In this special interview, Alex Teich sits down with Shane Sullivan -- local comrade and researcher for InSightCrime.org -- to discuss organized crime in Latin America, the political corruption that enables it, and the ways in which crime has been organized (and legalized) in the United States. They consider how these factors affecting the global South have influenced the on-going protests in Colombia, and reflect on militarized authoritarianism at home and abroad.

Suggested Reading: Articles written by Shane Sullivan on InSight Crime MS-13: The Making of America's Most Notorious Gang by Steven Dudley

[Recorded by Pete Ivanecky on May 19, 2021]

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Aaron, Alex, and Pete analyze the historical context, modern parallels, and discourse surrounding Israel's latest surge of violence against the Palestinian people. We also take care of some housekeeping, including information about our new Patreon tier system and scheduling updates.

Suggested Viewing Gaza Fights For Freedom directed by Abby Martin

Aaron is joined by journalist and author Ryan Grim to discuss Biden's first hundred days in office, what he's accomplished (and has yet to accomplish), and what we can expect from his administration in the future.

They also dive into Ryan's book, We've Got People, to cover a brief history of grassroots and labor organizing in the United States, the relationship between electoralism and social movements, and the times and places such movements have intersected with the Democratic party... for better or worse.

What power does the left have under a Biden presidency, and where can it be found?

Suggested Reading: We've Got People by Ryan Grim

Suggested Listening: Deconstructed with Ryan Grim (via The Intercept)