The Intervention

Nick and Steve get together for some drinks and have some fun comparing the political situations of the US and the UK.  Nothing earthshattering here, folks, but good to be back, even if only for a moment.

The United States is the world’s leading purveyor of immiseration, destruction, death, and instability—as the swamp that sustains our current world order of monopoly capitalism and imperialism, the United States is still, and has been for a century now, the leading global hegemon, the imperialist super power that calls the shots on the world stage. Its drive towards accumulation and geopolitical dominance has wrought hell on the rest of the world’s nations and the planet itself. So why, then, are some so-called Marxists out there trying to wrap themselves up in a flag of U.S. patriotism?Patriotic socialism, MAGA communism, red patriotism—these are just some of the names that have been used to describe a recent phenomenon that, although certainly has its antecedents in things like the LaRouche movement of the mid-20th century, has begun, again, to creep its way into the discourse, albeit mostly online, of the left.What is this phenomenon and what does it get wrong? Why is it an error to attempt to wed U.S. nationalism with Marxism and communism? These are the questions we explore in this Patreon episode with our two guests: Nick, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, or PSL, and a co-host of The Intervention Podcast, and Sina Rahmani, a podcast producer and host of the show East is a Podcast.In this wide-ranging conversation we unpack the phenomenon of so-called patriotic socialism, and in doing so, explore many related topics ranging from nationalism more broadly, to the distinction between nationalism of the oppressed versus nationalism of the oppressor, the United States’s role of global hegemon, imperialism, and the revolutionary potential of the western working class.Support Upstream here!Support East is a Podcast here!

We join Destiny of Closeted History to begin what we anticipate being the first in many collaborations exploring the intersection of the LGBTQ+ movement with other revolutionary struggles.  Through the lens of "pinkwashing," we consider how landmark actions of the LGBTQ+ liberation movement (think Stonewall) have been appropriated to  justify limited gains (think President Obama designating Stonewall a national monument). We pivot to a conversation of the genocide in Palestine and hasbara pinkwashing to create divisions within world bourgeoise liberalism.Closeted History:TikTok: @closetedhistoryInstagram: @closetedhistoryYoutube: @closetedhistoryPatreon: @ClosetedHistoryThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.com

Getting sloppy again going over the basic contours of the European left in anticipation of Levi's move to the German fatherland. We also break some fresh ground talking about Biden's infirm grasp on reality and Trump's racial insensitivity...there's some good stuff in there too, we think.We tease our latest collaboration with Destiny over at Closeted History. Look forward to that as we go through a transitional period of sloppy recording and production.The Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

Hey all, no Intervention standalone this week, but enjoy Nick's conversation with two local Palestinian-American activists on Pittsburgh Liberation Radio.Palestinian-Americans Karim and Ahmed return to the show to tell stories of struggle from the past and present that have defined their families. As we witness replays of the 1948 Nakba in real time, it is more important than ever to take a stand, unapologetically, for the human beings with families, children, hopes, and dreams in Palestine. Will you stand with them? If you are in Allegheny County, you can urge Allegheny County Council to support a ceasefire motion by sending a message to ken.varhola@alleghenycounty.us. Your message should explain why you personally, as a resident, are urging the County to support an end to the genocide in Gaza.You can also register for comment at the March 5th meeting to vocalize your feelings to the council ⁠here⁠!Ceasefire Now! End the Occupation! Free Palestine!Resources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth MovementThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.com

The episode details the events of the Fourth Arab-Israeli War of 1973 (also known as the Yom Kippur War, the Ramadan War, and the October War) and the aftermath in Israels domestic affairs. The sizable amount of Israeli blood spilled provided an opening for what would become the Likud front to articulate a wedding of their revisionist Zionism with the religious Zionism embodied by the organization Gush Emunim.As we’ve maintained, these ideologies existed among Zionists even before the Mandate period, but here the long line of contingencies led to their ascension. This episode goes a long way to describe the “rise of the right” in Israel and narrates the birth of the modern Likud party of Benjamin Netanyahu.We mentioned the following recommended listening: Panic at the Border w/ Alex Aviña on The East is a PodcastResources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth MovementThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

Nick and Comrade Ty have a discussion on imperialism, popular resistance and self-determination in our contemporary context. We discuss how to apply and update foundational theory to concrete conditions in 2024, with the genocide in Gaza and the actions of regional anti-imperialist forces as a backdrop. Now, more than ever, it is clear that our role in the belly of the beast is to build a strong, effective anti-imperialist movement. Reject US/NATO interventions! No to imperialist demonization campaigns! Uphold people's right to resist and self-determination in the face of imperialist aggression! ⁠Points of Unity: Lessons from LibyaThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.com

Another heaping helping of slop for Mr Pig's piglets. On this one we "cherry-pick evidence — some factual, some highly distorted — to push misleading narratives" - according to the Washington Post. We talk bloodthirsty Dems John Fetterman and Nancy Pelosi antagonizing anti-imperialist protestors as well as the defunding of UNRWA. The point in each is to muddy the waters by conflating those taking a principled stand with anti-Semites, puppets of Putin, and pawns of China. We spend the las half of the episode reading through the Washington Post's "Growing Oct. 7 ‘Truther’ Groups Say Hamas Massacre Was a False Flag." As the election season ramps up expect Trump to fan these anti-Semitic Q-spiracies while Biden links them to the left.Resources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth MovementThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

We've been teasing this one for quite some time and, after long last, it's here.  Steve leads an initial discussion on where we're in our knowledge and preconceptions of the Irish Republican Army and the broad history of Ireland. The Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

Notes this is a rebroadcast from the Pittsburgh PSL podcast: Pittsburgh Liberation RadioIn this episode, Nick sits down with local Palestinian-American activists Karim and Ahmed for a wide ranging conversation on Palestine. Karim and Ahmed relate the heart-wrenching conditions of their families in Gaza, many of whom have been injured or murdered by Israel. We also discuss the ongoing people's movement for Palestine and the strength in solidarity, among many other topics.If there is a theme for this episode it is that the cause of Palestine is the cause for all humanity. The time to act and speak out is now, as we witness the zionists attempting to author another chapter in the Nakba, destroying the lives of the men, women, and children in Gaza and across the region.If you are in Pittsburgh, or nearby, here are some local orgs to follow/get involved with:Party for Socialism and Liberation-Pittsburgh BranchPSL-PGH InstagramPitt Palestine Solidarity CommitteeSJP at PittJVP-PittsburghPittsburgh Palestine CoalitionThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.com

As promised in the previous episode,  we discuss  V. I. Lenin's Draft Theses on National and Colonial Questions for the Second Congress of the Communist International. It takes us quite awhile to get to the actual text of Lenin because we end up discussing the nation, the ecumenical state, ethnicity, and many of the contradictions therein.Note: Had some pesky background noise in this one that was hard to get rid of.  Sorry about that! Additional Sources:Imagined Communities by Benedict AndersonAge of Coexistence w/ Ussama Makdisi on The DigHow the West Stole Democracy from the Arabs w/ Elizabeth Thompson on Guerrilla HistoryStatement on Al Aqsa Flood Battle by Popular Front for the Liberation of PalestineMarxism and the National Question by Joseph Stalin Resources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth Movement Turn Leftist Podcast (Mike):Patreon: @turnleftistTwitter: @turnleftistpodInstagram: @turnleftistThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

This is an experiment of sorts. Before jumping into the seminar style discussion we've done in the past, we've chosen to do a straight reading of V. I. Lenin's Draft Theses on National and Colonial Questions for the Second Congress of the Communist International. The piece is short and, by nature as a draft, not fully fleshed out, but it is also brimming with insight and rife for interrogation.We will be releasing our discussion of this piece as our next full episode.The Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

In this episode begins with the War of Attrition beginning 1967 through the fallout of the 1972 attack by the Black September Group on the Munich Olympics.Pan-Arabism transitioned to more localized struggles in which the Soviet Union and the United States emerged as major, opposed, forces. As a benefactor of nobody, a stateless people, Palestinian invisibility and hostility, even among former Arab state allies, began to harden.  In this context, the Jordanian Crown kicked off a vicious onslaught to eradicate the PLO from their own borders. Within a year all PLO operations moved from Jordan to Lebanon - a chilling blow against Palestinian self-liberation.A small number of Palestinian “terrorist attacks” committed by radical splinter groups outside of the Palestine-First ideology only encouraged the west to embrace Israel even harder. The Palestinian, when acknowledged at all, became an embodiment of “homicidal hatred” and not a people with a history. Resources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth MovementThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

We're back with Evan of Left of the Projector for the third (maybe second?) entry in the History in Film series. This time it's 1960's Zionist epic, Exodus. Based on the novel of the same name by Leon Uris, this film aimed to convince American Jewry to consider the State of Israel (at this point, only twelve years old) as a nation deserving their investment, sympathy, and loyalty. Somehow, we've dragged along Sam and Gabe from Labor Jawn to slog our way through this three and half hour long piece of Zionist propaganda...at least we got a shirtless Paul Newman out of it.Primary Sources:In Vigilant Brotherhood by The American Jewish Committee - (see pg 64-70 for "The Blaustein-Ben-Gurion Agreement")"Is Zionism a Liberating Democratic Movement?" by Henryk Erlich"This is a struggle between the children of light and the children of darkness, between humanity and the law of the jungle" Tweet by Benjamin Netanyahu"שטיל, די נאַכט איז אױסגעשטערנט [Quiet, the Night is Full of Stars]" performed by Isabel FreyResources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth MovementLabor Jawn:Patreon: @laborjawnInstagram: @laborjawnTiktok: @laborjawnLeft of the Projector (Evan):Patreon: @LeftoftheProjectorPodTwitter: @LOTP_PodInstagram: @leftoftheprojectorpod Letterboxd: @lotppodMerch: https://leftoftheprojectorpod.threadless.comThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

A year in review, U.S. Steel brings good news to their shareholders, the pillaging of the Congo, Steve's Reich-wing roundup, and a spark of hope in the smoldering left in the State of Israel.Articles:“Who are the Israeli refuseniks picking jail over the Gaza war?” in Al Jazeera"U.S. Steel’s acquisition will end a difficult marriage that forged — and constrained — Pittsburgh’s identity" by Christopher Briem in PublicSource"First Israeli Conscientious Objector of the Gaza War Is Jailed: 'I Know It's the Right Thing'" by Linda Dayan in Haaretz"Joe Biden: ‘Without Israel, Jews wouldn’t be safe anywhere’" by Rosa Doherty in The Jewish ChronicleLetter by Senators Hawley, Vance, Rubio to Secretary Yellen Urging CFIUS to Block Sale of U.S. Steel & Protect America’s Industrial Base"JD Vance opposes sale of US Steel to Nippon" by Olafimihan Oshin in The Hill"Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo" by Eugene Puryear in Liberation News"U.S. Steel sale will create new jobs, spark investment in Mon Valley, analyst says" by Justin Vellucci in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"'Youth Against Dictatorship’: Meet Israel’s new class of conscientious objectors" by Oren Ziv in +972 Magazine"'I refuse to take part in a revenge war’: Israel jails teen for opposing army draft"by Oren Ziv in +972 MagazineResources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth MovementThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

Al Jazeera launched a “Know their Names' ' project on December 12th to bring attention to the over 275 Palestinian men, women, and children murdered in the West Bank since Operation Al-Aqsa Flood has drawn the world’s attention to Gaza. There has been an (understandable) secondary attention given to the West Bank from sympathetic press or even outright neglect from mainstream press with an active, horrifying, genocide occurring in Gaza. Prolific author, human rights lawyer and anti-imperialist activist Dan Kovalik returns to our show on the heels of a recent trip to the West Bank to help us shine a light on the ongoing Nakba in this “other” theater. His insights are essential to understanding the mass injustice across the whole of Palestine.Resources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth MovementDan Kovalik:Twitter: @danielmkovalikFacebook: DanielMKovalikInstagram: #dankovalikSkyhorse Publishing: Dan KovalikThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

After two months that have felt like two decades, Mike rejoins us to polish off The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte.  In the first part, we dug deep into the theory undergirding Marx’s understanding of political history. while in this part we focused on the political history undergirding Marx’s understanding of theory. Don't worry, this isn't a primer on 19th century France, rather we consider what of his analysis continues to be relevant in understanding our current political struggle.Join the Turn Leftist Podcast Discord if you're interested in joining their Study Group and new democratic podcast concept! Turn Leftist Podcast (Mike):Patreon: @turnleftistTwitter: @turnleftistpodInstagram: @turnleftistThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

We take a minute to work through two articles in depth which speak to structural rot at the basis of the Israeli liberal establishment. The first by Jonathan Ofir argues the depravity at the basis of the genocide of Palestinians is proof of a state death cult. The second, by Nir Hasson & Liza Rozovsky represents the decadence of the liberal position as it condemns the "excesses" of individual actors to justify the actions of state. In both, the genocidal logic of Zionism is laid bare but while one comes to grip with the ideology at its base the other makes excuse after excuse. Love me, I'm a liberal.Articles:"I Used to Think the Term ’Judeo-Nazis’ was Excessive. I Don’t any Longer" by Jonathan Ofir in Mondoweiss"Hamas Committed Documented Atrocities. But a Few False Stories Feed the Deniers" by  Nir Hasson & Liza Rozovsky in Ha'aretz "‘It Would’ve Been Better if They Shot Us’: Palestinians Recount Prison Abuse" by Imad Abu Hawash in +972 Magazine"Nearly 500,000 Fled Israel Since 7 October" by The Cradle News Room "Israeli Security Establishment: Hamas Likely Didn’t Have Advance Knowledge of Nova Festival" by Josh Breiner in Ha'aretz Resources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth MovementThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.comBig thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

Joe Mayall finally returns to talk about the parallels between the American propaganda efforts leading into the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the current massive propaganda push to support Israel's erasure of Palestine. Pulling from Joe's article (which formed the basis of our discussion) propaganda production rests on four interrelated concepts: outright lies, selective use of facts, manipulating the structure of a narrative, and censorship. We work through how each concept is being employed right now  to prime the American public for another war. On the bright side, we also discuss how independent and social media may be undermining the Western propaganda machine. That progress, though, means nothing unless we get organized. Find a local organization, take to the streets, and demand, "Free Palestine!" Articles:"On Palestine, The Media Is Doing EXACTLY What It Did With Iraq" by Joe Mayall"Antisemitic Attitudes Across the Ideological Spectrum" by Laura Royden"Arresting Arabs and Left-wingers: How Israel Intends to Crack Down on Domestic Dissent Over Gaza War" by the Ha'aretz Editorial Board Resources:Answer CoalitionThe Anti-Imperialist ArchiveColorado Palestine CoalitionJewish Voices for PeaceMiddle East Children's AllianceThe Palestine Children's Relief FundPalestinian Youth Movement Joe Mayall:Substack: JoeWroteTwitter: @joemayallInstagram: @joe_wroteTikTok: @joewrote  The Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.com Levi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviInstagram: @levi0levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.com Big thanks to Plasmid for the music for the show: Instagram - @plasmidband. Listen / follow on Spotify

Levi joined Evan and public historian Justin Clark to help host the latest series on Left of the Projector: History in Film. For the first installment (or maybe the second if you count our own episode on The Grapes of Wrath) we discussed Citizen Kane. The anti-hero treatment of the neo-fascist Charles Foster Kane rhymes with the real life tyranny of William Randolph Hearst. While the movie may not be any of our favorites, it is a remarkable film.Justin Clark:Instagram: @justinclarkphPodcast: Red ReviewsWebsite: justinclark.orgLeft of the Projector (Evan):Patreon: @LeftoftheProjectorPodTwitter: @LOTP_PodInstagram: @leftoftheprojectorpodMerch: https://leftoftheprojectorpod.threadless.comThe Intervention Podcast:Twitter: @intervenepodInstagram: @intervention_podEmail: interventionpod@gmail.comLevi Levi:Twitter: @levi0leviEmail: levi0levi@duck.com