This week Eric sits down with Steven Donziger, the US spokesman and legal adviser for the Ecuadorian communities suing Chevron over its gross environmental pollution since the 1960s. The case has made international headlines as it is the first of its kind to see indigenous communities winning a judgment against an oil company for environmental degradation. Eric and Steven discuss the specifics of the case and the ways in which Chevron has attempted to use legal maneuvering and trickery to avoid ...
Jan 13, 2016•45 min
Eric is back from Venezuela this week and oh, the places he’s gone, the stories he’ll tell. Eric welcomes his fellow traveler, activist and political analyst Caleb Maupin, to discuss their experiences in Venezuela during the all-important legislative elections. Eric and Caleb talk about their impressions of the country and the economic crisis afflicting it, as well as recounting their various conversations with ordinary Venezuelans. The discussion touches on everything from geopolitics to the me...
Dec 21, 2015•1 hr 7 min
This week Eric welcomes to CounterPunch Radio author, political analyst, and regular CounterPunch contributor John Wight to discuss recent developments in Syria, and the regional geopolitics that inform all events in the Middle East. Eric and John go in depth on the downing of the Russian jet by Turkey, and what that means for the ongoing war in Syria. They address a wide range of issues from the interplay between Wahhabi extremism and the Muslim Brotherhood, to the political development, and re...
Dec 08, 2015•1 hr 19 min
This week Eric welcomes back to the show political analyst and human rights activist Ajamu Baraka to discuss Turkey’s recent downing of a Russian jet in Syria. Eric and Ajamu examine the details of the incident and the political fallout from it. They discuss how Russia might respond and how this changes (if at all) the ongoing war in Syria, including Russia’s active involvement. Ajamu also explains his reading on the larger political and geopolitical issues stemming from the downing of the jet. ...
Dec 01, 2015•1 hr 2 min
This week, Eric sits down with two amazing and inspiring teachers tirelessly working to defend public education from the neoliberal assault being waged against it. First, Eric welcomes to the program Jia Lee, an educator, activist and candidate for President of UFT (United Federation of Teachers) representing the Movement of Rank and File Educators (MORE). Eric and Jia discuss why she became a conscientious objector to standardized testing, the importance of democratizing and radicalizing the te...
Nov 17, 2015•1 hr 35 min
This week Eric welcomes author and journalist Madhusree Mukerjee to the program to discuss her groundbreaking 2010 book “Churchill’s Secret War: The British Empire and the Ravaging of India During World War II.” Madhusree discusses her personal and ideological motivations for writing the book, as well as exploring what the Bengal famine and British imperial policy say about the nature of imperialism and colonialism in India and throughout the world. Eric and Madhusree also bring the issues forwa...
Nov 11, 2015•1 hr 57 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, Eric welcomes two brilliant guests to the show. First, Eric speaks with Don DeBar, independent broadcaster and Senior Producer at Community Public Radio (CPRmetro.org). Eric and Don discuss the state of the independent media, and how it has been rapidly transformed in recent years. Don presents an inside account of the corporate takeover and purge of Pacifica ...
Nov 03, 2015•1 hr 25 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, Eric sits down with CounterPunch Editor and political kidney-puncher Jeffrey St. Clair who spins yarns about the early days of CounterPunch and the inimitable Alexander Cockburn, who himself makes a special appearance in this week’s episode in the role of angry thundercloud. Eric and Jeffrey discuss the quietus of journalism and, consequently, the importance o...
Oct 20, 2015•1 hr 30 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p> After a short absence, Eric is back this week with author, labor journalist, and all around enemy of the bosses David Macaray. Grab your hammers and sickles boys and girls as Eric and David discuss the state of labor unions, the importance of militancy and political education, international solidarity, and many other topics to get your pinko commie juices flowing. They ...
Oct 08, 2015•1 hr 8 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p> This week, Eric has an in depth conversation with economist Michael Hudson, author of the new book <a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/killing-the-host-digital-book/”>Killing the Host: How Financial Parasites and Debt Bondage Destroy the Global Economy</a>. Eric and Prof. Hudson discuss the evolution of finance capital from its humble parasitical b...
Sep 21, 2015•1 hr 23 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p> This week Eric and his guests discuss Ukraine and Syria, two war zones on the front lines of imperialism today. 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 wh...
Sep 11, 2015•1 hr 27 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week Eric and his guests mark the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by reflecting on its lasting impact and the political lessons it has taught. First, Eric chats with CounterPunch contributor and Editor-in-Chief of News Junkie Post Gilbert Mercier about his experiences in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Gilbert recounts his personal sto...
Sep 01, 2015•1 hr 28 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week Eric welcomes political commentators Margaret Kimberley and Sukant Chandan to the program. First, Eric chats with Margaret Kimberley, editor and columnist at Black Agenda Report about the growth of #BlackLivesMatter, the controversy surrounding the confrontation with Bernie Sanders and its aftermath, and the importance of the movement’s dissociation from the De...
Aug 20, 2015•1 hr 36 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser welcomes two more outstanding guests to the program. In the first half of the episode, Eric chats with award winning syndicated political cartoonist and author Ted Rall about the controversy surrounding his recent firing by the LA Times on bogus charges made by the LAPD. Eric and Ted discuss the circumstances of his firing...
Aug 11, 2015•1 hr 30 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, Eric Draitser chats with two brilliant guests about war and peace, imperialism, and the state of a very troubled world. First, Eric sits down with renowned author and peace activist David Swanson to discuss George Clooney, Africa, and the white man’s military-industrial burden. Eric and David highlight the hypocrisy of celebrity activism, neo-colonial superior...
Aug 04, 2015•1 hr 26 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p> This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser sits down with renowned Cuban-American attorney José Pertierra to discuss the latest developments in Latin America, especially the warming of relations between the US and Cuba. Pertierra draws on his decades of experience working in international cases dealing with both Cuba and Venezuela, providing insight into issues ra...
Jul 28, 2015•1 hr
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser goes one on one with award winning filmmaker and journalist, the inimitable John Pilger. Eric and John discuss the role of the corporate media in manufacturing narratives, its relationship to capitalism and commodification, and the importance of independent media to pierce through the propaganda. Pilger provides his bliste...
Jul 21, 2015•34 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser chats with two excellent guests about independent media, and the importance of critical analysis outside of the mainstream establishment. The first half of the show features a great conversation with CounterPunch Managing Editor Joshua Frank, who talks about the launch of the new and improved CounterPunch website while wax...
Jul 14, 2015•1 hr 12 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser speaks with author Ron Jacobs, whose new book <a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/day-dream-sunset/”>Daydream Sunset: The 60s Counterculture in the 70s</a> is available from CounterPunch. Eric and Ron discuss many of the important themes of the book, including the role of music and culture in reflecti...
Jul 07, 2015•1 hr 12 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser sits down with two important guests to discuss all things Syria. The first part of the show is an in depth discussion with Beirut-based political analyst and commentator Sharmine Narwani. Eric and Sharmine examine the latest developments in the war in Syria with particular attention to the battles along the Syria-Lebanon b...
Jun 29, 2015•1 hr 10 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser speaks with Glen Ford, Executive Editor of Black Agenda Report about everything from the #BlackLivesMatter Movement to the importance of revolutionary consciousness and organizing. Eric and Glen discuss the meaning of the slogan “No Justice, No Peace” and the implications of such a statement in terms of political action. T...
Jun 23, 2015•58 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser sits down with journalist and author Pepe Escobar to talk geopolitics and the emerging conflicts of the 21st Century. Eric and Pepe discuss the much publicized tensions between the US and China in the South China Sea, examining some of the principal motivations of China and its neighbors and competitors. They go in depth a...
Jun 15, 2015•1 hr 10 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p> This week, CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser catches up with renowned peace activist Kathy Kelly to talk about civil disobedience, the reality of the prison-industrial complex, and Kathy’s experiences in Afghanistan. The conversation touches many of the most pressing issues of war and peace in the 21st Century, including the insidious and indescribably brutal nature...
Jun 08, 2015•1 hr 2 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a><p>In Episode 5 of CounterPunch Radio, host Eric Draitser sits down with author and political analyst Paul Street to discuss a wide range of issues related to US politics and the precarious state of the “liberal Left.” Paul provides his perspective on what it means to be a liberal in America today, and how that is directly related to a willingness to accept serial betrayal ...
Jun 01, 2015•57 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a></p>In Episode 4 of CounterPunch Radio host Eric Draitser has an in depth conversation with analyst and commentator Yvette Carnell, founder of the popular website <a href=”https://www.BreakingBrown.com”>BreakingBrown.com</a>. Yvette discusses her recent article in CounterPunch entitled “The White Terrorists: Lynching in America,” which attempts to pull back the ...
May 21, 2015•48 min
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a></p>In Episode 3 of CounterPunch Radio, host Eric Draitser sits down with human rights activist and political analyst Ajamu Baraka to discuss his article on Israeli politics in the latest print issue of CounterPunch Magazine, as well as a host of other issues. Eric and Ajamu examine the racist rhetoric at the heart of President Netanyahu’s recent election victory, and the w...
May 15, 2015•1 hr
<a href=”https://www.counterpunch.org/product/support-this-podcast”>support this podcast, donate today</a></p>In this inaugural episode of CounterPunch Radio, host Eric Draitser sits down with CP columnist Mike Whitney for Part 1 of a two part discussion on a host of political and economic issues. They touch on Mike’s recent article in CounterPunch magazine dealing with the Federal Reserve, interest rates, and the economic and political context within which they must be underst...
Apr 29, 2015•47 min
