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The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

The Socialist Program

News and views about the world for those who want to change it.

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00:52:32

'Operation Ajax' in Iran: The CIA's Original Sin

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/03/02

In 1953 the CIA secretly organized a coup to overthrow the democratically elected leader of Iran. This was the CIA's first regime change operation — code-named 'Operation Ajax' — becoming the playbook for later CIA operations. Its consequences are still reverberating around the world.In this episode we take a deep dive into how Operation Ajax was planned and executed, it's motivations, the political context locally and globally, what happened in Iran after 1953, its impact on US-Iran

00:27:45

‘I Can Destroy The Country’ Trump Lashes Out After...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/02/25

On Friday the right-wing Supreme Court delivered a stinging blow to Trump, ruling that his unilateral tariffs were unconstitutional. Trump claims he’s going ahead with more tariffs anyway, but economist Richard Wolff explains that they’ve already failed at their central economic premise.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at http://www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram

00:21:17

Trump Guts EPA: ‘Make America More Polluted Again’?

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/02/18

The Trump administration has revoked the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases, a major cause of climate change and millions of premature deaths from air pollution every year. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss why this is happening, and the even more dire level of air and water pollution in the United States before the EPA.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at

00:17:45

How Capitalist Media Hides U.S. Imperialism in Plain...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/02/17

Brian and Layan take a deep dive into how the capitalist-owned mainstream media conceals the truth about what motivates U.S. war-makers – and what they are hiding – by debunking the recent New York Times article titled: ‘Trump's Oil Grab in Venezuela Shatters an American Taboo’This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help make this show possible.

00:32:30

Despite Trump’s Total Fuel Blockade, Cuba Won’t...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/02/12

Cuba is running out of fuel to power hospitals, schools, harvest crops, and transport basic goods — because Donald Trump has implemented a total fuel blockade against the island nation.Brian Becker is joined by Manolo De Los Santos, the executive director of The People’s Forum in New York, to discuss why Trump and the U.S. empire have targeted Cuba, and why people in Cuba are refusing to surrender.Join the The Socialist Program community at http://www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive

00:28:00

How US Capitalism Uses the Banking System to Coerce...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/02/11

More than 30% of countries around the world are facing severe US economic sanctions causing mass suffering, hunger, and death. From Cuba, to Venezuela, to the DPRK, and now even to traditional US allies who are being targeted with tariffs and other economic threats unless they bow to the demands of the Trump administration. Richard Wolff explains that these are the efforts of an empire that is in decline but still possesses military and economic weapons that can do great damage to those who try to

00:18:43

Hidden Histories of Rebellion: How America Changed...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/02/06

The Trump administration’s agenda has become unmistakable: attack the living legacy of the Civil Rights Revolution – both by trying to erase the historical memory of it, and by reversing the expansion of democracy that it won. Why are Trump and his billionaire backers so threatened by this legacy? What lessons does it have for us today? How does social change happen?This episode is built around a class on this topic, taught by our host Brian Becker, part of a class series at The People's Forum

00:20:52

U.S. General Strike Signals a New Day w/ Prof. Wolff

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/02/04

On the heels of the Minnesota general strike on January 23rd, and a nationwide shutdown the following week in which millions participated, Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss the general strike tactic. How has it been used in the United States and elsewhere? Can it tip the scales against the Trump administration's attempts to roll back the gains of the Civil Rights Movement?Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his

00:40:45

Why The Ruling Class Fears A General Strike

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/31

One week ago, there was a general strike in Minneapolis against ICE Terror. The following morning, ICE agents executed ICU nurse Alex Pretti. They wanted to intimidate this new mass movement. But that failed. Today hundreds of thousands marched and millions participated in a nationwide shutdown against ICE; no work, no school, no shopping. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss, recording this episode at Noon Eastern Time, January 30th. Join the The Socialist Program community at

00:10:17

Workers Shut Down the Twin Cities and Say No to ICE...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/24

The United States may be entering a new era of labor militancy. A general strike led by labor, community organizations, small businesses, student groups, and faith-based leaders has shut down Minnesota, in protest against the terror campaign launched by thousands of ICE agents in recent weeks. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only

00:26:36

Trump Threatens Greenland: The Start of World War 3?...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/21

Imperialism in the 21st Century is starting to look like the imperialism of the early 20th century as Donald Trump ramped up his demand to seize Greenland from Denmark. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss how capitalist competition led to two catastrophic world wars in the first half of the 20th Century, and how similar competitive pressures are taking shape today. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at

00:11:06

Minneapolis Fights Back While Trump Threatens To...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/16

As thousands of ICE agents continue their rampage in Minneapolis, the people are preparing for an even larger fightback that could reshape politics in the United States. Elon Musk endorses a call for martial law, and President Trump threatens the Insurrection Act to deploy the US military against the people of the United States. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get

00:31:38

Trump Says Cuba Is Next After Venezuela Attack....

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/16

Trump ordered the massive bombing of Iran in June. Next he bombed Venezuela and kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January 2026. Is Trump now setting his imperial sights on Cuba?Brian Becker is joined by Manolo De Los Santos, the executive director of The People’s Forum in New York.Join the The Socialist Program community at http://www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.

00:23:31

ICE Terror Is a Sign of Trump's Desperation. A...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/13

The United States is at a boiling point after the ICE killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Cities across the country are under attack from Trump’s federal ICE agent police force, and hundreds of thousands protested this ICE invasion this past weekend. Brian and Prof. Wolff discuss the struggle that is heating up.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

00:10:11

Why The War Powers Resolution Won't Stop Trump By...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/10

Masked ICE agents are on a rampage in Minneapolis, in Portland, and throughout the United States. The Trump White House and the Pentagon have seized the fifth oil tanker carrying Venezuelan oil. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help make this show possible.

00:51:38

‘Venezuela’s Revolution Still Stands,’ Even With Gun...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/08

After the January 3rd bombing of Venezuelan neighborhoods, military facilities and the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, the Trump White House and Pentagon are still imposing a full scale naval blockade against Venezuela. The Trump administration is claiming they’ve fundamentally changed the Venezuelan government but the facts don’t bear this out. Many of the oil concessions they may now receive were long ago offered by Maduro himself. Brian is joined by Manolo

00:30:00

Attacking Venezuela is a Repeat of 1930s History w/...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/07

Trump, Steven Miller, and other top administration officials are claiming that they are “running Venezuela,” taking over the country and its vast oil reserves. That’s not true, the Venezuelan government remains intact, but they are imposing a full naval blockade on the country in an effort to completely shut down Venezuela’s economy. The Trump admin also intends to conquer Greenland by one means or another, and are declaring ownership of the Western Hemisphere. Is the Trump administration’s open

00:51:51

‘I Am the President of Venezuela,’ a Defiant Maduro...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2026/01/06

Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores appeared in a U.S. court in New York City earlier today following the illegal kidnapping of Venezuela's president. Donald Trump has now acknowledged that he consulted with U.S. oil monopolies before and after the attack on Venezuela. The U.S. Congress did not authorize this attack, and Trump, while consulting with the oil company executives, refused to even brief Congress. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss.

00:10:21

How Trump Promised Peace But Ramped Up Militarism at...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2025/12/30

Brian and Layan review the year of 2025 under the Trump regime – including his lies about being a ‘peace president’ – and what to expect in 2026. This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help make this show possible.

00:48:58

From the Palmer Raids to COINTELPRO: The War Against...

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker ·

2025/12/26

Brian speaks with author and historian Aaron Leonard about his book "Menace of Our Time: The Long War Against American Communism.” Leonard’s book is a riveting account of the extraordinary efforts by politicians. At the moment that the Trump White House is issuing Executive orders deeming people with anti-capitalist views as domestic terrorists it is important to learn about the history of anti-communist witchhunting in the United States during the past century. Get the book here:

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The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

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