The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

A look inside curated two-minute war briefings designed to shape a president’s view. Reports of suspicious oil futures trades tied to social-media claims. Discussion of the biggest U.S. troop deployment since Iraq and the risks of a widening Middle East war. Analysis of Iran’s strategic options and why a quick decapitation plan may have failed.

Richard Wolff, economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work, offers concise analysis of capitalism and the working class. He examines the human and financial costs of the Iran war. He discusses tariffs, rising deficits, debt pressures, and risks to social programs. He outlines why U.S. strategic missteps signal decline rather than collapse.

A look at mounting human tolls: casualty counts, children killed, and mass displacement. Discussion of widespread disruptions from fuel rationing to canceled flights and closed schools. Examination of rising Pentagon costs and a proposed $200 billion funding request. Questions raised about the lack of an endgame and long-term consequences.

A breakdown of the miscalculation behind a sudden major U.S.-Iran military campaign. Shortfalls of overwhelming firepower versus political realities are explored. Conflicting messages from leadership and the blurred motives behind the strikes are highlighted. The conversation touches on regional spillover, civilian harm, economic shocks to oil and markets, and the broader pattern of imperial overreach.

Richard Wolff, economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work, offers sharp analysis of war, markets, and working-class fallout. He explains why conflict with Iran is different and more dangerous. He connects oil price shocks to everyday costs and outlines geopolitical winners and losers. He also explores domestic political motives and the broader risks to global stability.

A deep dive into the 1953 CIA-orchestrated coup in Iran and how it set the template for later covert interventions. Discussion of oil interests, British and American planning, and the tactics used on the ground. Exploration of the coup's aftermath: the Shah's repression, Iran's political upheavals, and the long shadow on US–Iran relations.

Richard Wolff, economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work, offers his take on Trump’s tariff fight. He explains the Supreme Court ruling, why tariffs failed to reshore jobs, and how global partners reacted. Conversation touches on constitutional limits, Republican resistance to tariffs, and the broader shift toward protectionism.

Richard Wolff, economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work, discusses how removing EPA powers shifts pollution costs onto the public. He explains why profit-driven firms externalize environmental harm. They contrast EPA-era improvements with earlier pollution and call out political moves that favor corporations over regulation.

A critique of how mainstream capitalist media masks U.S. motives for war. A line-by-line takedown of a New York Times piece about oil and power. A tour of historical interventions from Iran to Iraq and Libya that highlights patterns of control. An exploration of how financial and legal mechanisms let the U.S. dominate foreign oil without direct ownership.

Manolo De Los Santos, executive director of The People’s Forum and longtime activist, discusses U.S. fuel blockade against Cuba. He talks about Cuba’s resilience under siege. He covers extraterritorial effects on suppliers, impacts on daily life, and growing U.S. solidarity efforts. He outlines organizing strategies for the Let Cuba Live campaign.