Politics Theory Other

Journalist Séamus Malekafzali joins PTO to talk about the aftermath of the Israel-Iran war. We chatted about where the cessation of hostilities leaves the two states militarily, and whether Iran's strategy of reliance on ballistic missiles and a loose regional alliance was wholly misbegotten or just poorly implemented. And we talked about why the Trump administration shifted from their red line of opposition to the weaponisation of Iran's nuclear programme to the hardline Israeli position that opposed enrichment entirely.In the interview we touched on Séamus' recent article in Parapraxis which you can read here: https://www.parapraxismagazine.com/articles/axes-of-resistance

Owen Hatherley returns to discuss his New Left Review article on the Welsh guitar band, the Manic Street Preachers. We talked about the particular appeal the group seemed to hold for working class kids from non-metropolitan backgrounds in the 1990s, and about the forbearance and occasional embarrassment that is the lot of fans who've followed their work in the subsequent decades. We also talked about why such an avowedly left wing and politicised group have shown such little regard for contemporary left movements such as the Corbyn moment in the UK. Show notes: Music: Owen's acceptable Manics playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/53GV8dNKLZlo72Wp3GOdy5?si=e25a5413ece248ed&pt=8393e6591814e26432a7fd35670b2d43 Alex's reluctant Manics playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/55IG8eV1kVH3kwAfEo9Z2y?si=ee8bcba703fc437a&pt=9a1779265389af95dcd44445656ef4c8 Videos: Faster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0f9qUheits Faster TOTP performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5PI7k_ZiQ0 You Love Us https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgKXBJ2LZKo A Design for Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfEoVxy7VDQ Enjoyably angry Design for Life TV performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbdsc-YxGB4 4st 7lb acoustic MTV performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXrzttSPlc0 Motorcycle Emptiness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gavcjNniIvk The Love of Richard Nixon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_G_R_1gMfc Jackie Collins Existential Question Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYvbtSTamRc Further Reading: Owen's New Left Review article https://newleftreview.es/sidecar/posts/mislaid-plans Everything (A Book about Manic Street Preachers) by Simon Price https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780753501399/Everything-Book-Manic-Street-Preachers-0753501392/plp Triptych: Three Studies of Manic Street Preachers’ The Holy Bible by: Daniel Lukes, Larissa Wodtke, Rhian E Jones https://repeaterbooks.com/product/triptych-three-studies-of-manic-street-preachers-the-holy-bible/

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Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi, an insightful author on Iranian political thought, joins the discussion to unpack Israel's strategies against Iran. He argues that Israel's aims extend beyond nuclear threats to the undermining of Iranian society itself. The complexities of Iranian identity, resilience in the face of aggression, and the diaspora's role are examined. Additionally, Sadeghi-Boroujerdi explores the dynamics of U.S. foreign policy in relation to Iran and the contentious alliances within the region, highlighting the intricate geopolitical landscape.

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Richard Seymour discusses the abrupt increase in Western criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, China's energy transition, and how to understand the Trump administration. If you'd like to hear this episode in full please consider becoming a £5/pm PTO supporter on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/poltheoryother

Radhika Desai returns to PTO to talk about the latest round of violence between India and Pakistan, following the terrorist attack that killed 26 tourists in Indian administered Kashmir on April 22nd. We discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019, when the Hindu nationalist government of Narendra Modi revoked the territory's special status under the Indian constitution and brought it under direct rule amid a wave of violent repression. We also talked about fears in Kashmir about the Indian government seeking to change the demographic balance in the territory, and about the scale of the fighting Pakistan and India - which far exceeded the previous round of the conflict in 2019. Show notes: Our previous conversation can be listened to here: https://soundcloud.com/poltheoryother/peak-hindutva-w-radhika-desai Read more about Radhika's work here: https://radhikadesai.com/ And Radhika's 2002 paper on India, Pakistan and the war on terror can be read here: https://www.academia.edu/281710/Tryst_with_Fate_India_and_Pakistan_in_the_War_on_Terrorism_2002_

In this thought-provoking discussion, Natasha Lennard tackles the harrowing escalation of the Gaza genocide and its global implications. She dives into the potential for a federal ban on abortion in the U.S., analyzing the fallout from the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. Additionally, the emergence of a new, liberal brand of transphobia in the U.S. sparks a critical conversation. Lennard's insights challenge listeners to think deeply about pressing social issues.

Jake Werner, a historian of modern China and director at the Quincy Institute, shares insights on the deepening complexities of US-China relations. He discusses the trade war, highlighting why 'decoupling' fails to capture the economic fallout. The conversation turns to military tensions, with a focus on the rising influence of military officials in China and the risks of proxy wars. Werner also explores the historical contexts of liberalism and authoritarianism under Xi Jinping, painting a vivid picture of the geopolitical landscape ahead.

Amjad Iraqi, a senior editor at 972 Magazine, discusses the renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza and the collapse of the recent ceasefire. He reveals the growing dissent among Israeli reservists and the shifting perceptions of the war as a shield for Netanyahu’s corruption charges. The conversation also delves into the worsening situation in the West Bank and the urgent need for Palestinian self-determination. Despite the bleak outlook, Iraqi explores whether there remains hope for resilience and resistance amid the turmoil.