Beneath the Surface with Suzi Weissman

Alan Minsky discusses the distribution of red cards to attendees at the World Cup final as a protest against Donald Trump. Minsky states that Trump's involvement has corrupted the tournament, comparing it to historical scandals in sports. Jules Boykoff argues that the World Cup reflects both inclusion and exclusion, highlighting the impact of Trump's administration on the event. Boykoff also mentions the need for FIFA to be regulated externally due to its internal corruption. Melissa Figueroa and Minsky later discuss Argentina's soccer culture and its implications for global politics and racism.

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Ryan McKnight discusses the nature of football fandom in the UK, arguing that it serves as a rehearsal for resilience in life under neoliberalism. McKnight claims that the emotional spectrum experienced through fandom, including joy and despair, is crucial for understanding societal dynamics. He also addresses the impact of American ownership on Premier League clubs and the challenges of maintaining local identity amidst globalization. The conversation touches on the political implications of football fandom, particularly in relation to the World Cup and the socio-economic realities faced by fans today.

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Alan Minsky, sitting in for Susie Weissman, discusses the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, highlighting its controversial aspects. Minsky introduces guests Bill Lockenmaker and Melissa Figueroa to share insights on the tournament's dynamics and their personal connections to the teams. Karen Bernal and Amar Shargill analyze the California Democratic Party's recent primary results, noting a lack of progressive representation. Shargill argues that corporate money continues to influence the party, while Bernal points to a growing alienation among young voters. The segment concludes with a discussion on the challenges faced by progressive candidates in California elections.

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Susie Wiseman discusses the Democratic National Committee's autopsy of the 2024 election, highlighting its omission of key issues like Israel's war on Gaza. David Ost argues that the left's abandonment of economic populism has opened the door to right-wing populism. He claims that understanding the shared characteristics of fascism and contemporary right-wing populism is crucial for the left to regain support from disillusioned workers. Ost emphasizes the need for a bold leftist response to counter the appeal of red pill politics and suggests that economic populism could be a pathway to reclaiming the working-class base.

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Susie Wiseman introduces David Ost, a specialist in Polish politics, to discuss the Democratic National Committee's autopsy of the 2024 election. Ost argues that the report's omissions, particularly regarding Israel's war on Gaza, reflect a broader failure of center-left parties to engage with their core constituencies. He claims that the rise of right-wing populism is linked to the left's abandonment of economic populism in favor of cautious managerialism. Ost's book, "Red Pill Politics," outlines how fascism and right-wing populism share a common political species, which he describes as red pill politics, emphasizing the need for the left to understand and address these dynamics to regain support from disillusioned workers.

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Susie Wiseman hosts a conversation with Simon Perani and Alexandra Zabolskaya about political repression in Russia, focusing on the systematic targeting of anti-war critics. Perani discusses the book 'Voices Against Putin's War,' which compiles speeches from political prisoners, highlighting the increasing use of extremist charges against dissenters. Zabolskaya emphasizes the importance of international awareness and solidarity with political prisoners, particularly the case of Assad Miftakov, who faces severe torture in prison. Both speakers stress the need for continued advocacy and attention to the plight of those opposing the regime.

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