This time Eric welcomes progressive Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives from California's 12th district, Shahid Buttar, who is challenging Nancy Pelosi in November's general election. Eric and Shahid discuss his background and formative political experiences, his time in Washington and as an activist, and his reasons for running. From there, the conversation explores the Pelosi era in SF politics: gentrification, segregation, Pelosification. What are the power blocs in Bay Area politics? Which sectors of capital does Pelosi represent? How will his campaign overcome these institutional obstacles?

 The second half of the show assesses Bernie's campaign, his impact on American political life, and the possibility (or impossibility) of taking over the Democratic Party. Finally, Eric and Shahid examine the critical question: what role is there for the Left in US politics? More

Shahid Buttar – Episode 152

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This time on CounterPunch Radio we sit down with Sahar Aziz and Mitchell Plitnick, co-authors of "Presumptively Antisemitic: Islamophobic Tropes in the Palestine-Israel Discourse," a critical new report published by Rutgers University Law School's Center for Security, Race, and Rights. The conversation explores the political and social context for this report, as well as the timing of its release, published as it was against the backdrop of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. The discussion broadens beyond the report to explore various aspects of the Palestine issue and its continued central importance for the US and western countries, as well as for the "Middle East," world politics and global affairs.  More

Sahar Aziz and Mitchell Plitnick

Eric Draitser sits down with CounterPunch Editor Joshua Frank to discuss the reasons why CounterPunch Radio has been mostly quiet in recent months. Eric details some of his physical and mental health issues in recent months, and the prospects for his return to regular podcasting.  More

Eric Draitser

This time Eric welcomes investigative journalist Arun Gupta back to CounterPunch to discuss Israel's genocidal war on Gaza and the media narratives that have emerged. Arun discusses how the war is genocidal and how it fits into the broader trajectory of Israel over the last few decades. Arun also casts his critical eye on the reporting around alleged rapes and sexual violence on October 7, instead suggesting that much liberal reporting on the issue has fallen for carefully orchestrated Israeli propaganda. Arun closes out the conversation discussing why Henry Kissinger's death should remind the Left not to be so bleak, that powerful organizing can change history.  More

Arun Gupta

This time Eric welcomes activist, author, and neuroscientist Yoav Litvin back to CounterPunch to discuss Palestine, Zionism, and the Israeli war. Yoav discusses his upbringing in both US and Israel, his time in the IDF in Lebanon, and the ways in which he first confronted his Zionism and began to decolonize his mind. From there, the conversation explores the nature of Zionism and the Zionist project in Palestine, the importance of non-Israeli Jewish opinion internationally, the necessity of being in solidarity with Palestinians, the centrality of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement, Israeli politics and the future of Netanyahu, the role of the US and Israel's place within US imperialism, the specter of Trump's return, and so much more. Don't miss this important conversation only on CounterPunch! More

Yoav Litvin

Conversation originally recorded in January 2022

This time Eric chats with Dr. Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies at Columbia University and author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance 1917-2017.

The conversation explores the early years of the Zionist movement and how it was perceived by prominent Palestinians, including Dr. Khalidi’s ancestors, and the inextricable link between Zionism, colonialism, and imperial power. Eric and Rashid discuss everything from attempts to erase Palestinian culture and history to the impact that Israel’s rightward shift has had on younger generations of Jews, especially in the US. So many topics covered in this important conversation with one of the most prominent voices of opposition to Israeli policies and oppression. Don’t miss this CounterPunch Radio! More

Shahid Buttar – Episode 152

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