The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker episodes:

• 05.02.2024

  The Colonial Roots of Zionism: Palestine, Israel, and the U.S. Empire Part 2: 1947-1967

  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,...

  
• 05.01.2024

  It’s May Day! Understanding How Every Worker Is Exploited by Their Boss

  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...

  
• 04.25.2024

  Student Uprising Spreads as US & Israel Plan Rafah Invasion

  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...

  
• 04.22.2024

  Lenin and the Path to Revolution [Part 1]

  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...

  
• 04.22.2024

  Lenin and the Path to Revolution [Part 2]

  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...

  
• 04.22.2024

  Lenin and the Path to Revolution [Part 3]

  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...

  
• 04.18.2024

  Danger of a Regional War, China Nuclear Proposal & U.S. Class Analysis [Preview]

  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...

  
• 04.17.2024

  Iran Doesn’t Want Larger War with Israel But is Ready For It w/ Prof. Mohammad Marandi

  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...

  
• 04.11.2024

  Biden’s Dilemma: Israel Now Faces Defeat Despite Its Military Rampage

  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...

  
• 04.10.2024

  Treasury Head Yellen’s New China Complaint

  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...

  
• 04.05.2024

  Can Latin America & Caribbean Unite Against the Empire? w/ Venezuela’s Former FM Jorge Arreaza

  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...

  
• 04.03.2024

  Labor Unions Fight for a Free Palestine!

  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...

  
• 03.28.2024

  Terrorism, the Ukraine-Russia War & Victoria Nuland’s ‘Nasty Surprises’

  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...

  
• 03.27.2024

  US Capitalists Flock to China as US Gov’t Says STOP China

  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...

  
• 03.21.2024

  Israeli General’s Son: Last 6 Months of Genocide Are ‘Beginning of the End’ for Israel

  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...

  
• 03.20.2024

  New U.S. Threats Against Russia

  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...

  
• 03.14.2024

  Even If They Invade Rafah, Israel Still Can’t Win the Larger War

  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,...

  
• 03.13.2024

  TikTok Witch Hunt!

  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...

  
• 03.07.2024

  US & Israel’s Fake ‘Ceasefire Deal’ and What Hamas Is Really Demanding

  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...

  
• 03.06.2024

  Billionaire Power: An American Obscenity

  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...

  
• 02.29.2024

  Why He Died: Airman Aaron Bushnell Said ‘No’ to US-Israeli Genocide in Gaza

  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...

  
• 02.28.2024

  Trump's 'Solution' to Inflation Is No Solution

  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...

  
• 02.22.2024

  Why U.S. is Pushing “Long War” Strategy in Ukraine War

  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...

  
• 02.21.2024

  Why Are Workers Drowning in Credit Card Debt?

  On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss why workers have so much credit card debt while financial giant Capital One tries to buy another financial giant, Discover, for more than $35 billion. Professor Richard Wolff is an...

  
• 02.15.2024

  Why Can’t the Democrats Do Better Than ‘Genocide Joe’?

  Joe Biden can’t remember the names of Hamas or the president of Mexico, but he is still all in for Israel’s genocide against Palestinians, pushing Ukrainians to keep fighting and dying, and sending billions of dollars abroad for weapons.  Brian Becker...

  
• 02.14.2024

  Why Higher Prices Are Here to Stay: The Hidden Truth About Inflation

  On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss what really causes inflation as housing costs continue to spike, increasing six percent–triple the Federal Reserve’s target. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You...

  
• 02.13.2024

  The Colonial Roots of Zionism: Palestine, Israel, and the U.S. Empire

  The Israeli state was born in 1948 when zionists colonized Palestine. What are the colonial roots of Israel and what role does Israel play in the pursuit of policies mirroring the interests of U.S. and western imperialism? Brian is joined by...

  
• 02.08.2024

  Netanyahu Rejects Hamas Offer: Middle East Set To Explode in Wider War

  As negotiations over the war in Gaza continue, Hamas delivered a three-part proposal that would end in a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli military from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the proposal, vowing to fight until “an...

  
• 02.07.2024

  California Flood Victims Abandoned By Capitalist Insurance Companies

  On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the humongous floods in California that have wreaked damage across Southern California. Just 52,400 homes and businesses are projected to be covered by insurance—less than 1% of the more than 7.7 million...

  
• 02.01.2024

  PFLP Leader Speaks About Gaza, Ceasefire Prospects and the Future for Palestine

  In an exclusive interview, Brian Becker spoke with Haytham Abdo, a representative of The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Lebanon, about his perspective on the war in Gaza. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program...

  
• 01.25.2024

  Israeli Genocide Verdict? US-Israel Will Lose War Against Palestine and Yemen w/ Vijay Prashad

  The U.S. is amplifying its war on Yemen, in retaliation for Yemen’s protest against the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice will rule on South Africa’s case against Israeli genocide. Brian Becker is joined by Vijay Prashad,...

  
• 01.20.2024

  The Bombing of Yemen, the War in Gaza, Nikki Haley & the Racist Character of the US [Preview]

  In this patrons-only Q&A; seminar, Brian discusses the political reasons why Netanyahu will keep trying to expand the war in Gaza, why Biden is still supporting him, what it will take to stop the genocide, Russia and China’s role, the...

  
• 01.17.2024

  AI Plus Capitalism a Recipe for Mass Unemployment?

  On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the dramatic new report from the IMF showing that 40 percent of all jobs in the world could be impacted by the introduction of Artificial Intelligence. Fears are deepening about...

  
• 01.11.2024

  Israel Plans Even Wider War: Palestinian Struggle Enters Decisive Stage

  While Israel is escalating its attacks on Palestine and its neighbors, it has still not achieved its proclaimed goals, and resistance to Israel’s genocide is growing around the world. Palestine’s allies in the region are not backing down, and in...

  
• 01.04.2024

  Attacks in Lebanon & Iran: Netanyahu Wants to Drag U.S. Into Wider War w/ Mohammad Marandi

  Prof. Marandi of the University of Tehran says Israel can’t win a wider war against Lebanon and Iran. But these countries will have to respond to the recent terror attacks—and Israel’s war against Palestine may expand into a regional conflict...

  
• 01.03.2024

  Don't Believe Everything You Read: Was the 2023 Economy Really As Wonderful As the Capitalists Say?

  On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the lies economists tell us—like the "soft landing" they're claiming the economy had in 2023, when workers nationwide are experiencing sky high prices and low wages. What lies will we...

  
• 12.21.2023

  US Preparing for Regional War in the Middle East: Imperialist Alliance Formed Against Yemen [Preview]

  In this patrons-only Q&A; seminar, Brian discusses the new U.S. alliance to counter Yemen's ships from preventing materials going to Israel while the genocide is ongoing, media censorship now and in past crises, the release of Alex Saab, the seizure...

  
• 12.14.2023

  Congress’s Witch Hunt Against Palestine Flips Reality On Its Head: Students Are Trying to Stop a Genocide

  The U.S. Congress and elite colleges and universities are spinning the reality that students are protesting to stop a genocide against Palestinians into the clear fabrication that they’re promoting one against Jewish people—something students haven’t called for. Students are facing...

  
• 12.13.2023

  Behind Zelensky's Trip to Washington: The Ukraine War Is Financing US Capitalists

  On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's visit in Washington to procure more money for the war with Russia that keeps dragging on. While the lives of the American people are getting more expensive by...

  
• 12.07.2023

  Israel Arrests Thousands in West Bank as Gaza Fighting Enters ‘Decisive Phase’

  Israel is arresting thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank while it ramps up the campaign against Gaza. Since Israel’s military operation launched after October 7, it has arrested more than 3,640 Palestinians, including 41 journalists and more than...

  
• 12.06.2023

  Oil Exec Presides Over COP28 Climate Summit: So What Are the Real Solutions?

  On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the UN COP28 climate summit where record numbers of fossil fuel lobbyists were given access, and the summit itself is presided over by the chief executive for an oil company. Professor...

  
• 11.30.2023

  Israel Attacks During ‘Truce’: Will West Bank Explode? w/ Abby Martin

  As the clock ticks down on the truce in Gaza, Israel has attacked and killed at least two children in Jenin, a city in the West Bank. Brian Becker is joined by Abby Martin, creator & host of the Empire Files...

  
• 11.29.2023

  Biden’s Inflation Crisis Hypocrisy

  On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the role of corporate profit in rising prices and unaffordability. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please...

  
• 11.23.2023

  Will the Gaza Ceasefire Last? Why Palestine Can’t Be Defeated

  More than 14,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, and this week Israel and Palestine came to an agreement for a four-day pause in the war. Will the pause extend into a permanent ceasefire? How did this agreement come...

  
• 11.22.2023

  60% Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Time for a New System

  On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the number of people in the U.S. living paycheck to paycheck and the level of disconnect the elites in government have from the working class. Professor Richard Wolff is an author...

  
• 11.16.2023

  How the War Will End: Israel Can Kill, But Can’t Win

  Israeli forces raided Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital, including the emergency department, the surgical department, and the maternity ward in their ongoing assault that has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians. On Friday, people all over the world are walking out, striking, and...

  
• 11.15.2023

  Biden’s Economic Policies: Recession in 2024?

  On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how inflation is hitting our paychecks—despite financial reports stating good news. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please...

  
• 11.09.2023

  What ‘From the River to the Sea’ Really Means & Why Israel Can’t Win, w/ Vijay Prashad

  More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel as countries around the world withdraw their ambassadors from Israel. But when the one Palestinian member of Congress, Rashida Tlaib, speaks in support of the Palestinian people, she is censured by...

  
• 11.08.2023

  Cutthroat Bankers' New Scheme: Why Banks Are Suddenly Closing Accounts

  On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss why people all over the country are finding out at the checkout counter that their bank accounts aren't working. Banks are suddenly closing accounts—sometimes without any notice—in what bankers are calling...

  
• 11.02.2023

  Israel’s Genocidal Rampage in Gaza: at the Brink of Regional War w/ Rania Khalek

  After Israel bombed a refugee camp in Gaza for a second time, the global tide is turning against the genocidal campaign and apartheid state. Brian Becker is joined by Rania Khalek of BreakThrough’s own news show Dispatches. Rania is a...