The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

Will the Middle East erupt into a widespread, large-scale regional war after the Israeli government assassinated senior leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah? Brian is joined by Mohammad Marandi to get insight into what’s happening in Tehran. He is an expert on American studies and teaches at the University of Tehran. 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 and submit questions to the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

In the latest Venezuelan election, the U.S. brought out its imperialist toolkit of lies and propaganda to try to overturn the democratically elected government of Nicolas Maduro. But so far it hasn’t worked, with hundreds of thousands mobilizing to defend the government and the military still intact. Brian is joined by Manolo De Los Santos, the executive director of The People’s Forum in New York, to discuss the tactics used in this hybrid war by U.S. imperialism against the country, which possesses the largest oil reserves in the world. 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 and submit questions to the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the stock crash earlier this week and why it indicates a recession is coming, as well as the ruling that Google's huge payments to Apple and others to keep Google the default search option are illegal monopolizing. 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.

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian & Nicole discuss Israel's assassination of Hamas negotiator Ismail Haniyek, the coup attempt in Venezuela amid presidential elections, what countries are allowed in the the 2024 Olympics and which are not, "anti-war" Republicans, the dissolution of Project 2025, and more. Venezuela explainer video referenced during the seminar: https://x.com/BTnewsroom/status/1818429996932739455 This is a preview of the full Q&A seminar for members of our Patreon community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest of this seminar, support the show, submit questions and register for next time, and access the highly valuable archive of years of socialist analysis.

On today's episode Nicole Roussell and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how Chinese technology company Huawei has grown so successful despite U.S. sanctions, and what it says about the state of the world economy. 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.

On today's episode Nicole Roussell and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Kamala Harris's record and the interests she represents now that she's the presumptive Democratic party nominee for president. 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.

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian & Walter discuss Biden dropping out of the presidential race, what effects it will have on U.S. politics, Netanyahu speaking to Congress, the danger of regional war now that Israel has bombed Yemen, the Democrats trying to remove an independent candidate who is rightfully on the ballot in Georgia, and more. This is a preview of the full Q&A seminar for members of our Patreon community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest of this seminar, support the show, register for next time, and access the highly valuable archive of years of socialist analysis. A link from the discussion: https://www.icj-cij.org/case/186

Donald Trump just survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally, irreversibly changing the state of U.S. politics. The incident produced images of a strong and defiant Trump, and it almost certainly produced a political climate more favorable for his re-election. Brian is joined by Eugene Puryear to consider how both elite parties will respond to growing political instability by further lurching to the right. Eugene Puryear is an author and political organizer, and co-host of The Freedom Side LIVE, a live video show every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern on BreakThrough News. 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 and submit questions to the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

On today's episode Nicole Roussell and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss venture capital and Big Tech billionaires like Elon Musk coming out in support of Donald Trump. 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.

Is Donald Trump on his way to a landslide victory? Joe Biden’s disastrous performance raises the question: Why are Democratic leaders sticking with him as their party heads into the abyss? Brian is joined by Walter Smolarek, editor of Liberation News and a producer of The Socialist Program. 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 and submit questions to the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the recent election in France where the New Popular Front, a leftist coalition, trounced the right-wing coalition and President Macron's Ensemble. 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 and submit questions to the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the results of the French election that have sent shockwaves throughout the world economy and world politics as the far right scored a first round victory. With President Macron’s party sidelined, it is up to a new alliance of left wing parties to stop the far right candidates when the second round takes place this weekend. 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 and submit questions to the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Israeli threats to launch an all-out invasion of southern Lebanon are growing more severe by the day. Meanwhile, the fighting in Gaza rages on with no ceasefire in sight. The Biden administration claims to be seeking an end to the fighting and de-escalation across the region, but refuses to touch the steady flow of arms and ammunition that makes Israel's aggression possibe. Brian is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalition, a popular educator, the Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books. 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 and submit questions to the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Newly released treaty negotiation documents show that Ukraine and Russia were very close to ending the war—more than two years ago, in April 2022. But U.S. imperialists and NATO have worked with and strengthened the right-wing in Ukraine to achieve their long-term goals in the region, including endless war, no matter how many people die. Brian Becker is joined by Eugene Puryear, co-host of The Freedom Side, to discuss the newly revealed documents showing how the Ukraine war nearly ended two years ago but were sabotaged by the intervention of the White House and the Ukrainian far-right. They discuss how Ukraine’s economy has been totally mortgaged to U.S. and European interests. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian & Nicole discuss the revelations that the CIA ran anti-vaccine campaigns against Chinese vaccines in the Philippines and other countries in the Global South, the clause in the NDAA automatically enlisting men and women between 18 and 26, new documents showing how close Russia and Ukraine were to a negotiation in 2022, an important meeting between Russian President Putin and DPRK Leader Kim Jong Un, a speech from Hezbollah leader Nasrallah about Israel, and more. This is a preview of the full Q&A seminar for members of our Patreon community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest of this seminar, support the show, register for next time, and access the highly valuable archive of years of socialist analysis.

On today's episode Nicole Roussell and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss speculators driving the surge in uranium prices and the demand for nuclear energy despite its huge risks for people’s health. 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.

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian & Nicole discuss the rise of the far right in the recent EU Parliament elections and assessments of U.S. political mood in 2024 elections, the racist character of U.S. capitalism, the formation of a new popular front in France, how socialism could look in the United States, and more. This episode is a preview of a longer seminar for members of our Patreon community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest of this seminar, support the show, register for next time, and access the highly valuable archive of years of socialist analysis.

Israel prepares for a bigger war in Gaza despite its failures and the global condemnation for the invasion of Rafah. Even though Hamas has agreed to a deal, Joe Biden claims the problem with reaching a ceasefire is Hamas and the Palestinian resistance. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalition, a popular educator, the Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

More than 20 million mass layoffs in recent years have had a devastating effect on individuals, families, and communities. In the past few election cycles, the media has claimed that working class Americans vote for Republicans because they foolishly vote against their own interests. Author and executive director of the Labor Institute Les Leopold argues that they're ignoring the enormous effects of mass layoffs on millions of U.S. workers in recent decades, in his newest book Wall Street’s War on Workers. Brian is joined by Les Leopold, co-founder and executive director of the Labor Institute and author of several books, including most recently "Wall Street's War on Workers: How Mass Layoffs and Greed Are Destroying the Working Class and What to Do About It." You can find more of his writing on lesleopold.substack.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.

All eyes are on Rafah as Israeli forces murder Palestinians, even children in refugee camps designated as ‘safe zones.’ Yet Biden continues his support, providing the U.S. bombs that rain down on Rafah. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalition, a popular educator, organizer, the Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books. She spoke at the People’s Conference for Palestine last weekend and says on June 8, people will descend on the White House to “draw their own red line” against genocide. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss skyrocketing costs for cancer treatment in the United States, where 66.5% of all personal bankruptcies are already due to medical costs, but the six largest private health care insurers made $41 billion in profits in 2022. 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.

President Joe Biden is joining with Trump backers in Congress in imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court – the ICC – because the court issued a statement that Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested for war crimes. Meanwhile the U.S. is sending more bombs and missiles to Israel as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flee Rafah. Brian Becker is joined by renowned journalist and author Vijay Prashad, the Executive Director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research and Chief Editor of LeftWord Books. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://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.

On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss The Dow Jones stock index closed above 40,000 for the first time in its history last Friday. Wall Street uncorked the champagne to celebrate this milestone, but working people are totally left out of the stock market boom. 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.

Trump is beating Biden in the polls in several key swing states. The Democrats have pushed the logic of ‘the lesser of two evils’ argument for years, yet the country has moved to the right. They give voice to many key issues people are struggling with, but their solutions never address the roots of them and often they sabotage their own meager solutions. Brian Becker is joined by Eugene Puryear, author, activist, and co-host of The Freedom Side LIVE, which airs every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern on BreakThrough News. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://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.

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the lies both parties are telling about the effects on climate and jobs of tariffs slapped on electric vehicles from China. 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.

In a massive, nationally coordinated crackdown, the United States has arrested nearly 3,000 U.S. students in the last week. Many have been beaten, pepper sprayed, and tear gassed; expelled from their housing; and many will be expelled from their university altogether. Using U.S. bombs and missiles, the Israeli military has launched a devastating assault on people in Rafah—where more than one million Palestinians took refuge from previous Israeli bombing. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalition, a popular educator, organizer, the Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books, and Manolo De Los Santos, researcher at Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and founder and executive director of The People’s Forum in New York. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the latest fear-mongering over the solvency of Medicare and Social Security, the two most popular programs in the United States. 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.

Starting with the illegal UN vote to partition Palestine in 1947, this second episode in a series goes over the colonial, racist history of the zionist project up until the 1967 Six-Day War. Listen to the first one on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts. This was recorded April 26, 2024. Brian is joined by Richard Becker, the author of the newly updated book, "Palestine, Israel, and U.S. Empire," published by 1804 Books. 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.

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff explain why and how workers actually do make all of our goods, including what capitalists claim is what they bring to the table—the production equipment, buildings, desks, work tables, machines to harvest raw materials, and more. 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.

As the Pentagon and U.S. elite provide Israel more weaponry and urge a Mosul, Iraq-style mass demolition in Rafah, protest encampments on college campuses are erupting nationwide. And in the face of evictions from student housing, arrests, threats of bringing in the National Guard, and more repression, students are standing strong for the Palestinian people. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalition, a popular educator, organizer, the Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

The Socialist Program presents a new special 3-part, more than 5-hour-long podcast series on the legacy of Russian Marxist V.I. Lenin, based on a class series by Brian Becker at The People’s Forum in November and December 2023, enhanced with historical audio recordings and more. This series provides a specific approach to studying Lenin's writings for a new generation of socialist organizers. It discusses the war in Gaza and the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation, and outlines Lenin's organizational and tactical outlook in the era of modern imperialism. This is Part 1 of Lenin and the Path to Revolution Below are details of historical audio clips included in this episode that may not be otherwise identified by listening: 5:50 - Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, written in 1893 (a favorite of Lenin) 8:53 - Excerpt of Lenin’s speech “What is Soviet Power?” recorded March 1919 14:28 - Recording of Tsar Nicolas II addressing soldiers in 1910 37:45 - Journalist John Pilger speaking with a U.S. soldier in Vietnam, 1970 52:02 - Eyewitness account of the February Revolution from the Kennan Institute Russian History Audio Archive 1:21:14 - Marching Song of the First Arkansas Regiment (U.S. Civil War) 1:28:36, 1:28:56 - News report on House Un-American Activities Committee investigation in Hollywood, 1947 1:29:44, 1:30:15 - Anderson Cooper and Bernie Sanders at the Democratic Party presidential debate in Las Vegas, 2015 /// Help make this show possible by joining our patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram

The Socialist Program presents a new special 3-part, more than 5-hour-long podcast series on the legacy of Russian Marxist V.I. Lenin, based on a class series by Brian Becker at The People’s Forum in November and December 2023, enhanced with historical audio recordings and more. This series provides a specific approach to studying Lenin's writings for a new generation of socialist organizers. It discusses the war in Gaza and the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation, and outlines Lenin's organizational and tactical outlook in the era of modern imperialism. This is Part 3 of Lenin and the Path to Revolution Below are details of historical audio clips included in this episode that may not be otherwise identified by listening: 5:56 - Eyewitness to the Russian Revolution, from documentary ‘Images of a Revolution,’ 1987 7:35 - Eyewitness to the Russian Revolution, from documentary ‘Images of a Revolution,’ 1987 10:08 - Member of the public asks president Obama a question during a town hall meeting, 2009 12:02 - Then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi at a town hall responding to a question from a member of the public asking if the Democratic Party could move left on economics, 2017 54:39 - Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill speaking in 1954 58:49 - Andy Stapp of the American Servicemen's Union, speaking at the Black Panther Anti-Fascism Conference, 1969 /// Help make this show possible by joining our patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram

The Socialist Program presents a new special 3-part, more than 5-hour-long podcast series on the legacy of Russian Marxist V.I. Lenin, based on a class series by Brian Becker at The People’s Forum in November and December 2023, enhanced with historical audio recordings and more. This series provides a specific approach to studying Lenin's writings for a new generation of socialist organizers. It discusses the war in Gaza and the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation, and outlines Lenin's organizational and tactical outlook in the era of modern imperialism. This is Part 2 of Lenin and the Path to Revolution Below are details of historical audio clips included in this episode that may not be otherwise identified by listening: 12:28 - Eugene Puryear speaking at the National March On Washington for Palestine, November 4th 2023 30:04 - Brian Becker speaking at anti-war rally in Washington, D.C., January 18, 2003 56:37 - ‘John Brown’s Body’ - popular song in the U.S. Civil War 1:36:28 - Joe Biden (then a senator) speaking in Congress, 1986 /// Help make this show possible by joining our patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian & Nicole discuss the danger of a regional war in the Middle East, U.S. crackdown on supporters of Palestine, China's proposal to the US to commit to no nuclear first strikes, a class analysis of modern U.S. society, and more. Links referenced during the seminar: Video show with Mohammad Marandi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdCyssFsWsc Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/posts/iran-doesnt-want-102492180 Petition to reinstate Professor Jodi Dean: https://www.change.org/p/revoke-professor-jodi-dean-s-suspension-from-teaching-at-hobart-and-william-smith-colleges Jodi's article: https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/news/palestine-speaks-for-everyone

What is Iran’s military and political strategy now that it has struck back against Israel’s illegal bombing of its embassy, and with another cycle of escalation looming? Israel’s strikes killed over a dozen people, including two Iranian generals, while Iran’s response produced no casualties. Why is Israel escalating? What does global public opinion look like towards the U.S. Empire on one side and the “Axis of Resistance” on the other? What consequences could the U.S. face in the region if Israel strikes again? Brian Becker is joined by Prof. Mohammad Marandi, an expert on American studies and postcolonial literature who teaches at the University of Tehran. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

U.S. officials are saying a negotiated ceasefire is near in Gaza, but Israel just killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons in an airstrike, after bombing Iran’s embassy in flagrant violation of international law last week. Brian Becker is joined by Mohammed Nabulsi, organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement and an attorney based out of Houston. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the favorite new complaint against China voiced most recently by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. She argues that China is producing too much. What does this mean and what does it say about the U.S. economy? 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.

Jorge Arreaza, former Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs, describes the historic fight against U.S. imperialism in Venezuela, Latin America & all over the world. Brian Becker is joined by Jorge Arreaza, Executive Secretary of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) and former Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

Large labor unions have joined the massive movement in solidarity with the Palestinian people and have publicly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, an end to weapons shipments to Israel, and more. This involvement of the labor movement in the fight for Palestine is key for the Palestinian cause and for building solidarity among U.S. workers. Brian Becker is joined by Aminah Sheikh, labor and community organizer in Toronto, and Husayn Karimi, a labor organizer and a host of the labor podcast On The Line. 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.

A massive terrorist attack targeting civilians in Moscow killed more than 140 people and wounded hundreds more. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and the Pentagon are demanding billions for more war against Russia in the asymmetric, proxy war being waged in Ukraine. Brian Becker is joined by Eugene Puryear, the author of the article “Should We Really Blame NATO for the Ukraine War?,” a political activist, and a co-host of The Freedom Side LIVE, a live video show every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern on BreakThrough News. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss US attempts to minimize China's production of computer chips, the scale of which is proving to be a big draw for US-based corporations. Is it really possible to ice China out of the global supply chain? 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.

Israeli general’s son turned activist for Palestine Miko Peled describes why this huge shift in support for Palestinians is a turning point and “the beginning of the end of Israel.” Brian Becker is joined by Miko Peled, a human rights activist and son of Israeli general. He is the host of The Miko Peled Podcast and author of “The General’s Son - A Journey of an Israeli in Palestine” and "Injustice: The Story of the Holy Land Foundation Five.” You can find his podcast, books, and much more at mikopeled.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the new push by U.S. officials to pressure financial institutions in the global south to enforce U.S. sanctions against Russia. 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.

The Israeli killing spree in Gaza has sparked a global movement united in support of the Palestinian people. Meanwhile the U.S. government sets imaginary “red lines” while facilitating the genocidal colonial project. This is a turning point in global history, and the Palestine solidarity movement in the West has a crucial role to play. Brian Becker is joined by Mohammed Nabulsi, organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement and an attorney based out of Houston. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Congress's attempt to ban TikTok and what's coming for the United States if it does. 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.

The United States has vetoed a ceasefire resolution in Gaza three times in the United Nations, but is now blaming Hamas for the absence of one. In the negotiations, Hamas outlined their demands for a permanent ceasefire, return of Palestinian prisoners for the exchange of Israeli hostages, and a complete withdrawal of forces. But few of its stated positions get reported accurately in the Western media. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a popular educator, organizer, the Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss why five people in the world have nearly $1 trillion of our society's money when inventors, academics, and well renowned people in other fields get prizes or one-time cash rewards. And how can Jeff Bezos operate Amazon without profit for nine years whereas most businesses can only go a few months? 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.

On February 25, active duty U.S. Airman Aaron Bushnell set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in protest of the war on Gaza. He screamed “Free Palestine” as he burned. His heroic act has shown the profound shift in U.S. consciousness against Israel’s war on Palestine, and inspired even greater resistance. Brian Becker is joined by Mike Prysner, a veteran, anti-war activist, producer of The Empire Files & host of the podcast "Eyes Left.” Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Trump's approach to inflation...and why blaming immigrants and other countries doesn't work. 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.

On the second anniversary of the Russian military intervention into Ukraine and the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-backed coup that created a pro-NATO puppet government in Ukraine, Brian and Vijay Prashad discuss U.S. long-term strategy toward Russia, Europe, and the Middle East. Brian Becker is joined by Vijay Prashad, the Executive Director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, Chief Editor of LeftWord Books, and a prolific author, most recently publishing a new book with Noam Chomsky called “The Withdrawal: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and the Fragility of U.S. Power.” Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.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.