Leila Mechoui returns for what will be the first in a series of programmes where we look at political-economy of the Covid outbreak. In this episode we examine the questionnable evidence for the lockdowns, why the US ruling class became so wildly hostile to Trump and make a few predictions on class struggle coming out of the pandemic.   Outro music - Capital (It Fails US Now) by Gang of Four

In this second part of our climate change episode (now unocked for general release) we look at the dubious origins of "green" policy such as "cap  & trade", why so many Marxists have bought into the climate change  narrative and conclude by examining Marx & Engels views on humans  place within nature.

We speak with the founder and editor of The Bellows, Edwin Aponte, about his piece analyzing the Left's failure to support or even commend the worker resistance against Covid vaccine mandates and Covid protocols across the globe.

Find the article here: https://www.thebellows.org/as-workers-resist-the-left-recoils/

In this episode I speak to Joti Brar, Vice Chair Communist Party of Great Britain - Marxist Leninist.  In this interview we speak about the World Anti Imperialist Platform and the US imperialists plans for war with China, the war against Russia and the failure of anti war movements in the west.  This will go out for public release on Friday.   Be sure to check out the CPGB-ML website  Here is the link to Joti's telegram channel 

In this weeks episode Alex & Leila examine the reaction of teachers unions in the US, Britain and Canada.  We also look at the class position of teachers with regard to the wider working class, why the teachers unions reactions on school closures have been so wrong and represent a betrayal of working class families.  

In this episode our hosts delve into the Meghan Markle scandal and see it as one more piece of evidence of bourgeois decline and degeneracy.  They then turn to an analysis of the seminal work by Lenin "Imperialism - The Highest Stage of Capitalism" and use it's method to analyse our curretn situation.   Outro Music - Ewan Maccoll - The Ballad of Accounting 

Following the recent Federal elections in Germany Michael Burkhardt returned to Red Star Radio to discuss the results.  We talk about the legacy of Merkel, the Greens, the fall of Die Linke, the German version of Tony Blair and the covid regime.  

With the German parliament recently passing a resolution proclaiming that the Soviet leadership in the ealry 1930's engaged in a deliberate policy of starvation in Ukraine it was clearly time to look at the mythology this resolution is based on.  Comrade Slava from the Chicago Workers School joins me for this episode where we examine why the 'holodomr' is a myth created by a combination of the Nazi regime, Ukrainian fascists, the Hearst press and reactionary British historian Robert Conquest.  We also examine why this myth has been sustained and how it is used by Ukrainian fascists to this day.  We also look at the role played by Trotsky in all this (and it's not a good one).  The final part of the episode deals with the reality of collectivisation, crop failures and the actual actions of the Soviet government in Ukraine and Moscow.  

Sources used in this episode:

Fraud, Famine and Fascism - Douglas Tottle

The 1932 Harvest and the Famine of 1933 - Mark Tauger

Natural Disaster and Human Actions in the Soviet Famine of 1931-1933 - Mark Tauger

Another View of Stalin - Ludo Martens

Blood Lies - Grover Furr

Stalin-History and Critique of a Black Legend - Domenico Losurdo 

Stalin The Temporary Holder of Ukraine - Leon Trotsky 

Outro music is 'You Glorious Soviet Ukraine' 

Episode Artwork is 'Sunny Day Before Spring' by the Soviet Ukrainian artist Victor Puzrykov

We review Adam Curtis' documentary film, "The Use and Abuse of Vegetational Concepts", and explore the limits of mathematical modelling, the tyranny of consensus-based decision-making, and why hippies are the worst.

We speak with sociologist and research director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the largest basic research institute in Europe. Dr. Mucchielli has been critical of France's COVID authoritarianism since the start of the pandemic, and has written and co-signed numerous open letters denouncing the unnecessary and repressive nature of the COVID protocols in France and beyond. He also has co-authored an analysis of deaths as reported by various countries' drug surveillance organizations. This analysis, entitled "An Unprecedented Mortality" led him and his co-authors to call for a moratorium of the vaccination campaign. This article was censored, but you can find an archived version here (in French): https://archive.ph/qDAvp

We speak to him about his view of the pandemic, the French protest movement, his political analysis of the situation, and more.

In this weekend edition we speak to American journalist Michael Tracey  regarding his recent reporting from Poland and his encounter with the  pro-NATO left in London.  Part 2 will be released for patrons next Tuesday.

In this, the final episode of the year, we take at this article from the Morning Star and ask whether it represents a reflection of Lenin's thought?  

Thanks to all listeners for supporting the show over the last year!  We'll back week beginning January 10th! 

We talk through the politics and history surrounding Oliver Stone's 1995 movie Nixon.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/red_star_radio

In this episode of Red Star Daily I look at the nature of fascism, what constitutes a fascist regime and what does not and why we should avoid applying the term too hastily.  

Outro is 'Partisans Song' by The Red Army Choir

Episode Artwork is 'Shooting the Fascist Vultures' by the Soviet Artist Viktor Kiselev

Aimee Terese of the "What's Left" podcast returns to Red Star Radio to talk about the left being all Democrats, the financial intervention of Soros and his fellow oligarchs in favour of "racial justice" and the nature of imperialism.  This show also features an exclusive extract from a little heard collaboration between Jacobin magazine, the Biden campaign and Keith Olbermann.  Stay tuned! 

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/interview-with-2-51677876

In the second part of our interview with Angela Nagle, we discuss the stunted development of Irish capitalism, the inter-imperialist rivalry between the USA and China as well as the impact of the Covid year on art and culture. 

This is an episode of the show from 2019 where I analysed why Communists must support leaving the European Union.  

In this episode of the bulletin I look at the latest updates from the frontlines in Ukraine/South West Russia before turning to the overhyping of US deployments done by CBS news.  I then look at the latest developments on the "dirty bomb" story including an interesting article on this from Scott Ritter. 

I conclude by looking at Rishi Sunak and his continuity cabinet.  One thing is certain and that is there'll be no change from this government of the bond holders. 

Outro music is 'Everything Counts' by Depeche Mode

Episode Artwork is 'Landing on the Kurile Islands' by the Soviet Artist Andrei Ivanovich Plotnov

In this episode Alex & Leila examine the state of science under capitalism, it's place within the capitalist relations of production and how this has led the scientific method to become corrupted.  We also take a brief moment to consider whether Boris Johnson is the greatest leader of our time and explore new business opportunities for us in the stock predictions business.  

In this episode we discuss the contradictions of the USSR, it's status as an economy and society at a transitional point between capitalism and socialism, it's contradictions and it's eventual fall.  

We speak with Canadian physicist and social theorist Denis Rancourt about the lack of critical thinking in the general population, what's up with COVID "modelling" and more!

You can find Denis Rancourt's writing and research here: https://denisrancourt.ca/

In the latest Red Star Daily I look at the most recent developments on the frontline in Ukraine before turning to a discussion of the comments made by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.  

I then turn to look at the reality of the EU as opposed to the fantasies of it's leaders such as Borrell and Ursula Von Der Leyen.

Intro and outro music for this episode is from the album Jazz Kolem Karla Krautgartnera by the Czechoslovak artist Karel Krautgartner (1965)

German elections are on Sunday, September 26th, 2021. These will be the first election in 17 years without Angela Merkel at the fore, who is stepping down. This is shaping up to be an election with historic shifts in power amongst the German political parties, with large gains predicted for the German Green party. These shifts are significant given the importance of Germany as the imperialist pole in Europe, and perhaps serve as a harbinger for politics in the rest of the Western world.

To discuss, we are joined by Michael Burkhart, a writer based in Berlin, and Elena Lange, who is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer of Japanese Studies at the University of Zurich and author of the recently published book “Value without Fetish”

Check out Elena's book here: https://brill.com/view/title/31889, and find her on Twitter @ELLange6

You can follow Michael Burkhart on Twitter: @michiburkhardt

Full episode available to patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/evergrande-old-58269048

We cover the drama happening around the Evergrande developer group in China, and give our two cents as to whether this spells the end of capitalism in China as we know it.

Following the events in Georgia last week I spoke RT correspondent (and host of the Revolution Report) Donald Courter.  He has been reporting from Tbilisi during the riots that were triggered by the governments attempt to pass a law regulating foreign controlled NGOs.

We talk about the actual forces in play in Georgia, the long shadow of the 2008 war, former President Saakashvili and the turning of the country into a free market laboratory and the effects of this.

Be sure to check out The Revolution Report which has a lot of coverage of the post Soviet world on it.

Outro Music is The Anthem of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

Here's a preview of part 2 of our AMA episode.  In this one we go everywhere from how "cultural appropriation" is bull shit to the role of the petit bourgeoisie to our favourite tobacco.  Enjoy!

In this episode I speak to Peruvian nationalist Alejo who talks us through the various different contradictions inside his nation.  

We speak about the troubles facing the left reformist government of Castillo, the role of the US empire and the actions of the numerous NGOs in nations like Peru. 

It's a really interesting discussion about an area of the world we hear very little of in the bourgeois press.  

In this special episode I look at the recent resignation of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.  What does this tell us about the state of the SNP? Could they have won a 2nd independence referendum? Why is the Scottish left so bought into the idea of independence?  All these questions and more will be addressed in this episode.  Due to the lenght of the episode there will be a second part of this released next week looking why petit-bourgeois nationalism has grown in Britain since the 1970's.

Outro Music is "Workers Song" by Dick Gaughan

In this episode of the daily update I look at the latest decisions made by the Russian Security Council including the imposition of martial law in the four new regions of Russia, the potential for Ukrainian assaults in Kherson and the evacuation of the civilian population from there and the continued attempts by Ukraine to retake the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.  

I also consider the cliches indulged in by western intellectuals when it comes to the Russian Army, the wretched propaganda of Anthony Beevor and the desperate projection of NATO propagandists.  

Episode Outro is "Stand Up For The Revolution" a song of the Palestinian resistance

Episode Artwork is Etude to the diorama The Battle of Poltava by the Soviet artist Pyotr Ivanovich Zhigimont (1958)

Is the "rules based" international order collapsing? Has the Russian action in Ukraine ended for good the period of the unipolar world? What are we to make of President Vladimir Putin adopting the rhetoric of "responsibility to protect" arguments previously so beloved of US and British politiacal leaders? 

All this and much more are subjects of our discussion with Tara McCormack who is a lecturer in international relations, sovereignty, security, intervention and the relationship between foreign policy and the structure of the state at the University of Leicester. 

Be sure to follow Tara on twitter - @McCormack_Tara 

We talk with climate change skeptic Ben Pile to get his critical view on climate science and the politics undergirding it (Twitter: @clim8resistance). Part 2 will be coming out next week.

Find more of Ben's work here: https://www.climate-resistance.org/

Putin is moving troops to the Ukrainian border and calling in army reserves. Ukraine's comedian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stopped with the jokes and says that he is going to "recover" Crimea for real this time. Biden has put Russia on notice. We look at the recent escalation of aggression in Ukraine and answer the question on everyone's mind: Is WWIII finally going to start? The article we are reviewing: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russian-tanks-move-toward-ukraine-globe-braces-world-war-3

Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/fall-of-labour-51169851

Can Labour be saved? Is it worth saving? The Labour Party's recent loss in Hartlepool has reignited the debate about whether the Labour Party can still be understood as the UK's workers' party. We talk about why the Labour party lost its recent by-election in Hartlepool, the class composition of Labour politicians, Labour's uneven and contradictory history, and the pressure-group called 'Blue Labour'. 

Full episode available to subscribers over Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/great-miners-of-55047749

In this three-part episode, we look at one of the most significant work stoppages of the modern era: the UK Miners' strike of 1984-1985. In this first episode, we survey the political economy leading up to these stunning events.

In this episode I spoke with Matteo Capasso, auther of the recently released book 'Everyday Politics In The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya'. We discuss the early years of the revolutionary process in Libya and how it tied into the global wave of revolution and coutner revolution.

In this episode Alex speaks to Natylie Baldwin who is the author of The View from Moscow: Understanding Russia and U.S.-Russia Relations.  The discussion goes into the chaos in Russia in the 1990s, Putins economic and legal reforms & how these are not understood in US government 

Natylie has written for outlets such as The Grayzone, Consortium News, RT, OpEd News, The Globe Post, Antiwar.com, The New York Journal of Books, and Dissident Voice.  Be sure to visit her website and follow her on twitter

In episode we start with a look at the (wildly overhyped) Pro Act. We then move to a detailed discussion of the major themes of Lenins' "State and Revolution" and talk about why it's an essential work.

Christian Parenti joins me for this episode to talk about his two recent articles Trump Against Empire & Will The Left Stand Up To The Deepstate

We had a wide ranging discussion covering how Trumps blundering and crude understanding of American capitalism led to him inadvertantly disrupting certain aspects of the US imperial management system.

We also cover the vast expansion in the powers of the security state in the USA and how the brings into question how much of the American system can be said to be a "managed democracy".

Outro Music is 'The Revolutionary Alphabet' a song from the early period of the American Revolution

We sit with military analyst Scott Ritter to understand the whys and hows of a possible Russian offensive into Ukraine, and to understand the role of US and NATO in this quickly-escalating situation.

We are unlocking one of our regular 'Ask Us Anything' episodes from October last year where we take questions from subscribers and from twitter. If you like this content you may want to subscribe for a whole lot more of it over on our patreon page.

This week we spoke with Professor Norman Fenton of Queen Mary University, London, to discuss the use and misuse of statistics by governments during the last two years.  We cover the tricks governments have pulled over the presentation of data of infections, the farce regarding testing and vaccine efficacy.  It's a very interesting discussion and we encourage listeners to read the articles mentioned in the interview which are linked to below.

Episode image is from the 1985 film 'Brazil' Directed by Terry Gilliam

http://probabilityandlaw.blogspot.com/2021/12/possible-systematic-miscategorisation.html?m=1

http://probabilityandlaw.blogspot.com/2021/11/is-vaccine-efficacy-statistical-illusion.html?m=1

As the Kiev regime prepares another doomed offensive in Zaporozhye I ask what, what the hell are they doing?  The Saudis realign but remain the same collection of ultra reactionaries they always have been. The Serbian ruling class wait and watch whilst trying to avoid a shooting war with NATO over Kosovo but the wars fuelled by US imperialism in the former Yugoslavia cannot remain frozen for too much longer as the American empire visibly falls apart.  And finally a look at why the British trade union leaders are paying Keir Starmer to kick them in the balls. 

Outro Music is 'The Future' by Leonard Cohen

Episode Artwork is the work 'Paratroopers' by the Soviet Russian Artist Pyotr Tarasovich Maltsev

I recently spoke with the American Communist writer Michael Christopher regarding his work on the current situation in Myanmar. He has written several pieces on the subject including for the CPUSA publication 'Peoples World' covering the war against the military regime and role played by the Communist Party of Burma.
You can find Michael's 'Peoples World' article here

You can also find Michaels latest substack article here

In which we speak to James Smith from @thepopularshow on everything from Covid to the Corbyn period. 

This is part one of the interview, part 2 will be out for patrons next week.  

Be sure to check out The Popular Show and their work 

Full episode available to patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/is-sex-work-work-53926889

We look at the claim that prostitution is wage labour like any other, and decide whether or not the claim stands up to Marxist scrutiny.

Articles mentioned:

Prostitution and ways of fighting it (Kollontai)

Lenin on the Women’s Question (Zetkin)

Socialists Should Support Sex Workers’ Rights (Liza Featherstone for Jacobin Magazine)

Leila's article on the topic in the Bellows: The Folly of Sex Work Advocacy

We speak about a recent article published in the Financial Times entitled "Bank of Japan wrestles with never-ending stimulus". Our discussion looks at the role of Central Banks in propping up decaying monopoly capitalism, why the Japanese working class has not fought back, the effects that hyper-financialization on Japanese society, and explain in detail how states, monopoly capitalism, and finance capital have completely melded to maintain the exploitation of the working-class. Some articles mentioned in the show: Bank of Japan wrestles with never-ending stimulus: https://www.ft.com/content/60c50f7e-b5df-4df3-9481-6159ca405865 Free access to article copied in a comment on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/finance/comments/m650g6/bank_of_japan_wrestles_with_neverending_stimulus/gr48rbi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 The Class War in Japan: https://www.marxists.org/history/international/comintern/sections/britain/periodicals/communist_review/1922/08/class_war_japan.htm What’s the Fed doing in response to the COVID-19 crisis? What more could it do?: https://www.brookings.edu/research/fed-response-to-covid19/

I recently spoke to the Sociologist Dr Ashley Frawley regarding her latest article in Compact Magazine in which she argues that the triumph of "trauma politics" is an anti working class phenomenon.  

The conversation went to a number of interesting places including how we should all read more Hegel.  Be sure to read Ashley's article https://compactmag.com/article/how-trauma-politics-hurts-the-poor

Will the classified documents stashed in his corvette's glove box spell the end for Joe Biden?  Have the Russians sacked their commander? Is British capitalism actually capable of waging a real war?  All these questions and more will be answered in tonights Red Star Radio bulletin! 

Episode Artwork is 'The First Red Army Soldiers in 1918' by the Soviet Russian Artist Ivan Georgievich Drozdov (1924)

In a special episode Alex & Leila look at the US bombing raid on Syria and examine the history of the war on Syria.  Including a look at the main factions, the history of US and British involvement and pro-imperialist stance taken by much of the US and British left.  

In this episode I look at the latest news from the ongoing battles around Artemovsk/Balhmut and the rumours of it's imminent fall to the Russian forces.  I then look at the latest comments from a western official who's been revealed to be a fool, this time it's the Pope revealing himself to be in the Josep Borrel school of thought.  I then turn to look at the various displays of idiocy over the protests in China and how the schemes of imperialism fit into this.  

Episode Outro is 'If I Should Fall From the Grace of God' by The Pogues

Episode Artwork is 'Short Break From The War' by the Soviet Ukrainian Artist Viktor Ivanovich Tolochko

In this episode I spoke to RT journalist Steve Sweeney who is currently reporting from the frontline areas of the Donbas. We talk about the almost decade long war that has been waged by the Ukrainian armed forces on the Russian and Russian speaking areas of the country. We also cover the latest updates from the frontlines.

In this episode of the bulletin I look at the likely effects of the G7 oil "price cap" and how it isn't likely to lead to the results it's originators desire.  I also look at the drone attack on airfields inside Russia and how this is being played out as a propaganda operation in the British bourgeois press.  

In the final part of the programme I look at how the government and security services have been using the clowns from Extinction Rebelliona and Just Stop Oil to soften up public opinion for more repressive measures to be taken against the working class.  

Outro Music is "American Ruse" by The MC5

Episode Artwork is the work 'Into the Night' by the Soviet Russian artist Vladimir Alexeyvich Vasin

I star the bulletin tonight by looking at the latest from the war in Ukraine, including Putin visiting Minsk and the possible implcations of it.

The bulk of the episode thought is taken up with an examination of the strikes going on in Britain and why the labour party offers no way out for the working class.

Outro is 'The Red Flag'

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-only-with-51439398

We speak about China under Mao, and China's transition back into capitalism under Deng and subsequent leaders. We also speak about China's role as a rising imperialist leader.

We look at prominent liberal explanations for the recent mass shooting in Texas, and offer up another perspective, that from Marxist Criminology.

Painting: Alex Colville, Pacific, 1967

We are unlocking this episode recently released to patrons as it contains a lot of useful information on the role regulatory bodies actually play under state monopoly capitalism.  

What role does a regulator like the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)  actually play?  In this episode we examine the FDA, it's capture and  control by the pharmaceutical industry and how this fits into US  state-monopoly capitalism.

Be sure to read the full article we are discussing

Episode image is taken from the Lindsay Anderson film "Britannia Hospital" (1982)

This is a preview of Part 1 of our October AMA.  For the full episode subscribe at our patreon page

In this special episode I look at the event that defined the last 105 years, that October Revolution of 1917.  In doing so I trace the origins of the Bolsheviks victory back to the early days of Russian Marxism, the role played by Plekhanov, the development of Russian capitalism and the birth of the Bolshevik Party.  Particularly important is the development of the Bolshevik relationship with the masses and how this developed over time to reach it's apex in the revolutionary period of 1917-1922.  

Here are some links to further reading on the subject:

The April Theses - Lenin

The State and Revolution - Lenin

History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union - Chapter 7 by J.V.Stalin

The History of the Russian Revolution - L.D. Trotsky

10 Days That Shook The World - John Reed

The Russian Revolution - William Z Foster

Episode art is the work 'Lenin in October' by the Soviet Artist Igor Reznik

Episode Music is 'The International' performed by the Red Army Choir

In this episode of the daily bulletin I examine:

1) The latest from the frontlines

2) Chinese continue to expand their activity in European economies 

The bulk of the episode though consists of an examination of the speech and Q&A given by Putin at the Valdai Club today.  

Outro Music is 'This Is The Day' by The The

Episode Artwork is 'Winter Forest' by the Soviet Latvian artist Yanis Paulyuks

In this episode we start off by examining the P&O Ferries dispute before turning to look at the latest on inflation and the idea that we are in a "long depression" since 2008. You can find out more about the P&O workers dispute on the link below. https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/pando-crisis/

In this episode I speak to the Italian political analyst Thomas Fazi regarding the upcoming Italian elections.

In this interview we cover why membership of the Euro has rendered Italian democratic institutions irrelevant, the failure and collapse of the Italian left, the lies and deceptions of the populists and the role of the German banks.

Be sure to follow Thomas Fazi on twitter @battleforeurope

You can also find more of his writing here

Outro music - La Canzone Del Fronte Unito (Song Of The United Front) - Original Germany Lyrics by Bertolt Brecht

Not a week goes by without a hyperventilating article in the New York Times, Washington Post or Guardian about how either Kim Jong Un is dead or is working on a Bond villain style death ray.  Everything you read, hear or see in the capitalist media regarding the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea is either an outright lie or wild exaggeration.  How to find truth in such a media landscape?  In this episode I speak to Dr Dermot Hudson of the Korean Friendship Association to find the reality of the history of the DPRK and how they are continuing to build their own socialist system.  

You can find more information on the work of the KFA on the link below:

http://www.korea-dpr.com/kfa.html

Elena Lange returns to review self-proclaimed "globalist" Benjamin Bratton's newest book "The Revenge of the Real: Politics for a Post-Pandemic World".

Articles mentioned during the show:

"Basic fucking common sense" by Elena Lange

"Revenge of the Unreal" by Nicolas Hausdorf

Elena's recent book "Value without Fetish" is available here as a free PDF download: https://brill.com/view/title/31889?language=en

In part 1 of a 2 part episode, we review the major theories of imperialism as derived by intellectuals including Hobson, Hilferding, Luxemburg, Bukharin, Lenin, Kautsky, Poulantzas and more. This episode is heavy on the theory, but we hope we've included enough humour and interesting historical tidbits to make it go down easier. 

The second part will be available for Patrons here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/what-is-part-2-2-52762824

We have Canadian trucker and political commentator Gord Magill on to discuss the ongoing trucker protest in Canada. Check out Gord' latest piece in Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/elites-are-smearing-truckers-because-were-doing-their-job-representing-people-opinion-1675022

In this episode of the bulletin I look at the latest complaints from Macron and Habeck about the US "stealing" European industry.  

I then examine the latest Russian statements on the potential end point for the war and look at the growing protest waves across Europe. 

Episode Outro Music is "Aux Armes Et Caetera" by Serge Gainsbourg

Episode Artwork is the work "Letter" by the Soviet Russian artist Viktor Konstantinovich Dmitrievsky

We talk about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with investigative journalist Kit Klarenburg, with an emphasis on the use of the media in shaping the stunning pro-war unanimity. We also touch on the weaponization of propaganda against the Canadian trucker protest movement. 

Full episode available to Patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/q-time-part-2-54432833

We go on to answer questions about whether clients of sex workers should be criminalized, what relevance do gender and LGBT+ ideology have to Marxist theory, Scottish independence, the Canadian Indigenous question, and whether Ireland will ever see a workers' uprising.

This week I speak to Slava, a comrade from the Chicago Workers School.  We cover a lot about recent Ukrainian history, the role of anti-communist propaganda and the actions of US imperialism.  

For our first piece of content for patrons, we are putting out an unaired portion of the first interview between co-hosts Alexander McKay and Leila Mechoui from back in January of this year.  We talk covid-19, unions, automation, the dumb state of the Left "intellectuals" and more. We also have recorded a new introduction to it where we reflect on what we were right about and how everyone must read Lenin.  We hope you enjoy the programme.

Full episode: https://www.patreon.com/red_star_radio

You can find Lenin's "Imperialism-The Highest Stage of Capitalism" on the link below:

https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1916/imp-hsc/index.htm

In the aftermath of the Capitol Hill events I spoke to Leila Mechoui on the subjects of protests in the modern era and the meaning of the Covid crisis. Part 2 will be out for subscribers in the early part of next week. 

Be sure to subscribe to Leila's substack - https://leilamechoui.substack.com/

In this episode of the daily bulletin I look at the latest from the frontlines in the Russia-Ukraine war.  This then leads onto a discussion of the allegations made by the Russian MoD that the Ukrainians are preparing to detonate some kind of dirty bomb or low yield nuclear device and how this has been reacted to.  

I then look at an interesting Wall Street Journal article covering the fall of Liz Truss and how this will impact upon the new Rishi Sunak administration. 

Outro Music is the song 'Suspect Device' by Stiff Little Fingers 

Episode Artwork is the work 'Bird in Alert' by the Soviet Moldavian Artist Igor Vieru

In this weeks episode Alex and Leila look at the role of labour unions under captialism, the contraditions that define them, their inherent limitations and why they are still crucial vehicles for class struggle.   The intro and outro to this episode features clips from the Thames Televisions documentary "Arthurs Scargill - Miners" from 1974.  The documentary can be viewed here

I start off this episode by talking about the launch of the Marx Engels Institute which is now the home of this podcast.  As I say on the episode there will be an essay accompanying this epiosde published on the site in the next few days.

For the bulk of the episode I examine how did the concept of anti facsism change from being a socialist force driven by the working class to being a laundry service for the reputations of imperialist politicians?  In this episode I explore the historical changes that generated this and why it has proven to be such a poisonous development that leads to strengthening of anti-working class actions from the capitalist state.

Outro Music Is the Italian version of the Song of the United Front

We analyze the reasons for the failure of the Amazon union drive in Alabama. We then discuss the significance of welfare under capitalism, and what's really behind the so-called Universal Basic Income (UBI).

In this episode we look at further developments regarding the Russian withdrawal from Kherson.  Is there a deal with the US?  Or is it actually the case that this war will grind onwards as the US itself is not capable of agreeing on a way forward within the Biden administration?  

We also look at the latest fall out from the midterms and ask would a Theodore Roosevelt type figure be able to emerge with the state of US capitalism today? 

In the concluding part I take a question form a listener regarding why western militaries have shrunk as they have since the 1990s. 

Outro Music is 'Life During Wartime' by Talking Heads 

Episode Artwork is the work 'Hunters' by the Soviet Latvian artist Karlis Dobrais (1973)

This is the first episode of what will be an ongoing series entitled 'Intrduction To Marxist Leninism'.

In this series I will be introudcing the key concepts of the Marxist-Leninist worldview by studying some classic texts from the great revolutionary thinkers of the last 200 years.

In this first episode I look at the 1913 work by Lenin 'The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism'. It is one of the best introductions to Marxism ever written and much can be learned from studying it.

Apologies for the sound quality on this reording as it was done whilst travelling and I had to use both phone and laptop to do so due to the laptop being rather deficient.

Outro Music is 'Glory to You, Great Soviet Union!' 

Performer: All-Union Radio Choir and Orchestra 

Composer: Alexander Kholminov 

Lyricist: Yuri Kamenetsky 

Episode Artwork is 'V.I.Lenin' by the Soviet Estonian Artist Elmar Yanovich Kits

In this episode I look at the real meaning of Zelenskys Christmas in Washington, the sheer brute cynicism of the likes of Lindsay Graham and the return of Oliver North.  I then turn to domestic British politics and Rishi Sunaks proposed attacks on the right to strike.  I conclude by looking at the long term rates of poverty in Britain and why they never actually reduce over the last 30 years. 

Outro Music is 'Washington Bullets' by The Clash from the album 'Sandinista' (1980) 

Episode artwork is 'Winter Evening' by the Soviet Russian artist Viktor Bibikov (1971)

As the Cuban revolution enters it's eighth decade we look at the reasons for it's continuing strength in the face of the unending aggression from the US empire.  Our guest today is Bernard Regan, National Secretary of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign and we spoke about the legacy of colonialism, the rooting of socialism in the Cuban working class and the international solidarity work of the Cuban revolutionary government.  

To find out more abut the Cuba Solidarity Campaign be sure to visit their website.  

https://cuba-solidarity.org.uk/

Intro - Fidel Castro addresses a congress of anti colonial revolutionaries in 1966

Outro - Carlos Pueblo - Y En Eso Llego Fidel

This is the first of what will be daily updates on the latest situation in the Russia-Ukraine war.  

In these bulletins I'll be looking at the latest from the frontlines as well as the wider stories in the economic and political sphere.  

You can find an up to date map of the current positions on the frontlin on Southfront

The riots that broke out in South Africa brought back into the focus the nature of the post apartheid era.  In this episode we look at the nature of the deal that ended apartheid, the strength and sacrifices of the South African working class and the political trajectory of the ANC.  We also draw on Lenin's analysis of "spontaneity" and Trotsky's concept of "permanent revolution" to shed light on the class struggle within South Africa.

For further information on the situation in South Africa check out this article

We look at the issue of borders, using how capitalists use borders within the context of monopoly capitalism. We demonstrate how the contending bourgeois stances of "open" or "restricted" border control makes no sense. 

We look at the history and politics of the temperance movement, a major alcohol moderation turned teetotalist social movement with international reach.

Check out Alex's article on the topic here: https://www.thebellows.org/temperance/

In this weeks internview I speak with CPGB-ML Vice Chair Joti Brar about her recent visit to Caracas. We talk about the unfolding revolutionary process that is going on there, the masses continued support for a socialist future and their building of workers democratic organisations.

We also discuss the recent meeting of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform held in Caracas and the declaration made by those parties attending.  

Outro Music is 'La Hora Del Pueblo' A song of the PSUV

With Wall Street declaring that they want Covid over and done with by April Alex & Leila examine the states in the US reopening.  They reiterate the case against lockdowns, talk about the gigantic amount of bad science created in the last year and examine the "great reset" theory.   Outro music is "The Ballad of Accounting" - Written by Ewan Maccoll and performed by Maccoll and Peggy Seeger 

In the first part of our analysis of President Putins speech to the Russian Federal Assembly we examine the part of the speech dealing with the Ukraine war and special military operation.  This leads into a discussion of the class war that has been waged upon the Ukrainian working class by the oligarchy and why they turned to a coup when they couldn't get the EU agreement through in 2014.  We then turn to look at old man Bidens ramblings in Poland and his farewell to Zelensky in Kiev. 

Outro music is The International sung in Ukrainian 

In this episode I look at the latest from the frontlines in Ukraine.  I then examine the attack on the Russian naval base in Sevastopol and ask what the British involvement may have taken the form of.  There is also the question of the infinite self deception engaged in by the EU over the sanctions on Russian energy. 

In the concluding part of the episode I examine a question about last nights episode on the nature of fascism taking into consideration the example of the Spanish regime of Franco and the pre war Nazi regime.  

You can find more content on our patreon page for subscribers

Outro Music is 'Cancion del Frente Popular' (the Spanish version of Song of the United Front) by Bertolt Brecht

Episode Artwork is 'The Birth of the Red Army' by the Soviet Artist Gennady Ivanovich Prokpinsky

In this episode I look at the fate that has befallen those who have provided themselves and their movements as allies to the US imperialists.  This is relevant not only to the fate of Zelensky but also to the latest selling out of the Kurds in Syria by the US.  It is also something that has relevance to the current violence in Iran that is taking place in Iranian Kurdistan and the Balochi region in South East Iran, on the border with Pakistan.  I also discuss the Soviet policy on national minorities and defend it against the misrepresentations of it that have come from Russian nationalists and western "marxists".  

Episode Artwork is the work 'Marshal Georgy Zhukov' by the Soviet Russia artist Vasily Nikolayevich Yakovlev

Episode Outro is 'Theme from the Long Good Friday' by Francis Monkman

Leila and Alex review the 2021 re-election of a Canadian minority Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau and take a look at the broader political economy of Canada.

Gord Magill returns to discuss his recent piece in Newsweek on the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, a bill which seeks to remove overtime pay exemptions for truckers. We also speak about the state of the economy and the effects of climate change policy on the trucking industry and beyond.

Read Gord's piece here: 

Republicans: Want to Support the Working Class? Vote for Andy Levin's Trucker Bill

Matteo Capasso returns to discuss the war on Gaza. We also discuss how Palestine is at the heart of liberation movements against US imperialism.

We sat down with George Hoare, co-host of the Aufhebunga bunga podcast, to look at Brexit and COVID-19 using Gramsci's concepts of historic bloc and hegemony as guides. 

Check out George's first book: An Introduction to Antonio Gramsci: His Life, Thought and Legacy

And his latest book: The End of the End of History: Politics in the Twenty-First Century

Mentioned in the show: The Full Brexit Blog

Nicolas Hausdorf, writer and resident of Melbourne, joins us to give us the inside scoop on Australia's COVID-19 response. Are things as bad as they seem? Listen to find out.

Mentioned in the show:

Nicolas' review of Benjamin Bratton's book, Revenge of the Unreal

What has been the impact of the Covid inspired lockdowns and restrictions on universities and how should the trade union movement repsond?  To look at this I am joined by Dr Tara McCormack from the University of Leicester for a discussion of what trade union demands should be in this time.  

We talk about the reasons for low literacy in advanced capitalist nations, the degradation of the arts, and the role of schools and education in capitalism. 

Article mentioned: The Crisis of Low Literacy by Peter Kerek

In Leilas final appearance on the show we tackle listeners questions on the Bilderberg group, the WEF, abortion, female emancipation and the life & crimes of George H W Bush.

We look at the bourgeois media circus surrounding the Rittenhouse trial and ask, why the concept of a fair trial is so alien to many these days? Why are liberals so keen to jettison universalist standards? And who bares responsibility for the riots last year? On side 2 we take a question of socially necessary labor from a listener and look at how the employers manipulate conscientious workers.

In this episode of the bulletin we look at the latest from the frontlines in Ukraine.  This includes the fall of Soledar and the encirclement of Artymovsk, the role of the Wagner group and the new Russian offensive in the Zaporozyhe region.  From there we look at the latest Ukrainian conscription drive and the likelihood of a Ukrainian offensive.  We also consider the resignation of Zelenskys chief spin doctor Arestovich and what his revelations can tell us about the war.  

Episode Outro is a revolutionary hymn from the Russian revolution period

Episode Artwork is 'Hunter With Golden Eagle' (1938) by the Soviet Kyrgyz artist Semyon Chuikov

Be sure to check out the Marx-Engels Institute website

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In this weeks episode Alex & Leila examine the parlous and decaying state of culture under capitalism in a discussion that ranges from a defence of brutalist acrhitecture to the novels of Isaac Asimov and the cultural demands of the workers movement.  

In this episode I speak to the journalist Dan Cohen about his recent article on political crises afflicting Haiti.  We discuss the many invasions suffered by Haiti led by US and French imperialism, the role of the liberal opposition as tools of the US, the tactics the Biden regime is pursuing and the man emerging as a new leader of Haitian resistance Jimmy Cherizier.  It's a fascinating interview and be sure to keep an eye out for Dan's upcoming documentary on the issue. 

Be sure to follow Dan on twitter @dancohen3000

Also check out the Haiti Liberte website for the latest independent journalism covering Haiti. 

Episode image is a portrait of Jean Jacques Dessalines the founder of Haiti as an independent state