Episodes Newest First

Empire Files is joined by geneticist & bioethicist Fatima Tokhmafshan and physician Dr. Shuvo Ghosh to answer the most popular questions about Covid, the vaccine and public health mandates. 

Support our work at Patreon.com/EmpireFiles

“Died FROM or WITH Covid?” and Other Answers From Experts

Support Pushback at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaronmate

After weeks of US claims that a Russian invasion of Ukraine was imminent, Vladimir Putin instead recognized the breakaway republics of Luhansk and Donetsk. The decision has triggered a new round of US-led sanctions while bringing attention to rebel-held areas, where,  according to UN figures on the Donbas war, 80% of civilian casualties have occurred since 2018.

Professor Richard Sakwa analyzes the factors behind Putin's move, and its likely consequences. Putin's decision, he says, comes after Kiev refused to implement the 2015 Minsk accords, which could have ended the conflict, and a longstanding US-driven project to expand NATO to Russia's borders. 

Guest: Richard Sakwa. Professor of Russian and European politics at the University of Kent. His books include “Frontline Ukraine: Crisis in the Borderlands” and his latest, “Deception: Russiagate and the New Cold War.”

Rejecting NATO expansion, Putin recognizes forgotten Donbas civilians

Abby Martin is joined by longtime anti-war organizer Brian Becker to cover everything you need to know about the war in Ukraine, what it means for the future and how we can fight for peace.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introducing Brian Becker

02:15 - US unipolar authority & capitalist takeover of Russia

12:30 - NATO expansion and wars since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia's red line & failed negotiations  

21:52 - Russia intervention in Syria to defend Assad from US war 

28:00 - Explanation of 2014 coup

33:26 -  US role in regime change, origin of struggle in east Ukraine, Crimea

40:57 - Civil war in Donetsk & Luhansk, US trains and arms insurgency against Russians

40:50 - "Denazifying Ukraine" Truth about nazi influence in Ukraine

45:30 - Why US fueled conflict in East Ukraine

47:00 - Cancelling the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty & Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

51:08 - Abby’s views as an anti-war activist 

54:17 - Putin's anti-communist speech 

1:05:07 - Putin justification for the invasion 

1:07:03 - Western media hypocrisy & eurocentrism

1:10:29 - Russia invasion for regime change in Ukraine

1:15:23 - Costs/benefits of war for Russia 

1:18:00 - Why US is waging war with Russia   

1:23:48 - Tectonic shift in global politics & risks of war in a multipolar world

1:29:53 - Why disbanding NATO is important anti-war demand 

1:35:42 - Minsk agreement explanation

1:37:26 - Obama vs Trump policy, Biden cabinet instrumental in coup 

1:46:01 - Impact of sanctions on Russia &countries dependent on Russia

1:49:13 - How anti-war activists can prepare for what's next

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Ukraine: Questions for the Anti-War Movement

On today's In the News roundtable, Brian Becker, Esther Iverem, Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek discuss the war in Ukraine, which continues to rage as the world is engulfed in a crisis that has the potential to reconfigure global politics in fundamental ways. What consequences has the war brought about so far? Which side is winning? How can peace truly be established? The panel discusses these questions as well the consequences of climate change, the far right and COVID, and more.

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.

War Intensifies as Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Open

Robbie Martin goes solo on the last episode of February 2022. Starting off Robbie talks about the under-reported warning about how a war in Ukraine might cause an accidental release of 'deadly pathogens' at (11) US DOD linked biological labs there. He then continues to explore the volatile frightening cluster-fuck with Russia's military entering Ukraine specifically by analyzing the cold reactions of the infamous neoconservative Kagan family. The episode concludes with Robbie playing parts of the new 60 Minutes segment on 'Havana Syndrome' and sharing reactions from sound designers and electronic musicians on the alleged audio recording of the 'Havana Syndrome' sonic weapon itself.

Intro/Outro Music:  Fabio Frizzi - Zombi 

Havana Music:  Zoviet France - Ascend A Fall & Caught in The Square

Havana Syndrome Sound Reviews by: @jessehamel_ @compostghoul 
@x7557x @ProlePumpkin @bHarb12 (twitter handles)

Ukraine & Georgia's Defense Department sponsored labs:
http://dilyana.bg/the-pentagon-bio-weapons/

US official: Russian invasion of Ukraine risks release of dangerous pathogens:
https://thebulletin.org/2022/02/us-official-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-risks-release-of-dangerous-pathogens/

Patreon subscribers at the $5 tier get access to an exclusive bonus episode per month. www.patreon.com/mediarootsradio

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Revenge of the Kagans, DOD's 11 Ukrainian Bio Labs, 60 Mins Targeted Individuals, Havana Reviews

On today's special edition of The Socialist Program, Brian is joined by  Lee Camp, a writer, comedian, activist and journalist. For eight years  Lee hosted the television show “Redacted Tonight”, but this anti-war, anti-imperialist program has now been shut down along with all the shows on RT America amid the anti-Russia frenzy sweeping the country. They discuss how censorship and  militarism go hand-in-hand, especially in this  current moment of crisis.

Lee’s latest book is called “Bullet Points & Punch Lines.” You can find that and more of his work at leecamp.com, and you can support his work at Patreon.com/LeeCamp.

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.

Lee Camp -- CENSORED

On today's In the News roundtable, Brian Becker, Esther Iverem, Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek discuss how Congress has allocated billions of dollars  in military spending at breakneck speed to fuel the war in Ukraine, and is moving to permanently expand the U.S./NATO war machine -- but no such urgency can be found when it comes to the plight of the tens of millions of people going hungry, experiencing homelessness, or living in deep poverty in the richest country on earth. And all the while, capitalists grow even richer off these injustices.

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.

War Profiteers Cash In

Abby and Robbie talk about latest in the war in Ukraine and the banning of Russia Today in Europe and the US. Abby gives an honest account of what it was like to work for RT and the legacy of her show Breaking the Set, which has been pulled off YouTube.

Patreon subscribers at the $5 tier get access to an exclusive bonus episode per month. www.patreon.com/mediarootsradio

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Fluorescent Grey - We Killed Kids on the Basketball Court [Featuring Barack Obama] https://bit.ly/3wcJAuU

RIP RT America, The End of An Era

On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff  discuss  the still increasing costs of many necessities, as the United States  flounders in the economic crisis that's now been ongoing for several  years. To what extent is the war in Ukraine having an effect?

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization  Democracy at Work. You can check out 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.

U.S. Capitalists Scapegoat Russia for Soaring Prices

The war in Ukraine has altered the global order. How is it changing politics around the globe? What is the historical background of the different nations in the region throughout the different historical eras and how does that affect the current conflict? What does history tell us about where this is headed?

Brian Becker is joined by Vijay Prashad, the Executive Director of the Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, Chief Editor of LeftWord Books, and author  of “Red Star Over the Third 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 the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Ukraine as a Pawn: The Real Reason the US Forced a Crisis with Russia

On today's In the News roundtable, Brian Becker, Esther Iverem, Nicole  Roussell and Walter Smolarek discuss how Joe Biden deepened the war in Ukraine during a trip to Poland over the weekend when he declared that  Russian president Putin “cannot remain in power.”  As the United States and other NATO powers raise the stakes, is there  any hope for a breakthrough in negotiations? The panel also discusses  the administration’s massive new military spending proposal, protests  against British colonialism in the Caribbean, the death of Madeline Albright, the debate over Russian oil purchases, and more.

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.

U.S. Strategy vs. Russia: Regime Change, Encirclement, or Both?

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard  Wolff discuss the Biden administration's budget proposal for the coming  year on Monday, proposing an enormous increase to the military budget  as the new Cold War intensifies. Biden  also included a proposal to tax the ultra-rich, but is this really  enough to make a dent in the enormous level of inequality in this  country?

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.

Biden's New Budget Gives $31 Billion Gift to War Industry

Abby and Robbie Martin talk about the Oscars 2022, Hollywood's hawks, the scorched earth nature of the information war over Ukraine, mass censorship of Russian media and the latest assessment of the horrors on the ground.

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Patreon subscribers at the $5 tier get access to an exclusive bonus episode per month. www.patreon.com/mediarootsradio

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Hollywood Gets Tough On Putin, Ukraine Scorched Earth Info War, Banning Russia

Key international relationships are being profoundly tested by the war in Ukraine, especially the alliance between China and Russia – the two countries at the top of the U.S. empire’s hit list. How does China’s government view Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine? Will the relationship between the two countries grow closer or more distant as the western powers attempt to cut Russia off from the global economy? What consequences will this have for the entire world?

Brian is joined by Dr. Ken Hammond, professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University, founding director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State University, and activist with Pivot to Peace.

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This show comes out weekly on BreakThrough News’ Youtube, Wednesdays at 7pm ET. Subscribe now to never miss an episode.

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker also comes out three times per week in podcast  form — including weekly news round-ups and segments with economist Richard Wolff. Subscribe on your preferred listening platform here! https://linktr.ee/thesocialistprogram

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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.

China Reaffirms Closer Relations with Russia as Ukraine War Continues

In this March 2022 patrons-only seminar, Brian and Nicole discuss and  answer questions about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, including  Biden's call for Putin to be removed from power in Russia, what a nuclear war would really mean, and more. They also discuss the struggle for women's liberation and the wider "New Cold War" against China. 

Check out the preview now and subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest!

Brian Becker Seminar #14: Ukraine, Biden Calls For Regime Change In Russia, & More (Preview)

News and views about the world for those who want to change it, with Brian Becker

War Profiteers Cash In

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

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