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First, it’s protests and clashes and fascists (oh my!) as Eric sits down with international relations and security analyst Mark Sleboda to examine the latest developments in the “New Ukraine.” Eric and Mark talk about the violence on the streets of Kiev and what it means for the future, while plumbing the icy depths of the coldly pragmatic mind of Putin as they discuss Russia’s strategy in Donbass. As they say in Game of Thrones, “Winter is coming,” and with no gas, no money, and a disgruntled military and Nazi paramilitaries, it could prove to be a very cold, and very long, winter in Ukraine.

In the second half of the show, Eric welcomes to the program activist Jay Tharappel, fresh off his visit to Syria. Jay describes daily life in the country, his charity work on behalf of the Syrian people and, like Blanche DuBois on the road to Damascus, the kindness of strangers. Eric and Jay discuss the realities of war, left imperialist gamblers, and the curious case of the migrant crisis.

All this and more on Episode 18 of CounterPunch Radio. Intro and outtro music provided by David Vest, interlude by Billy Bragg & Wilco.

The post Mark Sleboda & Jay Tharappel – Episode 18 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.