podcasts – CounterVortex https://countervortex.org Resisting Humanity's Downward Spiral Sat, 09 May 2026 22:21:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://countervortex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/newsflash_logo-1-300x300.png podcasts – CounterVortex https://countervortex.org 32 32 Podcast: West Africa escalates toward genocide https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-west-africa-escalates-toward-genocide/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-west-africa-escalates-toward-genocide/#respond Sat, 09 May 2026 22:21:15 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25262 Alarming reports that Nigeria has established "concentration camps" for the Fulani ethnic minority cast an ironic light on Nigeria's tension with the Sahel states of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to the north. These three regimes have broken from the Western imperial camp (to embrace the nascent Russian imperial camp)—but are likewise subjecting their Fulani minorities to persecution and massacre. With the recent shock rebel offensive in Mali, the "terrorist" stigma that attaches to the Fulani and Tuareg peoples across the imperial camps makes their position more precarious than ever. Meanwhile, prominent voices on the both the right and the (supposed) "left" are spreading propaganda about the struggle in West Africa that is alarmingly wrong, because it exclusively views the crisis through a campist lens. In Episode 327 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg tries to provide some clarity on these fast-escalating and grossly under-reported conflicts. (Photo: Az-Zallaqa via LWJ)]]>

The alarming reports that Nigeria has established “concentration camps” for the Fulani ethnic minority cast an ironic light on Nigeria’s tension with the Sahel states of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to the north. These three regimes have broken from the Western imperial camp (to embrace the nascent Russian imperial camp)—but are likewise subjecting their Fulani minorities to persecution and massacre. With the recent shock rebel offensive in Mali, the “terrorist” stigma that attaches to the Fulani and Tuareg peoples across the imperial camps makes their position more precarious than ever. Meanwhile, prominent voices on the both the right and the (supposed) “left” are spreading propaganda about the struggle in West Africa that is alarmingly wrong, because it exclusively views the crisis through a campist lens. In Episode 327 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg tries to provide some clarity on these fast-escalating and grossly under-reported conflicts.

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Photo: Az-Zallaqa via LWJ

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-west-africa-escalates-toward-genocide/feed/ 0 Podcast: Can we at least 86 the bullshit? https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-can-we-at-least-86-the-bullshit/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-can-we-at-least-86-the-bullshit/#respond Sat, 02 May 2026 18:06:33 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25246 surrendering to federal authorities to face charges of threatening Donald Trump over an innocent Instagram post illustrates the line between a mere conservative and an actual fascist. CounterVortex chief ranter Bill Weinberg had a personal run-in with Comey back when he was a federal prosecutor. Later, as FBI chief, Comey was accused of trying to prejudice the electorate against Hillary Clinton—only to be himself targeted by the Trump Justice Department. The absurdity of the latest charges against Comey are obvious to anyone who has worked in the restaurant industry. Trump should indeed be eighty-sixed—through legal and constitutional means, such as impeachment, 25th Amendment invocation, or nullification of his illegitimate election. And, indeed, sent to face war crimes charges at The Hague. In Episode 326 of the CounterVortex podcast, Weinberg says: Yes, #8647! Fuckin' A! (Screenshot via, inter alia, CNN)]]>

The surreal spectacle of ex-FBI director James Comey surrendering to federal authorities to face charges of threatening Donald Trump over an innocent Instagram post illustrates the line between a mere conservative and an actual fascist. CounterVortex chief ranter Bill Weinberg had a personal run-in with Comey back when he was a federal prosecutor. Later, as FBI chief, Comey was accused of trying to prejudice the electorate against Hillary Clinton—only to be himself targeted by the Trump Justice Department. The absurdity of the latest charges against Comey are obvious to anyone who has worked in the restaurant industry. Trump should indeed be eighty-sixed—through legal and constitutional means, such as impeachment, 25th Amendment invocation, or nullification of his illegitimate election. And, indeed, sent to face war crimes charges at The Hague. In Episode 326 of the CounterVortex podcast, Weinberg says: Yes, #8647! Fuckin’ A!

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Screenshot via, inter alia, CNN

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-can-we-at-least-86-the-bullshit/feed/ 0 Podcast: Trump to The Hague! III https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-to-the-hague-iii/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-to-the-hague-iii/#respond Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:10:30 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25242 Episode 325 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg continues to make the case—political, legal and practical—for sending Trump to a jail cell at The Hague to face war crimes charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Actual precedent refutes the conventional wisdom that this demand is "unrealistic." Serbia's long-ruling strongman Slobodan Milosevic died in a cell at The Hague while awaiting trial before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, while Philippines ex-president Rodrigo Duterte is currently in a cell at The Hague awaiting trial before the ICC. The Court just confirmed that it has jurisdiction in the Duterte case despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC. Contrary to the dogma of "American exceptionalism," such an outcome for Trump is within the realm of possibility. (Photo: Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons)]]> In Episode 325 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg continues to make the case—political, legal and practical—for sending Trump to a jail cell at The Hague to face war crimes charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Actual precedent refutes the conventional wisdom that this demand is “unrealistic.” Serbia’s long-ruling strongman Slobodan Milosevic died in a cell at The Hague while awaiting trial before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, while Philippines ex-president Rodrigo Duterte is currently in a cell at The Hague awaiting trial before the ICC. The Court just confirmed that it has jurisdiction in the Duterte case despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC. Contrary to the dogma of “American exceptionalism,” such an outcome for Trump is within the realm of possibility.

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Photo: Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-to-the-hague-iii/feed/ 0 Podcast: Trump to The Hague! II https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-to-the-hague-ii/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-to-the-hague-ii/#respond Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:00:04 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25230 committed war crimes in Iran, and that his ongoing threats to bomb civilian targets may constitute self-incrimination—by the same standards that US prosecutors used to gather evidence against Russia in Ukraine (before Trump suspended cooperation). Additionally, his exterminationist rhetoric may represent a step on the ladder of escalation toward genocide. In Episode 324 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg continues to make the case—political, legal and practical—for sending Trump to a prison cell at The Hague. (Photo: Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons)]]> International law scholars are warning that Trump may have committed war crimes in Iran, and that his ongoing threats to bomb civilian targets may constitute self-incrimination—by the same standards that US prosecutors used to gather evidence against Russia in Ukraine (before Trump suspended cooperation). Additionally, his exterminationist rhetoric may represent a step on the ladder of escalation toward genocide. In Episode 324 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg continues to make the case—political, legal and practical—for sending Trump to a prison cell at The Hague.

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Photo: Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-to-the-hague-ii/feed/ 0 Podcast: Hungary, Peru & the electoral struggle https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-hungary-peru-and-the-electoral-struggle/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-hungary-peru-and-the-electoral-struggle/#respond Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:07:06 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25224 Episode 323 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg offers a comparison of the simultaneous elections in Hungary and Peru—in which questions of democratic norms versus authoritarian rule both stood in the balance. The defeat of long-ruling quasi-dictator Viktor Orbán is being hailed as a blow to the emerging authoritarian bloc in Europe. But the incoming center-right prime minister Péter Magyar may not mean a complete de-Orbánification. In Peru, the outcome is still pending, as the perennial candidate of the hard right, Keiko Fujimori, faces a run-off with a contender from the populist left, Roberto Sánchez. Keiko is the unapologetic daughter of the late ex-dictator Alberto Fujimori; her victory could mean a re-Fujimorification of the country, and a fatal blow to Peru's deeply troubled democracy. A Sánchez victory, meanwhile, would heighten the social contradictions in Peru—with both opportunities for a more meaningful democracy, and dangers of a backlash from the conservative establishment. (Photo: Anali Marquez Huanca via Facebook)]]> In Episode 323 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg offers a comparison of the simultaneous elections in Hungary and Peru—in which questions of democratic norms versus authoritarian rule both stood in the balance. The defeat of long-ruling quasi-dictator Viktor Orbán is being hailed as a blow to the emerging authoritarian bloc in Europe. But the incoming center-right prime minister Péter Magyar may not mean a complete de-Orbánification. In Peru, the outcome is still pending, as the perennial candidate of the hard right, Keiko Fujimori, faces a run-off with a contender from the populist left, Roberto Sánchez. Keiko is the unapologetic daughter of the late ex-dictator Alberto Fujimori; her victory could mean a re-Fujimorification of the country, and a fatal blow to Peru’s deeply troubled democracy. A Sánchez victory, meanwhile, would heighten the social contradictions in Peru—with both opportunities for a more meaningful democracy, and dangers of a backlash from the conservative establishment.

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Photo: Anali Marquez Huanca via Facebook

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-hungary-peru-and-the-electoral-struggle/feed/ 0 Podcast: Trump to The Hague! https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-to-the-hague/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-to-the-hague/#respond Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:56:32 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25208 exterminationist rhetoric that has accompanied Trump's massive bombardment of civilian infrastructure in Iran is condemned by Amnesty International as possible incitement to genocide—itself a crime under international law. Can Trump join Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin as the next world leader to face charges before the International Criminal Court? Yes, if Iran follows Palestine and Ukraine in granting jurisdiction to the ICC for crimes committed on its territory. This is legally valid, despite intransigence from the United States, Israel and Russia alike. The next three convictions by the ICC could be the first of figures from outside the African continent—undermining accusations of a double standard that have hindered the Court's effectiveness. In Episode 322 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg makes the case—politically and practically—for sending Trump to a prison cell at The Hague. (Photo: Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons)]]> The exterminationist rhetoric that has accompanied Trump’s massive bombardment of civilian infrastructure in Iran is condemned by Amnesty International as possible incitement to genocide—itself a crime under international law. Can Trump join Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin as the next world leader to face charges before the International Criminal Court? Yes, if Iran follows Palestine and Ukraine in granting jurisdiction to the ICC for crimes committed on its territory. This is legally valid, despite intransigence from the United States, Israel and Russia alike. The next three convictions by the ICC could be the first of figures from outside the African continent—undermining accusations of a double standard that have hindered the Court’s effectiveness. In Episode 322 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg makes the case—politically and practically—for sending Trump to a prison cell at The Hague.

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Photo: Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-to-the-hague/feed/ 0 Podcast: world revolution & the digital contradiction https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-world-revolution-the-digital-contradiction/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-world-revolution-the-digital-contradiction/#respond Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:45:25 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25196 break out in Russia over the new internet restrictions imposed by the Putin regime, while social media and instant messaging have become the "new public square" for the Gen Z protests that have swept the planet over the past months. Exemplifying the identification with online culture, a pirate flag from a Japanese anime series has become the global emblem of the Gen Z resistance. The new youth social media bans in a growing number of countries are opposed by human rights and civil-liberties groups for good reason. Yet the dystopian side of digital technology becomes more apparent each day—from the climate impacts of data centers, to cynical attempts to sell nuclear power as "clean energy" (sic!) to meet the surging electricity demand, to the digital colonization of human consciousness. Protests are also emerging to the new techno-fascism, and this critique must be central to any true oppositional movement. In Episode 321 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg grapples with the contradiction. (Composite image via GIGA. Gen Z protesters in different countries use appropriated image from One Piece manga. Fair use rights asserted.)]]> Protests break out in Russia over the new internet restrictions imposed by the Putin regime, while social media and instant messaging have become the “new public square” for the Gen Z protests that have swept the planet over the past months. Exemplifying the identification with online culture, a pirate flag from a Japanese anime series has become the global emblem of the Gen Z resistance. The new youth social media bans in a growing number of countries are opposed by human rights and civil-liberties groups for good reason. Yet the dystopian side of digital technology becomes more apparent each day—from the climate impacts of data centers, to cynical attempts to sell nuclear power as “clean energy” (sic!) to meet the surging electricity demand, to the digital colonization of human consciousness. Protests are also emerging to the new techno-fascism, and this critique must be central to any true oppositional movement. In Episode 321 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg grapples with the contradiction.

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Composite image via GIGA. Gen Z protesters in different countries use appropriated image from One Piece manga. Fair use rights asserted

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-world-revolution-the-digital-contradiction/feed/ 0 Podcast: the other Russia —from Tolstoy to Komyagin https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-the-other-russia-from-tolstoy-to-komyagin/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-the-other-russia-from-tolstoy-to-komyagin/#respond Sun, 29 Mar 2026 22:11:27 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25180 new offensive in Ukraine with an unprecedented wave of drone and missile strikes across the country—even hitting an historic monastery in Lviv. Meanwhile, two young Russian poets, Artyom Kamardin and Yegor Shtovba, remain imprisoned on "state subversion" charges related to public readings of anti-war poetry. They join other imprisoned anti-war poet-activists, such as Daria Kozyreva, and numerous artists and activists imprisoned for opposing the new dictatorship of Vladimir Putin. The recently passed Russian rocker Nikolay Komyagin, frontman for the post-punk band Shortparis, was also an icon of artistic resistance. Long known for their defiant sound, after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine they released the music video "Apple Orchard," on an anti-war theme—getting them being blacklisted from major venues in Russia. In Episode 320 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg places these courageous voices in the context of a dissident tradition in Russia under the dictatorships of the czars, the Soviets, and now Putin—from Leo Tolstoy to Shortparis. (Composite image by CounterVortex from Ilya Efimovich Repin via Wikimedia Commons and Sasha Braulov via Instagram)]]> Eclipsed from the headlines by the war in the Middle East, Russia launches a new offensive in Ukraine with an unprecedented wave of drone and missile strikes across the country—even hitting an historic monastery in Lviv. Meanwhile, two young Russian poets, Artyom Kamardin and Yegor Shtovba, remain imprisoned on “state subversion” charges related to public readings of anti-war poetry. They join other imprisoned anti-war poet-activists, such as Daria Kozyreva, and numerous artists and activists imprisoned for opposing the new dictatorship of Vladimir Putin. The recently passed Russian rocker Nikolay Komyagin, frontman for the post-punk band Shortparis, was also an icon of artistic resistance. Long known for their defiant sound, after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine they released the music video “Apple Orchard,” on an anti-war theme—resulting in them being blacklisted from major venues in Russia. In Episode 320 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg places these courageous voices in the context of a dissident tradition in Russia under the dictatorships of the czars, the Soviets, and now Putin—from Leo Tolstoy to Shortparis.

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Book discussed:

Tolstoy’s Search for the Kingdom of God: Gender and Queer Anarchism by Javier Sethness Castro, Routledge 2025

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Composite image by CounterVortex from Ilya Efimovich Repin via Wikimedia Commons and Sasha Braulov via Instagram

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-the-other-russia-from-tolstoy-to-komyagin/feed/ 0 Resist cellular hegemony! II https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-resist-cellular-hegemony-ii/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-resist-cellular-hegemony-ii/#respond Sun, 22 Mar 2026 22:05:15 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25160 Episode 319 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg resumes his rant against the hegemony of digital and cellular technology—and takes heart from the local New York chapter of the Luddite Club: smart, free-thinking youth who are eschewing cellphones and social media in favor of "real life." Despite the cynical predictions of some, the chapter is true to its values and refreshingly doesn't even have a website—although a documentary film about them is in the works. In other glimmers of hope, the New York City nurses' strike that just ended in victory had as one of the key demands safeguards against workers being replaced by artificial intelligence. And the recent Inida AI Impact Summit in Delhi was disrupted by a protest action. (Image: Wikipedia, modified by CounterVortex)]]> In Episode 319 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg resumes his rant against the hegemony of digital and cellular technology—and takes heart from the local New York chapter of the Luddite Club: smart, free-thinking youth who are eschewing cellphones and social media in favor of “real life.” Despite the cynical predictions of some, the chapter is true to its values and refreshingly doesn’t even have a website—although a documentary film about them is in the works. In other glimmers of hope, the New York City nurses’ strike that just ended in victory had as one of the key demands safeguards against workers being replaced by artificial intelligence. And the recent India AI Impact Summit in Delhi was disrupted by a protest action.

These signs of human resistance inevitably face contradictions, however. Some members of the Luddite Club spoke favorably of the new youth social media ban in Australia, which is opposed by civil-liberties groups—pointing to a long-term intractable dilemma.

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Books discussed:

Rebels Against the Future: The Luddites and Their War on the Industrial Revolution — Lessons for the Computer Age by Kirkpatrick Sale, Addison-Wesley 1995

Front Lines: A Lifetime of Drawing Resistance by Susan Simensky Bietila, PM Press 2026

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Image: Wikipedia, modified by CounterVortex

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-resist-cellular-hegemony-ii/feed/ 0 Podcast: neither MAGA-fascism nor Islamic Republic https://countervortex.org/blog/neither-maga-fascism-nor-islamic-republic/ https://countervortex.org/blog/neither-maga-fascism-nor-islamic-republic/#respond Mon, 16 Mar 2026 02:42:16 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=25143 rain death down on Iran, the ayatollah regime paints any would-be protesters as pawns of the "enemy" and promises deadly repression. This positions the civil opposition poorly for any resumption of the uprising that the regime drowned in blood mere weeks ago—and points to the paradoxical reality that Trump and the regime are de facto (at least) collaborators against the Iranian people. In Episode 318 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg repudiates both those who would rally around the reactionary and criminal regime in the name of opposing the US-Israeli aggression and those who would rally around Trump's reckless and criminal war in the interest of opposing the regime. Instead, he offers statements from Iran's anarchist and dissident-left opposition that continue to advance an uncompromising neither/nor position. (Photo of Berlin protest via Instagram)]]> As Trump and Netanyahu rain death down on Iran, the ayatollah regime paints any would-be protesters as pawns of the “enemy” and promises deadly repression. This positions the civil opposition poorly for any resumption of the uprising that the regime drowned in blood mere weeks ago—and points to the paradoxical reality that Trump and the regime are de facto (at least) collaborators against the Iranian people. In Episode 318 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg repudiates both those who would rally around the reactionary and criminal regime in the name of opposing the US-Israeli aggression and those who would rally around Trump’s reckless and criminal war in the interest of opposing the regime. Instead, he offers statements from Iran’s anarchist and dissident-left opposition that continue to advance an uncompromising neither/nor position.

Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to support us with a small monthly donation via Patreon or PayPal.

Photo of Berlin protest via Instagram

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/neither-maga-fascism-nor-islamic-republic/feed/ 0