This episode follows two articles I wrote about the annual Twilight Zone New Year’s marathon, one published last year and one this year. Watching the marathon was a tradition I had growing up, and now writing about it and contemporary politics is becoming one as well. The essays discussed here move across multiple Twilight Zone episodes and connect them to contemporary politics, including Trump’s return to power, the rise of far-right parties in Europe, and the normalization of scapegoating, nationalist grievance, and moral panic. Rather than focusing on a single episode or argument, the articles range widely, using Serling’s work to examine how fear is redirected toward internal enemies and how punishment is framed as restoration. This episode talks through how those articles were written, why the marathon has become a yearly marker for new work, and how The Twilight Zone continues to offer a way to understand recurring political patterns in the U.S. and abroad. Share this one! Referenced articles: https://therightpodcast.substack.com/p/the-new-years-twilight-zone-marathon-a70 https://therightpodcast.substack.com/p/the-new-years-twilight-zone-marathon Website: https://www.therightpodcast.org/ Opening Song: “Twilight Zone / Twilight Tone” – The Manhattan Transfer Buy me a book: https://buymeacoffee.com/therightpodcast
In this episode, we look at why so many political arguments on the left collapse into confusion, hostility, or pure repetition. People talk about Syria, Ukraine, Gaza, imperialism, campism, and solidarity as if they’re debating the same thing, but they’re often answering different underlying questions. Philosophy doesn’t solve that, but it helps us see what those deeper questions actually are. We start with why internal dissent matters. If we cannot create space to disagree with each other, we will fail to do it with people whose experiences do not line up with our ideological expectations. That failure is what turns solidarity into ideology and people into symbols. From there, the episode explores what I’ve called “abstraction”: the moment when ideas replace living voices. Syrians become proxies. Ukrainians become NATO assets. Palestinians become political symbols. Once that happens, the person disappears. We then turn to Emmanuel Levinas and the idea that responsibility to the other person comes before any political interpretation. Levinas offers a powerful corrective to our worst habits, but he also failed to apply his own ethics when asked about Palestinians. This moment reveals something larger about how politics shapes recognition before any ethical encounter can happen. Drawing on Judith Butler and Frantz Fanon, the episode examines how political and social structures decide who gets to appear as fully human in the first place. When recognition is blocked at that level, no ethical framework can stand on its own. Website: here Previous article: here Current article here Buy me a book: here Music: Doom "Means to an End." The singer is repeating "Let's all be friends, means to and end."
This episode looks at what happens when political conviction replaces human connection. It’s based on my new article When Politics Forgets the Face and asks how ideology on both the right and the left can turn people into symbols instead of subjects. I talk about Ukraine, Syria, and Gaza, and why so many Western voices speak over those actually living through these conflicts. From there, I turn to Emmanuel Levinas and his idea that ethics begins with the face of another person, before politics or theory. I contrast that with Frantz Fanon’s view of how colonial systems destroy the very possibility of relation. This is not just philosophy. It is about how we talk to and about each other, and how easily empathy becomes abstraction. It is about remembering that solidarity means standing with people, not speaking for them. Read the full piece: When Politics Forgets the Face Related episode: 52: In Defense of Leftist Self-Critique More work: therightpodcast.org Music: Flux of Pink Indians, "Some of us scream, some of us shout."
Description: Every movement begins with conviction—but without reflection, conviction can harden into dogma. This episode explores how moral certainty, group loyalty, and algorithmic culture combine to silence the very critique that keeps political movements alive. Drawing from Foucault, Habermas, Rosa Luxemburg, Edward Said, and Herbert Marcuse, I argue that self-critique is not betrayal—it’s the foundation of solidarity. We examine how: Movements reproduce systems of control when loyalty replaces honesty. Digital algorithms reward outrage and conformity over thought. True freedom, as Luxemburg wrote, depends on dissent—even within our own ranks. Intellectuals and activists must resist turning rebellion into performance. Core idea: To critique is to care. Real solidarity means wanting our movements to live up to their own principles. Mentioned thinkers: Foucault, Orwell, Rosa Luxemburg, Edward Said, Jürgen Habermas, Herbert Marcuse. Listen if you’re interested in: Leftist thought, political self-reflection, intellectual honesty, digital culture, solidarity Please consider spreading the word, it's greatly appreciated. Read the article here: https://therightpodcast.substack.com/p/in-defense-of-leftist-self-critique Subscribe: therightpodcast.substack.com Check out the website with all social links: https://www.therightpodcast.org/ Read Rethinking the Syrian Revolution: How the Left Misread Syria here: https://spectrejournal.com/rethinking-the-syrian-revolution/
ICE was never just about immigration. It was created after 9/11 as a tool of executive power, and today it is being used against migrants, dissenters, and even elected officials. This video looks at my article ICE Was Built for This in the Summer 2025 issue of New Politics and explains how fear, emergency powers, and bipartisan choices made ICE central to Trump’s authoritarian project. https://newpol.org/issue_post/ice-was... #ICE #Immigration #Trump #Authoritarianism #politics #AbolishICE Music: The Pist, "Not Your Problem." https://www.therightpodcast.org/
Website: https://www.therightpodcast.org/ Check out the video on Youtube Trump was never a peace candidate. From his early Reform Party days to his “America First” doctrine, he wasn’t seeking an end to U.S. empire. Instead he wanted to strip it of regulation, diplomacy, and disguise. In this episode, I unpack how Donald Trump’s foreign policy was misread from the start — first framed as less hawkish by figures like Glenn Greenwald than Hillary Clinton, later described by academics like John Mearsheimer as realist, whether Trump realized it or not. But from his 2000 Reform Party flirtation to his 2016 “America First” campaign, Trump never sought to dismantle empire — he wanted to privatize it. I trace how Trump repackaged old anti-globalist rhetoric with psuedo business logic, treating places like Gaza and Ukraine as assets to be claimed, not communities to be protected. He didn’t want peace. He wanted the end of the neoliberal world order — not to replace it with global justice, but with a deregulated empire unbound by alliances, international law, or oversight. Think less withdrawal, more hostile takeover. What’s chilling is how this wasn’t just tactical — it was ideological. Russian fascist Aleksandr Dugin saw Trump as a civilizational rupture, not a restrainer of empire but its metamorphosis into something new and authoritarian. Dugin, in some ways, sees Trump clearer than the liberal media and politicians of the West. This episode dives into that fundamental misunderstanding — from the Reform Party to Gaza, Ukraine, and the post-liberal future Trump seems to imagine: an unapologetic, race- and class-coded imperial order in which stronger nations simply take what they want, and weaker ones are absorbed, relocated, or erased. . It’s not just empire without apology, it’s empire without brakes.
Article link https://therightpodcast.substack.com/p/in-times-of-division-unitys-our-mission Video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSfWJrC1Iz4 Join me as I read through "stumbling at times" an article I wrote on Substack about the election of Trump, highlighting key issues to watch and actionable steps for those newly inspired to resist a potential second Trump administration. The piece covers a range of topics, including inflation and the economy, Gen Z's role, the global rise of right-wing populism, the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, strategies for meaningful conversations with Trump voters, fresh opportunities for activism, practical tips for new advocates, and more.
https://linktr.ee/TheRightPodcast This piece is a reading and discussion of a recent article focused on political syncretism in the 1990s. In the article, I share my personal experiences and juxtapose them with the broader political shifts of that era. Ultimately, it explores the dangers of conspiratorial thought and how populist rhetoric can serve as a pathway to such thinking, often leading to reactionary outcomes. I highlight various movements, including the anti-globalization protests, freight train riding, and radical environmentalism, while also addressing the far-right sentiments of the time, such as Traditionalism. Link to article: https://therightpodcast.substack.com/p/breaking-from-research-a-personal
This is an effort of love and volunteerism. No paywalls or super chats etc. Please consider liking and subscribing on YouTube as it boosts visibility. If you'd like to support then donate to the "buy me a book" link below. All links: https://linktr.ee/TheRightPodcast Elia Ayoub (he/him) is a writer, researcher and the founder of The Fire These Times podcast and co-founder of From the Periphery Media collective. He holds a PhD in Cultural Analysis from the University of Zurich, is an Affiliate Fellow of the Post Growth Institute and is a Project Manager at Shado Mag. He has written for publications such as 972Mag, Al Jazeera, Commons (Ukraine), Al Jumhuriya (Syria), Newlines, L’Orient Le Jour, Crimethinc and Lausan. He blogs at iwritestuff.blog and can be sometimes found on Instagram, Mastodon and Bluesky. Just a few examples of Elia's work and interviews: The Fire These Times: https://thefirethesetimes.com/ +972 Magazine: https://www.972mag.com/writer/elia-ayoub/ Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/author/elia_ayoub Commons: https://commons.com.ua/en/elia-dzh-ayub-interview/ Al Jumhuriya: https://aljumhuriya.net/en/2022/03/04/ukraine-in-syria-syria-in-ukraine/ Newslines: https://newlinesmag.com/writers/joey-ayoub/ L'Orient Le Jour: https://www.lorientlejour.com/author/8629-joey-ayoub Crimethinc: https://crimethinc.com/2020/02/24/lebanon-the-revolution-four-months-in-an-interview Lausan: https://lausancollective.com/2021/periphery-has-no-time-for-binaries/ iwritestuff.blog: https://iwritestuff.blog/ Social Media Instagram: eliajayoub Bluesky: @ayoub.bsky.social Mastodon: @ayoub@spore.social
This is an effort of love and volunteerism. No paywalls or Patreon. Please consider liking and subscribing on Youtube as it boosts visibility. If you'd like to support then donate to the "buy me a book" link below. All links: https://linktr.ee/TheRightPodcast Summary of previous discussions: Summarizing the previous two videos, we delved into the intricate interplay between narrative, perception, and ideology within political discourse. We explored the nuanced distinctions between anti-imperialism, anti-authoritarianism, and leftist perspectives, recognizing that they may not always align seamlessly. We then explored themes that have persisted from the 2014 Gaza War to the present conflict. In this session we discussed how the actions of the Trump administration accelerated and escalated instability in the region. We examined various responses to the administration's unilateralism, as well as religious interpretations of these actions. Additionally, we explored why the left often excludes religion from their analysis and why incorporating it can be necessary. Finally, we compared the discourse of a conservative Rabbi with social media posts made by some pro-Palestinian leftists to examine Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.
This is an effort of love and voluntarism. No paywalls or patreon. Please consider liking and subscribing on Youtube as it boosts visibility. All links: https://linktr.ee/TheRightPodcast Continuing from the previous conversation, we delve into the intricate interplay between narrative, perception, and ideology within political discourse. We explore the nuanced distinctions between anti-imperialism, anti-authoritarianism, and leftist perspectives, recognizing that they may not always align seamlessly. In this context, we examine the role of organizations like the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and their utilization of social media to shape perceptions and garner support. The evolution of Hamas, balancing adaptation with political realities, becomes a focal point. We then pivot from the Fatah-Hamas Conflict to the 2014 Gaza War, dissecting its ramifications and the precedents it established for contemporary events. By analyzing historical events through this lens, we gain a deeper understanding of current geopolitical dynamics and their implications.
Links to socials and website: TheRightPodcast | Twitter | Linktree Check this podcast out on YouTube for visuals: The Right Podcast Channel Trailer (youtube.com) This is an update on my current research and some ideas about how the podcast might move forward. I ask for your input throughout this podcast on various topics. Please reach out at therightpodcast@proton.me or on any of the linked socials.
Video link: Anton from Solidarity Collectives - YouTube Lintree: -https://www.solidaritycollectives.org... find social media's down the page. - https://www.youtube.com/@sol_col , with interviews of comrades fighting. Solidarity Collectives is a group of Ukrainian anarchists who united when the Russian invasion began, in order to support their comrades fighting at the front and help those affected by the Russian invasion. This video provides an overview of the organization and a discussion with one of its members. We touch upon topics such as origins of collective, its multiple initiatives, imperial politics, organizing in a conflict zone, propaganda and more. antifascism, mutual aid, international solidarity, Russian propaganda, authoritarian left, westsplaining, views of the Ukrainian War and American politics from eastern Europe and more.
YouTube video:The Syrian Cantina in Montreuil: Transnational Space of Solidarity - YouTube Linktree: https://linktr.ee/TheRightPodcast This video presents an overview of the Syrian Cantina in Montreuil and an interview with two of its members. We discuss many topics such firsthand experiences of the Syrian Revolution by members, current events in Syria, international solidarity, connections among Palestinians, Lebanon, and Iraqi peoples, support for Ukraine and opposition to Russia's invasion, countering propaganda and campist contradictions in anti-imperialism, the beginnings of the project in university and yellow vest protests, and a third way of internationalism from below. Website: https://cantinesyrienne.fr/ CrimetInc: https://crimethinc.com/2022/03/15/the-syrian-cantina-in-montreuil-organizing-in-exile-how-refugees-can-continue-their-struggle-in-foreign-lands Two current articles about As-Suwayda: https://bnn.network/breaking-news/protests/40-days-of-demonstration-protests-in-as-suwayda-syria/ https://www.newarab.com/news/women-play-prominent-role-syrias-suwayda-protests Music: Broken: Enter The Nihilist
Video Link: 161 Crew: Antifascism and Ukrainian Solidarity - YouTube Linktree: TheRightPodcast - Official Podcast, Videos - Linktree This 161 Crew is an antifascist umbrella organization based in Poland. This video provides an overview of the organization and a discussion with one of its members. We touch upon topics such as antifascism, mutual aid, international solidarity, Russian propaganda, authoritarian left, westsplaining, views of the Ukrainian War and American politics from eastern Europe and more. 161 Crew Website: https://161crew.bzzz.net/ Russian Reader section of site: https://161crew.bzzz.net/ukraine-war-... Telegram: https://t.me/Poland_161Crew Twitter (or whatever it's called) https://twitter.com/161_crew Dmitry Petrov article: https://crimethinc.com/Petrov https://black-mosquito.org/en/dmitry-... https://leshy.info/ Music: Broken, Enter the Nihilist.
This video includes an overview of Autonomous Action and an interview with Antti Rautiainen who was exiled from Russia. Antti talks about the history of Autonomous Action, the current website that arose from the movement, events in Russia leading up to his exile, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, anarchist resistance to Russia, work with political prisoners and more. Autonomous Action https://avtonom.org/ Antti's social media Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARautiainen YouTube in English: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmHta3gaQwjTZBfULOxGykg Spotify in English: https://open.spotify.com/show/27xCvfw0Yg8M4oj2DvLDGx Blog: https://avtonom.org/en/people/antti-rautiainen TikTok: tiktok.com/@anttiraut Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/arautiainen ABC Moscow Links https://t.me/tumenskoedelo https://t.me/rupression https://t.me/freeazat https://t.me/abcirk
Video: Ukraine - Anarchism - Solidarity: Tom From Rhizome House Part 2 - YouTube Link tree https://linktr.ee/TheRightPodcast Website: The Right Podcast | politics This will be episode one of a two-part series in which I talk to Tom from the Rhizome House. The Rhizome House is a radical center and info shop found in Cleveland ohio that sponsors and facilitates activites ranging from harm reduction to reading groups. I found Rhizome House after learning about Cooper Harris Andrews in research about anarchist efforts in Ukraine. Tom speaks about Cooper who was active at Rhizome House before leaving to fight in Ukraine in an act of international solidarity and autonomous action. We ended up talking about a lot more which is why I broke this up into two parts. In this episode we covered topics such as international solidarity and resistance, Tamir Rice, realities of conflict, right to self-defense, campism, stability politics, abstraction of thought in the left, alternative media and more. If you’ve listened to previous episodes,
Video: Ukraine - Anarchism - Solidarity: Tom From Rhizome House - YouTube Linktree: TheRightPodcast | Twitter | Linktree This will be episode one of a two-part series in which I talk to Tom from the Rhizome House. The Rhizome House is a radical center and info shop found in Cleveland ohio that sponsors and facilitates activites ranging from harm reduction to reading groups. I found Rhizome House after learning about Cooper Harris Andrews in research about anarchist efforts in Ukraine. Tom speaks about Cooper who was active at Rhizome House before leaving to fight in Ukraine in an act of international solidarity and autonomous action. We ended up talking about a lot more which is why I broke this up into two parts. In this episode we covered topics such as international solidarity and resistance, Tamir Rice, realities of conflict, right to self-defense, campism, stability politics, abstraction of thought in the left, alternative media and more. If you’ve listened to previous episodes, then these topics are probably familiar to you. If not, hang in there as we try to bring things home and make these concepts relatable. Website: https://rhizomehouse.org/ email therhizomehouse@protonmail.com Email list rhizomehouse.org/email/
This episode will introduce audio from a new, shorter style of video that I'm experimenting with on YouTube. Don't worry, the lecture style videos will keep coming. The video: The Ukranian Nazi Fallacy - YouTube Website: The Right Podcast | politics Email (send me an email!) therightpodcast@proton.me Twitter: (1) TheRightPodcast.bsky.social (@TheRightPodcast) / X (twitter.com) There's tons more. Find the other links to Bluesky, Substack etc. on the Website.
Article: https://therightpodcast.substack.com/p/russiancensorfiles?sd=pf Video: Behind Closed Doors: Investigating #RussianCensorFiles Part 2 - YouTube Website: The Right Podcast | politics Buy me a book: The Right Podcast is Videos, Podcasts, Articles and Research Aids. (buymeacoffee.com) Episode two of three. This episode will review topics from Uncovering the Colossal Censorship Hack from Russia - #RussianCensorFiles Part 1 including the Belarusian Cyber Partisans and Distributed Denial of Secrets Collective. It then delves into the actual hacked Russian government (General Radio Frequency Center/Roskomnadzor) datasets showing both original and translated emails, documents, reports, Excel workbooks and more. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 01:43 Examples of censored information 11:04 Discrediting the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation 13:33 Criticism of Vladimir Putin 15:36 Russian losses in the invasion of Ukraine 16:58 Criticism of the invasion of Ukraine 19:54 Protest 28:47 Opposition 30:00 Non-Traditional Sexual Orientation 32:00 Censorship Methods and Improvement 34:00 Elon Musk 36:00 Conclusion Continued Research: Belarusian Cyber-Partisans: https://t.me/cpartisans Distributed Denial of Secrets: https://ddosecrets.com/wiki/ Crimean Tatar deportation: https://www.baltictimes.com/lithuanian_parliament_recognizes_soviet_crimes_against_crimean_tatars_as_genocide/ Russian Ex-Mercenary Says Kremlin Should Stay Off Foreign Soil By Stuart Williams for AFP and Marine Pennetier for AFP. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/05/12/russian-ex-mercenary-says-kremlin-should-stay-off-foreign-soil-a77653 Torture in pre-trial detention center and dozens of saved lives: a volunteer spoke about the life of occupied Mariupol – Mariupol news. https://donbass.center/pytki-v-sizo-i-desiatki-spasennyh-jiznei-volonter-rasskazal-o-jizni-okkypirovannogo-mariypolia-novosti-mariypolia/ Social media and state repression: The case of VKontakte and the anti-garbage protests in Shies, in Far Northern Russia. https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/11711/10135 Putin Signs Expanded ‘Foreign Agents’ Law. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/07/14/putin-signs-expanded-foreign-agents-law-a78298 Rashism or why russians are the new Nazi - Vladlen Marayev, Julia Bilyk.https://voxukraine.org/en/rashism-or-why-russians-are-the-new-nazi St. Petersburg Spring Telegram: https://t.me/spb_vesna/3622