhy Trump Tries New Tactic to Distract MAGA Base From Epstein - WhoWhatWhy Epstein Question Rattles Trump - WhoWhatWhy FBI’s ‘Nothing to See Here’ Epstein Memo Will Surely Placate MAGA Faithful - WhoWhatWhy

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, the Center for Economic and Policy Research's Dean Baker, author of the "Beat the Press" blog at the aforementioned CEPR, joins the program to discuss President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, Zohran Mamdani's Mayoral primary win against Andrew Cuomo, and how the political status quo rigs the market in favor of the rich. A good deal of this conversation is centered on market myths, particularly what Baker sees as the pernicious myth that Republicans hate government and love free markets. On the contrary, Baker argues that Republican love government as long as it benefits monopolistic corporate power. Government, he argues, always shapes the economy and that markets need government to exist regardless of whether you're a conservative, progressive, or centrist on domestic economic issues. We also discuss Trumponomics vs. Bidenomics, Biden's CHIPS and Science Act, Trump's tax cuts for the rich, Ezra Klein and the Abundance Movement, the Biden era NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) and Lina Khan-led FTC (Federal Trade Commission), Donald Trump and faux populism, Baker's defense of Biden's domestic economic policies, Trump's Medicaid and food assistance program cuts, understanding the issue of monopolies through the example of patent and copyright laws, non-competes and monopoly power, Baker's critique of Trump's tariffs policies, addressing Trump's so-called "populist measures in the "Big Beautiful Bill" (no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime, no taxes on Social Security, and the tax deduction for interest on new car loans), inertia and laziness as a major cause of distortion in policy discussions, MAGA's desire to see manufacturing brought back to the United States, whether or not Trump is a continuation or break with the GOP, Trump's push for full employment policies in his first term, the problem with how status quo Democrats are approaching politics today, and much, much more.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, urban theorist Joel Kotkin, author of The New Class Conflict and The Coming of Neo-Feudalism: A Warning to the Global Middle Class, to discuss his provocative UnHerd article, "Beware the New Eugenics." Together, they explore how today’s tech billionaires and Silicon Valley elites are reviving dangerous eugenic ideas—not through government programs, but through cutting-edge AI, gene editing, cloning, and transhumanist ideology. Kotkin argues that the new eugenics movement and posthuman-focused big tech, driven by figures like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Sam Altman, and Ray Kurzweil, threatens core humanist values: democracy, family, religion, and human dignity. Rather than enriching culture and community, Big Tech promotes an anti-humanist, dehumanizing vision that sees people as superfluous beings to be optimized or replaced artificial intelligence or machines. Key topics we discuss: Big Tech’s cultural impact in the Bay Area and beyond The bipartisan danger within Silicon Valley (as in: both on the "right" and the "left" worlds of big tech politically) of fetishizing technology over humanity Historical parallels with past ideologies that sought to engineer a “better” human Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, the "Pleasure Principle", and Silicon Valley today Curtis Yarvin, aka Mencius Moldbug, and the techno-oligarchic right-wing in Silicon Valley Silicon Valley's desire to replace workers If you're concerned about the rise of AI, transhumanism, and tech-driven efforts to reshape society, this conversation is essential listening. Additionally, Joel gives his thoughts on the state of media and why he writes for more conservative leaning outlets, his criticisms of Donald Trump and his 2024 op-ed "The Phony Populism of [Kamala] Harris and [Donald] Trump", knowing Trump's unsavory characteristics from being a New Yorker and how Trump ultimately thinks like a rich man, thoughts on Bernie Sanders, and more.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. In this episode of Parallax Views, former senior CIA analyst and national security expert Paul R. Pillar returns to break down his latest article, “Trump’s use and misuse of Iran intel,” published in Responsible Statecraft. We explore how the Trump administration clashed with U.S. intelligence threat assessments over Iran, the problem with threat exaggeration/threat inflation, and Trump's attempt shape public perception of the Iranian nuclear threat—and how these strategies may backfire on both Trump and the U.S. in the future. Pillar explains that within a single week, President Trump clashed with U.S. intelligence assessments on Iran in two contradictory ways—first by dismissing the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and the intelligence community’s conclusion that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon, and then by rejecting internal Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessments suggesting that U.S. airstrikes had only set back Iran’s nuclear program by a few months. In both cases, Trump disregarded intelligence that didn’t serve his political narrative. Rather than responding to sober analysis, he sought to craft a storyline in which he faced down an imminent threat and eliminated it through decisive military action—regardless of what the intelligence actually showed. And now, Trump is going to be left in a conundrum if the DIA assessments are correct and Iran seeks to build nuclear weapons in the course of his term, especially after having declared that the capabilities had been "totally obliterated" with the strikes on Fordow and other Iranian nuclear sites. Topics discussed include: How intelligence cherry-picking in this case echoes the WMD fiasco in Iraq The need for discourse about Iran's intentions vs. its capabilities Why Trump’s narrative of “obliteration” may put him in a political bind if Iran’s nuclear capability proves resilient The high likelihood that U.S. and Israeli strikes will accelerate Iran’s nuclear pursuits, rather than deter them The crucial distinction between capabilities and intentions in intelligence analysis—and why the latter is so easily politicized The enduring damage of the Right’s “mad mullahs” myth, which portrays Iran as irrational and suicidal, undermining effective policy and accurate assessments How Israel’s selective intelligence leaks are used to pressure U.S. policymakers into military escalation We also examine the fallout for the IAEA’s monitoring capabilities; arch-neocon Robert Kagan's belief that a war with Iran is foolish because 1.) Iran is not a threat to the U.S., and 2.) it could empower authoritarian power grabs in the U.S. domestically by the administration; and more. This is a vital conversation for anyone concerned about U.S. foreign policy, Middle East strategy, national security, and the future of intelligence integrity.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, we examine how the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—an Israeli-backed and U.S.-funded aid initiative—is being accused of turning famine relief in Gaza into a real-life Squid Game. The allegation is disturbing: a chilling “Red Light, Green Light Game” scenario wherein starving Palestinian civilians are being forced to approach GHF aid distribution centers for food, only to risk being shot by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) securing the sites. These centers are operated with the help of armed American private military contractors, and as of late May, more than 580 Palestinians have reportedly been killed at or near them. The most shocking detail? The U.S. State Department has contributed $30 million to support this controversial operation. Worth noting is the fact thatthe controversies surrounding the GHF aren't the domain of the so-called "fringe". They've have been covered by mainstream outlets like the Haaretz and the Associated Press. Moreover, humanitarian groups have raised questions about how the GHF operates. Joining us is investigative journalist Stavroula Pabst, whose Responsible Statecraft article reveals that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is not a neutral NGO, but a project conceived by Israeli officials, backed by Israeli tech investors, allegedly tied to Mossad, and implemented with the involvement of U.S. private military firms linked to the CIA. Together, we explore how the scandalous bloodbaths that have occured at or near GHF aid centers, GHF's PR campaign, and the U.S. backing of the operation. This episode dives into what appears to be the dangerous merging of humanitarian aid, military strategy, and public relations, raising urgent questions about war crimes, U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, and the erosion of international humanitarian norms. Stavroula's article: "Is the US now funding the bloodbath at Gaza aid centers? | Responsible Statecraft" NOTE: Views of guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect all the views of J.G. Michael or the Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael program

🎙️ 4TH OF JULY SPECIAL 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, acclaimed author and Pulitzer Prize–winner Viet Thanh Nguyen, author fo the hit novel The Sympathizer, joins us to discuss his powerful new essay in The Nation, “Greater America Has Been Exporting Disunion for Decades.” We explore how U.S. foreign policy—past and present—continues to shape not only global politics but domestic disunion. Nguyen draws on his recent trip to El Salvador to examine the enduring legacies of U.S.-backed wars, the violence of counterinsurgency, and how authoritarian leaders like Nayib Bukele are now being embraced by American officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Donald Trump himself. We unpack the idea of “Greater America” as a project of imperial ambition, mass incarceration, and historical amnesia—from the El Mozote massacre to the Phoenix Program, COINTELPRO, and modern immigration policy. Nguyen also reflects on what it means to be a refugee in a country responsible for your displacement, and why genuine patriotism requires memory, grief, and dissent, not myth or denial. This wide-ranging conversation delves into empire, memory, war crimes, refugee identity, authoritarianism, and the feedback loop between U.S. intervention abroad and repression at home. NOTE: Views of guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect all the views of J.G. Michael or the Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael program

🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero corporate backing. This is independent media at work — and we need your help to keep it going. 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this episode of Parallax Views, Jeet Heer, National Affairs correspondent for The Nation, joins us to unpack the political shockwaves of Zohran Mamdani’s insurgent victory in the NYC Democratic Party Mayoral primaries and explore how Peter Thiel’s techno-utopianism reveals the billionaire class’s growing estrangement from humanity. We dig into the political earthquake that is Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral primary win—not just as an electoral upset, but as a harbinger of deeper cracks in the Democratic Party establishment. Jeet Heer argues that Mamdani’s triumph over Andrew Cuomo wasn’t just a personal victory; it exposed the weakness, exhaustion, and disconnect of a party elite clinging to outdated strategies and fading legitimacy. We talk about what this means for the future of progressive politics and how Mamdani’s insurgency could signal a turning point for the Democratic Party. Specifically, we look at Mamdani's class-first focus in his campaign, the failure of Cuomo's campaign to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism, the billionaire class's opposition to Mamdani, the failings of Establishment Democrats and their 90s-style Clinton centrism, and much, much more. In the second half of the conversation, we turn to Jeet Heer’s piercing critique of Peter Thiel and the billionaire class’s growing detachment from humanity. Drawing on Thiel’s recent interview with Ross Douthat, Heer explores how figures like Thiel have come to see themselves as post-human visionaries—disillusioned with democracy, disdainful of the masses, and obsessed with transcendence through AI and technology. We examine Thiel’s cultural diagnosis of Western “stagnation,” his bizarre fixation on the 1960s counterculture (hippies and Charles Manson!) and Greta Thunberg as "The Antichrist", and how his worldview reflects a deeper malaise among the ultra-wealthy. We also delve into why Douthat and other religiously minded or Christian folks, conservative or otherwise, are wary of Thiel and the techno-libertarian vision that some are calling techno-feudalism. We'll also touch upon the desire of tech billionaires to seemingly be "Kings" that rule over the masses with an Orwellian surveillance state apparatus and how this actually betrays the libertarian notions they claim to support. And yes, we briefly mention Curtis Yarvin (aka Mencius Moldbug) and Palantir among other matters. For Heer, the danger isn’t just Thiel’s eccentric futurism—it’s that this nihilistic techno-libertarianism is shaping real political and economic power. NOTE: Views of guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect all the views of J.G. Michael or the Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael program Support independent media and critical journalism by donating to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero corporate backing. This is independent media at work — and we need your help to keep it going. 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, libertarian author and critic James Bovard joins J.G. Michael to unpack Donald Trump’s recent bombing of Iran through the lens of “presidential absolutism.” Bovard argues that what appears to be unprecedented aggression is actually the culmination of decades-long erosion of constitutional checks—originating with Bush’s post‑9/11 AUMF and expansive signing statements, continuing through Obama’s targeted drone strikes on U.S. citizens like Anwar al‑Awlaki, and through congressional acquiescence to war powers abuses. Some have called this the trend of the "Imperial Presidency". Themes explored: From AUMF to Imperial Office – How the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force became a blank check for successive presidents, and the failure of Congress to pushback. Bush’s Legal Legacy – The “unitary executive theory,” sanctioning torture memos and sweeping interpretations of presidential privilege that laid groundwork for future overreach. The Obama Continuation of Executive Overreach – Drone killings and mass surveillance helped normalize executive power grabbing. Trump’s Presidential Absolutism – What the bombing of Iran illustrates about the Trump administration and Presidential power in 2025. We also discuss how Domestic Spillover and the Crushing of Dissent on Foreign Policy Issues – The chilling effect on dissent, illuminated by the arrest of Turkish grad student Rümeysa Öztürk, showcases how war fever and narratives about foreign enemies, especially since the Global War on Terror, lead to the curtailing of freedoms at home. This episode is a deep and timely discussion on how America’s constitutional safeguards were weakened by successive administrations, culminating in the boldest assertions of presidential power yet—making Trump’s actions appear in some ways more like continuation than rupture. NOTE: Views of guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect all the views of J.G. Michael or the Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael program Support independent media and critical journalism by donating to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

Note: There's a little bit of crackle in the audio in this episode. Attempts were made to remove crackle as much as possible, but it remains at some point. Hopefully it does not pose too much of a problem for listening. 🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero corporate backing. This is independent media at work — and we need your help to keep it going. 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, James M. Dorsey of the Turbulent World Substack blog returns to reflect of the "ceasefire" between Israel and Iran. Dorsey argues this is not so much a ceasefire as a fragile halt of hostilities for the time being, or a pause. Dorsey notes that it's unclear how much of Iran's nuclear program has been damaged or salvaged by the Islamic Republic in light of the strikes. That, he says, is a big question right now. We then discuss Trump's relationship with the Gulf States and his evangelical Christian Zionist base. That poses an issue for Trump, Dorsey argues. $3.6 trillion are on the table from the Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc.) and they want the situation with Israel, Gaza, and Iran solved according to Dorsey. The tumult and fragility of the Middle East has become something of a headache for both the U.S. and the Gulf States. Dorsey argues the current talk of a Gaza ceasefire is a "Fata Morgana", or a mirage, an illusion. We delve into the different interests at work when it comes to the Gulf States and Israel, and how the relationship between Israel and certain Gulf States have changed from 2015 to now. He argues that the Gulf States' perceptions of Israel have changed. For one thing, the Saudi Arabia-Iran rapprochement means that the situation of Israel's unofficial alliance with the Saudis against Iran has changed. Moreover, Dorsey says that the defense doctrine of Israel has gone from deterrence to emasculation of perceived enemies and states within the region. This changes the dynamic between Israel and the Gulf States, at least in how the Gulf States perceive Israel. Which is to say that Gulf States are now perceiving Israel as aggressive leading to the question of, "Could we be next?" We then begin delving into some "odds and ends" in the conversation including: - Israel, Palestine, and the issue of the 1967 borders - The history of the U.S.-Iran relations and why they have been so tense - Pushing back on the "mad mullahs" narrative about the Islamic Republic of Iran - Trump's walking away from the JCPOA (the Iran nuclear deal) - Is Iran more likely to go nuclear after the latest strikes? - Biggest risk in the Middle East?: not tackling root problems; Israel's belief that it has the right to strikes whenever and wherever it wants against a perceived threat means a "law of the jungle" system in the Middle East and could become adopted by other states - Potential deal between Israel and Syria - The Abu Shabab clan in Gaza - Netanyahu's rejection of any Palestinian national aspirations and what informs it - And more! NOTE: Views of guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect all the views of J.G. Michael or the Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael program Support independent media and critical journalism by donating to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

Reupload request for listener that was having issues with audio sync. I suspect it may have been an encoding issue on older podcasting platforms causing it. I checked the original pod on Spotify and Podbean players and had no issue. Using a different encoding method going forward. 🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero corporate backing. This is independent media at work — and we need your help to keep it going. 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, economist and author Jack Rasmus joins us to break down Donald Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”. Far from a populist breakthrough, Rasmus argues the bill is a continuation of neoliberal austerity, dressed in MAGA branding. While headline-grabbing provisions like no tax on tips aim to appeal to the working-class base and may offer said base something, the bill ultimately delivers massive tax cuts for the wealthy and deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, reinforcing longstanding elite priorities. He also examines how the Establishment wing of the Democratic Party’s failure to seriously challenge austerity and tax cuts as well as how the Democratic Party may face implosion from a leadership that refuses to address bread and butter issues head-on. Then, in the second half of the conversation, we explore Trump's foreign policy—debunking the “isolationist” label—and consider how the MAGA movement seeks to consolidate U.S. power in the Western hemisphere and the Pacific through territorial ambitions and militaristic posturing. Along the way, we discuss: The bill’s impact on healthcare and working families The ruling class consensus on economic policy The bombing of Iran, AIPAC’s influence, and the reconfiguration of U.S. global strategy It’s a wide-ranging conversation on the economic and geopolitical architecture of 21st-century power—and who it’s really built to serve. NOTE: Views of guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect all the views of J.G. Michael or the Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael program Support independent media and critical journalism by donating to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero corporate backing. This is independent media at work — and we need your help to keep it going. 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, economist and author Jack Rasmus joins us to break down Donald Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”. Far from a populist breakthrough, Rasmus argues the bill is a continuation of neoliberal austerity, dressed in MAGA branding. While headline-grabbing provisions like no tax on tips aim to appeal to the working-class base and may offer said base something, the bill ultimately delivers massive tax cuts for the wealthy and deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, reinforcing longstanding elite priorities. He also examines how the Establishment wing of the Democratic Party’s failure to seriously challenge austerity and tax cuts as well as how the Democratic Party may face implosion from a leadership that refuses to address bread and butter issues head-on. Then, in the second half of the conversation, we explore Trump's foreign policy—debunking the “isolationist” label—and consider how the MAGA movement seeks to consolidate U.S. power in the Western hemisphere and the Pacific through territorial ambitions and militaristic posturing. Along the way, we discuss: The bill’s impact on healthcare and working families The ruling class consensus on economic policy The bombing of Iran, AIPAC’s influence, and the reconfiguration of U.S. global strategy It’s a wide-ranging conversation on the economic and geopolitical architecture of 21st-century power—and who it’s really built to serve. NOTE: Views of guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect all the views of J.G. Michael or the Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael program Support independent media and critical journalism by donating to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this edition of Parallax Views, The Nation editor and journalist D.D. Guttenplan joins the show to reflect on the 160th anniversary of The Nation— one of America's most well-known and prestigious political magazines. We explore the magazine's radical roots (it was founded by abolitionists), its enduring mission to “tell people the truth,” and its role in an era of political turbulence and institutional distrust. Guttenplan discusses the recent special issue, These Dis-United States, which features 50 writers offering dispatches from across the country on the theme of national fragmentation, political disillusionment, and the fraying of civic bonds. We also delve into the challenges facing journalism today as both major political parties struggle to meet the needs and aspirations of the American public. Finally, we take a deep dive into the life and legacy of legendary independent journalist I.F. Stone, or Izzy as he was known to his friends, examining his fearless truth-telling, his battle with government surveillance, and his enduring relevance in today’s media landscape. We discuss how Stone currently called the Gulf of Tonkin incident correctly in real-time during the LBJ Presidency when no other reporter did, J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI vs. Stone, Stone as a muckraker and his relationship with the great George Seldes, I.F. Stone's adage "All Governments Lie", and his book Underground to Palestine. Guttenplan is the author of American Radical: The Life and Times of I.F. Stone. 👉 Topics discussed: The Nation’s founding in 1865 and its legacy of dissent The meaning behind These Disunited States and the state of American identity The role of independent journalism in an age of disinformation I.F. Stone’s methodology, influence, and political evolution Why journalism must challenge power—regardless of party Support independent media and critical journalism by donating to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this episode of Parallax Views, Richard Silverstein of the Tikun Olam blog joins us to analyze recent revelations about the much-publicized bombing of Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility — and why Donal Trump's narrative of its “destruction” is falling apart. Drawing on satellite imagery, U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency assessments, and the in-depth Foreign Policy article by Jeffrey Lewis ("Iran Is on Course for a Bomb After U.S. Strikes Fail to Destroy Facilities"), we break down what really happened, why Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure may be more intact than reported, and how the U.S.-Israeli campaign may have done far less damage than claimed. We also discuss Richard’s recent Jacobin article, “Regime Change in Iran Will Not End Well”, which argues that the true goals of the bombing campaign — regime destabilization and securing Israel's regional dominance — have been pursued under the pretense of halting Iran’s nuclear program. Silverstein explores how U.S. and Israeli actions risk entrenching Iran’s hardliners, escalating regional instability, and backfiring catastrophically — all while sidelining diplomacy in favor of militarism and media-driven spectacle. Additionally, Richard argues that the Islamic Republic of Iran has, by surviving, won this round. In the final part of the conversation, we turn to Silverstein’s hard-hitting piece for The New Arab, “Genocide Goes Squid Game as Israel Outsources 'Aid' to Gaza Gangs”. There, he exposes how Israel is using armed proxies — notably members of the al-Shabab clan — to control aid distribution in Gaza, with Shin Bet reportedly organizing and funding the effort. We explore how this divide-and-rule strategy recalls past Israeli use of militias in Lebanon and Syria, and how disaster capitalism, mercenary networks, and covert intelligence operations are shaping Israel’s postwar "day after" plans for Gaza. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this edition of Parallax Views, Israeli commentator and Iran expert Ori Goldberg, hot off appearances in +972 Magazine and on Democracy Now, returns to offer his analysis of the Israel-Iran war. Ori, as an Israeli, provides a unique perspective on what is happening within Israel, while his deep expertise in Iran’s culture and history shines throughout this conversation. Ori believes the calculus behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to strike Iran is multi-faceted. First, it serves as a diversion from the horrors in Gaza and Israel's failure to complete its objectives there (such as the elimination of Hamas and the return of the hostages). Additionally, it creates a "rally around the flag" effect in Israel, which could prove beneficial to Netanyahu politically. From there, the conversation delves into Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons versus whether Iran would actually use such weapons, the question of what U.S. President Donald Trump might do next in regard to potential U.S. involvement in the conflict, hubris in Israeli politics, the question of regime change, and how Israel’s actions embolden Iran’s hardliners. The discussion also covers understanding Iran and the Islamic Republic sociologically, public sentiment toward Israel, Israel’s fragile relationship with autocratic regimes (some of which may be growing frustrated with Israel), comments from Ehud Olmert and Yair Golan on Israel's handling of Gaza, Ori’s belief that Israel’s problems are bigger than Netanyahu and messianic Zionist settlers, his critique of Israel's liberal Zionists, and the nature of Israel’s strike requiring long-term planning—and the implications of that. This episode is a deep dive into the dynamics of a volatile region and the geopolitics at play. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

In this episode of Parallax Views, journalist and foreign policy analyst Ted Snider joins us to discuss his latest article for Antiwar.com, "America’s Deception Strengthens Iranian Hardliners." As tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran escalate following devastating Israeli strikes, Snider breaks down how recent events, such as Trump's rhetoric following the strikes, may have sabotaged permanently sabotaged nuclear negotiations and reinforced the position of Iran’s most hawkish factions. We examine: Trump’s inflammatory statements and alleged coordination with Israel How U.S. deception may have derailed peace talks The historical pattern of American betrayal toward Iranian reformists The long-term consequences for diplomacy and U.S.-Iran relations This conversation provides critical context for understanding the geopolitics of the Middle East and how American foreign policy continues to undermine moderates while fueling hardliner narratives in Iran. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this edition of Parallax Views, the not-afraid-to-speak-his-mind gadfly and renegade historian Thaddeus Russel of the Unregistered and Unreported podcasts returns to the program for a wide-ranging conversation on current events. Thaddeus is the author of The Renegade History of the United States, a fascinating book delving into the ways in which criminal, deviants, weirdos, outsiders, and other so-called social miscreants shaped America and were often at the frontiers of freedom. The conversation starts as a discussion of Donald Trump's betrayal of the America First, anti-interventionist wing of the MAGA coalition, but ends up going into a number of different directions over the course of about an hour and 20 minutes. Of course, Israel's strike against Iran and the beat of the war drums in the U.S., which could soon find itself in the conflict, informs a great portion of the conversation. Thaddeus argues that understanding Trump is less about understanding history than his psychology. We'll also discuss Thaddeus engagements with the dissident right, the history of paleoconservatism, why Thaddeus is pro-open borders and believes that MAGA has got immigration all wrong, disagreements with the dissident right over gender (Thaddeus opposes gender essentialism on both the left and right), the blind spots of MAGA, the history of riots in the United States and their impact on American freedom (yes, we talk the Stonewall riots), Gaza, Zionism, the Palestinian Solidarity Movement, how U.S. pop culture is more effective in changing foreign countries than soft power or hard power schemes initiated by the U.S. government (particularly in the Middle East; we mention Iran specifically in this regard, but also VERY, VERY briefly Saudi Arabia), and much, much more! Thaddeus is pretty heterodox, so his views will inevitably rankle both elements of the left and the right, but that's what makes this conversation perfect for Parallax Views! Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

In this episode of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, I’m joined by journalist and author Ross Benes to discuss his new book 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. We dive into how one seemingly ridiculous year, marked by Pokémon mania, pro wrestling mayhem, aggro-fueled nu metal, and shock TV overload, actually laid the groundwork for the chaotic media and cultural landscape we live in today. 🔍 Topics Covered: The mainstreaming of “low culture”: How daytime TV, tabloid sensationalism, and deregulated media created a new normal of trashy spectacle. Pokémon, Beanie Babies, and capitalist fads: The rise of speculative consumer culture and how it foreshadowed digital-era phenomena like NFTs and meme stocks. Pro wrestling’s Attitude Era: The dominance of WWF and the rise of crash TV under Vince Russo—and how it shaped both pop culture and politics. Jerry Springer and political theater: How talk show antics became a model for cable news outrage and the performance of politics. Porn and the internet: The explosion of pornography in the late ’90s and how smartphones have made it ever-present in daily life. Napster and the digital revolution: How the free-for-all of early file-sharing reshaped media consumption forever. Insane Clown Posse and tribal fandoms: The rise of outsider cult followings as a blueprint for today’s digital subcultures. Nu-metal’s noisy rebellion: Limp Bizkit as a case study in how turn-of-the-century music captured cultural anxiety and masculine angst. And Limp Bizkit's embrace of being hated. Why 1999 still matters: How disposable entertainment from one year has left a permanent mark on politics, culture, and digital life. 💡 Why Listen: This episode is a wild ride through the trash and treasure of 1999, showing how a year often dismissed as kitsch actually set the tone for 21st-century life. If you’ve ever wondered why culture feels so chaotic, polarized, and performative today, the answers might just lie in Pokémon cards, Napster downloads, and a Kid Rock song you can’t stand. Credit for Intro Montage in this episode: • Track name: Dreamwalkers • Music provided by Bitoku/bitokubass Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this edition of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, Andrew Day of The American Conservative returns to the program for a discussion about the recent Israeli strike on Iran and its far-reaching implications. Specifically, we explore how this development challenges the ideological coherence of conservative supporters of Donald Trump and the broader MAGA movement—particularly those who advocate for a non-interventionist, "America First"-oriented foreign policy. As tensions escalate in the Middle East, what does this moment reveal about internal divisions within the American right? We also delve into why Andrew and others on the American right are questioning the U.S.-Israel special relationship and how some conservatives are frustrated with Trump's approach to Middle East foreign policy and specifically dealing with Iran. Moreover, Andrew explains why he believe this moment, which could evolve into an all-out war, could've been avoided with a different Iran policy.

On this edition of Parallax Views, Middle East analyst James M. Dorsey, proprietor of The Turbulent World w/ James M. Dorsey blog/Substack, returns to the program to discuss what he considers a paradigm shift moment for the Middle East: last night's Israeli strike on Iran. What does it mean? How did we get to this point? Could this evolve into an all-out regional war? All those questions and many more are addressed in this conversation. We will also discuss the divisions in the Trump/MAGA base over Iran, particularly the conflict between the America First foreign policy elements of MAGA and the Iran hawks within MAGA. James will also address the internal divisions in Israeli politics, as exemplified by Ehud Olmert and Yair Golan's recent critical comments about Netanyahu's approach to Gaza. Trump's strongman approach to foreign policy, the perpetual cycle between Trump and Iran that keeps repeating itself, the Gulf States, Turkey, Syria, the ultra-religious Zionist vs. the Likud, and more all comes up in this conversation as well.

On this edition of Parallax Views, writer and political theorist Malcolm Harris joins us to unpack his sharp critique of the so-called Abundance Agenda, popularized by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. Harris argues that this vision—focused on building more housing, expanding clean energy, and turbocharging innovation—fails to confront the structural contradictions of capitalism and the political realities of class struggle. It's a vision of progress that avoids asking who builds, who benefits, and who decides. We then turn to What’s Left, Harris’s ambitious new book that outlines three strategic responses to the planetary crisis: marketcraft, public power, and communism. Harris doesn’t call for ideological purity—he calls for coordination. What does democratic planning look like in an age of disaster—and how do we get there together? Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist Jacob Silverman returns to Parallax Views to unpack his new article, “Coin Operated: The Crypto Industry’s Takeover of American Politics,” a timely investigation into how cryptocurrency has gone from financial sideshow to political powerhouse. We explore how the crypto industry—despite a track record of scams, collapses, and regulatory defiance—has embedded itself at the heart of U.S. politics. From Donald Trump’s embrace of memecoins and bipartisan failure against the crypto lobby to the harassment of Biden-era SEC officials, Silverman traces what many see as the troubling rise of the crypto industry's political power and its potential consequences for democracy. Jacob also shares insights from a recent Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas, offering a glimpse into how crypto culture is merging with MAGA politics, shedding its cypherpunk roots, and reshaping the conversation around money, power, and regulation. If you want to understand how this segment of the tech sector seized political influence—and what it means for the future of democracy and finance—this episode is essential listening. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this gripping edition of Parallax Views, host J.G. Michael speaks with legal scholar Corinna Barrett Lain about her searing new book, Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection. Far from being a clean or clinical method of execution, Lain exposes lethal injection as the centerpiece of a scandalous history—rife with fake science, unqualified personnel, botched procedures, and layers of state secrecy designed to shield the public from the brutal reality of how America kills in the name of justice. Lain pulls back the curtain on how this supposedly "humane" method evolved not through medical rigor, but through politics, improvisation, and obfuscation. We discuss how states have covered up grotesque failures, how governments have been swindled by shady operators like Harris Pharma, and the staggering cost to U.S. taxpayers. From inept and corrupt executioners gone rogue to a jaw-dropping story involving literal drug smuggling, Lain’s investigation blows the lid off the dark underbelly of America’s execution machinery, exposing a system held together by misinformation, malpractice, and a stunning lack of oversight. This is an essential episode for anyone concerned with state power, the criminal justice system, and what happens when the machinery of death is hidden behind a veil of bureaucracy. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

In this provocative and deeply analytical conversation, journalist and author Yasha Levine joins Parallax Views to challenge a dominant narrative on both the left and right: that the Israel Lobby singularly controls U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Drawing from his background covering Cold War geopolitics and U.S. information warfare, Levine argues that this viewpoint dangerously simplifies the role of American imperialism—and obscures how nationalism, including Zionism, has historically been instrumentalized by empire. We explore how the U.S. used nationalist movements as tools of psychological warfare against the Soviet Union, and how that framework led Levine to his critique of the “AIPAC as all-powerful” mindset. He explains why this narrative often becomes a convenient scapegoat that distracts from the structural and strategic interests of American power itself. Levine, a vocal anti-Zionist who has unequivocally described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, also warns of a future in which the U.S. might decide Israel is no longer geopolitically useful—potentially abandoning it, with consequences for the Jewish diaspora. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this edition of Parallax Views, former CDC epidemiologist and physician Dr. Charles LeBaron joins us to discuss his explosive new book Greed to Do Good: The Untold Story of CDC’s Disastrous War on Opioids. Drawing on his rare vantage point as a public health insider (with 28 years' experience at the CDC), clinician, and former pain patient, Dr. LeBaron argues that the CDC’s 2016 opioid guidelines—meant to reduce overdose deaths—actually worsened the crisis. We explore how flawed data, political pressure, and a rigid, arguably even at times psuedo-scientific approach led to a policy that criminalized both doctors and patients, neglected the realities of chronic pain, and contributed to the ongoing epidemic of overdose deaths. Dr. LeBaron explains why the distinction between addiction and use of opioids as a legitimate chronic pain treatment matter, how voluntary guidelines became de facto law, and why Dr. LeBaron still sees value in the CDC as an institution and is not using the book to delegitimize it (ie: critique isn't alway for tearing down, but calling for reform).. This is a powerful and challenging conversation about public health, institutional accountability, and the human cost of well-intentioned but disastrous policy. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this edition of Parallax Views, comedian and writer Kate Willett joins us to examine the growing influence of Silicon Valley billionaires on the Democratic Party and the controversial politics behind the so-called Abundance Agenda. Framed by figures like Ezra Klein as a bold, future-focused vision of progress, this agenda is increasingly backed by tech elites such as Dustin Moskovitz—co-founder of Facebook—and promoted through a network of well-funded think tanks, including the Niskanen Center, that aim to push the party in a technocratic, pro-market direction. With sharp wit and political insight, Kate unpacks how the Abundance movement—closely aligned with key figures on the Tech Right—represents a slick, astroturfed rebranding of neoliberalism. Beneath its glossy surface lies a coordinated strategy to marginalize progressive and working-class voices while recasting Silicon Valley’s private interests as public goods. We explore how this plays out most visibly in San Francisco, where billionaire-funded groups have successfully reshaped local politics and helped unseat progressive officials. Kate also offers a thoughtful critique of California’s YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) movement. While she is not a NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) advocate either, she raises serious concerns about how YIMBY rhetoric often functions as a Trojan horse for real estate developer- and tech-driven policies that displace working-class communities under the guise of solving the housing crisis. This episode explores the intersection of tech money, urban development, media influence, and intra-party power struggles—and asks the vital question: “Abundance for whom?” Show Notes: "Abundance: Big Tech’s Bid for the Democratic Party by Kate Willet (New International Magazine) Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

In this timely conversation, Parallax Views host J.G. Michael sits down with The Nation's editorial director and longtime progressive voice Katrina vanden Heuvel to discuss the mounting political crises shaking both Europe and the United States. Drawing from her recent co-authored piece, "Report from Europe: The Center Does Not Hold," and her Mother's Day commentary in The Guardian, vanden Heuvel explores the dangers of austerity politics, the failure of centrist consensus, and the rise of far-right insurgencies across the across Europe. We examine how neoliberal economic policies have fueled disillusionment and opened space for authoritarian insurgents, and why a fragmented left has struggled to respond with a cohesive, inspiring alternative. From the U.K. to France to the U.S., this episode unpacks the urgent need for bold progressive politics, social investment, and renewed democratic vision in the face of political polarization and inequality. We also discuss the controversial figure of Jean-Luc Mélenchon in France and his importance; the return of Nigel Farage to British politics and the possibility of Reform UK gaining power; European centrism's embrace of bypassing austerity for military purposes BUT not social programs; and how the right doesn’t own pro-family policy, nor does it own concepts like freedom or patriotism. At the end of the conversation, Katrina shares her thoughts on the Abundance Movement and Ezra Klein. Essential listening for anyone concerned with the future of democracy, the right-wing insurgency in the U.S. and Europe, and the challenges — and opportunities — facing the global left. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews

On this edition of Parallax Views, you will hear an incredible story that, on its surface, you may mistake as being just about professional wrestling: the life and career of "The Golden Greek" Jim Londos. He was the biggest star of not only pro wrestling in the 1920s and 1930s, but arguably of sports itself. His popularity eclipsed that of the profession itself. He sold out stadiums of tens of thousands. Contrary to popular misconceptions, pro wrestling was not simply the domain of smoky rooms before the era of Hulk Hogan. Jim Londos is proof of that. In fact, it may be fair to say that Jim Londos was Hulk Hogan before Hulk Hogan. And just to drive that point home, one only need look at his match against Kola Kwariani on October 22nd, 1933 in Athens, Greece at the Panathenaic Stadium. The attendance for that event? It's said to be between 65,000 and 100,000. Simply put, Londos was a phenomenon. But, his story is much more than that of a pro wrestler. Londos is the story of an immigrant to the United States overcoming all odds. He is the story of a man who gave hope to the masses in the trying times of The Great Depression. A man who became a symbol of being able to overcome the greatest adversities. He was smaller in stature than many of his wrestling contemporaries. The classic underdog. And the fans loved him for it. He was their hero. He was "The Golden Greek" of professional wrestling. Joining J.G. on this edition of the show is journalist Steven Johnson. Although Johnson has done a lot of journalism related to pro wrestling and its storied history, he's also been a U.S. Senate aide and newspaper editor. Moreover, he has master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. Over more than a decade he worked on a book to finally tell the story of Jim Londos. That book, recently released, is entitled Jim Londos: The Golden Greek of Professional Wrestling. Part of MacFarland's Studies in Strength of Physical Culture series, this book uncovers the life and times of an athletic performer who has been unfairly forgotten due to having wrestled in the pre-television era of the professional wrestling. In this conversation Steven I will discuss how he came around to the story of Jim Londos, the ways in which Londos story differs greatly from the more tragic rise & fall of early television-era wrestling Gorgeous George, the trials and tribulations of Jim Londos as a young immigrant in the United States of America in the early 20th century, the ways in which Londos is comparable to the mythical figure of Jason in the story of Jason and the Argonauts, how the legacy of Londos is carried on today by wrestlers like Bryan Danielson (aka Daniel Bryan), WWE superstar John Bradshaw Layfield's (JBL) foreword to the book, the wrestling double-crosses of the early 20th century that long predated the WWE's infamous "Montreal Screwjob", the colorful wrestling promoters of the Londos era (such as Toots Mondt and the Gold Dust Trio, Jack Pfefer, and Jack Curley), the legendary years long feud between Jim Londos and Ed "The Strangler" Lewis, Londos ability to make a crowd not only "believe" but "care" about his journey as a wrestler, and much, much more.

On this edition of Parallax Views, Orthodox Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro — author of The Empty Wagon: Zionism’s Journey from Identity Crisis to Identity Theft — returns to unpack the theological foundations of Jewish anti-Zionism and non-Zionism. Fresh off his participation in a protest against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's recent U.S. visit, Rabbi Shapiro explains why he believes Zionism is not only a political nationalist ideology distinct from Judaism, but one that misrepresents the Jewish people on the global stage. We explore the historical opposition of traditional Orthodox communities to Zionist projects, tracing the evolution of Zionism from the Revisionist movement of Ze’ev Jabotinsky to the early Religious Zionism of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, and ultimately to the far-right nationalism of figures like Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. We also distinguish Rabbi Shapiro’s critique from that of Orthodox anti-Zionist groups like Neturei Karta; Rabbi Shapiro's argument is based in the question of Jewish identity rather than anything eschatalogical. Along the way, we discuss Meir Kahane and how his violent ideology culminated in his assassination; Rabbi Shapiro’s personal encounters with Kahanists in 1970s Brooklyn; and his message to left-wing Zionists — namely, his belief that left Zionism inevitably paves the way for the far right. A must-listen for anyone interested in theology, nationalism, and the contested meanings of Jewish identity.

On this episode of Parallax Views, we’re joined by University of Chicago political scientist Michael Albertus, author of the forthcoming book Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn’t, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies (Basic Books, Jan. 14, 2025). Drawing on his expertise in democracy, dictatorship, inequality, property rights, and social conflict, Albertus unpacks how land ownership lies at the heart of power struggles shaping both authoritarian regimes and liberal democracies. The book explains how control over land fuels political inequality, social exclusion, environmental destruction, and even climate change. Albertus explains the historical and modern-day impacts of zoning laws, gentrification, displacement of indigenous and marginalized communities, and the structural barriers to housing affordability and economic opportunity. It also delves into the growing movements for restitution and reparations, such as Black Lives Matter and Land Back, as well as global efforts at land reform. With insights featured in The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, and appearances on outlets like NPR, CNN, and the BBC, Albertus offers a deeply researched and urgent perspective on how land shapes our societies—and what must change to build more just and democratic futures.

On this May Day edition of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, political theorist Matt McManus joins us to unpack The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism, his groundbreaking new book. We explore: Liberal Socialism Defined: Why liberal rights and socialist economics aren’t mutually exclusive—and how methodological collectivism and normative individualism unite them. Historical Roots: From Mary Wollstonecraft and Thomas Paine’s radical democracy to John Stuart Mill’s social liberalism, contrasted with Edmund Burke and Ludwig von Mises. Core Principles: A developmental ethic over mere inquiry, economic democracy within a liberal framework, and, for some, extending democratic values into the family. Key Influences: John Rawls’s Theory of Justice, Samuel Moyn’s critique of Cold War liberalism and the relationship between Samuel Moyn's book LIBERALISM AGAINST ITSELF: COLD WAR INTELLECTUALS AND THE MAKING OF OUR TIMES and Matt's book, and a speculative look at Richard Rorty’s pragmatic liberalism in relation to Liberal Socialism. Global & Anti-Colonial Critiques: Addressing charges of Eurocentrism and imperialist bias by anti-colonial and Global South critiques of Liberal Socialism. Critiques from the Left & Right: Responses to neoliberal, libertarian, and Marxist-Leninist objections, and why caricaturing Marx misses his nuanced view of liberal institutions. If you’re interested in the crossroads of political philosophy, the future of democratic socialism, and reclaiming a tradition of freedom and equality, tune in to this deep dive with Matt McManus.

On this edition of Parallax Views, we remember the late Pope Francis in conversation with veteran journalist William Dowell, who recently penned the WhoWhatWhy article “The Passing of a Genuinely Christian Pope.” Dowell reflects on Francis’s lasting spiritual legacy, portraying him as a humble and principled leader who consistently emphasized compassion for the poor, migrants, and marginalized—offering a distinct moral voice in a time often marked by political polarization and societal uncertainty. Drawing on decades of experience covering the Vatican and international affairs, Dowell shares thoughtful reflections on papal transitions, the evolving role of the Catholic Church, and how Francis’s message of empathy and humility resonated with younger generations and diverse global audiences. The conversation also widens to examine broader political and cultural dynamics, including the rise of populist and authoritarian currents in the United States, especially in light of the 2nd Trump presidency. Dowell offers his perspective on recent political developments and contrasts the ethos of Francis’s leadership with contemporary trends he sees as driven more by power than principle. In an age where foundational democratic and ethical values are frequently contested, the discussion offers space for reflection on the role of conscience, truth, and leadership. This wide-ranging dialogue is both a tribute to a unique papacy and an invitation to deeper thought.