Shows
On the BarricadesThe Poverty of Theory: Western Marxism vs. Anti-Imperialism.In this episode of “On the Barricades,” host Boyan Stanislavski is joined by philosopher Gabriel Rockhill, editor of Domenico Losurdo’s posthumous book "Western Marxism: How It Was Born, How It Died, How It Can Be Reborn." Published by Monthly Review Press, this landmark work critically examines #WesternMarxism, highlighting both its historical trajectory and present-day relevance. Alongside Rockhill is Arto Artinian, a Bulgarian-American philosopher and longtime friend of the show. Together, they dissect how Losurdo’s insights shed light on the ideological blind spots and contradictions prevalent on the Western Left, especially around the critical issue of imperialism. This d...2024-11-101h 31
On the BarricadesNATO Summit in Sofia: Escalating Western recklessness unchecked💰 You can support us at patreon.com/thebarricade🌟 Thanks so much!In this episode of "On the Barricades," Boyan Stanislavski and his guest, Arto Artinian, discuss the implications of the recent #NATO Parliamentary Summit held in Sofia, #Bulgaria Boyan expresses concern over the summit's declaration supporting Ukraine's use of NATO weaponry against #Russia and the potential dangers it poses to Bulgaria, a historically NATO-skeptical nation. He highlights the strategic risks mentioned by #Putin regarding small NATO countries becoming targets and contemplates the existential threat to Bulgarian statehood. The conversation shifts to historical and #geopol...2024-06-0343 min
On the BarricadesUnveiling the Enigma of Slovakia: A deep dive into the realm of Robert FicoIn this episode of "On the Barricades," we delve into the intricate tapestry of Slovakia's political. Boyan Stanislavski is joined by the distinguished Slovak journalist and author, Silvia Ruppeldtová, whose recent work, "The other face of modernity," sheds light on the unseen facets of international politics. This episode promises an unprecedented exploration of Robert Fico's tenure as Slovakia's Prime Minister, a figure who commands both respect and controversy in equal measure. Fico's political odyssey, often marred by polarized media portrayals and contentious policies, is dissected to reveal a man whose actions and ideology are far more nuanced t...2024-02-2148 min
On the BarricadesPoland is barking at Belarus while decaying in its own sauceOn the Barricades ― s06e24💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much!Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat provide an overview of news from Eastern Europe in this episode. They begin by discussing how Polish and Baltic ministers decided to issue an ultimatum to Belarus, demanding that its authorities immediately remove Wagner PMC members from Belarusian territory. Then they discuss the ultimate threat to public order in Moldova: popular Serbian singer Goran Bregovich. He was not permitted to cross the Moldovan border or perform a concert there. You see, he's far too...2023-09-0536 min
On the BarricadesUS imperialism is tearing Bulgaria apart from withinOn the Barricades ― s06e22💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade🌟 Thanks so much!Boyan Stanislavski talks with two Bulgarian political commentators, Arto Artinian and Bozhin Traykov, in this episode. The topic is a rather strange (even by Eastern European standards) bill that is being discussed in a rather shady manner in some kind of "working group" where the suggestion is that in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian language could be downgraded to foreign language for some groups of pupils and students. We became aware of this outrage after the "working group" in question...2023-09-0436 min
On the BarricadesBulgarian elections: popular masses versus "the smart and the beautiful?On the Barricades ― s06e21💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade🌟 Thanks so much!There is a small segment of Bulgarian society that is mostly made up of clients of American and other Western NGOs in Bulgaria, who continue to openly support the country's most notorious Euro-Atlanticist forces. They, of course, publicly support concepts such as "democracy," "freedom," and "human rights," and one of their leaders once famously described them as "smart and beautiful," in contrast to the rest of society. This fall, the "unintelligent" and "unattractive" will compete in Sofia, Bulgaria's...2023-09-0451 min
On the BarricadesPoland in the run-up to elections, German meddling, and the usual circusOn the Barricades ― s06e20 💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much! Dr. Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski discuss the political situation in Poland, which is set to hold parliamentary elections on October 15. Boyan explains the larger context of recent campaign events, as well as some rather amusing government and opposition failures. 🚨 Twitter: https://twitter.com/_the_barricade_ 🚨 Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/thebarricade 🚨 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TheBarricade:3 🚨 Spotify: http://bit.ly/Barricade_SF 🚨 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/baricada...2023-08-2837 min
On the BarricadesSigns of sanity in Romanian media and Bulgarian defense of the Red Army monumentOn the Barricades ― s06e19 💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much! In this episode of On the Barricades, Dr. Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski discuss how the Romanian media has suddenly discovered people who can speak assertively, rationally, and, most importantly, truthfully about Ukraine's much-hyped "counteroffensive" which is now going on for the third month in a row. Boyan explains the social and political context of the recent uproar over the Red Army monument in Sofia, Bulgaria's capital city, in the second half of the show. 🚨 Twitter: ht...2023-08-2733 min
On the BarricadesThe war could be over in an instant. There is a lack of political will in the USOn the Barricades ― s06e17 💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much! This is the third segment of Boyan Stanislavski's in-depth conversation with US peace activists Medea Benjamin and Ann Wright, both of whom are well-established and well-known. In this segment, we discuss how the war in Ukraine is affecting domestic American affairs, as well as how events on the front lines may affect the upcoming presidential elections next year. We also discuss the role of the media and how peace activists are brutally censored and must purchase...2023-08-2526 min
On the BarricadesUkraine is entrapped in Biden's foreign policy w/ Medea Benjamin & Ann WrightOn the Barricades ― s06e16 💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much! This is the second part of Boyan Stanislavski's interview with Medea Benjamin and Ann Wright, two American peace activists and authors who oppose Ukraine's ongoing war. While they strongly condemn the Western imperialist approach, they also disapprove of Russia for invading their neighboring country. This section of the discussion focuses on how the war plays out in domestic American politics, how dangerously close nuclear doom is, and who is opposing it in the US. 🚨 Twitter: https://twi...2023-08-2423 min
On the Barricadesmperial arrogance and economic interests are driving the Ukrainian war💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much! On the Barricades' co-host Boyan Stanislavski spoke with two prominent American peace activists, Medea Benjamin and Ann Wright, about the war in Ukraine. They arrived in Poland shortly after attending a major pro-peace conference in Vienna, Austria, and then gave an extensive interview to The Barricade. The conversation has been divided into three parts, which will be released one at a time. Boyan asks questions about the global meeting in Vienna, the obstacles and difficulties that the organizers faced, and the ideological drive to "take dow...2023-07-0739 min
On the BarricadesThe US imperialist rampage in Bulgaria continues. Upcoming large-scale protests💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much!The new Bulgarian government, de facto appointed by the American ambassador in Sofia, is carrying on Washington's imperialist rampage. The parliament is pushed to pass laws allowing Bulgaria to send weapons and military personnel to Ukraine, the last remaining voices of dissent, such as the famous journalist Petar Volghin, are facing their programs potentially removed from major media, and many other dangerous things are happening that are competently contrary to the political sentiments of the Bulgarian people. This is why, on a cyclical basis, massiv...2023-06-2931 min
On the BarricadesAnother casualty in Poland. Is the anti-abortion law, however, the only issue?💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade🌟 Thanks so much!Another young pregnant woman died in a hospital in Nowy Targ, Poland. People say that the doctors who cared for her didn't do their jobs well because they were afraid of getting in trouble with the law if they did an abortion. The abortion ban in Poland is undoubtedly a major issue, but not every death, including that of a pregnant woman in medical custody, is necessarily linked to the ban on abortions. The investigation is ongoing, but it appears increasingly likely that the issues...2023-06-2841 min
On the BarricadesHuge social support for the Romanian teachers' strike. Is this a game changer?💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much! Teachers in Romania have been on strike for several weeks. The government has only partially responded to their allegations, and some media outlets attempted to portray the unions as playing into Russia's hands by disrupting Romania's political process with the strike. Surprisingly, some media outlets have pushed back, and it appears that teachers have a lot of social support, particularly from parents and students. Will this strike be a watershed moment? To find out, listen to the discussion between On the Barricades hosts Boyan Stanis...2023-06-2735 min
On the BarricadesWill foreign forces repress potential Bulgarian protests? Can the US really rely on the BG army?💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much! Yesterday (June 5), the Bulgarian military aviation leadership issued a strong open letter criticizing the upcoming defense minister's positions, an unprecedented move. Rumors (but no evidence!) are spreading that networks of Ukrainian far-right militiamen are preparing to potentially violently respond to increasingly massive protests against Bulgaria's participation in the Ukrainian war. The situation is tense, and the Americans are resorting to increasingly drastic measures and playing the game of va banque. Bozhin Traykov and Arto Artinian discuss with Boyan Stanislavski. 🚨 Twitter: https://twitter.com/_the...2023-06-2636 min
On the BarricadesBulgaria's treasonous scandal deepens. New govt. is being enforced on the people💰 You can support us at https://www.patreon.com/thebarricade 🌟 Thanks so much!The Bulgarian political class appears to be under intense pressure from the American Embassy in Sofia to form a government comprised of two mutually exclusive parties on all levels. They despise each other's guts. Nonetheless, they are about to form a government that appears to have only one goal: to drag Bulgaria into the war on Ukraine's side. Boyan Stanislavski meets with Arto Artinian and Bozhin Traykov to discuss the situation. 🚨 Twitter: https://twitter.com/_the_barricade_ 🚨 Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/the...2023-06-2535 min
On the Barricades“Imperialism with social justice characteristics” and other modern-left nonsenseIn this edition of On the Barricades the hosts discuss the moral bankruptcy of the whole NGO establishment. Charity is a concept criticized in classical Marxist literature and also in books and articles from other areas of the ideological arena. Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat discuss why feminism and the LGBT community should be very skeptical with regards to the power of the NGO to fundamentally change the status quo. On the contrary, serving as a feel-good medicine meant to appease a guilty conscience by the rich and as a socially responsible substance to be sprayed-on produce, charity is...2023-05-1436 min
On the BarricadesActivist hysteria as measurement of reality, the case of Poland and HungaryMaria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski discuss in this edition of On the Barricades a report claiming that Poland is the worst place for the LGBT community despite the fact that recent research shows that the LGBT community's acceptance in Polish society is improving. Maria Cernat then goes on to analyze the successes of Hungarian president Viktor Orban, whose prospects of winning elections grew significantly, according to a poll taken in March. The poll indicates that he would win three quarters of the parliamentary seats. Meanwhile in Hungary the police repressed a couple of thousands of protesters gathered in front o...2023-05-1430 min
On the BarricadesHow does a socialist planned economy work? China, Romania, Bulgaria, Part 1“On the Barricades” s06e54In this three-part release of this week’s “On the Barricades”, hosts Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski invite back Pat Byrne, the UK-born, Brazil-based political analyst, author, and historian of the European left who is currently writing a book, “Why China will lead the world and what it could look like.”Inspired by Maria’s article* on “Socialism with Romanian Characteristics”, a phrase lifted from China, Pat wanted to provide us with an understanding of China’s planned economy and how it works– in comparison to Romania and also Bulgaria, which we get to in part...2023-05-0631 min
On the BarricadesRidiculous Western hysteria over “fascism” in Poland and BulgariaOn this second release of the weekend, the hosts of “On the Barricades”, Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski, turn to the political systems of Poland and Bulgaria. There is a major theme in Western coverage of the political process in these countries that operates on the premise that, yes, liberal democracy is not working as it’s supposed to here— take that Bulgaria just had its 5th round of parliamentary elections in 2 years in attempt to form an elected government — but also that somehow, the electorate of the countries is the problem in that they somehow consent to “authoritarian” or non-democra...2023-04-1641 min
On the BarricadesViolence and cheapened education in the capitalist school system in RomaniaTwo recent incidents of teacher abuse in the Romanian school system— one on April 5 at an elite high school in Bucharest where a student stabbed a teacher who announced a test, and one on April 7 involving sexual harassment of a teacher in a rural school— are the basis of today’s discussion of structural causes for the breakdown of relations and lowering of learning conditions in the capitalist approach to public education. Hosts Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski discuss the philosophy and aims of the current education system compared to that of the socialist schooling system: protecting student “freedom” and hyper...2023-04-1535 min
On the BarricadesNavalny: fact vs fiction, part 2 w/ Maria AnanyevaIn this two-part release of “On the Barricades,” hosts Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat speak with a pair of academics inside Russia to get at some truth about the figure so well heralded by the West, the “oppositionist” and “honest” challenger to Putin, Alexei Navalny. There’s been some backlash after the Navalny extravaganza and misportrayal went perhaps too far in the Oscar-winning documentary with his name. It’s time to get a better grip on the Russian political system as a whole and Navalny’s role in it.In this first episode of two, we have Maria Ananyeva bac...2023-04-0448 min
On the BarricadesNotorious Navalny’s place in Russian politics, pt. 1 w/ Russian political scientist Stanislav ByshokIn this two-part release of “On the Barricades,” hosts Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat speak with a pair of academics inside Russia to get at some truth about the figure so well heralded by the West, the “oppositionist” and “honest” challenger to Putin, Alexei Navalny. There’s been some backlash after the Navalny extravaganza and misportrayal went perhaps too far in the Oscar-winning documentary with his name. It’s time to get a better grip on the Russian political system as a whole and Navalny’s role in it.In this first episode of two, we speak again with Dr. Sta...2023-04-0237 min
On the BarricadesPoland: another outburst of abrasive political hype and even more hysterical responsesIn this first episode of the weekend’s release of “On the Barricades”, hosts Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat discuss a tragic incident in Polish news related to the death of the 15-year-old teenage son of the main opposition party’s MP, Magdalena Filiks. The teenager was a victim of abuse at the hands of a Civic Platform member, who was also an LGBT activist, and the suicide occurred after the (arch-conservative) ruling party released a report on state radio that revealed the victim’s identity. In the wake, the incident has been weaponized by both political entities. This uproar and...2023-04-0137 min
On the BarricadesThe Left needs to get over its anti-communism, part 3/3 with Youri Smouter and Arto ArtinianThis weekend we have a 3-part release of “On the Barricades” with two of our regular guests, Youri Smouter of 1+1 and Arto Artinian, a Bulgarian-raised professor of sociology in the US. These two bring broad experience and knowledge from the socialist movement and study of its history and sociology, from both sides of world. Along with hosts Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski, they are tackling the massively important question of the current state of the so-called Left or “socialist” movement, which has various reactionary trends which we’ve discussed on our show at length previously. But today the focus i...2023-03-2639 min
On the BarricadesThe Left needs to get over its anti-communism, part 2/3 with Youri Smouter and Arto ArtinianThis weekend we have a 3-part release of “On the Barricades” with two of our regular guests, Youri Smouter of 1+1 and Arto Artinian, a Bulgarian-raised professor of sociology in the US. These two bring broad experience and knowledge from the socialist movement and study of its history and sociology, from both sides of world. Along with hosts Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski, they are tackling the massively important question of the current state of the so-called Left or “socialist” movement, which has various reactionary trends which we’ve discussed on our show at length previously. But today the focus i...2023-03-2532 min
On the BarricadesThe Left needs to get over its anti-communism, part 1/3 with Youri Smouter and Arto ArtinianThis weekend we have a 3-part release of “On the Barricades” with two of our regular guests, Youri Smouter of 1+1 and Arto Artinian, a Bulgarian-raised professor of sociology in the US. These two bring broad experience and knowledge from the socialist movement and study of its history and sociology, from both sides of world. Along with hosts Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski, they are tackling the massively important question of the current state of the so-called Left or “socialist” movement, which has various reactionary trends which we’ve discussed on our show at length previously. But today the focus i...2023-03-2430 min
On the BarricadesInside a refugee camp, women, and governance in Palestine: part 3 of Boyan’s Israel/West Bank tripIn this weekend’s release of “On the Barricades,” regular hosts Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat speak with Youri Smouter of 1+1. The discussion was launched after Boyan’s return from a trip to Israel and Palestine, where he was with a group of journalists invited by an EU organization in the West Bank called EUPOL COPPS.This is the third and final part of the 3-part release. We hear from Boyan about the refugee camp he visited– in which the fourth generation is now being born, and where the conditions have been created for people to live relatively...2023-03-2056 min
On the BarricadesPalestinian life in prolonged war: Boyan’s impressions from Israel and the West Bank, part 1In this weekend’s release of “On the Barricades,” regular hosts Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat speak with Youri Smouter of 1+1. The discussion is launched after Boyan’s return from a trip to Israel and Palestine, where he was with a group of journalists invited by an EU organization in the West Bank called EUPOL COPPS.In this first release we hear Boyan’s personal impressions from this profoundly impactful time in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Here with a heavy police and military presence and frequent terrorism, a major escalation of violence is continually in the air an...2023-03-1936 min
On the BarricadesOne year later: The Russian political system and the info-war front, part 2 w/ Stanislav ByshokThis weekend Stanislav Byshok, a Russian political scientist living in Moscow, is back on the Barricades for a two-part release with hosts Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski. He earned a PhD after graduating from Moscow State University, and he is frequently described as a scholar deconstructing nationalism and populism in international researcher databases. He's written a number of books and reports on current Russian, Ukrainian, and European politics.In part two, we hear Stanislav’s insights into some questions that help explain the last year on the info-war front and how we’ve arrived at a situation wher...2023-02-2638 min
On the BarricadesOne year since the outbreak of the war: looking back from inside Russia, part 1 w/ Stanislav ByshokThis weekend Stanislav Byshok, a Russian political scientist living in Moscow, is back on the Barricades for a two-part release with hosts Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski. He earned a PhD after graduating from Moscow State University, and he is frequently described as a scholar deconstructing nationalism and populism in international researcher databases. He's written a number of books and reports on current Russian, Ukrainian, and European politics.In this first part, we took the chance to hear an inside-Russian perspective on what is often stripped of nuance and misportrayed by the press: the mood and attitude...2023-02-2532 min
On the BarricadesOn Žižek the capitalist clown, the circus on the Left, and cultural imperialism w/ Gabriel RockhillOn this week’s release of “On the Barricades,” hosts Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski invite back the French-American writer, cultural critic, and activist, Gabriel Rockhill. Gabriel’s work in academia led him to a very close understanding of the bourgeois cultural and intellectual apparatus for its fundamental, historical role of bringing leftist thinking in line with the interests of the corporate elites and capitalist order. We have Gabriel back, this time to elaborate on his latest article about Slavoj Žižek, who is perhaps the most well-known example of such a pseudo-leftist intellectuals symptomatic of the neo-liberal cultural apparatus...2023-02-1956 min
On the BarricadesWhy does it refuse to end? The Ukraine war, with Medea BenjaminAs the great critic of American imperialism, Michael Parenti put it, “trying to make sense of things is what makes us truly human”. What’s senseless about the war in Ukraine is how it looked like it could have come to a stop, or been prevented through negotiations, at so many points. Medea Benjamin, the American peace and social justice activist and author of over a dozen books, took on the task of explaining the Ukraine war in a balanced way, in her latest book “War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict,” co-authored with Nicholas J.S. Davis. The...2023-02-0552 min
On the BarricadesPoland is NOT becoming a military superpower. But will it intervene in Ukraine?Last week, former British marine Richard Kemp wrote an article in the Telegraph stating that Poland is becoming a military superpower, and humiliated Germany by pressuring Germany to hand over its Leopard tanks to Ukraine. This is nonsense on its face, and reminiscent of 1939 when the British press once again declared Poland’s greatness and source of inspiration to Europe, before things went the opposite way and Poland was left to get destroyed in World War Two.In this special release of “On the Barricades,” our host from Warsaw, Boyan Stanislavski, discusses some of these complete non-sensical, yet co...2023-01-2852 min
On the BarricadesThe lunacy of Bulgaria and Poland rejecting Russian gasIn this episode, Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski discuss the governments of Poland and Bulgaria strange decision to refuse to follow the payment methodology proposed by the Russians in exchange for natural gas delivery. The hosts discuss the political implications of those moves for both countries, as well as the strange reactions of the authorities, who speak of utter incompetence and a lack of ideas for dealing with a serious crisis. Maria and Boyan also discuss the most recent misinformation tactics. This is the second installment of this week's On the Barricades release. The first part is available here: 2022-05-0528 min
On the BarricadesThe capitalist logic behind conflating fantasy and realityMaria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski discuss the most recent international events in and around East Europe in this episode. Of course, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is at the forefront of their minds. The hosts explored the issue of creating fear, as well as many fake hazards that contribute to swaying public opinion and producing hysteria in society. Surprisingly, it is the so-called security apparatus that is responsible for this by and large. Such is the class logic in capitalist societies and states, and this is how its institutions function. Maria and Boyan also discuss how many activists, particularly...2022-05-0240 min
theAnalysis.newsThe Invasion has Inflamed Eastern European Opinion
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On the BarricadesA new low in Romania! Police leaks journo's intimate pics to threaten her?Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat discuss the recent scandal in Romania in today's episode of On the Barricades. Emilia Șercan, a well-known Romanian journalist, received numerous threats after revealing that the country's prime minister plagiarized his PhD thesis. After complaining to the appropriate institutions about the incidents, she was threatened again, this time by Romanian police. Here's a story about 'democracy,' 'free speech,' and other so-called 'European values,' as they are practiced in our region. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...2022-04-0929 min
On the BarricadesThe pro-war attitude and its dangers (pt. 2)As the war continues in Ukraine, more and more people, intellectuals, journalists, and artists are drawn into the pro-war narrative. The slightest deviation from the official line is deemed to be “pro-Putinist Russian propaganda.” There is no place for debate, for analysis. In this edition of the Thumbs Down Thumbs Up of our show Boyan Stanislavski, Maria Cernat and Youri Smouter discussed the vile and toxic media environment and how detrimental this is in the long run, especially for young democracies such as the Romanian, Bulgarian and Polish. The cartoonish media representation of events is something that will...2022-04-0441 min
On the BarricadesThe pro-war attitude and its dangers (pt. 1)As the war continues in Ukraine, more and more people, intellectuals, journalists, and artists are drawn into the pro-war narrative. The slightest deviation from the official line is deemed to be “pro-Putinist Russian propaganda”. There is no place for debate, for analysis. In this edition of the Thumbs Down Thumbs Up” of our show Boyan Stanislavski, Maria Cernat and Youri Smouter discussed the vile and toxic media environment and how detrimental this is in the long run, especially for young democracies such as the Romanian, Bulgarian and Polish. The cartoonish media representation of events is something that will g...2022-04-0431 min
On the BarricadesThe Belgorod incident and the Russian narrative's hollownessAnother contribution from our editor, Boyan Stanislavski, who is currently in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is making some spontaneous observations and comments on Russia's rather obvious weakness in communicating their objectives in Ukraine, as well as the advances of their army and the mistakes they have made. The Russian narrative is rigid and delivered in an irritating manner, which is a huge mistake on the part of Russia's leadership — both political/civilian and military. And the Ukrainian helicopters taking out the fuel depot in Belgorod, which is Russian territory, is yet another example of the Russian approach's hollowness and inefficiency in...2022-04-0433 min
On the BarricadesWhy are the Polish authorities so enthusiastic to escalate the ongoing war?A rational politician would want to protect their country from war and other heinous events. But not the current Polish government! Not the Catholic fundamentalist ideologues who seized control of Polish society in 2015 and have remained in power ever since. Those individuals appear to be attempting to escalate the crisis in such a way that the war in neighboring Ukraine spills over into Poland in a violent manner, in addition to the massive wave of refugees who have already arrived there in the last month. In this episode, our editor Boyan Stanislavski, reporting from downtown Sofia, Bulgaria...2022-04-0443 min
On the BarricadesWhat should the left's talking points be following Biden's visit to Poland?It's a bit odd to see leftist analysts, journalists, and commentators publicly debating whether Joe Biden's strange utterances in Poland last weekend were scripted, off-the-cuff nonsense that this man frequently produces, or some other unintentional occurrence. Why not make some important points based on what he said, whether it was scripted or not? What does it matter? Also, it's surprising to see people getting excited about Biden's admission that regime change in Russia is the American foreign policy blob's wet dream. How could this not have been obvious from the start of the current crisis? (This is...2022-04-0228 min
On the BarricadesJoe Biden's Polish pizza hype and his convoluted statementsThis is an experimental episode in which we try to introduce spontaneous solo comments, delivered in this case by Boyan Stanislavski, one of the show's co-hosts. Boyan, who lives in Poland, decided to make a short video summarizing Joe Biden's recent visit to the country. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebarricade.substack.com/subscribe2022-04-0127 min
On the BarricadesUnsparing military expert's assessment of the Ukrainian situation /w Mark Sleboda"If wars were won by spreading memes, the Russians would have lost many times over," says the special guest on this episode of On the Barricades, Mark Sleboda. He is a former US Navy specialist, a military expert, and an academic who attended the London School of Economics before becoming a senior lecturer at Moscow State University. He is still in Moscow, and he provides a very serious, sober, and specific evaluation of the current on the ground, analyzing all of the major events of the last three weeks that are directly or indirectly related to the ongoing military...2022-03-2039 min
On the BarricadesNo to War! Anti-Russian-invasion and anti-NATO initiative in RomaniaMihnea Teodor Popescu is one of the most vocal members of a Romanian initiative seeking to oppose war and fight imperialism by denouncing both Russia and NATO. This initiative was formed by a group of undergraduate and graduate collegians–the Union of Militant Students–and it advances progressive ideas and values such as anti-imperialism and social justice. The members of this organization recently attended a pro-Ukraine protest in Bucharest organized by Remus Cernea, a former MP, where they were met with violence simply because they held banners condemning Russia and NATO. Pro-NATO organizers demanded that poli...2022-03-0744 min
On the BarricadesThe war in Ukraine in relation to Russia's internal situation [special edition pt. 5]In the previous segment, Boyan Stanislavski, the host of On the Barricades, and his guest Pat Byrne, a political analyst, socialist activist, and historian of the European left, discussed the goals that Putin may be pursuing by ordering the invasion of Ukraine. In this segment, Boyan and Pat discuss Russia's internal political process and the role that the current war may play in this regard. Will Russia see a massive anti-war movement? Will Putin's approval rating fall or rise? This and more can be found in the fifth installment of the special edition six-part discussion on the war in...2022-03-0329 min
On the BarricadesWhat are Putin's goals, and can he achieve them through the ongoing war? [special edition pt. 4]As we have stated numerous times in previous segments, there is no doubt that any war of aggression should be condemned. All such wars are bad, and it takes a psychopath to 'like' them. Moral statements and virtue signaling, on the other hand, are insufficient. Not least in Eastern Europe, which has once again become a theater of war. We must ask questions such as what caused this war (as we did in the previous section of this discussion) and what goals Vladimir Putin and his administration are attempting to achieve. And this is exactly what Boyan...2022-03-0335 min
On the BarricadesWhat caused this heinous war, and what were Ukraine's internal conflicts? [special edition pt. 3]In this third installment of our six-part discussion with Pat Byrne, a political analyst, socialist activist, and historian of the European left, we continue to examine the processes that led up to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as internal contradictions that existed in that country and the ways western imperialism attempted to exploit them in the past. We mention the 2004 colored revolution, the plight that Russia and Ukraine faced following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and the economic and social problems that arose as a result, becoming a major trauma in both of those...2022-03-0329 min
On the BarricadesHistory didn't start 10 minutes ago! Here's how US-Russia conflict developed [special edition pt. 2]This is the second of six parts in which Boyan Stanislavski, one of the hosts of On the Barricades, sat down with Pat Byrne, a political analyst, longtime socialist activist, and historian of the European left, to discuss the war in Ukraine and the international situation in general. Pat and Boyan provide the historical context, beginning with the dissolution of the USSR, and explain the processes that were constantly building tensions that were taken to a whole new level by the events in Kiev in 2014, as well as analyze how the situation evolved after the 'Euromaidan...2022-03-0329 min
On the BarricadesAs the Ukraine war rages on, the media call for more war. Horrific reactions!As the world enters the sixth day of the Ukraine war, the hosts of On the barricades sit down to discuss the reactions in the mainstream media as well as the public, particularly the commentariat on (anti)social media. As if the war wasn't already atrocious enough, the West is calling for more of it! There is widespread support for an all-out war with the Russian Federation. Any possibility of even a minimally rational debate is removed from the public sphere. There is only good versus evil, and only aggressive tribal emotions appear to be permitted at this time. 2022-03-0340 min
On the Barricades5th day of war in Ukraine Is there an end in sight?We are deeply disturbed by the events in Ukraine, which have once again turned Eastern Europe into a theater of deadly war. We are heartbroken to see brotherly nations killing each other again, as they did in the Balkans in the early 1990s. The hosts of On the Barricades have recorded this special edition of the program to analyze the current military and political circumstances that the public is being informed about, as well as to attempt to make sense of the often contradictory, if not entirely exclusive, statements made by multiple outlets on both sides of...2022-03-0333 min
On the BarricadesMassive escalation in the Donbass, or a new propaganda campaign? /w Andrei BuzarovIn the midst of the escalating tensions in and around Ukraine, the hosts of On the barricades have invited a special guest who is a political scientist, security analyst, and academic currently residing in Kiev. Andrey Buzarov is originally from Donyetsk, and he not only shares his expertise and comments on current events, but he also provides an insightful perspective of someone who is on the ground in Kiev and has relatives living in East Ukraine.Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski speak with Andrey about the events of the last 72 hours, which appear to show that another...2022-02-2227 mintheAnalysis.newsMassive Escalation in Donbas or a New Propaganda Campaign? – Andrey Buzarov pt 1/2This interview was conducted on February 19th, two days before Russia recognized Donetsk and Luhansk.
In the midst of the escalating tensions in and around Ukraine, the hosts of "On the barricades" have invited a special guest who is a political scientist, security analyst, and academic currently residing in Kiev. Andrey Buzarov is originally from Donyetsk, and he not only shares his expertise and comments on current events, but he also provides an insightful perspective of someone who is on the ground in Kiev and has relatives living in East Ukraine.
Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski speak with Andrey about...2022-02-2127 min
On the BarricadesFeminism in Poland – an ongoing battle against individualism and conservatismDisclaimer: Due to a technical failure that we were unaware of during the recording, a large portion of the audio in this segment featuring Boyan Stanislavski is muted. We apologize to all of our viewers and listeners.In 2016, Poles took to the streets to protest a total ban on abortions imposed by the Law and Justice Polish party that took power in 2015. The movement was called the Black Protest and it was a successful way of opposing the anti-abortion legislation.Unfortunately, in 2021, the Polish Catholic fundamentalists managed to enshrine a complete ban on abortion into...2022-02-1438 min
On the BarricadesRomanian politics is art of going from failure to failure while not seeming to be disturbedThe first part of the Thumbs-up, Thumbs-down session of the podcast On the Barricades offers an amazing set of failures that were generated in Romania and presented by Maria Cernat. Among them: the plagiarism of the Prime Minister, the one million mistakenly supercharged electricity bills and the constant prioritization of military acquisition from the US to the detriment of social services budgets for Romanians. Yuri Smouter and Boyan Stanislavski have their comment on those stories. And at the end, a look to the cultural faulting between large segments of Romanian society and liberal LGBT agenda is discussed...2022-02-0639 min
On the BarricadesDo Russians fear sanctions and what is the public opinion? /w Stanislav Byshok (part 2)Stanislav Byshok, a Russian political scientist, is our guest this time. He earned a PhD after graduating from Moscow State University, and he is frequently described as a scholar deconstructing nationalism and populism in international researcher databases. He’s written a number of books and reports on current Russian, Ukrainian, and European politics. Stanislav Byshok will explain the attitudes of the Russian public and the reactions of the Russian media to the growing tensions between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine. This is part two of the conversation on those matters hosted by Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski. Se...2022-01-2631 mintheAnalysis.newsRussian Political Scientist: “The Russian Public has no Appetite for War” – Stanislav Byshok Pt 1Stanislav Byshok will explain the attitudes of the Russian public and the reactions of the Russian media to the growing tensions between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine in a two-part conversation hosted by Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski. Other aspects of the Russian perspective on recent events and processes are also being discussed.2022-01-2536 min
On the BarricadesRussian political scientist: "The Russian public has no appetite for war" /w Stanislav ByshokStanislav Byshok, a Russian political scientist, is our guest this time. He earned a PhD after graduating from Moscow State University, and he is frequently described as a scholar deconstructing nationalism and populism in international researcher databases. He's written a number of books and reports on current Russian, Ukrainian, and European politics.Stanislav Byshok will explain the attitudes of the Russian public and the reactions of the Russian media to the growing tensions between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine in a two-part conversation hosted by Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski. Other aspects of the Russian perspective on...2022-01-2536 min
On the BarricadesSummit for (capitalism without any) democracy w/ Pat ByrneIn the second part (part 1) of our discussion with Pat Byrne on the outcomes of the Summit for Democracy, which was held in early January, we discuss how American and other Western organizations manipulate political realities in Eastern Europe (and elsewhere) by claiming to be intervening in favor of democracy or against corruption. However, from the standpoint of those two concepts, the situation in the United States is rather bleak. Anyone with an interest can see that America's democracy is in crisis, and that corruption is not only legal, but also built into the structure of Congress's work, with...2022-01-1941 min
On the BarricadesKazakhstani Chessboard — Part 3 — Traditional agitprop in the media and moreIt was predictable, but it was still disappointing. The western media began their usual campaign of support for anything that could be construed as anti-Russian. It was their usual agitation for those ‘fighting for their freedom,’ ‘democracy,’ and ‘human rights.’ The Russian media has also taken their usual stance: Provocation! CIA! CIA! They want to destabilize Russia!While both of those narratives contain some truth, they are overly simplistic and ignore many important factors, such as the slew of contradictions in Kazakhstani politics and among its ruling elite. Until today, no major mainstream Western media outlet has provided a c...2022-01-1838 min
On the BarricadesKazakhstani Chessboard — Part 2 — From spontaneous demos to rampant riotsWhat exactly happened last week in Kazakhstan? This is a question that many people have. Was this a genuine protest, or a western-led American jab in Russia's soft underbelly? Was this a working-class movement or yet another post-Soviet attempt at a color revolution? It appears that there was a little bit of everything. The context is one of deep contradictions in Kazakhstan's ruling class and society as a whole.Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat carefully examine the chronology of last week's events in Kazakhstan, highlighting the most doubtful moments and carefully explaining what conclusions can be drawn...2022-01-1843 min
On the BarricadesKazakhstani Chessboard — Part 1 — The settingAt the beginning of January, a stunning series of events occurred in Kazakhstan, a major Central Asian country. In comparison to many other states with a similar history of ties to the USSR, this post-Soviet republic was largely a success story. Another significant difference is that Kazakhstan, with the support of Russia and the CSTO, prevented a color revolution from taking place just last week. But was there a concerted effort on the part of Western powers to stage a putsch against Kazakhstan's government? Or was the uprising we witnessed merely a manifestation of power struggles within the Kazakh...2022-01-1839 mintheAnalysis.newsKazakhstani Chessboard – Part 2 – From Spontaneous Demos to Rampant RiotsWhat exactly happened last week in Kazakhstan? This is a question that many people have. Was this a genuine protest, or a western-led American jab in Russia's soft underbelly? Was this a working-class movement or yet another post-Soviet attempt at a color revolution? It appears that there was a little bit of everything. The context is one of deep contradictions in Kazakhstan's ruling class and society as a whole.
Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat carefully examine the chronology of last week's events in Kazakhstan, highlighting the most doubtful moments and carefully explaining what conclusions can be drawn based on facts...2022-01-1443 mintheAnalysis.newsKazakhstani Chessboard – Part 1 – The SettingWere the events in Kazakhstan a popular workers uprising, a "Colored Revolution", or a manifestation of power struggles within the Kazakh establishment? Or all of the above? The Barricade's Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat discuss the general political realities in Kazakhstan today, as well as the fundamental premises for such violent events to have occurred.2022-01-1339 min
On the BarricadesA soldier from Poland has defected to Belarus. Leaving the 'democratic paradise' for the 'inhumane regime' of Lukashenko?Thousands of migrants are currently encamped near the Polish-Belarus border. They are mostly from the Middle East, and their goal is to cross Poland and into Germany. Tensions grew for months, and the Polish declared a state of emergency across the border, barring non-governmental organizations and journalists from entering the area. Nonetheless, Polish journalists and activists were able to reach the migrants and assist them.This defection was the last thing we expected to happen in the midst of the crisis, which is why we asked Boyan Stanislavski, our cohost and a Polish and Bulgarian journalist, to...2021-12-2032 mintheAnalysis.newsUkraine and the Battle of the Oligarchs – pt 2/2The panel discusses how the oligarchs on all sides of the confrontation use nationalism to push their agendas. Does Eastern Europe consider Russia a threat? Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat join Paul Jay for a collaboration on theAnalysis.news and the Barricade.2021-12-1438 mintheAnalysis.newsWhy Are Tensions Rising in Ukraine? – pt 1/2Biden is threatening severe sanctions claiming Russia is getting ready to invade Ukraine. Russia says NATO expansion is a threat and Ukraine is provoking a confrontation. East European journalists Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski join Paul Jay in a collaboration between “The Barricade” and theAnalysis.news.2021-12-1040 min
On the BarricadesOn the ongoing global devastation of democracy by mainstream media and NGOs w/ Pat ByrneThe so-called Summit for Democracy, convened by American President Joe Biden, is set to begin in a few days. Before it begins, Pat Byrne, our guest, analyzes the dominant model of 'democracy' based on western concepts. He is a long-time socialist activist, political analyst, and European left historian. Boyan Stanislavski and Pat Byrne deconstruct the dominant notion of democracy and discuss the key actors who prevent democracy from progressing beyond electoral rituals, while regimes formed through general elections frequently fail to provide for the people and leave them disillusioned and frustrated.Is it possible to have a...2021-12-0848 min
On the BarricadesReal summit of fake democracies or a stocktake by US imperialismIn the most recent episode of our flagship podcast On the barricades 📹🎙 we talk with Pat Byrne, a long-time socialist activist, political analyst, and historian of the European left, a week before the President of the United States convenes the Summit for Democracy. Boyan Stanislavski discusses the significance of this event as well as the nature of the current understanding of the concept of democracy with him.🎯 Is this summit a sign of the desperation of American imperialism? 🎯 Is this a genuine mobilization of "democratic forces" or merely intimidation? 🎯 How will this be perceived by th...2021-12-0540 min
On the BarricadesEastern Europe, liberal democracy, and the disorientation of the left — Nov 2021 👍🏻👎🏻The #s03e15 🎦🎙 episode of the podcast On the barricades focuses on the crisis of liberal democracy in Eastern Europe, with Bulgaria and Romania serving as ‘great’ examples. 💬 We are made to swallow the same dish, only with different flavors 💬 dr. Maria Cernat said of 🇷🇴 Romania's current political crisis.In 🇧🇬 Bulgaria's recent elections, a “anti-corruption” 🙄 party led by two Harvard graduates came in first place. It was interpreted as a sign of hope for the country on a global scale. Boyan Stanislavski however cautions against simplistic interpretations, saying, 💬 So much had to change for everything to remain the same. 💬This segment was par...2021-11-3046 min
On the BarricadesMigrants pay the price for Poland's nationalistic posture with their livesThe hosts of On the barricades, Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski, discuss the situation on the Polish-Belarussian border in this episode, focusing on the Polish authorities' cynical, violent, and downright stupid response to what they refer to as a ‘hybrid war’ waged on Poland by Belarus' president. Along the Belarusian border, the Polish government has deployed around 15,000 soldiers, police officers, military police officers, and border guards. They ‘defend’ Poland with loaded guns and full uniforms against a few thousand completely armless, hungry, and freezing people, many of whom are women and children. This absurdity exists only to score po...2021-11-1450 mintheAnalysis.newsBarricade | Humanitarian crisis on the EU’s eastern border and the Polexit humbugIn this special episode produced in collaboration with The Analysis, Maria Cernat (Romania) and Boyan Stanislavski (Bulgaria) of The Barricade and Małgorzata Kulbaczewska-Figat (Poland) of Strajk.eu discuss these topics.2021-11-1042 min
On the BarricadesPoland is a women's hell following last year's abortion banIn this episode, Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski will discuss the tragic death of a young Polish woman with a dying fetus who was denied abortion and died of septic shock. The public learned about the case from the lawyer for the deceased woman's family, 30-year-old Izabela from the Polish town of Pszczyna in the south.Yesterday, massive marches were held in over 70 cities and towns across the country under the banner “Not even one more,” implying that protesters want the law changed to prevent similar incidents in the future.More on the situation in Pola...2021-11-0848 min
On the BarricadesDeaths and debts: Romania's implosion and Poland's violent anti-immigrant rampageAs the fourth wave of the global pandemic hits Eastern Europe, the failure of Romanian statehood becomes more apparent. While the police, military, and intelligence services are flush with cash, hospitals are in disrepair. Recently, two major medical facilities burned down as a result of no one taking care of the electrical grid, which had never been repaired or renovated in the previous 30 years. Those hospitals were, of course, all built before 1989, but they are still considered part of Romania's ‘sad communist legacy’ (sic!). On top of that, those hospitals are completely overcrowded as a result of a massive anti...2021-10-2448 min
On the BarricadesEastern Europe will not be well served by another Justin Trudeau term w/ Youri SmouterWelcome back to Season 3 of our show On the Barricades! Youri Smouter, the Euro-Afro-American leftist and youtuber at 1+1, is hosting it today. After the summer break, Youri helped us relaunch the thumbs-up and thumbs-down series featuring Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski.Today, we spoke about Canada and Justin Trudeau's other term, as well as the implications for Canadians and, of course, Eastern Europe. We were also asking questions about the Left's political and organizational situation in Canada and our region, and we hope to have provided our listeners and viewers with a plethora of interesting...2021-10-2330 min
On the BarricadesWhat worked and what didn’t in feminism on the Left and in Eastern Europe? (part one)The third season has begun! This is the first episode of The Barricade’s flagship show, featuring Maria Cernat and Boyan Stanislavski, in its third season. We’d like to offer some strictly ideological and strategical deliberations in addition to our usual commentary on the most important events taking place in our region and around the world. Maria Cernat explains the nuances of feminism today, as well as the origins of the misunderstandings about the subject that have proven particularly toxic for the Left.This is the first of a two-part discussion which should begin a se...2021-10-1244 mintheAnalysis.newsThe “Unfriendly” Dictator of BelarusWith the Ryanair flight ordered to land and the arrest of a right-wing opposition figure, President Alexander Lukashenko became enemy #2 of the West (after Putin, of course). Western hypocrisy and Russophobia doesn't make Lukashenko "anti-imperialist," any less brutal, and certainly not socialist. Paul Jay is joined by Polish journalist Malgorzata Kulbaczewskawho and Bulgarian journalist Boyan Stanislavski for a nuanced and deeper analysis of this volatile region.2021-06-2153 min
ContraéliteCRISIS OF #CAPITALISM: #BULGARIA & #ROMANIA (pt 2) w/Boyan Stanislavski & Dr. Maria Cernat from The BarricadeYou always hear about "the fall of communism" after 1989 in Eastern Europe and how capitalism then took over. But, what's the rest of that story? We dive deep into the current crisis of capitalism in Bulgaria and Romania with two expert guests, Boyan Stanislavski and Professor Maria Cernat of The Barricade, a new outlet set up by a group of left oriented activists from around Eastern Europe – Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia and Serbia. Part 1 focused our analysis on Bulgaria, part 2 focuses on Romania.Check out The Barricade and support independent media! https://thebarricade.online/Follow us @Co...2021-03-241h 05ContraéliteCRISIS OF #CAPITALISM: #BULGARIA & #ROMANIA (pt 1) w/Boyan Stanislavski & Dr. Maria Cernat from The BarricadeYou always hear about "the fall of communism" after 1989 in Eastern Europe and how capitalism then took over. But, what's the rest of that story? We dive deep into the current crisis of capitalism in Bulgaria and Romania with two expert guests, Boyan Stanislavski and Professor Maria Cernat of The Barricade, a new outlet set up by a group of left oriented activists from around Eastern Europe – Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia and Serbia. Part 1 focuses our analysis on Bulgaria, part 2 focuses on Romania. Check out The Barricade and support independent media! https://thebarricade.online/Follow us @Con...2021-03-1053 min
theAnalysis.newsPoland: Suppression of LGBTQ a Move Towards Authoritarianism – Boyan StanislavskiPoland's right-wing fundamentalist Catholic government has been brutally suppressing the LGBTQ community to strengthen the move to a broad authoritarian government. Boyan Stanislavski joins Paul Jay on theAnalysis.news podcast.2020-08-2047 min