Podcasts about Communist party

How should we understand China's unique variety of party-state capitalism? In this episode of The World Unpacked, Isaac Kardon sits down with Dr. Meg Rithmire, a renowned scholar of political economy in China and the James E. Robison Professor at Harvard Business School, to discuss how capitalism functions in a party-state that tries to maintain “rule by market” without ceding too much control to private capital. Their discussion is based on Dr. Rithmire's chapter in a new volume released from Carnegie called The Life of the Party: Past and Present Constraints on the Future of the Chinese Communist Party. They explore how private capitalists have been important to China's economy since the 1950s, and how China attempts to exert control over companies to ensure that their activities serve party-state objectives, like Made in China 2025.Notes:1. Yvonne Chiu, Isaac B. Kardon, Jason M. Kelly, “The Life of the Party: Past and Present Constraints on the Future of the Chinese Communist Party,” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, June 9, 2025. 

Drama on a Wednesday First,  a look at this day in History.Then, Boston Blackie starring Dick Kollmar, originally broadcast June 18, 1946, 79 years ago, The Hooded Gang Protection Racket.  A masked society of extortioners has been formed, which Blackie tries to break up. Followed by Inner Sanctum Mysteries, originally broadcast June 18, 1946, 79 years ago, I Want to Report a Murder starring Santos Ortega.  A man with an insanely jealous wife starts to be blackmailed by a young woman after he accidentally kills her husband. There are lots of corpses all over the place!Then, Calling All Cars, originally broadcast June 18, 1935, 90 years ago, The Chinese Puzzle.  A Chinese merchant has been found hatchet murdered in his San Diego store. Followed by I Was a Communist for the FBI starring Dana Andrews, originally broadcast June 18, 1952, 73 years ago, Tight Wire.  The FBI assigns Cvetic the job of bugging a Communist Party meeting hall. Finally, Lum and Abner, originally broadcast June 18, 1942, 83 years ago, Cedric to Join the Marines?   Cedric decides to become an officer in the Marine Corps!Thanks to Richard G for supporting our podcast by using the Buy Me a Coffee function at http://classicradio.streamFind the Family Fallout Shelter Booklet Here: https://www.survivorlibrary.com/library/the_family_fallout_shelter_1959.pdfhttps://wardomatic.blogspot.com/2006/11/fallout-shelter-handbook-1962.htmlAnd more about the Survive-all Fallout Sheltershttps://conelrad.blogspot.com/2010/09/mad-men-meet-mad-survive-all-shelter.html

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule of around 10 minutes.The Muslim men were acquitted of all charges of arson attacks on churches and minority-Christian homes in Jaranwala. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia.Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Fabian Antony, text edited by Anosh Malekar, presented by Joe Mathews, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comGangnam Style Music Courtesy: officialpsy YT Channel For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Last time we spoke about Japan's preparations for War. In late 1936, tensions soared in China as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek was detained by dissenting commanders who were frustrated with his focus on communism instead of the growing Japanese threat. Faced with escalating Japanese aggression, these leaders forced Chiang into a reluctant alliance with the Chinese Communist Party, marking a pivotal shift in China's strategy. Despite this union, China remained unprepared, lacking sufficient military supplies and modern equipment. Conversely, Japan, wary of Chinese modernization efforts, pushed for a preemptive strike to dismantle Chiang's regime before it could pose a serious threat. As aggressive military exercises intensified, Japan underestimated Chinese resilience. By spring 1937, both nations found themselves on the brink of war, with Japan's divided military leadership struggling to formulate a coherent strategy. Ultimately, these miscalculations would lead to the full-scale Sino-Japanese War, altering the course of history in East Asia.   #154 The Marco Polo Bridge Incident  Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Here we are at last, the beginning of the absolute cataclysm between China and Japan. Now as many of you know I run the Pacific War week by week podcast, which technically covers the second sino-japanese war, nearly to a T. So for this podcast I want to try and portray the event from the Chinese and Japanese point of view, but not in the rather dry manner of the other podcast. In the other podcast I am hampered by the week by week format and can never dig deep into the nitty gritty as they say. On the same hand I don't want to simply regurgitate every single battle of this conflict, it would be absolutely nuts. So bear with me friends as we fall down in the rabbit hole of madness together, who knows how long it will take to get out. On the night of July 7, 1937, at approximately 19:30, the 8th Squadron of the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Hebian Brigade of the Japanese Army, stationed in Fengtai and led by Squadron Leader Shimizu Seiro, conducted a military exercise, heading toward Lungwangmiao, approximately just under a mile northwest of the Marco Polo Bridge The exercise simulated an operation to capture the bridge. As you may have guessed it was named after the Italian explorer Marco Polo, who described it in his travels, the bridge is renowned for its intricate carvings of lions and other sculptures. However after 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge would be far less known for its history dealing with the venetian explorer and more so with an event that many would contend to be the start of WW2. At that time, troops from Japan, Britain, France, and Italy were stationed near Peiping in accordance with the Boxer Protocol of 1901. The Japanese China Garrison Army, comprising around 4,000 soldiers and commanded by Lieutenant-General Tashiro Kan'ichirō, was based in Tientsin. Its mission was to "maintain communication lines between Peiping and the seaports in the Gulf of Chihli and to protect Japanese citizens living in key areas of North China." The protocol also permitted the garrison forces of the signatory nations to conduct field drills and rifle practice without notifying the Chinese authorities, with the exception of cases involving live fire. During this period, Japanese troops were conducting nightly exercises in anticipation of a scheduled review on July 9. The night maneuver was within the army's rights under the Boxer Protocol and was not an illegal act, as later claimed by the Chinese. However, the Japanese army had courteously informed the Chinese authorities about its training plans in advance. Despite this, the atmosphere was charged with tension, and the Japanese decision to use blank ammunition during their night exercise further escalated the already volatile situation. Earlier that evening, Captain Shimizu Setsurö, a company commander, arrived at the banks of the Yungting River, where the maneuver was to take place. He noticed that the site looked different since the last exercise had occurred; Chinese troops had recently constructed new trenches and parapets from the embankment to the Lungwangmiao shelter. While eating his dinner and surveying the area, Shimizu felt a sense of unease, harboring a premonition that “something might happen that night.” After completing the first stage of the maneuver around 10:30 PM, several live rounds were fired into the assembled company from the direction of the riverbank. Shimizu immediately conducted a roll call and found one soldier missing. He promptly sent a messenger to inform the battalion commander. The exercise was then called off, and the company moved eastward to await further orders at Hsiwulitien. Battalion Commander Itsuki Kiyonaho, upon receiving the report, deemed the situation serious. Aside from the gunfire heard in the darkness from an unknown source, he expressed concern over the soldier's disappearance and sought permission from Regiment Commander Mutaguchi Renya, an absolute moron, if you listen to the pacific war podcast, well you know. Anyways to relocate the battalion to the area where the shots had been fired and to establish surveillance. As dawn approached, the troops heard several more gunshots. Within twenty minutes of the soldier's disappearance, he returned to his ranks, but Shimizu did not report this update until four hours later. Meanwhile, midnight negotiations included a Japanese request for permission to search the city of Wanping, leading both sides to believe the incident was significant. Around 11:00 PM, the Japanese forces falsely reported that one of their soldiers had gone missing during the drill and demanded permission to enter the city for a search. This request was firmly denied by Ji Xingwen, the commander of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the Chinese Army. In response, Japanese troops swiftly surrounded Wanping County. To prevent further escalation, at 2:00 AM the following morning, Qin Dechun, deputy commander of the 29th Army and mayor of Beiping, agreed with the Japanese to allow both sides to send personnel for an investigation. While Matsui, the head of the Japanese secret service in Peiping, was negotiating with North Chinese authorities based on unverified reports from Japanese troops in Fengtai, Ikki Kiyonao, the battalion commander of the Japanese garrison in Fengtai, had already reported to his regiment commander, Mutaguchi Lianya. The latter approved orders for the Japanese troops in Fengtai to “immediately move out” to the Marco Polo Bridge.  On July 8, a large contingent of Japanese troops appeared at Lugou Bridge. Shen Zhongming, the platoon leader of the 10th Company of the Reserve Force of the 3rd Battalion of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the 29th Army, was assisting in guarding the bridgehead. He jumped out of the trench, stood in front of the bunker, and raised his right hand to halt the advancing Japanese troops. However, the Japanese military threatened to search for their missing soldiers, pushed forward, and opened fire. Shen Zhongming was shot and died on the spot. At 4:50 AM, the Japanese army launched a fierce assault on Wanping County, capturing Shagang in the northeast of Wanping and firing the first shot of the siege. Unable to withstand the aggression, the Chinese defenders mounted a counterattack. That day, the Japanese army assaulted Wanping City three times, targeting the Pinghan Railway Bridge and the Chinese defenders at the Huilong Temple position on the left. He Jifeng, the commander of the 110th Brigade of the Chinese defenders, issued a resolute order to “live and die with the bridge” and personally commanded the front-line battle. The Chinese defenders engaged in fierce combat, fighting valiantly despite exhausting their ammunition and resorting to hand-to-hand combat with swords against the Japanese soldiers. Tragically, over 80 Chinese defenders from two platoons were killed at the bridgehead. On the same day, the Beijing authorities instructed the garrison to hold firm at the Marco Polo Bridge. Song Queyuan sent a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek to report the true events of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. The National Government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a verbal protest with the Japanese ambassador regarding the incident. Additionally, the CPC Central Committee issued a telegram urging all Chinese soldiers and civilians to unite and resist Japanese aggression. The Japanese cabinet, in a bid to mislead global public opinion, proposed a so-called policy of “resolving the incident locally without escalating it,” aiming to paralyze the KMT authorities and buy time to mobilize additional forces. In the wake of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, generals of the 29th Army, including Qin Dechun, Feng Zhian, and Zhang Zizhong, convened an emergency meeting. Following their discussions, they issued a statement demanding that their troops withdraw from the Marco Polo Bridge to de-escalate tensions. However, they expressed deep concerns about national sovereignty, stating, “We cannot simply back down. If they continue to oppress us, we will do our utmost to defend ourselves.” Concurrently, the 29th Army commanded the troops defending the Marco Polo Bridge: “The Marco Polo Bridge is your grave. You must live and die with the bridge and must not retreat.” Brigade Commander He Jifeng reinforced three directives for the defenders:  1. Do not allow the Japanese army to enter the city;  2. Firmly counterattack if the Japanese invade;  3. You are responsible for defending the territory and will never yield. If you abandon your position, you will face military law. On July 9, the 29th Army successfully eliminated a Japanese squadron and reclaimed control of the railway bridge and Longwang Temple. A temporary lull settled over the Marco Polo Bridge battlefield, during which the Japanese military made false claims that "missing Japanese soldiers had returned to their units" and described the situation as a misunderstanding that could be resolved peacefully. Subsequently, Chinese and Japanese representatives in Beijing and Tianjin engaged in negotiations. The Beijing authorities reached an agreement with the Japanese forces, which included:  (1) an immediate cessation of hostilities by both parties;  (2) the Japanese army withdrawing to the left bank of the Yongding River while the Chinese army retreated to the right bank; and  (3) the defense of Lugou Bridge being assigned to Shi Yousan's unit of the Hebei Security Team. However, the following day, while the Chinese army withdrew as agreed, the Japanese army not only failed to uphold its commitments but also dispatched a significant number of troops to launch an offensive against the Chinese forces. Reports on July 10 indicated that the Japanese army had arrived from Tianjin, Gubeikou, Yuguan, and other locations, advancing toward the Lugou Bridge with artillery and tanks, and had occupied Dajing Village and Wulidian, signaling that another outbreak of conflict was imminent. On July 11, the Japanese Cabinet decided to deploy seven divisions from the Kwantung Army, the Korean Army, and Japan to North China. On the same day, the Beiping-Tianjin authorities reached a localized agreement with the Japanese army, which entailed:  (1) a formal apology from a representative of the 29th Army to the Japanese forces, along with assurances that those responsible for the initial conflict would be held accountable;  (2) a ban on anti-Japanese activities conducted by the Communist Party, the Blue Shirts Society, and other resistance groups; and  (3) an agreement ensuring that no Chinese troops would be stationed east of the Yongding River. Concurrently, the Japanese army positioned their forces at strategic points in Wuqing, Fengtai, Wanping, and Changping, effectively encircling the city of Beijing and continuing to advance troops into its surrounding suburbs. Starting on July 11, the Japanese army began bombarding Wanping City and its surrounding areas with artillery, resulting in numerous casualties among the local population. Following the injury of regiment commander Ji Xingwen, residents were evacuated to safer locations outside the city. The conflict then spread to Babaoshan, Changxindian, Langfang, Yangcun, and other areas, with the 29th Army being deployed to various locations to confront the enemy. The Japanese military also dispatched aircraft for reconnaissance and strafing missions, leading to intermittent fighting. On July 13, Mao Zedong urged "every Communist Party member and anti-Japanese revolutionary to be prepared to mobilize to the frontline of the anti-Japanese war at any time" from Yan'an. By July 15, a CPC representative presented the "Communist Party Declaration on Cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party" to Chiang Kai-shek, proposing that this declaration serve as the political foundation for cooperation between the two parties and be publicly issued by the Kuomintang. Zhou Enlai, Qin Bangxian, and Lin Boqu continued negotiations with Chiang Kai-shek, Shao Lizi, and Zhang Chong in Lushan. Although Chiang Kai-shek recognized the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, disagreements remained regarding the reorganization of the Red Army. On July 16, the Five Ministers Conference in Tokyo resolved to mobilize 400,000 Japanese troops to invade China and to enforce a policy aimed at rapidly destroying the entire country. The following day, more than 100 Japanese soldiers arrived in Shunyi and Changping, where they reinforced fortifications on the city wall of Changping. On July 18, the Japanese army invaded Changping, Tongzhou, and other counties in the pseudo-border areas by maneuvering through various passes of the Great Wall. Japanese plainclothes teams were reported to be active in the Xiaotangshan area of Changping, raising alert levels within the Chinese army. On July 20, the Kuomintang Military and Political Department became aware that the Japanese army intended to first occupy strategic locations such as the Indigo Factory, Wanshou Mountain, and Balizhuang in the Pingxi area, before cutting off the Pingsui Road and controlling the route from Beiping to Changping. On July 21, the Japanese army violated the agreement by bombarding Wanping County and the garrison at Changxindian.  On the night of July 25, a confrontation took place at the railway station in Langfang, located between Peiping and Tientsin. The clash involved Chinese troops and a Japanese company dispatched to repair telegraph lines. General Kazuki promptly sought Tokyo's permission to respond with military force, believing that the situation required immediate action. Without waiting for authorization, he ordered a regiment from Tientsin to engage the Chinese forces and issued an ultimatum to Sung Che-yuan, stating that if the 37th Division did not completely withdraw from Peiping by noon on July 28, the Garrison Army would take unilateral action. The 77th Infantry Regiment of the 20th Division was dispatched with the Gonoi Squadron to escort a repair team to Langfang Station. Stationed near Langfang were the headquarters of the 113th Brigade of the 38th Division, along with the main force of the 226th Regiment, led by Brigade Commander Liu Zhensan and Regiment Commander Cui Zhenlun. Although the leadership of the 29th Army adopted a passive stance in the war of resistance, the forces in Langfang prepared for conflict in an organized manner. They not only evacuated the families of servicemen and relocated the regiment headquarters, but also built fortifications and deployed plainclothes teams at Wanzhuang Station, Luofa Station, and Langfang Station to swiftly destroy the railway if necessary. Despite their preparations, the commanders of the 38th Division adhered to Song Queyuan's directives. When the 5th Company, stationed at Yangcun, observed Japanese supply units continually moving toward Lugou Bridge, they sought permission to engage the enemy. However, the 38th Division later reassigned this company. The Bac Ninh Line, established after the Boxer Protocol, had granted the Japanese the right to station troops, placing the 38th Division in a vulnerable position and preventing them from stopping the Japanese before they reached Langfang. Upon the arrival of Japanese forces at Langfang Station, Chinese guards initiated negotiations, requesting the Japanese to withdraw quickly after completing their mission. The Japanese, however, insisted on establishing camps outside the station, leading to repeated arguments. As tensions mounted, the Japanese began constructing positions near the station, ultimately forcing Chinese troops to retreat and escalating the conflict. The situation reached a boiling point around 11:10 pm, when fierce gunfire and explosions erupted near Langfang Station. The Japanese army claimed they were defending the station from an attack by Chinese forces armed with rifles, machine guns, and mortars throughout the night. According to Cui Zhenlun, the head of the 226th Regiment, it was the 9th and 10th companies that could no longer tolerate the Japanese provocation and fired first, catching the enemy off guard. As the battle intensified, reinforcements from the main force of the 77th Infantry Regiment “Li Deng Unit” arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the skirmish and gradually joined the fight after 6:30 am on July 26. When dawn broke, Japanese troops stationed at Langfang began to rush out to counterattack, seeing their reinforcements arrive. Recognizing they could not eliminate the Japanese presence at the station quickly, the 226th Regiment faced heavy bombardment from the Japanese Air Force later that morning. Consequently, the headquarters of the 113th Brigade and the primary forces of the 226th Regiment hastily retreated to Tongbai Town, suffering significant losses in equipment during their withdrawal. That night, Kazuki made the unilateral decision to abandon the policy of restraint and decided to use force on July 28 "to punish the Chinese troops in the Peiping-Tientsin area." On the morning of July 27, the army high command endorsed his decision and submitted a plan to the cabinet for mobilizing divisions in Japan. The cabinet agreed, and imperial approval was sought. At that time, the Chinese army was gathering in significant numbers in Baoding and Shijiazhuang in southern Hebei, as well as in Datong, Shanxi. They had effectively surrounded the Japanese army on all sides in the Fengtai District. Meanwhile, newly mobilized units of the Kwantung Army and the Japanese Korean Army were en route to the Tianjin and Beiping areas. The 2nd Battalion of the 2nd China Garrison Infantry Regiment, commanded by Major Hirobe, was dispatched with 26 trucks to the Japanese barracks within the walls of Beiping to ensure the protection of Japanese residents. Prior discussions had taken place between Takuro Matsui, head of the Special Service Agency, and officials from the Hebei–Chahar Political Council regarding the passage of troops through the Guang'anmen gate just outside Beiping. The mayor, Qin Dechun, had granted approval for this movement. However, when Major Tokutaro Sakurai, a military and political advisor to the Council, arrived at Guang'anmen, a famous gate to Beiping, around 6:00 pm to establish contact, he found that the Chinese troops on guard had closed the gate. After further negotiations, the gates were opened at approximately 7:30 pm, allowing the Japanese units to begin passing through. Unfortunately, as the first three trucks crossed, the Chinese opened fire on them. Two-thirds of the units managed to get through before the gate was abruptly shut, leaving a portion of Hirobe's troops trapped both inside and outside. As they faced unexpectedly heavy fire from machine guns and grenades, efforts by Japanese and Chinese advisors to pacify the Chinese troops proved futile. By 8:00 pm, the Japanese launched a counterattack from both sides of the gate. The Chinese received reinforcements and encircled the Japanese forces. Despite a relief column being dispatched by Brigadier Masakazu Kawabe, commander of the brigade in the Fengtai District, by 9:30 pm, negotiations with the Chinese yielded a proposal for de-escalation: the Chinese army would maintain a distance while the Japanese inside the gate would relocate to the grounds of their legation, and those outside would return to Fengtai. Fighting ceased shortly after 10:00 pm, and at approximately 2:00 am the following day, Hirobe's unit successfully entered the barracks in the legation. The total casualties reported for the Japanese army during these confrontations were 2 dead and 17 wounded. Both fatalities were superior privates. The wounded included one major, one captain, one sergeant, two superior privates, one private first class, seven privates second class, two attached civilians, and one news reporter. Additionally, the interpreter accompanying Tokutaro Sakurai was also killed in action. On July 27, the Japanese army launched attacks on the 29th Army garrisons in Tongxian, Tuanhe, Xiaotangshan, and other locations, forcing the defenders to retreat to Nanyuan and Beiyuan. At 8:00 am on July 28, under the command of Army Commander Kiyoshi Kozuki, the Japanese army initiated a general assault on the 29th Army in the Beiping area. The primary attacking force, the 20th Division, supported by aircraft and artillery, targeted the 29th Army Special Brigade, the 114th Brigade of the 38th Division, and the 9th Cavalry Division stationed in Nanyuan. Overwhelmed by the Japanese assault, Nanyuan's defenders struggled to maintain command, leading to chaotic individual combat. Meanwhile, the main Japanese garrison brigade in Fengtai advanced to Dahongmen, effectively cutting off the Nanyuan troops' route to the city and blocking their retreat. The battle for Nanyuan concluded at 1:00 pm, resulting in the deaths of Tong Lingge, deputy commander of the 29th Army, and Zhao Dengyu, commander of the 132nd Division. As this unfolded, elements of the 37th Division of the 29th Army launched an attack on the Japanese forces in Fengtai but were repulsed by Japanese reinforcements. On that day, the Japanese Army's 1st Independent Mixed Brigade captured Qinghe Town, prompting the 2nd Brigade of the Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed there, to retreat to Huangsi. The Japanese also occupied Shahe. In the afternoon of July 28, Song Qeyuan appointed Zhang Zizhong as the acting chairman of the Hebei-Chahar Political Affairs Committee and director of the Hebei-Chahar Pacification Office, as well as the mayor of Beiping, before leaving the city for Baoding that evening. The 37th Division was ordered to retreat to Baoding. On July 29th, a significant mutiny broke out at Tongzhou. If you remember our episode covering the Tanggu truce, Tongzhou had become the capital of the East Hubei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government headed by Yin Jukeng. In response Chiang Kai-Shek had established the East Hebei Administrative Affairs Committee, chaired by Song Queyuan. In Tongzhou, Japanese troops were stationed under the pretext of protecting Japanese residents, as stipulated by the Boxer Protocol. Initially, a unit was intended to be stationed in Tongzhou; however, Vice Minister of the Army Umezu Yoshijiro strongly opposed this plan, arguing that placing forces in Tongzhou, far from the Beiping-Tianjin Line was inconsistent with the spirit of the Boxer Protocol. Consequently, this unit was stationed in Fengtai, located southwest of Beiping. At the time of the Tongzhou Incident, the main force of the Japanese Second Regiment, which was responsible for defending Tongzhou, had been deployed to Nanyuan, south of Beijing. Consequently, only non-combat personnel remained in Tongzhou. Japan regarded the Jidong Anti-Communist Autonomous Government Security Force as a friendly ally. Back on July 27, the primary forces of the Japanese Army stationed in Tongzhou, comprising the Kayashima Unit and the Koyama Artillery Unit, received orders to advance toward Nanyuan, Beiping, leaving Tongzhou significantly under-defended. The following day, the Japanese launched a substantial attack on Nanyuan, employing aircraft to bomb Beiping. Sensing a critical opportunity, Zhang Qingyu conferred with Zhang Yantian and Shen Weigan to initiate an uprising that very night. The insurgent force included elements from the first and second corps and the teaching corps, totaling approximately 4,000 personnel. Zhang Qingyu orchestrated the uprising with a focused strategy: the first corps was divided into three groups targeting Japanese forces in Xicang, the puppet government, and various establishments such as opium dens, casinos, and brothels operated by Japanese ronin. Meanwhile, the second corps secured key intersections and facilities in Chengguan, and the teaching corps managed defenses against potential reinforcements at vital stations. At dawn on July 29, the gunfire signaling the uprising erupted. The second unit of the first corps launched an assault on the Xicang Barracks, which housed 120 troops and non-combat personnel, including the Tongzhou Guard, Yamada Motor Vehicle Unit, a Military Police Detachment, and a host of military and police units, totaling about 500 individuals. At around 3 a.m. on July 29, the sound of gunfire filled the air as the insurgents engaged the Japanese forces. Although equipped with only four field guns, several mortars, and a few heavy machine guns, the uprising's numerical superiority enabled simultaneous attacks from the east, south, and northwest. Despite their well-fortified positions and rigorous defense, the Japanese troops struggled against the relentless onslaught. For over six hours, fierce fighting ensued. The uprising troops escalated their firepower but failed to breach the Xicang Barracks initially. More than 200 members of the Japanese security forces lost their lives in the conflict. Concerned that reinforcements might arrive and flank the uprising, Zhang Qingyu ordered artillery assaults around 11 a.m., prompting a shift in the battle's dynamics. The artillery targeted a Japanese motor vehicle convoy transporting supplies and munitions, leading to the destruction of all 17 vehicles, triggering explosions that scattered bullets and shrapnel across the area. Subsequently, nearby fuel depots ignited, engulfing the surroundings in flames and creating chaos among Japanese ranks. The insurgent infantry capitalized on this confusion, wiping out most of the remaining Japanese forces, with only a handful managing to escape. As the uprising signal rang out, another faction of insurgents swiftly blocked access to Tongzhou, disrupting traffic and occupying the telecommunications bureau and radio station. They encircled the offices of the Jidong puppet government, capturing traitor Yin Rugeng, who was taken to the Beiguan Lu Zu Temple. Despite being urged to resist the Japanese, Yin hesitated and was subsequently imprisoned. The third group then targeted the Japanese secret service agency in Nishicang. Hosoki Shigeru, residing a mere lane away from the pseudo-office, responded to the gunfire by mobilizing a contingent of secret agents to confront the uprising. However, the insurgents swiftly overtook the secret service agency, resulting in Shigeru's death and the annihilation of all secret personnel. At 4:00 p.m. on July 29, the Japanese command dispatched reinforcements, compelling the insurgents to retreat from Tongzhou. The Japanese Chinese Garrison ordered air attacks on the uprising forces, with over ten bombers targeting Tongzhou. Concurrently, the Japanese Fengtai Infantry Brigade and the Second Regiment were mobilized for a rescue operation, arriving on the morning of July 30. The Japanese headquarters issued a night defense order requiring all units to be on high alert. By 5:30 p.m., commanding officers assembled to devise a strategy. With the uprising forces still positioned around the eastern, southern, and northern walls of the barracks, Tsujimura's troops implemented strict measures: all units were instructed to fortify defenses throughout the night, with the Tongzhou Guard directly protecting the barracks and the Yamada unit securing the warehouse and supply areas. They enforced silence, prohibiting any lights at night, coordinating operations under the code name "plum cherry." As the Japanese planes repeatedly bombed the area, the insurgents, lacking anti-aircraft defenses, could only mount futile counterattacks with machine guns, leading to disorder among their ranks. Many insurgents abandoned their uniforms and weapons and fled, prompting Zhang Qingyu to make the difficult decision to evacuate Tongzhou before Japanese reinforcements arrived, regrouping in Beiping with the remnants of the 29th Army. In the late hours of July 29, the security team retreated to Beiping in two groups. Upon arrival, they discovered the 29th Army had already evacuated, forcing them to retreat to Changxindian and Baoding. En route, they encountered part of the Suzuki Brigade of the Japanese Kwantung Army near Beiyuan and Xizhimen, where they faced concentrated attacks. Officers Shen Weigan and Zhang Hanming were both killed in the subsequent battles as they led their teams in desperate fights for survival. Amid the confusion, Yin Rugeng managed to escape when the convoy escorting him was broken up by Japanese forces. In a last-ditch effort, Zhang Qingyu ordered the army to split into small groups of 50 to 60, navigating through Mentougou to regroup with the 29th Army. By the time they reached Baoding, only about 4,000 personnel remained. On the morning of July 30, over a thousand troops from the Sakai Army entered Tongzhou City. They rounded up all men they encountered, searching residences for insurgents, and exhibited intentions of massacring the local population. By 4 p.m., the Kayashima Army arrived and sealed all city gates, deploying surveillance units to oversee the city and "restore public order." The Tsujimura Army removed perimeter defenses and concentrated their forces in barracks and storage facilities. Japanese troops combed through residences based on household registries, detaining those they deemed suspicious, with many later executed. As reported by the puppet county magistrate Wang Jizhang, roughly 700 to 800 individuals were executed within a few days. This brutal retaliation instilled terror throughout Tongzhou City, leading many to flee and seek refuge, often in American churches. The pervasive atmosphere of fear lasted for two to three months. The Japanese authorities framed their violent suppression as "restoring stability to East Asia" and derided the legitimate resistance of Chinese citizens as "communist harassment" and "treason." In response to the uprising, the Japanese embassy, concerned that it could trigger a repeat of the Temple Street Incident and instigate political upheaval at home, acted without government instructions. They appointed Morishima Morito to oversee negotiations with Chi Zongmo, who had replaced Yin Rugeng as the head of the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government." On December 24, 1937, Chi submitted a formal apology to the Japanese embassy, committing to pay a total of 1.2 million yuan in reparations, with an immediate payment of 400,000 yuan, while the remaining 800,000 yuan would be disbursed by the "Provisional Government of the Republic of China." Furthermore, the Japanese demanded that the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government" relinquish the territories where Japanese nationals had been killed and take responsibility for constructing "comfort towers." They compelled Chinese laborers to build these structures at the former site of the Governor's Office of Canal Transport in Shuiyueyuan Hutong, Nanmenli, and the northeastern corner of Xicang Square to commemorate Japanese casualties from the uprising. Additionally, they forcibly uprooted ancient trees from the Temple of Heaven, transplanting them around the "comfort towers." The Japanese military also demolished white marble guardrails at the Confucian Temple to erect a monument honoring their soldiers, resulting in the destruction of centuries-old cultural artifacts. On the morning of July 29, the Japanese Army's 11th Independent Mixed Brigade attacked Beiyuan and Huangsi. The Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed in Huangsi, engaged the Japanese forces until 6:00 PM before retreating. Meanwhile, the 39th Independent Brigade, garrisoned in Beiyuan, fought the Japanese before withdrawing to Gucheng, eventually returning to Beiyuan. On July 31, this brigade was disarmed by the Japanese army, while the Independent 27th Brigade in the city was reorganized into a security team to maintain public order, later breaking through to Chahar Province a few days later and being assigned to the 143rd Division. Meanwhile, the 38th Division of the 29th Army, stationed in Tianjin, proactively attacked Japanese troops in Tianjin early on July 29, capturing the Japanese garrison at Tianjin General Station and launching an assault on the Japanese headquarters at Haiguang Temple and the Dongjuzi Airport. Initially, the battle progressed favorably; however, due to counterattacks from Japanese aircraft and artillery, the Chinese forces began to retreat around 3:00 PM, leading to the fall of Tianjin. Later that afternoon, the rebel forces evacuated Tong County and advanced toward Beiping. En route, they were attacked by the Japanese army north of the city and subsequently retreated to Baoding. As the 37th Division of the 29th Army received orders to retreat southward, the 110th Brigade covered the army headquarters and the Beiping troops from Wanping to Babaoshan, eventually retreating southward through Mentougou. After completing their task, they withdrew to Baoding on July 30. By the end of the 30th, the Japanese army had occupied both Beiping and Tianjin. The Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade No. 1 and the garrison brigade occupied high ground west of Changxindian and the area near Dahuichang on the evenings of the 30th and 31st, respectively. With this, the battles in Beiping and Tianjin effectively came to a close. China and Japan were at war. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. It has finally happened, China and Japan are officially at war. From 1931 until now, it had been an unofficial war between the two, yet another incident had finally broke the camel's back. There was no turning back as Japan would unleash horror upon the Chinese people. The fight for China's survival had begun. China was completely alone against a fierce enemy, how would she manage? 

To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of his passing, I pulled this one from the Patreon feed for you.In this episode we follow up our biography episode on the life of the despicable little troll Pat Robertson, by giving him the right of reply and concentrate entirely on his own words.Featuring celebrity cameo gust star appearances from Halloween, witches, Druids, Christmas, New York Magazine, Taylor Swift, Women Grand Chess Masters, Susan Polger, Hungary, New Age, Jacob, Moses, New World Order, America, LGBTQ+, Christian Coalition, Iowa, Equal Rights Amendment, Feminism, Democratic Congress, Islam, Hinduism, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dover, Pennsylvania, Poland, Catholicism, Communist Party, Haiti, France, Kenya, Facebook, Answers to 200 of Life's Most Probing Questions,   #666 #SketchComedy #Sketch #Comedy #Sketch Comedy #Atheist #Science #History #Atheism #Antitheist #ConspiracyTheory #Conspiracy #Conspiracies #Sceptical #Scepticism #Mythology #Religion #Devil #Satan #Satanism #Satanist #Skeptic #Debunk #Illuminati #Podcast #funny #sketch #skit #comedy #parody #satire #comedyshow #comedyskits #HeavyMetal #weird #leftist #SatanIsMySuperheroSend us a text

Kilmar Abrego-Garcia is coming back to the USA! To face human trafficking charges!! Woo!! PLUS, Donald Kendal, Director of The Heartland Institute's Emerging Issues Center, talks to Shaun about the Democrats' back door ways to achieve collectivism and the media losing its grip on the public. Dr. Dana Cheng, co-founder and senior editor of China News at The Epoch Times, tells Shaun about the Communist Party slowly eroding in China as the CCP has slowly infiltrated The United States. And our National Anthem: sung by Carly Tefft!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Dana Cheng, co-founder and senior editor of China News at The Epoch Times, tells Shaun about the Communist Party slowly eroding in China as the CCP has slowly infiltrated The United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thirty-six years ago this week, the Chinese Communist Party crushed pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square with tanks and bullets. The death toll? Certainly in the hundreds, probably in the thousands, and deliberately hidden by the Communist Party of China.How did that massacre reshape China's path, and what did it mean for Beijing's relationship with the U.S. and the West?Host Cliff May sits down with his FDD colleague Matt Pottinger, Chairman of our China Program, to discuss Tiananmen's legacy and global consequences.

Thirty-six years ago this week, the Chinese Communist Party crushed pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square with tanks and bullets. The death toll? Certainly in the hundreds, probably in the thousands, and deliberately hidden by the Communist Party of China.How did that massacre reshape China's path, and what did it mean for Beijing's relationship with the U.S. and the West?Host Cliff May sits down with his FDD colleague Matt Pottinger, Chairman of our China Program, to discuss Tiananmen's legacy and global consequences.

China: The Communist Party's Relentless Persecution of Christians In China, where Communist authorities remain determined to suppress the rapid growth of Christianity, church leaders in that nation are arrested and imprisoned for their ministry activities. One pastoral couple, Yang Rongli and her husband Wang Xiaoguang, have endured years of persecution for continuing to shepherd thousands of believers despite government opposition. Greg Musselman, host of the Closer to the Fire podcast, is joined by Dr. Bob Fu of ChinaAid to discuss the ongoing court case against Yang and Wang, as well as the recent trend in which church leaders are being charged with “illegal border crossing” for participating in religious training abroad. During the interview, Dr. Fu also sheds light on how the Communist regime is targeting the Biblical education of children, revealing the broader strategy to stifle religious freedom at every level of society. Length:38 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with Dr. Bob Fu https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-cn-2025-06-05.htm ChinaAid: www.chinaaid.org The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule of around 10 minutes.Trade unions in the Philippines organized a rally urging lawmakers to turn a newly proposed wage hike into law. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia.Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Fabian Antony, text edited by Anosh Malekar, presented by Joe Mathews, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Paddy Gibson speaks about a new edition of Tom O'Lincoln's book, Into the Mainstream: The Decline of Australian Communism, for which he has written the introduction. Paddy describes how the book charts the CPA's strengths, but also how its Stalinist politics led to its decline. He draws lessons for revolutionaries today. Copies of the book are on sale at Solidarity branch meetings or by contacting the publisher, Interventions. Read more about the CPA. Find out more about Solidarity. This talk was delivered at a Solidarity meeting in Melbourne on 15 May 2025.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's biggest stories shaping America and the world. Chinese Nationals Charged with Agro-Terrorism in Michigan – The FBI arrests a Chinese student and her boyfriend for smuggling a wheat-killing fungus into the U.S., potentially targeting America's food supply. One suspect expressed loyalty to Xi Jinping and is linked to the Communist Party. FBI Director Kash Patel calls it a wake-up call for food security and national defense. Trump Expands Emergency Powers to Boost Weapons and Rare Earth Mining – In response to Chinese rare earth blackmail and global supply chain vulnerabilities, President Trump invokes the Defense Production Act to increase U.S. arms and mineral output. Allies warn China's squeeze on magnets may signal an impending Taiwan blockade or invasion. Elon Musk vs. Trump Over “Disgusting” Spending Bill – Musk lashes out at Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, calling it reckless and bloated. The rift deepens after Trump withdraws NASA nominee Jared Isaacman and House Republicans defend cuts to EV subsidies and NPR. A rescission bill is introduced to walk back $9.4B in spending. Vietnam Faces U.S. Trade Pressure, South Korea Elects Pro-China Socialist – Vietnam agrees to buy $2B in U.S. goods but resists Trump's demand to curb Chinese transshipping. Meanwhile, South Korea elects Lee Jae-myung, a Bernie Sanders-style leftist who questions U.S. troop presence and cozies up to Beijing, complicating future Taiwan conflict strategy. China's Auto Glut and Rare Earth Strategy Spark Global Tensions – Chinese car dealers beg automakers to slow production as $7,500 vehicles swamp the market. Simultaneously, China ramps up global espionage, especially targeting Dutch chip firms, while tightening its grip on global rare earth exports. Dutch Government Collapses Over Immigration – The Netherlands' ruling coalition falls apart after nationalist leader Geert Wilders demands mass deportations. European voters cite economic hardship and cultural tensions as driving factors. Gaza Aid Effort Stalls, Hamas Rejects Peace Deal – Israeli military progress in Gaza is overshadowed by disrupted food distribution. Hamas kills civilians to create propaganda, and U.S.-backed aid operations struggle internally. Peace remains elusive as Hamas refuses to accept Israel's right to exist. Study Confirms Diverse Diet Key to Long-Term Health – A decade-long international study finds that consuming a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables delivers the best antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits - great news for your brain, heart, and longevity. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32        

Rogers for America with Lt. Steve Rogers – Russia is investing heavily in its military, including missiles and satellites, aiming for global dominance like President Xi of China. If the Communist Party gains complete control, it could further these ambitions. It is crucial for someone in Russia — civilian or military — to intervene and convince Putin to end the conflict in...

While we're told by politicians that the ideas of Karl Marx are foreign and have no place in this country, history proves otherwise. Andrew Hartman shows that Marx and Marxism have had an a significant influence on the United States, from Marx's journalistic writings for the New York Daily Tribune, on the mass politics of the Socialist and Communist Parties and the Wobblies, on the most radical edge of the New Deal and the New Left, and finally with the return to Marx's ideas since the Global Financial Crisis. Andrew Hartman, Karl Marx in America University of Chicago Press, 2025 The post American Marx appeared first on KPFA.

This event is part of our ⁠Age of the Strongman⁠ series. ⁠Click here⁠ to see the other events in the series. President Xi Jinping has ruled China for more than a decade. He has overseen an era of unprecedented economic prosperity, cracked down on dissidents, reinvented national identity in his own image and adopted a confrontational ‘wolf warrior' style of diplomacy on the world stage. Xi has also abolished term limits as President of the Communist Party and it's possible that he will remain China's all-powerful leader for the rest of his life. So what motivates the leader of the world's most populous nation? What is his vision for China and the world? How much should the West push back and how much should it cooperate with Xi? In May 2025, Rana Mitter, renowned historian at Harvard Kennedy School and previously the Director of The University of Oxford's China Centre, came to Intelligence Squared for the next event in our new series, The Age of the Strongman. Drawing on his work and recent book China's Good War: How World War II is Shaping a New Nationalism, Mitter examined the key tenets of Xi's political ideology, and how his cult of personality and military posturing in the Indo-Pacific will play out in 2025 and beyond. The event was hosted by Gideon Rachman. ---- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This event is part of our Age of the Strongman series. Click here to see the other events in the series. President Xi Jinping has ruled China for more than a decade. He has overseen an era of unprecedented economic prosperity, cracked down on dissidents, reinvented national identity in his own image and adopted a confrontational ‘wolf warrior' style of diplomacy on the world stage. Xi has also abolished term limits as President of the Communist Party and it's possible that he will remain China's all-powerful leader for the rest of his life. So what motivates the leader of the world's most populous nation? What is his vision for China and the world? How much should the West push back and how much should it cooperate with Xi? In May 2025, Rana Mitter, renowned historian at Harvard Kennedy School and previously the Director of The University of Oxford's China Centre, came to Intelligence Squared for the next event in our new series, The Age of the Strongman. Drawing on his work and recent book China's Good War: How World War II is Shaping a New Nationalism, Mitter examined the key tenets of Xi's political ideology, and how his cult of personality and military posturing in the Indo-Pacific will play out in 2025 and beyond. The event was hosted by Gideon Rachman. ---- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's Headlines: The US Court of International Trade ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority by imposing global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, canceling most tariffs—only for the appeals court to reinstate them during the ongoing appeal. Meanwhile, ASEAN countries agreed to protect each other's economies against harmful US trade deals amid mounting tariff tensions. The State Department, led by Marco Rubio, announced plans to revoke visas of Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party and pause new student visa interviews to enhance vetting. In other news, Qatar hesitates to finalize the transfer of Trump's private jet due to costly maintenance and demands for clear legal disclaimers. Paramount offered $15 million to settle Trump's lawsuit over a CBS News interview, but Trump wants $25 million plus an apology, leveraging the studio's pending merger approval. Moderna lost millions in HHS funding for its bird flu vaccine development, and Elon Musk resigned from DOGE after 114 days, having achieved only a fraction of his deficit-cutting goals while stirring controversy on multiple fronts. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: CNBC: Trump tariffs reinstated by appeals court for now Fox Business: Federal court rejects Trump's 'unbounded authority' to impose worldwide tariffs Reuters: ASEAN leaders agree tariff deals with US should not harm fellow members MFA Malaysia: ASEAN-GCC-CHINA  27 MAY 2025 - Press Releases  WSJ: U.S. to Revoke Visas of Chinese Students WA Post: Trump's Air Force One deal with Qatar not final despite U.S. claims  WSJ: Paramount Has Offered $15 Million to Settle CBS Lawsuit. Trump Wants More. WA Post: HHS cancels funding for Moderna to develop vaccines to combat bird flu  NBC News: Elon Musk officially leaves the White House Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ying Chen, orchestra conductor who has been with Shen Yun from the very beginning. From Torture to Triumph: How One Conductor Helped Lead a Cultural Rebirth Defying the CCP. China's Communist Party Influence on American Media.

Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk thanked US President Donald Trump as his time as a special government employee as part of the Department of Government Efficiency, Asaduddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), a member of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the US will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with ties to the Communist Party or enrolled in sensitive fields.The Royals, Netflix's much-talked-about rom-com series, was renewed for a second season weeks after its release.One of the most notable omissions from the India Test squad for England tour was Shreyas Iyer, who was rumoured to be a likely selection after Virat Kohli's sudden retirement.  

Indian security forces killed 27 rebels this week, including a top Maoist leader. This week, Andrew Mueller explains the nearly half-century long conflict between the state and the Communist Party of India (Maoist). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cherukuri Rajkumar (1954-2010), popularly known as Azad, spokesperson of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), served the cause of Indian revolution for over thirty five years till he was murdered by state forces. This is a collection of his writings and interviews about the position of Indian Maoists on various political, economic and social issues.Foreword - 00:08A Brief Biography - 04:261. Maoists in India - 08:432. On the "Comprehensive Peace Agreement" in Nepal - 48:063. Interview on the Developments in Nepal - 56:104. On V. Prabhakaran - 1:34:545. On Patel Sudhakar Reddy & Venkataiah - 1:40:586. On the Election Boycott Tactic of the Maoists - 1:45:327. Interview on the Government Military Offensive - 2:16:438. Maoists on Talks - 3:41:439. Red Salutes to Balagopal - 3:47:1810. On Telangana - 3:51:2011. On Sakhamuri Appa Rao & Kondal Reddy - 3:58:1712. On Dantewada Guerrilla Attack - 4:05:2113. Interview to The Hindu - 4:14:0714. Letter to Swami Agnivesh - 5:28:2615. On the Jnaneswari Express Tragedy - 5:37:1216. On Bhopal Verdict - 5:43:2617. A Last Note to a Neo-Colonialist - 5:51:19

Jasper Bernes discusses worker self-organization, labor time accounting and the revolutionary potential of workers' councils.   Shownotes Jasper's personal website: https://jasperbernes.net/ Jasper at UC Berkeley: https://english.berkeley.edu/people/jasper-bernes Commune Magazine: https://communemag.com/ Bernes, J. (2025). The Future of Revolution: Communist Prospects from the Paris Commune to the George Floyd Uprising. Verso Books. https://www.versobooks.com/products/977-the-future-of-revolution Bernes, J. (2020). Planning and Anarchy. South Atlantic Quarterly, 119(1), 53–73. https://jasperbernes.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1190053.pdf on Worker's councils: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workers%27_council on Council communism: https://libcom.org/article/council-communism-introduction on the Paris Commune: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Commune on Rosa Luxemburg and the Mass Strike: https://www.rosalux.de/en/news/id/43964/rosa-luxemburg-and-the-political-mass-strike Nunes, R. (2021). Neither Vertical nor Horizontal: A Theory of Political Organization. Verso Books. https://www.versobooks.com/products/772-neither-vertical-nor-horizontal Find the quote “the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all” at the end of Chapter 2 of the Communist Manifesto: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ch02.htm Group of International Communists (1990) [German original 1930] Fundamental Principles of Communist Production and Distribution. https://www.marxists.org/subject/left-wing/gik/1930/index.htm second, revised edition from 1935, published in English in 2020: https://arbeitszeit.noblogs.org/files/2023/04/GIC-Fundamental-Principles-2.-Ed.1935-1.pdf on Jan Appel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Appel on Labor Time Calculation/Accounting: https://arbeitszeit.noblogs.org/en-GB/basics/ Marx's Critique of the Gotha Programme: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1875/gotha/ on Communization: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communization Noys, B. (Ed.). (2012). Communization and its Discontents: Contestation, Critique, and Contemporary Struggles. Minor Compositions. https://files.libcom.org/files/Communization-and-its-Discontents-Contestation-Critique-and-Contemporary-Struggles.pdf on Gilles Dauvé: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_Dauv%C3%A9 on the law of Value in Marx: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_value on Paul Mattick: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Mattick Roth, G. (2014). Marxism in a Lost Century: A Biography of Paul Mattick. BRILL. https://files.libcom.org/files/Gary%20Roth%20-%20Marxism%20in%20a%20Lost%20Century%20-%20A%20Biography%20of%20Paul%20Mattick.pdf Mattick's introduction to the 1970 reprint of the German first edition of “Fundamental Principles of Communist Production and Distribution”: https://www.leftcommunism.org/spip.php?article359 on the Communist Party of Germany, founded in 1919: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_Germany on Amadeo Bordiga: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amadeo_Bordiga Bordiga on the distinction between the city and the countryside: https://peopleandnature.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/bordiga-humansearth.pdf Raekstad, P. R., & Gradin, S. S. (2019). Prefigurative Politics: Building Tomorrow Today. Polity. https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=prefigurative-politics-building-tomorrow-today--9781509535903 the Endnotes Journal: https://endnotes.org.uk/ on the German strand of the “Commons” debate and movement: https://commons-institut.org/theorie/was-sind-commons/ https://keimform.de/ Gibson-Graham, J. K. (1993). Waiting for the Revolution, or How to Smash Capitalism while Working at Home in Your Spare Time. Rethinking Marxism, 6(2), 10–24. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08935699308658052 Purnell, D. (2021).  Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protest, and the Pursuit of Freedom. Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/2894-becoming-abolitionists   Future Histories Episodes on Related Topics S3E04 | Tim Platenkamp on Republican Socialism, General Planning and Parametric Control https://futurehistories-international.com/episodes/s03/e04-tim-platenkamp-on-republican-socialism-general-planning-and-parametric-control/ S02E58 | Søren Mau on Planning and Freedom https://futurehistories-international.com/episodes/s02/e58-soren-mau-on-planning-and-freedom/ S02E19 | David Laibman on Multilevel Democratic Iterative Coordination https://futurehistories-international.com/episodes/s02/e19-david-laibman-on-multilevel-democratic-iterative-coordination/ S02E10 | Aaron Benanav on Associational Socialism and Democratic Planning https://futurehistories-international.com/episodes/s02/e10-aaron-benanav-on-associational-socialism-and-democratic-planning/ S01E58 | Jasper Bernes on Planning and Anarchy https://futurehistories-international.com/episodes/s01/e58-jasper-bernes-on-planning-and-anarchy/   --- If you are interested in democratic economic planning, these resources might be of help: Democratic planning – an information website https://www.democratic-planning.com/ Sorg, C. & Groos, J. (eds.)(2025). Rethinking Economic Planning. Competition & Change Special Issue Volume 29 Issue 1. https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/ccha/29/1 Groos, J. & Sorg, C. (2025). Creative Construction - Democratic Planning in the 21st Century and Beyond. Bristol University Press. [for a review copy, please contact: amber.lanfranchi[at]bristol.ac.uk] https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/creative-construction International Network for Democratic Economic Planning https://www.indep.network/ Democratic Planning Research Platform: https://www.planningresearch.net/ --- Future Histories Contact & Support If you like Future Histories, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/FutureHistories Contact: office@futurehistories.today Twitter: https://twitter.com/FutureHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehpodcast/ Mastodon: https://mstdn.social/@FutureHistories English webpage: https://futurehistories-international.com   Episode Keywords #JasperBernes, #JanGroos, #Interview, #FutureHistories, #FutureHistoriesInternational, #futurehistoriesinternational, #DemocraticPlanning, #DemocraticEconomicPlanning, #PoliticalEconomy, #History, #Revolution, #Revolutions, #RosaLuxemburg, #CouncilCommunism, #LaborTimeAccounting, #LaborTimeCalculation, #Capitalism, #Economics, #CouncilCommunism, #WorkersCouncils, #WorkerSelfOrganisation, #PoliceAbolition, #Communisation, #ParisCommune, #GroupOfInternationalCommunists

China is ruled by a Communist Party of 100 million members, a giant pyramid with President Xi Jinping and the Politburo at the top. Yet its economy, the second largest in the world, largely thrives on private enterprise and integration with global capitalism. So what does it mean to be a Chinese Communist today? And what does China under Xi aim to achieve on the international stage? In this episode, historians Sergey Radchenko and Enrico Fardella peel away opaque layers of ideology to get to the heart of China's 21st-century outlook.

#cuttheclutter Security forces Wednesday dealt a massive blow to Left Wing Extremism (LWE) by eliminating Basavaraju, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), in an operation in Chhattisgarh's Abujhmad. In Episode 1667 of #CutTheClutter Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at the roots of the Maoist movement, how it is structured, and efforts over the years to rid India's central east region of Left Wing Extremism. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read reports by Ananya Bhardwaj & Mayank Kumar: https://theprint.in/india/basavaraju-tech-grad-to-maoist-commander-in-chief-who-scripted-deadliest-massacres-including-dantewada/2632948/ https://theprint.in/india/top-maoist-leader-basavraj-likely-among-27-killed-by-security-forces-in-chhattisgarhs-abujhmad/2632851/ https://theprint.in/india/over-200-maoists-eliminated-since-2021-on-path-to-naxal-free-india-top-commanders-prove-elusive/2410102/ https://theprint.in/india/forces-dealt-a-big-blow-to-maoist-top-rung-with-chalapathi-killing-but-many-big-guns-still-at-large/2460700/ https://theprint.in/politics/blowing-up-police-stations-to-murders-of-mlas-the-life-of-slain-maoist-commander-chalapathi/2455759/ https://theprint.in/india/wanted-in-37-cases-maoist-prayag-manjhi-killed-in-jharkhand-was-big-headache-for-security-forces/2597702/ https://theprint.in/india/bastar-armed-with-new-weapons-to-end-maoism-once-for-all-roads-ration-cards-crpf-gurukul/2488114/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To visit ThePrint Store: https://store.theprint.in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: A disturbing new investigation finds China may be bankrolling a U.S. nonprofit that teaches illegal immigrants how to evade ICE, with ties traced directly to Communist Party-linked entities. Later in the show—new details emerge about an Israeli covert operation in Gaza. Special forces disguised as women penetrated enemy lines to eliminate a senior terror commander. Plus—Europe targets Russia's shadow fleet. Nearly 200 oil tankers now face sanctions as the EU and UK aim to disrupt Moscow's oil smuggling network. And in today's Back of the Brief—a historic conviction. The Navy's former second-in-command is found guilty of bribery, marking the highest-ranking U.S. officer ever convicted of a federal crime while in uniform. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Kikoff: Build credit fast and get your first month for just a dollar at https://GetKikoff.com/miketoday. Thanks to Kikoff for sponsoring us! Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold TriTails Premium Beef: Visit https://TryBeef.com/PDB for 2 free Flat Iron steaks with your first box over $250 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While we're told by politicians that the ideas of Karl Marx are foreign and have no place in this country, history proves otherwise. Andrew Hartman shows that Marx and Marxism have had an a significant influence on the United States, from Marx's journalistic writings for the New York Daily Tribune, to the mass politics the Socialist and Communist Parties and the Wobblies, on the most radical edge of the New Deal, and the New Left, and finally with the return to Marx's ideas since the Global Financial Crisis. The post Fund Drive Special: Marx's Influence on America appeared first on KPFA.

Christian Ray Flores unpacks grit, resilience, and antifragility through his remarkable journey from child refugee to international pop star and coach. His actionable strategies to thrive amid unpredictability and harness gratitude will help you reframe suffering into transformative personal growth.Christian Ray Flores is an American artist, entrepreneur, evangelist, philanthropist, investor, coach, and the co-founder of Third Drive.In this episode, Melinda and Christian talk about:Definitions and differences between fragility, resilience, and antifragility, citing Nassim TalebChristian's personal story illustrating adaptation and antifragilityCoaching techniques for helping clients shift from fragility to antifragility, including reframing exercisesRole of constructive suffering and intentional growth, avoiding ego-driven martyrdomThe importance of finding and anchoring to one's “why” with daily contemplationGratitude practices for processing life's challenges and growthThe coach's role in modeling and fostering antifragility in clientsStrategies for supporting clients through setbacks, including temporary reliance on resilienceThe concept of apprenticeship and the importance of learning from mentorsSummary of practical takeaways on reframing, gratitude, and intentionality for thriving in adversity“The hardship, the obstacles, the unexpected negative surprises are literally making you better and more successful.” — Christian Ray FloresGuest Bio:Christian Ray Flores, co-founder of Third Drive, brings a world of incredible experiences and insights to the table. He was at one time a top-of-the-charts pop singer in Russia and Ukraine. In fact, his song “Our Generation” was utilized by Russian President Boris Yeltsin's 1996 campaign to mobilize young voters and defeat the Communist Party candidate. Despite his success, however, there was still an emptiness to Christian's life that eventually led him into a life of faith. Now an Austin-based entrepreneur working in both the profit and non-profit worlds, Christian brings first-hand insights into the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine — as well as bringing his life-strategy insights to clients and followers.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeCoaches ConsoleMelinda's books: The Confident Coach and The Professional CoachChristian's website: ChristianRayFlores.comChristian's coaching and personal brand website: Xponential.LifeCredits:Host: Melinda CohanProducer and Editor: Michi LantzExecutive Producer: Danny InyMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Just Between Coaches, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channelor your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: CloudsArtist Name: AcreageWriter Name: Marshall UsingerPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Coastline DreamArtist Name: Wild SkyWriter Name: Adam SimonsPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Stars & TreesArtist Name: Outside The SkyWriter Name: Dustin RansomPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: Why Anti-Fragile Coaches Create Lasting Impact (Christian Ray Flores)

Beijing municipal health authority has revoked the medical licenses of a former senior surgeon and a resident physician at a major Beijing hospital for violations of professional ethics and academic misconduct, the National Health Commission said on Thursday.国家卫生健康委员会周四表示，北京市卫生局已吊销北京一家大型医院原资深外科医生和住院医师的行医执照，原因是他们违反职业道德和学术不端行为。The disciplinary action follows an official investigation that attracted widespread public attention after the two doctors' extramarital affair and personal misconduct emerged in April. The case has prompted scrutiny of loopholes in surgical oversight, professional ethics and medical school admissions.自今年4月这两名医生的婚外情和个人不当行为曝光以来，官方对此展开了调查，并引发了广泛关注。此次纪律处分是在此之前做出的。此案引发了人们对外科监管、职业道德和医学院招生方面漏洞的反思。According to the commission, the former senior surgeon, surnamed Xiao, arbitrarily left an operating room mid-surgery while the patient was under anesthesia. He departed along with his assistant following an argument with a nurse at China-Japan Friendship Hospital in July.据该委员会称，这位姓肖的原资深外科医生在手术过程中，在患者麻醉期间擅自离开手术室。7月份，他与助手在中日友好医院与一名护士发生争执后离开。"He prioritized personal emotions over patient safety and failed to understand his responsibilities as a physician, and the potential medical risks posed to the patient by his actions," the commission said in a statement.该委员会在一份声明中表示：“肖医生将个人情感置于患者安全之上，未能理解其作为医生的责任，也未能理解其行为可能给患者带来的医疗风险。”Xiao's extramarital relationship with the resident physician, surnamed Dong, also constituted "a severe violation of professional and medical ethics" and caused "significant negative social impact", it said.肖某与住院医师董某的婚外情也构成了“严重违反职业道德和医德行为”，并造成了“重大不良社会影响”。Xiao was dismissed from the hospital and expelled from the Communist Party of China earlier this month. His medical license has been revoked by the Beijing municipal health authority, and he is banned from practicing medicine for at least five years. The hospital received a formal warning, a corrective order and financial penalties.本月初，肖某被医院开除出党，并被开除党籍。他的行医执照已被北京市卫生部门吊销，并被禁止至少五年内行医。医院收到了正式警告、责令改正和经济处罚。Dong, who graduated from an elite medical training program in China, was involved in a sexual relationship with Xiao during her residency, according to a letter published by Xiao's wife in April.据肖某妻子今年4月发表的一封信称，董某毕业于中国一所精英医学培训项目，在院期间与肖某发生了性关系。Authorities said Dong falsified academic records to gain admission to a four-year doctoral program at Peking Union Medical College—one of China's most prestigious medical schools. Her dissertation was found to contain serious instances of plagiarism, and several of her academic papers involved violations of research integrity, including improper authorship and duplicate publications.当局表示，董某伪造学术记录，以便进入中国最负盛名的医学院之一——北京协和医学院攻读四年制博士学位。她的学位论文被发现存在严重抄袭行为，她的多篇学术论文涉及违反科研诚信的行为，包括署名不当和重复发表。Peking Union Medical College has revoked Dong's degree and graduation credentials. Local health authorities have also revoked her medical qualification and license, according to the commission.北京协和医学院已撤销董某的学位和毕业证书。据该委员会称，当地卫生部门也已吊销了她的医师资格和行医执照。The "four-plus-four-year" doctoral program that admitted Dong combines undergraduate and medical studies and targets top international university graduates from nonmedical fields. It was designed to integrate medical education with interdisciplinary training and to reform the traditional eight-year path to becoming a doctor in China.董某的“四年加四年”博士研究生项目融合了本科和医学教育，面向非医学领域的国际顶尖大学毕业生。该项目旨在将医学教育与跨学科培训相结合，改革中国传统的八年制医生培养模式。The commission said the case has exposed flaws in the program's admission criteria, clinical training supervision, thesis review procedures and student ethics education.该委员会表示，此案暴露了该项目在招生标准、临床实习督导、论文评审程序和学生伦理教育方面存在的缺陷。"Peking Union Medical College is currently undergoing thorough rectification," the commission said. "The commission is working with the Ministry of Education to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot program and promote reforms."该委员会表示：“北京协和医学院目前正在进行彻底整改。委员会正会同教育部对试点项目进行全面评估，并推进改革。”The commission is carrying on deeper probe into institutions and personnel involved in the case and will hold those violating rules and regulations accountable.该委员会正在对涉案机构和人员进行深入调查，并将追究违规人员的责任。revocation/ˌrevəˈkeɪʃn/n.撤销，吊销misconduct/ˌmɪsˈkʌndʌkt/n.不当行为；失职plagiarism/ˈpleɪdʒərɪzəm/n.抄袭；剽窃rectification/ˌrektɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/n.整改；纠正

In this exceptional episode of Guerrilla History, we continue our series African Revolutions and Decolonization by bringing back guest host Ruehl Muller, senior lecturer/associate professor at the Institute of Creativity and Innovation at Xiamen University in China (who has been in contact with the CPS for quite some time) and guest Bafanabakhe Sacolo of the Communist Party of Swaziland (both of whom were with us in our previous AR&D episode Struggle Against Africa's Last Absolute Monarchy).  This time, we discuss the construction of a culture to uphold the monarchy in Swaziland, the importance of cultural revolution in fighting against the monarchy, and the CPS's efforts on this front.  A massive and important conversation, you'll definitely want to share this with comrades!   Also subscribe to our Substack (free!) to keep up to date with what we are doing.  With so many episodes coming in this series (and beyond), you won't want to miss anything, so get the updates straight to your inbox.  guerrillahistory.substack.com   Bafanabakhe Sacolo is National Organizing Secretary of the Communist Party of Swaziland.  You can keep up to date with the CPS by following them on Facebook, on Twitter, or by checking out their website.   Ruehl Muller is senior lecturer/associate professor at the Institute of Creativity and Innovation at Xiamen University in China, and the editor of the fantastic Building a People's Art: Selected Works of Trường Chinh and Tố Hữu (buy a physical copy or download the free PDF from Iskra Books). Help support the show by signing up to our patreon, where you also will get bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/guerrillahistory 

Part 1:We talk with Jeet Heer.Jeet Heer is a national affairs correspondent forThe Nationand host of the weeklyNation podcast,The Time of Monsters. He also pens the monthly column Morbid Symptoms. The author ofIn Love with Art: Francoise Moulys Adventures in Comics with Art Spiegelman(2013) andSweet Lechery: Reviews, Essays and Profiles(2014), Heer has written for numerous publications, includingThe New Yorker,The Paris Review,Virginia Quarterly Review,The American Prospect,The Guardian,The New Republic,andThe Boston Globe.We discuss the adoption of crypto currency funds, first, by Trump, for the nation, and by the governor of New Hampshire for New Hampshire. More states will likely follow.We note that most of the crypto investment is from the Middle East. It may destabilize the US dollar, and has many other problems. Unfortunately, both Republicans and Democrats are buying into crypto. We discuss the implications for the future.Part 2:We talk with Professor Peter Rutland.Peter Rutland has taught at Wesleyan since 1989. Before that he taught at the University of Texas at Austin, and at the University of York and London University in the UK. He has a BA from Oxford and a D. Phil from York. He has also been a visiting professor at Columbia University, and is an associate of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University. His research interests focus on all things Russian and places where the Russian boot has trod (Nicholas II) in the former Soviet Union and the former East Europe. He started off studying workers and the Communist Party, moving on to broader questions of economic policy in the socialist and post-socialist economies. Along the way he developed an interest in nationalism and ethnic conflict. Since 2013 he has been editor in chief of Nationalities Papers, the journal of the Association for the Study of Nationalities along with serving as associate editor of Russian Review.We discuss the image that Putin is creating of himself in Russia. His control of all media in Russia allows him to present whatever facet he likes to give the Russians the image of a 'humble man of the people', and his propaganda is framed in such a way to make him seem to be 'defending' Russia. We also look at how Trump has also adopted this strategy to present himself to US voters. WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics

China and the United States should return to a path of dialogue and win-win cooperation and shoulder their shared responsibility as major powers to serve as anchors for global peace and prosperity, Chinese officials and international experts said on Tuesday.中国官员和国际专家周二表示，中美两国应重回对话合作、合作共赢之路，共同承担大国责任，成为世界和平与繁荣的稳定器。Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the world is closely watching China-US relations because of their significance to each other and to humanity at large.中共中央对外联络部部长刘建超表示，中美关系对彼此乃至全人类都至关重要，世界各国都密切关注。"It is our consistent view that China and the US must live in peace. Conflict and confrontation are not our options," Liu said at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Wanshou Dialogue on Global Security in Beijing. "We hope that the US side will join us in pursuing dialogue, partnership and win-win cooperation instead of confrontation, alliances and zero-sum games."刘建超在北京举行的第四届万寿国际安全研讨会开幕式上表示：“我们始终认为，中美必须和平相处，冲突对抗不是我们的选择。我们希望美方与我们一道，致力于对话、伙伴关系、合作共赢，而不是对抗、结盟和零和博弈。”The two-day forum, themed "Universal Security in a Turbulent World: The Responsibility of Major Countries", brought together officials, scholars and experts from across the globe to explore how the international community can reduce tensions and conflictsand build a more peaceful and prosperous world.�为期两天的论坛主题为“动荡世界中的普遍安全：大国的责任”，来自世界各地的官员、学者和专家齐聚一堂，共同探讨国际社会如何减少紧张与冲突，建设一个更加和平与繁荣的世界。Liu's remarks followed a high-level China-US economic and trade meeting concluded on Sunday in Geneva, Switzerland, which he said produced some positive outcomes.刘建超是在周日于瑞士日内瓦结束的中美经贸高级别会谈之后发表上述讲话的。他表示，此次会谈取得了一些积极成果。"We hope that the United States will build on this meeting, continue to work with China in the same direction, fully rectify its wrong practice of unilateral tariff hikes, keep strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation, uphold the sound, stable and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations, and jointly inject more certainty and stability into the world economy," he said.“我们希望美方在此次会议基础上，继续与中方相向而行，彻底纠正单边加征关税的错误做法，不断加强互利合作，维护中美经贸关系健康、稳定、可持续发展，共同为世界经济注入更多确定性和稳定性。”Liu also reiterated China's commitment to being a constructive force for peace, stability and progress, and said the country will continue to promote open and inclusive economic globalization and pursue common development for all countries.刘建超还重申，中国致力于做和平、稳定、进步的建设性力量，并表示中国将继续推动开放包容的经济全球化，实现各国共同发展。Participants at the forum criticized Washington's use of tariffs, investment barriers and trade restrictions as tools to pressure other countries, and voiced concerns that the world's two largest economies risk drifting further into confrontation.�论坛与会者批评美方利用关税、投资壁垒和贸易限制作为向其他国家施压的工具，并表示担心世界两大经济体可能进一步陷入对抗。 Douglas Bandow, a special assistant to former US president Ronald Reagan and a senior research fellow at the Cato Institute, said the United States and China bear a disproportionate responsibility to act not only in their own interests, but also for the benefit of the wider world.美国前总统罗纳德·里根的特别助理、卡托研究所高级研究员道格拉斯·班多表示，美国和中国肩负着不成比例的责任，不仅要为自身利益采取行动，也要为更广阔的世界利益采取行动。 "Our governments and peoples must find our way to work through present difficulties and disputes into a better, more prosperous and peaceful future," Bandow said. "Disagreements are sure to remain. Nevertheless, our peoples must remain in communion with one another, and our governments must pursue dialogues and policies which preserve communication, allow compromise, promote conciliation and encourage cooperation."“我们的政府和人民必须找到解决当前困难和争端的方法，迈向更美好、更繁荣、更和平的未来，”班多说。“分歧肯定会存在。然而，我们的人民必须保持相互沟通，我们的政府必须推行对话和政策，以保持沟通，允许妥协，促进和解，鼓励合作。”Benny Octaviar, former head of Indonesian Military Research Center and coordinating expert for the Indonesian National Armed Forces Commander, said major countries must reject zero-sum thinking and behave as responsible stakeholders in maintaining the international order.印尼军事研究中心前主任、印尼国家武装部队司令协调专家本尼·奥克塔维亚尔表示，大国必须摒弃零和思维，在维护国际秩序方面扮演负责任的利益攸关方的角色。"Sovereign equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence should be the guiding principles instead of double standards or geopolitical containment," he said.他说：“主权平等、互利共赢、和平共处应该成为指导原则，而不是双重标准或地缘政治遏制。”Andrey Kortunov, former director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, spoke in support of globalization, saying it is not a national strategy but an inevitable stage in human development.俄罗斯国际事务委员会前总干事安德烈·科尔图诺夫支持全球化，称全球化不是国家战略，而是人类发展的必然阶段。"It can be slowed down, but it cannot be completely stopped or reversed," he said.他说：“全球化可以被减缓，但不能完全停止或逆转。”Kortunov said responsible major powers must master multilateralism, as simply multiplying centers of power will not automatically bring global security or stability.科尔图诺夫表示，负责任的大国必须掌握多边主义，因为仅仅增加权力中心并不会自动带来全球安全或稳定。"It is important to learn how to manage relations among nations in such a way that unavoidable competition would not overshadow cooperation, and would not turn into outright confrontation," he said.他说：“重要的是学会如何处理国家间关系，使不可避免的竞争不会掩盖合作，也不会演变成彻底的对抗。”tussle/ˈtʌsl/v./n.争斗；争执multilateralism/ˌmʌltiˈlætərəlɪzəm/n.多边主义rectify/ˈrektɪfaɪ/v.纠正，矫正zero-sum/ˈzɪəroʊ sʌm/adj.零和的

Misstencil was born on a mountain in China. In this episode, we meet artist Misstencil and she shares the story of her life. Before we get to that, be sure to RSVP to our Keep It Local show on May 23. Misstencil will be one of the six artists featured that evening, and for a very good reason. But we'll get to that. As the Communist Party came to power in China, her dad and his family found themselves on the unfortunate side of things. His side of the family had a history as successful business people, which was suddenly frowned upon. Her mom came from a family of professors, also not favorable in the “new China.” Her dad was from Hunan Province, where her mom's family later moved. When her dad was young, his family gave him up to a foster mother and foster sister. That foster family, capitalists like her dad's family, was ostracized and became homeless. Misstencil's dad was smart and talented, but because of his family's background, was denied the opportunity to go to college. He also had tough luck with women. When it came time to meet their parents, once it became obvious what his family's political background was, they would end the relationship. This happened on more than one occasion. Despite being attractive and talented (at art and engineering), he was still single at 30. Then someone introduced him to the woman who would become Misstencil's mom. On their first date, he wasted no time letting her know his background. And it landed. She told him about her own background, and said she wanted to give him a chance. After the two got married, the government sent them to work hard jobs in the mountains. The reality of life there meant that children went to day care while the parents worked. And after work, those adults had to attend political meetings. There was little to no time to raise kids. This was the situation in which Misstencil would grow up. Because of this, her parents sent Misstencil to live with her mom's parents when she was eight months old. She saw her parents only once a year until she was around 12. Growing up with her grandparents was traumatizing for Misstencil, despite how good they were to her. And that led to depression. All the kids around her had parents, but she effectively did not. It also affected her performance in school. She didn't do well in any subject except art. Her depression made it hard for her to be interested or to take school seriously. Misstencil's parents took her out of school eventually, out of fear that they would lose her, and were able to get her into an education program that was not goal-oriented. In that time, she started to change, which she attributes to the lack of pressure. “I no longer had this pressure of doing stuff I don't like to do,” she says. When she graduated, that school sent Misstencil and one other young woman to Shanghai for college. She says that it was an especially optimistic time in China, and she embraced her time in the country's largest city. Misstencil shares a fun sidebar about the first time she saw and went into a McDonald's. Because she was totally unfamiliar with the menu, she ended up ordering a bunch of desserts. Then she tells us about seeing an advertisement for a meeting about a school in Switzerland. More importantly, cookies would be served at this meeting. That was enough for young Misstencil. Like many people in China, she was familiar with Switzerland and its amazing mountain scenery. Calendars depicting the Swiss Alps were common. But Misstencil never imagined that she'd have the opportunity to go there. As we've mentioned, the Chinese government exploited people like her dad. He was never really compensated for the incredible contributions he gave to his society. But then he found himself with a little bit of money, and told his daughter that they could use it to send her to Europe for school, at least for a year. She jumped on that chance to get out of her home country. Misstencil shares the detailed story of her journey to Switzerland. It involves large amounts of paper currency, some of which ended up in her shoes. Arriving was tricky, too. It was the middle of the night and there was a train to catch. And she needed to go to the bathroom, but didn't have the coins needed to do that. A further complication was that she didn't speak the language (German or French). A friendly fellow train passenger offered help finding her stop. But then he fell asleep. Eventually, she made it … in the middle of the night. There was no one around. So she walked. When she arrived at her new school, she was told that because school started the next day, she'd have to pay to stay there that night (which was already half over). Misstencil notes the contrast between this and what she was used to at home. She says she wondered if she had made a mistake. But she paid, and the next morning after she woke up, she opened her window. It was like being inside of a calendar, she says. Check back next week for Part 2 and the rest of Misstencil's story. We recorded this episode near Blue Heron Lake in Golden Gate Park in May 2025. Photography by Alfredo Becerra

As external uncertainties continue to escalate, consumption, particularly in the services sector, is poised to assume an increasingly important role in underpinning the Chinese economy this year, analysts said.分析人士指出，随着外部不确定性持续加剧，消费特别是服务消费将在今年中国经济中扮演愈发重要的支柱角色。A high-level meeting convened by China's top leadership in late April placed high premiums on efforts to boost services consumption and strengthen the role of consumption in driving economic growth.今年4月下旬召开的中央高层会议明确提出，要着力扩大服务消费，进一步增强消费对经济增长的拉动作用。The meeting held by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee also called for a swift removal of restrictive measures in the consumption sector.中共中央政治局会议还要求，抓紧破除消费领域存在的限制性措施。Before the tone-setting meeting, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said in mid-April that "expanding services consumption will be instrumental in further tapping into untapped consumption potential and in creating a crucial engine to drive consumption growth, both in the near term and the longer run."在此次定调会议之前，商务部部长王文涛（Wang Wentao）4月中旬曾表示，“扩大服务消费，扩大服务消费将有助于进一步挖掘未开发的消费潜力，推动形成消费新引擎，拉动短期和长期的消费增长。”International evidence suggests that when a country's per capita GDP reaches around $15,000, its consumption structure transitions from being goods-dominant to being services-driven. Given that China's per capita GDP has already surpassed $13,000, the country's services consumption is now in a rapid growth stage, Wang said in a published article in Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.王文涛在中共中央机关刊《求是》杂志撰文指出，国际经验表明，当一国人均GDP达到1.5万美元左右时，消费结构会从以物质消费为主转向以服务型消费为主。中国人均GDP已超过1.3万美元，服务消费正处在快速发展阶段。In the first quarter of this year, retail sales of services grew by 5 percent year-on-year, outpacing the growth rate of goods retail by 0.4 percentage point, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.国家统计局数据显示，今年一季度，服务零售额同比增长5%，增速较商品零售快0.4个百分点。Analysts believe that services consumption will be a primary area of focus in the government's forthcoming policy initiatives.分析人士认为，服务消费将成为政府后续政策发力的重点领域。"The country's trade-in policies have predominantly targeted the consumption of durable goods, which might front-load future demand," said Xu Tianchen, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit.经济学人智库高级经济学家徐天辰（Xu Tianchen）表示：“当前国家实施的以旧换新政策主要针对耐用消费品，这可能提前释放未来需求。”Services consumption not only has a higher frequency of usage, but also presents substantial untapped potential that can be cultivated through focused policy initiatives, Xu said, adding that trade-ins could be extended to cover the service sector.他指出，服务消费不仅使用频次更高，且存在大量待开发潜力，通过针对性政策可有效激发，他还建议将服务领域纳入以旧换新政策覆盖范围。In mid-April, the Ministry of Commerce, along with eight other government departments, jointly issued an action plan for improving services consumption this year, covering established areas like catering, accommodation, healthcare and tourism, as well as new consumption formats such as sightseeing trains, skydiving and micro-dramas.今年4月中旬，商务部等9部门联合出台促进服务消费年度行动方案，涵盖餐饮住宿、医疗旅游等传统领域，以及观光列车、跳伞体验、微短剧等新兴业态。According to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the five-day May Day holiday period saw 314 million domestic tourist trips across China, an increase of 6.4 percent compared to the same period last year. Domestic tourists also spent a total of 180.269 billion yuan ($25 billion) during the holiday, up 8 percent year-on-year.据文化和旅游部统计，五一假期5天全国国内旅游出游人次达3.14亿，同比增长6.4%；国内游客出游总花费1802.69亿元（约合250亿美元），同比上升8%。Compared to the relatively mature goods consumption market, China's services consumption market still has some key areas that need to be strengthened, said Lian Ping, head of the Guangkai Chief Industry Research Institute.广开首席产业研究院院长连平表示，相较于较为成熟的商品消费市场，中国服务消费市场仍存在若干亟待补强的关键领域。"On the demand side, it will be important to take multiple measures to increase residents' disposable incomes, improve the social protection system and enhance consumers' services consumption abilities," Lian said.连平表示：“在需求端，需要多措并举提升居民可支配收入，完善社会保障体系，增强消费者服务消费能力。”Finance Minister Lan Fo'an said in a published article in Qiushi Journal on May 1 that China is emphasizing the integration of improving people's livelihoods and promoting consumption.财政部部长蓝佛安（Lan Fo'an）5月1日在《求是》杂志撰文指出，中国正着力推动民生改善与消费促进有机结合。Key measures include appropriately increasing pension levels, raising the standards of basic medical insurance for rural and urban nonworking residents, issuing child care subsidies, and expanding the scale of student financial aid, all aimed at strengthening consumers' spending power and willingness to consume, Lan added.蓝佛安称重点举措包括适度提高养老金水平、上调城乡居民基本医保标准、发放育儿补贴、扩大学生资助规模等，旨在增强居民消费能力与消费意愿。Meanwhile, Lian from the Guangkai Chief Industry Research Institute noted that expediting the urbanization process and boosting the consumption capabilities of migrant populations will be crucial in unleashing the potential of services consumption.连平同时强调，加快城镇化进程、提升流动人口消费能力，将成为释放服务消费潜力的关键所在。external uncertainties外部不确定性services consumption服务消费unleash/ʌnˈliːʃ/v.使爆发; 发泄; 突然释放trade-ins/treɪd ɪnz/n. 折旧贴换交易;以旧换新

It's Monday, May 12th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Chinese Communists order Christian media to publish propaganda China's only legal church, the Communist Party-controlled Three Self Patriotic Movement, has been ordered to publish more communist propaganda including President Xi Jinping's thoughts and teachings in its so-called “Christian” media, reports Bitter Winter. But Exodus 20:16 warns, “You shall not bear false witness.” Biden denied cognitive decline, claimed voters are sexist for electing Trump Last Thursday, former President Joe Biden, and former First Lady Jill Biden, appeared on ABC's “The View.” Whoopi Goldberg asked about the now famous debate debacle. GOLDBERG: “You know, what freaked everybody out? was that debate. BIDEN: “Yep.” GOLDBERG: “It wasn't a great night. It was a bad night.” BIDEN: “Terrible night.” GOLDBERG: “and everybody lost their mind.” BIDEN: “Yep.” GOLDBERG: “This is what started … BIDEN: “Yep.” GOLDBERG: “… both sides with this, ‘Oh, he can't do this. This needs to stop.' Why do you think that caught fire? Why do you think people bought into it, especially the Democrats?” JOE BIDEN: “The Democratic Party at large didn't buy into it, but the Democratic leadership and some of the very significant contributors did. I'm going to say something outrageous. I've not lost many debates in my life. I've been pretty good at doing that. I was sick. No excuse. I had a bad, bad night.” Alyssa Griffin asked about his mental competence. GRIFFIN:  “Mr. President, since you left office, there have been a number of books that have come out, deeply sourced from Democratic sources, that claim in your final year there was a dramatic decline in your cognitive abilities. What is your response to these allegations? Or are these sources wrong?” JOE BIDEN: “There are wrong. There's nothing to sustain that.” Jill Biden weighed in as well. JILL BIDEN: “The people who wrote those books were not in the White House with us, and they didn't see how hard Joe worked every single day. I mean he'd get up, he'd put in a full day, and then at night, I'd be in bed reading my book, and he was still on the phone, reading his briefings, working with staff. I mean, it was nonstop. Joe worked really hard. I think he was a great president. If you look at things today, give me Joe Biden any time.” GRIFFIN: “Mr. President, just to follow up on this, some of the reporting is that people like your former president, you served under Barack Obama, George Clooney, a long-time supporter of yours -- a major Democratic donor, Chuck Schumer, your dear friend Nancy Pelosi, also had expressed concerns about your ability to do the job for four more years. Can I ask what your relationship is with President Obama and how you address those concerns that they raised?” JOE BIDEN: “The only reason I got out of the race was because I didn't want to have a divided Democratic Party. It's a simple proposition. So that's why I got out of the race. I thought it was better to put the country ahead of my interest, my personal interest.” Sara Haines asked about Kamala's election loss. HAINES: “Why do you think the Vice President lost? And were you surprised?” JOE BIDEN: “I wasn't surprised, not because I didn't think the Vice President's not the most qualified person to be president. She is. She's qualified to be president of the United States of America. I wasn't surprised because they went the route of, the sexist route, all the whole route. I mean, this is a woman. She's this, she's that. Really, I've never seen quite as successful and a consistent campaign undercutting the notion that a woman couldn't lead the country and a woman of mixed race.” And Alyssa Griffin asked about Trump's landslide election to a second term. GRIFFIN: “Well, Mr. President, you had previously said that you thought that you would have won. Since then, Donald Trump won all the battleground states and made inroads with almost every major demographic, from working class voters to Hispanic men to black men. Knowing what you know now, do you think you would have beat him?” JOE BIDEN: “Yeah, he still got 7 million fewer votes. A lot of people didn't show up, number one, Number two: They're very close in those, those toss up states. It wasn't a slam dunk.” Charlotte viewer objects to Biden's Preserve-My-Legacy Tour Jack Acuff of Charlotte, North Carolina, sounded off in a fascinating  Facebook video post. ACUFF: “Somebody tell me:  'Why Jill Biden keeps dragging Joe out for these TV appearances and making a bad situation worse?' “Did you see him on ‘The View' this week? It was sad. It's the Preserve-My-Legacy Tour and the ‘Stick-it-to-Obama-and-George-Clooney-and-Nancy-Pelosi Tour, where he repeats again that he could have won, that Americans only chose not to vote for her because she's a minority and a woman, and we're racist and misogynist, and that he is ready to go at any minute.” Trump fully defunds pro-abortion UN Population Fund The Trump administration has fully implemented the defunding of the United Nations Population Fund, an agency which promotes abortions worldwide, reports LifeNews.com.   Specifically, Trump pulled $335 million in taxpayer funds from the pro-abortion United Nations agency. It's the result of the pro-life executive order Trump signed in January that prohibits American tax dollars from going to groups that promote or provide coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. Connecticut calls for tough new laws on homeschooling And finally, the state of Connecticut is getting tough with homeschoolers, reports WFSB. Using a couple of cases of egregious child abuse, the Connecticut Office of Child Advocate commissioned a report which advocates new legislation.  It's entitled “A Review of Children Withdrawn from School for Equivalent Instruction Elsewhere.” They write, “Currently, parents who wish to withdraw their children from school need do nothing more than assert that they are homeschooling or sending their children to private school. Once a parent does that, there is no further interaction with the public school system required. There is no verification of enrollment in private schools. There is no verification that a child is, in fact, being homeschooled.” The Connecticut Office of Child Advocate says every other New England state requires some form of annual evaluation or assessment.  The report says, “Homeschooling, when done properly, can be a positive experience for children and families. … Nothing in this report is a general criticism of homeschooling nor a suggestion that children should not be homeschooled. Nonetheless, not every parent who withdraws their child for the stated purpose of homeschooling is, in fact, providing their children with an education. Worse, some take advantage of Connecticut's complete lack of oversight to isolate children and abuse them.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, May 12th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

This week, Matthew and Anthony are joined by Janice Trey, the CEO of Epoch Times. Janice shed light on Communism, which was imported into China, and has systematically sought to erase history, culture, and faith. For decades, churches and temples were destroyed, and religious freedom was denied. The Communist Party's grip on information, through censorship, propaganda, and control of the media, has been relentless. Yet, the human spirit's longing for freedom and truth cannot be extinguished. True freedom is not merely the absence of oppression, but the presence of truth, tradition, and hope. It's time for the church to step up so we can work toward a world where every person has the opportunity to experience freedom.

Unveiling Shen Yun: Chinese Dance, Culture, and Controversy Shenyun.com Leeshailemish.com About the Guest(s): Leeshai Lemish serves as the MC and podcast host for the Shen Yun Performing Arts, a globally renowned classical Chinese dance and music company. Having joined the company at its inception in 2006, Lemish has emceed nearly 2,000 performances in prestigious venues worldwide, including Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the London Coliseum. Lemish is also a dedicated activist, documenting over 100 cases of alleged Chinese Communist Party interference with Shen Yun. In addition to his performance and advocacy work, he hosts the podcast "Shen Yun Voices," giving voice to the stories behind the team. Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of The Chris Voss Show, host Chris Voss welcomes Leeshai Lemish, MC and podcast host for Shen Yun Performing Arts. The episode delves into Shen Yun's mission to revive 5,000 years of authentic Chinese culture, a task complicated by censorship from the Chinese Communist Party, which opposes representations of China that predate its rule. With gripping revelations about the struggles and triumphs of performing this culturally rich art form globally, Lemish sheds light on the enduring spirit and creative journey of Shen Yun. The podcast moves through the company's origins to its spectacular stages across the world, emphasizing the transformative power of Shen Yun's classical Chinese dance and music. Lemish shares personal anecdotes, revealing the arrests and threats that employees like him face from Chinese authorities due to Shen Yun's message, which prioritizes cultural authenticity and spiritual freedom. This episode resonates with powerful themes of art, resilience, and truth, all underscored by the threat posed to art that defies modern political narratives. Key Takeaways: Shen Yun Performing Arts is dedicated to reviving traditional Chinese culture, showcasing it globally, and highlighting the conditions under which the current Chinese regime operates. Artistic expression through Shen Yun is not merely about performance but also preserving a cultural lineage that the Communist Party has attempted to eliminate. The perceived threat by Shen Yun to the Chinese Communist Party has led to a series of alleged sabotage attempts, including threats to performers and partnering venues worldwide. Leeshai Lemish's involvement with Shen Yun reflects a greater commitment to spiritual practices and understanding Chinese culture while confronting censorship. Despite political pressure and threats, Shen Yun continues to perform worldwide, embracing global support and continuing its mission to educate and inspire through art. Notable Quotes: "They're very afraid of that because to establish their legitimacy, they felt that they had to wipe it out." "Maybe there's something I could do about this. I actually, in 2001 went to China and meditated in public and was immediately arrested." "This idea of reclaiming virtue to put it in a kind of metaphysical way of reclaiming integrity." "If you control the press. And, and so that was in 2001. And at the time we really didn't know." "Knowing that I learned the lesson to know unless you find you're giggling and caroling us can't have Kansas fighting rotting this of sunshine muggles." Join Chris Voss and Leeshai Lemish in this riveting episode that goes beyond the stage and highlights the immense cultural and political landscapes that Shen Yun navigates. Tune in to the full episode for a deeper understanding of the beauty, challenges, and inspirations that influence Shen Yun's global journey. Stay tuned for more from The Chris Voss Show, bringing you transformative conversations with extraordinary visionaries.

China is facing its most severe economic crisis in decades—triggered by massive U.S. tariffs, a deflationary spiral, and collapsing factories across the nation. In this urgent exposé, we explore how Trump-era trade policies have accelerated China's economic unraveling, leading to mass layoffs, unpaid workers flooding the streets, and growing fears of social upheaval. With the Communist Party under pressure and nationalist rhetoric failing to contain unrest, this is more than a trade war—it's a global power struggle. Discover why some believe this is the West's final opportunity to dismantle the CCP and reshape the global order.

As China's economy teeters on the edge of collapse, U.S. tariffs under Donald Trump have triggered mass factory shutdowns, skyrocketing unemployment, and rising civil unrest. This explosive analysis dives into the unfolding economic catastrophe in China, the potential endgame of Communist Party rule, and the growing belief that the world is entering an economic war with global dominance at stake. With deflation, riots, and nationalist rhetoric on the rise, is China on the brink of its own 2008-style meltdown—and what role will the West play in shaping the outcome?

With this episode of Guerrilla History, we bring you another fascinating case study in our series African Revolutions and Decolonization.  This time, a contemporary struggle - the struggle against Africa's last absolute monarchy - Swaziland.  We are fortunate to be joined by guest host Ruehl Muller, senior lecturer/associate professor at the Institute of Creativity and Innovation at Xiamen University in China, who has been in contact with the CPS for quite some time.  We are also joined by guest Bafanabakhe Sacolo of the Communist Party of Swaziland.  A brilliant discussion, and one which you will certainly want to listen to, as our next episode in the AR&D series is on cultural revolution in Swaziland!   Also subscribe to our Substack (free!) to keep up to date with what we are doing.  With so many episodes coming in this series (and beyond), you won't want to miss anything, so get the updates straight to your inbox.  guerrillahistory.substack.com   Bafanabakhe Sacolo is National Organizing Secretary of the Communist Party of Swaziland.  You can keep up to date with the CPS by following them on Facebook, on Twitter, or by checking out their website.   Ruehl Muller is senior lecturer/associate professor at the Institute of Creativity and Innovation at Xiamen University in China, and the editor of the fantastic Building a People's Art: Selected Works of Trường Chinh and Tố Hữu (buy a physical copy or download the free PDF from Iskra Books). Help support the show by signing up to our patreon, where you also will get bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/guerrillahistory 

Our guest: Ivanka Popović Democracy in Question? is brought to you by:• Central European University: CEU• The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: AHCD• The Podcast Company: scopeaudio Follow us on social media!• Central European University: @weareceu.bsky.social• Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: @ahcdemocracy.bsky.social Subscribe to the show. If you enjoyed what you listened to, you can support us by leaving a review and sharing our podcast in your networks!   GLOSSARYMilošević regime (p. 5 in the transcript, 17:28)Slobodan Milošević was a central figure in the breakup of Yugoslavia and a key instigator of the ethnic conflicts that plagued the Balkans in the 1990s. Rising through the ranks of the Communist Party, he became Serbia's president in 1989 and quickly moved to consolidate power by revoking the autonomy of Kosovo and Vojvodina. His leadership fueled a wave of Serbian nationalism and played a major role in the wars in Croatia, Bosnia, and later Kosovo, supporting Serbian forces involved in ethnic violence and atrocities.Milošević's regime was marked by authoritarian control, suppression of opposition, and state-controlled media. Though he maintained popular support in the early years by presenting himself as a defender of Serbs, his policies led to international isolation, UN sanctions, and ultimately NATO intervention. In 1999, following a brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, NATO launched a bombing campaign against Serbia.Domestically, economic hardship and political repression led to growing dissatisfaction. After a disputed election in 2000, massive protests forced Milošević to resign. He was arrested in 2001 and extradited to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague, where he faced charges of war crimes, including genocide. He died in 2006 during the trial.source 

Did we get it all wrong, and we are actually negotiating a deeper globalization? A Thoughtful Tariff Talk and moreGuest: Rick Carew - Former Wall Street Journal journalist covering Asia's financial markets, current investor and educator teaching value investing at Fordham University's Gabelli School.Key Topics: Value investing, journalism skills in investing, China-US business relations, AI in education, personal success philosophyTimestamps and Key Ideas:3:38 - Rick shares his upbringing in Richmond, Virginia, where his family owned a wine store that gave him entrepreneurial experience and an early understanding of business operations.5:21 - Discussion about Rick's language journey learning Chinese and Japanese, which taught him discipline and a growth mindset applicable to investing.8:06 - How learning languages provides cultural insights beyond words themselves, with Rick explaining how the Chinese character for "good" combines the characters for "mother" and "child."11:49 - Rick discusses teaching value investing at Fordham University and the importance of mastering concepts before teaching them to others.15:15 - Conversation about the core principles of value investing and how the framework needs to adapt to incorporate growth investing.18:25 - Rick explains how students at Fordham manage a real $2.3 million investment fund, teaching them asset allocation and emotional management during market volatility.22:30 - Rick shares how his journalism background provides valuable research skills for investing, including the willingness to pick up the phone for direct information.28:12 - Two powerful questions for management interviews: "What question did I forget to ask?" and "If you had to invest in a competitor, which would you choose and why?"32:22 - Discussion about how executives actually want feedback from thoughtful investors, especially as passive investing grows.34:15 - Rick explains the complex relationship between Chinese government, Communist Party, and businesses - highlighting cycles of crackdowns and regulations.40:04 - Insights on China's tech ecosystem as a "learning machine" studying and adapting Silicon Valley innovations.45:12 - Discussion about globalization, US-China relations, and whether recent trade tensions are temporary or signal a longer-term shift.53:03 - Rick's perspective on AI in education: embracing it as a tool while still requiring students to understand fundamentals and verify information.1:00:39 - Rick shares his three-part framework for success: enjoying your work, giving back to society, and maintaining curiosity throughout life.Podcast Program – Disclosure StatementBlue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm's employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Take up your cross, my cross, and follow:ME: OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.So, if you become a Christian, and you should and I pray that you are, you have one promise from our Lord of what is to come, and that is:PERSECUTION.Of course there is joy, rejoicing, grace, bliss, faith, hope, strength, and so much more when you join forces with, become a disciple of, and fall in love with:JESUS CHRIST.But, there comes with all these positives, the negative of:PERSECUTION.For the most part, the world hates Christianity. Secularists disavow and dislike anything about Jesus. And that leaves secular governments to crack down on Christians, Christianity, and the belief and practice thereof.Take China for example. The Chinese Communist Dictator Xi Jinping has tightened his grip on religious activities in the world's second most populous country. The Chinese Communist Party announced last week that starting May 1, foreign missionaries will be prohibited from sharing their faith or preaching, as well as establishing religious organizations. So, if you are Christian in China, you cannot testify about your faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Nor can you preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nor can you establish congregations, churches, or any type of religious Christian organization in China. That to me is simply unbelievable and unacceptable, and it will be for so many Christians in China. Nothing will prevent them from sharing and testifying, nothing. And many will become martyrs, jailed, or even killed-executed for their faith. They will gladly, willingly, and lovingly take up their cross, lay their all on the altar, and count themselves blessed if martyrdom happens, and as a result, they go to their eternal reward. China and the Chinese Communist Party are absolutely brutal.The Chinese Communist Party wants to SINICIZE all religion in China. That is, whatever the Communist Party determines religion to be, will be the only one in China. After May 1, 2025, there will be new regulations, a greater crack-down on all religions, but especially Christianity and persecution will be the new normal.We often think of Russia as the main enemy of the United States. Traditionally, that nation has been just that. But today, the number one threat to democracy and America, is none other than the second most populous country in the world:CHINA.It is becoming a superpower and its military strength, army, navy, marines, and special forces grow every day and becomes the number one threat to America and the world over. It is a nation to be reckoned with and it will be used by the forces of evil to challenge every nation in the world. Small wonder that, whatever we the people may think of the means used by President Trump, he stands up against China knowing this incredible threat which begins with democracy, freedom of speech, the practice of religion, subterfuge and infiltration, spying in America and other countries, none of which will be tolerated by the Trump administration.And the same thing happens in Egypt. We hear little about persecution of Christianity in Egypt, but it exists in large measure. Christians face daily discrimination, harsh restrictions, and constant pressure to hide their faith. And in the world at large, it is estimated that 1 in 7 Christians face harassment, violence, or even death, and in Africa the number of Christians enduring constant PERSECUTION is one in five. PERSECUTION of Christians who have given their entire lives to Jesus Christ is on the rise everywhere as both scripture and our Lord, prophesied. Soon, it will be worldwide and in every nation. Are we ready, are you ready, true believer in Jesus Christ, to face that persecution? The Apostle Paul was beheaded because of his Christian faith. The disciple, Peter, was crucified. James was murdered. John was ostracized to Patmos. The early church, especially under Roman dictator Nero, experienced aggressive persecution. It began at the time of our Lord, and it will continue until the rapture.Are you ready? Ready to lay your all on the altar, and take up the cross of Jesus Christ and stand for Him and your faith when persecution comes at you, are you? I do hope so, for it is a decision none of us have had to make in America, not really, even though there is indeed mild persecution. But the day will come when mild is replaced by aggressive. Then and only then, will you know the strength of your faith and the extent to which you really believe in Jesus Christ.And the same thing now exists in Australia, AUSTRALIA NO LESS! In NEW SOUTH WALES (NSW), newly enacted legislation allows prayer or expression of any religious belief if and only if it is not directed to changing or suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. If any would pray in that way that is a crime and punishable by imprisonment. In practice, this law would criminalize anyone who said a prayerful word with regard to sexual orientation or gender. REPENT of such, and off to jail you go.And more, everywhere, and persecution has only just begun. Again, when you are faced with that, aggressively or even passively, are you ready to stand, resist, and to accept persecution, even criminal penalties for your faith, are you?Thankfully however, the younger generation begins more so to TURN TOWARDS RELIGION. That is a first start, but sooner or later, that TURN we do hope turns to Christianity and to the person of Jesus Christ. The very respectful research firm BARNA has found in a nationwide survey that 77% of American teens are interested and even motivated to “continue learning about Jesus throughout the rest of their lives.” That at least is a start but by no means the end. Remarkably 52% of the younger generation said they are very interested in knowing more about Jesus. May it be so.There seems to be, said Barna, an openness and curiosity about spiritual matters among today's teens and young adults, a good thing, but only a start. Many of America's young know the futility of the woke generation and its so-called principles, and hunger for something more, much more. They can only find that in Jesus Christ and I hope they continue to search until such time as HE is found. We the believer should thank God that there is now an openness to Christianity and truth which has not existed for years, and revival is on the horizon. All of that is happening in spite of persecution, in spite of the secular, godless governments which somehow have gotten control as witnessed by what is happening in China, Australia, Egypt, and many other nations. The love of Jesus Christ is the most powerful force on this earth, and it should be our prayer that our teens, our younger generation, in our beloved America finds and experiences that love, and no matter the persecution which may come, and it will, continue searching until they find the ultimate answer:HIM,OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Sep 17, 2021  In this episode of Guerrilla History, we bring on Professor Jose Maria Sison, better known as Comrade Joma, to talk about his life, how it impacted his ideology, the history of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and more!  Comrade Joma is an absolute legendary figure, and it was a pleasure and an honor to be able to talk with him.  A must listen conversation for anyone interested in proletarian struggles and People's War in the Global South, especially the Philippines! Jose Maria Sison is the Founding Chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Chair Emeritus of the International League of People's Struggle, and the Chief Political Consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.  Our friends at Foreign Languages Press have several of his works available for free as pdfs or for affordable print copies on their website https://foreignlanguages.press/.  Comrade Joma passed away in Dec. of 2022, a year after this interview, at the age of 83.  ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio HERE  

The federal election....from the "fringe". Most voters are familiar with the major national parties running in this election, such as the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, & Greens.But there are actually 16 registered political parties looking for your vote. Some of them are known as fringe parties, while others are upstarts, hoping to make an impact down the road. Today on The Big Story, we're shining a light on some of the lesser known parties in this campaign, and letting them have their voice heard as the country goes through the democratic process.Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with the Leaders of the Animal Protection Party, the Canadian Future Party, the Communist Party, and the Marijuana Party. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Jon is fired up to start the hour! Jon continues the discussion regarding MN Attorney General Ellison's comments, and turns his attention to the Supreme Court case about parental/religious rights and LGBTQ+ books in elementary schools. Jon is joined by Liz Collin of Alpha News to discuss the Tesla vandalism, crime in Minneapolis, and her investigation into a potential alleged secret Communist operation in St. Paul.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's biggest stories shaping America and the world. Border Battles Intensify: Mexico Rejects Trump Ad Campaign, Dumps Sewage on U.S. Beaches – President Sheinbaum bans U.S. immigration ads from Mexican airwaves, calling them “discriminatory.” Meanwhile, raw sewage continues flowing from Tijuana into San Diego, sickening U.S. troops. Trump officials say Mexico must fix the crisis - or face financial consequences. Trump Slams Federal Courts for Halting Deportations – The president criticizes the judiciary for blocking mass deportations, calling due process for millions of illegal immigrants “a ridiculous situation.” Meanwhile, over 500,000 migrants from the Biden era skipped court dates entirely. Leaked DOJ Data Could Fuel Deportation Surge – DOGE gains access to a sensitive DOJ migrant database, potentially expanding self-deportation pressure via fraud crackdowns and benefit denials. Democrats Warn Global Leaders Against Supporting Trump – Rep. Jamie Raskin says Democrats will “remember” any country that helps Trump, threatening diplomatic retribution once Democrats regain power. Chinese Mafia Violence Rocks Rome as Pope Francis Passes – A high-profile mafia witness is assassinated ahead of a major trial exposing Beijing-linked criminal networks across Europe. ProPublica reports the Chinese mafia acts as unofficial agents for the Communist Party. Beijing Enters Congo Conflict Over Critical Minerals – China pressures Rwanda to halt its backing of rebels in eastern Congo, fearing U.S. companies will displace Chinese firms in the race for rare earth dominance. Denmark's Socialist Leader Adopts Trump-Style Immigration Policies – PM Mette Frederiksen embraces tough border controls, migrant deportation, and even ghetto-reduction laws - agreeing with VP JD Vance that Europe must take back control. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32​

The Oakland mayoral race is a close call between progressive Barbara Lee and moderate challenger Loren Taylor. In SF, Mayor Daniel Lurie rounds out his first 100 days. A cinematic heist in Downtown Los Angeles: Thieves recently tunneled from a historic theater through “castle-like” walls into a store packed with bling. Hungarian Susan Polgar earned chess’ highest honor at age 15. She and her family faced antisemitism and harassment from the ruling Communist Party, and sexism from opponents and officials in chess. Her new memoir is “Rebel Queen.” What’s the relationship between art and democracy? After his firing from the Kennedy Center, poet Marc Bamuthi Joseph has some thoughts.

Pie Down Here — Produced by Signal HillIn the 1980s, when Robin D.G. Kelley was 24 years old, he took a bus trip to the Deep South. He was researching and recording oral histories with farmworkers and Communist Party members who had organized a sharecroppers union in Alabama during the Great Depression.Kelly used those oral histories to write his award winning book, Hammer and Hoe: Alabama Communists during the Great Depression.Recently Kelley listened back to those early recordings with Signal Hill contributor Conor Gillies. He hadn't heard some of the recordings in decades. Memories came flooding back as Kelley reflected on the people, the story and the power of oral history. Robin Davis Gibran Kelley is an American historian and academic, and the Gary B. Nash Professor of American History at UCLA. His books include the prize-winning Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original (Free Press, 2009); Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination (Beacon Press, 2002, new ed. 2022. His essays have appeared in dozens of publications, including The Nation, the New York Times, the New Yorker, New York Review of Books and more.Pie Down Here was produced by Conor Gillies and edited by Liza Yeager and Omar Etman, with help from the Signal Hill team: Jackson Roach, Annie Rosenthal, and Lio Wong. Music by Nathan Bowles. You can listen to the entire first issue of Signal Hill — eight original stories — on their website at signalhill.fm, or wherever you get podcasts. The Kitchen Sisters Present is produced by The Kitchen Sisters (Nikki Silva & Davia Nelson) with Nathan Dalton and Brandi Howell. The Kitchen Sisters Present is part of Radiotopia from PRX, a curated network of independent producers.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 8, 2025 is: apparatchik • ah-puh-RAH-chik • noun Apparatchik is used disapprovingly to refer to a blindly devoted official, follower, or member of an organization, such as a corporation or political party. // This generation of graduates wants more out of life than to become establishment apparatchiks. See the entry > Examples: "Played by What We Do in the Shadows' Matt Berry, Shazbor is a faithful party apparatchik and staunch defender of his country's traditions ..." — Damon Wise, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2025 Did you know? The apparat in apparatchik (a term English speakers borrowed from Russian) essentially means "party machine," with machine referring to a highly organized political group under the leadership of a boss or small group of individuals: apparatchik originally referred to someone functioning as a cog in the system of the Communist Party. The term is not a flattering one, and its negative connotations reflect the perception of some Communists as obedient drones in the great Party machine. In current use, however, a person doesn't have to be a member of the Communist Party to be called an apparatchik; they just have to be someone who mindlessly follows orders in an organization or bureaucracy.