Is a Multipolar World the Answer to U.S. Imperialism? w/ Vijay Prashad

Is there a growing resistance to the unipolar imperial order? Is the US an empire in decline? Will the future be a multipolar one? If so, what does that mean ans how should the left in the imperialist core respond?
To discuss this and more, Rania Khalek was joined by Vijay Prashad, Executive Director of the Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and author of “Washington Bullets: A History of the CIA, Coups, and Assassinations.”
TIME CODES:
0:00 Intro
1:37 Unipolar vs multipolar: What does it all mean?
4:09 How did the US come to dominate the world?
6:06 Why is US power beginning to wane?
6:58 Why is the US so threatened by multipolarity?
13:40 What is the Group of Friends In Defense of the UN Charter?
15:41 The other international community
21:34 What is the Shanghai Cooperation Council?
26:50 Are we entering a new era of pushback against imperialism?
30:49 An assertive Russia, a rising China and the pivot to Asia
43:42 Dangerous and desperate US actions to resist a multipolar world
51:48 What are the limitations of this rising multipolarism?
57:28 How should the western left approach this shift in the global order?
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#VijayPrashad #USimperialism #imperialism #multipolar #unipolar #BreakThroughNews #BTnews #socialistnews #socialist #raniakhalek #eugenepuryear

[@winkstorm]

The more you learn about geopolitics, the more you realized US is the root of all troubles.

[@kaliskunkog2255]

I realized that in 2000 when i first attended college. It's all about resources for the U.S..

[@userhome3601]

America has been corrupt since the revolution/insurrection. The economic fluke after WWII just emphasized it.

[@gixxerboy555]

allway's been..well said..!

[@lostatsea3698]

It's shameful...

[@rosaalba1660]

@@gixxerboy555 Only since WW1. Zee've Jabotinsky was the editor of Young Turk paper that promoted the Armenian- Assyrian Genocide in 1915.

[@Steve-iu5hy]

dang！ Vijay is my guy, he represents the so called third world. Our voice needs to be heard n spread around by a decent scholar like him! Thank u Vijay

[@melchoraslez1689]

Vijay is a hero of mine ! Love to see him regularly on breakthrough news

[@szymborska]

Love to see Vijay becoming a regular, more people in the US need to hear from him! He's brilliant, clear and so passionate!

[@chef4797]

Yes, he is so well spoken and perhaps more important promotes non sectarian values where, sectarian behavior is a plague of the left in general and the US left in specific.

[@jackielee224]

@@chef4797 peoples here listen to someone like Noam Chomsky, however I think Chomsky can learn something from Vijay!!

[@fredtan1506]

@@jackielee224 I agree!

[@DIRKDIGG88]

The biggest problem is that your average American has been brainwashed by the constant propaganda of the USA main stream media. American imperialism has been disguised as "nation building" or "bringing democracy to the savages" Americans can't even rationalise the 20 year occupation of Afghanistan as an imperialist act but rather bemoan spending lives and money with no result. The USA is bereft of any decency

[@theresewalters1696]

@@jackielee224 Chomsky has outlived his relavence. Sadly, he's made some major missteps currently. We need new voices for the times. Vijay is a great one.

[@louisliew9791]

If only there are more people like Vijay the world would definitely be a much better place by standing up to US and the so called western alliances .

[@grandwonder5858]

US: "We are all about democracy! As long as you don't choose to run your country without our approval then you can run your country any way you want!"

[@michaelslowmin]

The problem with democracy is sometimes more people want things you don't want.

[@boggisthecat]

The US government supports more dictators than any other power. Democracy? Yeah, right.

[@zhunchen4499]

Invaded by US multi corporations

[@ysw8291]

@@michaelslowmin It only works when 85% of the population are well educated.

[@chubascomohd2688]

It’s like leading a blind man walking along the deep ravine.

[@naturallaw1733]

Excellent break down my Friends. I fully support an Anti-Militarism paradigm shift. 🌍🙌

[@Cuplex1]

Amazing guest, Vijay Prashad is incredibly wise and knowledgeable. I hope lots of people will see this interview! 💗🤗

[@patrickx6940]

Whenever Vijay starts to speak: Buckle in, LISTEN and LEARN !

[@hannibalyin8853]

there's no "best system" across the globe, every country should make policies based on their own people and culture, and select leaders based on meritocracy.

[@JoeySchantz]

There is one trend though, more power to the workers. That part remains true.

[@hannibalyin8853]

@@JoeySchantz agreed on that. workers cannot be the prey of capital

[@SimonAshworthWood]

Capitalist “meritocracies” don’t put their most skilled people in positions of power. They put into power those people who are rich and privileged enough to get the best quality education and jobs from powerful friends and family (nepotism). REAL meritocracy requires socialism, with all education being free, all people getting a decent income without working so they have time to study, and a maximum of equality, democracy (especially direct democracy) and transparency with no nepotism, no privilege or oppression of certain groups of people, to ensure that everyone’s potential is realised.

[@hannibalyin8853]

@@SimonAshworthWood I agree with that, that is what I mean meritocracy, is the ability to to get sh*ts done.

[@stvdmc2011]

Great interview, this guy knows what he is talking about.

[@walterchin8832]

Vijay Prashad is an excellent guest in your program Break Through News regarding unilateral and multilateral. Mr Prashad gave us quite a lesson on the history of world politics.

[@thetruthandnobs2]

Vijay is absolutely 💯 👌 🔥 🤓📖✅👏🥇☝. Him and proff Richard Wolff, Martin Jacques, John Ross, Jeff Sachs. They are ALL brilliant....and CORRECT.

[@harbhajandosanjh634]

So is John Mearsheimer. Great scholars.

[@antimattv]

The popularity of these people and channels is a hope for humanity. It is the buffer that balances the toxic output of the far-right (and the liberals too 🤢).

[@tymanung6382]

+ Michael Hudson, Richard Wolff, Radhika Desai. Usta, + Prabhat Patnaik, Noam Chomsky, Michael.Parenti, etc. etc.

[@tymanung6382]

Ben Norton,, Grayzone, Cornell West, Gerald Horne, Bad Empanada, Sabby Sabs, Bad Faith, etc., etc. + many organizations, like Tricontinental Institute Vijay Prashad, Left Forum, Peoples Forum, Marxism Today, Midwestern Marx, Greg Godels + Pat Cummings, Moneyless Society, etc., etc.

[@shiningstar6659]

Great episode and interview Rania. I love your show. Vijay is the best too. One of the great things about China and Russia is they have militaries that the u.s. fears. That is powerful as the u.s. knows it can only go so far.

[@catrojana3694]

Russia and China have to be stronger and if shit happens just go for the jugular.

[@uggguuuuu]

12:47 The US rules based international order: 1) Do as we say, not as we do. 2) If you are not with us, you are against us. 3) USA 4) USA 5) USA

[@ComradeAlAtivan]

1. Is more like, do as we say or get overthrown

[@LORDNAG1]

U.S.A rules base internacional order is i will blow up the world if you don't meet my demands .

[@thetruthandnobs2]

yes,arrogance is their middle name. Or is that "colonization?" Gee, I can't decide 🤔

[@loneranger4469]

Rules based international order for everyone except USA. Hypocrites.. Not signatory to UNCLOS, ICJ...pull out of international agreements...Paris Accord on Climate change, JCPOA, INF etc etc

[@johntrauger68]

United Snakes.

[@xiaofengli4426]

One thing that moves me is that Vijay Prashad said: We cannot just anti anti something. We must know what you are for. We need to have something we stand for.

[@rhonda6791]

Agreed. The difference between passively inauthentic and exercising free choice with intent to stand firm to make things better.

[@noelborbon6155]

Research and real world experiences are equally important.

[@simonrodriguez4685]

Vijay for UN Secretary General ✊

[@myresponsesarelimited7895]

Another great piece from the very lovely, informed and insightful host, very clever, captivating, sage like interviewee

[@SKoh-888]

Excellent video and great speaker of Mr.Vijay Prashad, Thanks for the truth cover of the World. God bless you.

[@Harry-zc8rg]

Yes. Vijay and Rania again!

[@tushargaddi6640]

Oo this is gonna be treat 🍿

[@aredtomato8957]

This Vijay guy know what he is saying. Very informative. 😎👍

[@petermanuel5043]

These kinds of conversations are important. Thanks

[@yiplekhong5111]

Very knowledgeable about every subject he talks about, I can listening to him all day.

[@user-gy4lq1id1z]

I like this guy. I used to listen him in democracy now on KPFK

[@danieljprice9317]

Thank you Vijay! Washington Bullets was great, btw

[@cBOGARDt]

Great Convo you guys touched on all the right topics 💪🏽💪🏽🙏🏽💯💯

[@johndavies1336]

Brilliant interview, the revelation ,for me, was the idea of a movement against anti war, poverty and via support for the UN Charter to establish a political order to “ Save the Planet”. Vijay was inspiring and you Ranja give him the opportunity to enlighten your viewers! Thank You! ♦️♦️♦️

[@550891]

i enjoyed this conversation, thank you. one thing that also clear is that most countries are actually looking up to china because China is quietly investing in every country country. China does not lecture countries how to lead, China does not preach democracy. just invest and most countries seem to respond to that. US is still fixed on its old policy. You should really visit Europe and also Africa and chat with people and spend time , soon you figure out how sick people are with the US foreign policy.

[@Rossion64]

Vijay charming as ever. Great work

[@georgesais8687]

Two of my very favorite people. Welcome and brighten my night here in Sydney Australia with intellegence and historical facts. Thank you.

[@tadeth]

Amazing knowledge and detailed analysis you two have is thought provoking. Thanks.

[@lisemarie2362]

Ben Norton of The Greyzone has a good video out from yesterday about the kidnapping of Alex Saab of Venezuela and he, I thought really made a great declaration that the USA is a global dictator by just doing as it likes around the world and our leaders all being too afraid of the US to fight back for the most part. I have called the American regime "the Borg" as in the old Star Trek show that had them as the evil dictator of the universe - as in "resistance is futile" which was the Borg's motto.

[@sajibanas1077]

Much love to Ranya as always! Mr.Prashad your in depth knowledge of every part of remote world and it’s analysis and impact on global stage is unparalleled. More reason for breakthrough news and RAnya to bring him to talk a India’s fast becoming this very scary entity.. I think Indian current governments policies thry are carrying out is least known to the world and we can discuss why is that also!

[@thebestevertherewas]

India wil do what Indians want Not what China or US wants Stop lecturing us Shut UP

[@louisliew9791]

Most educating and useful info for everyone in the world. Please make sure the US and the western alliances are aware and understand the topic in question.

[@unclefrancis5134]

Thanks BreakThrough News and Rhania for interviewing Vijay Prashad. I always find Vijay full of great information and analysis.

[@ahagamama]

Vijay Prashad is a breath of fresh air! And he also seems to have a broad knowledge of how we got the messed up world we have!

[@wontonnoodle2169]

Wow Mr. Vijay are very smart into the Geopolitical issues well said 👏👍🏻👌

[@firozhagyan4135]

Great program lighting the path of misinformation by media. Who their job is to give facts, not propaganda. Great, keep it up, Rania. Political intellectuals such as Vijay.😢

[@phillipking792]

The more you learn about geopolitics, the more you realized US is the root of all troubles

[@BUSHFLIX]

Don’t be a pessimist, Rhania. It’s not just wishful thinking to say that the IS empire is in decline. As Vijay showed by inverting the logic of that question, it’s actually wishful thinking on the part of the US imperialists to believe they are going to continue pushing around the rest of the world, or even maintain global capitalism.

[@celiwhaaat6285]

Gramsci: „Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will”

[@DJMcG-kb4rv]

Always looking for informative postings, I was (am) delighted to see this BT video with Rania and V.J. Thanks for your efforts.

[@mhc3408]

If you haven't , try Michael Hudson: Super imperialism.

[@timhayward6833]

Wow that’s such a great interview Rania, congrats. Amazing guest guided with such excellent questions.

[@THOREAU79]

Another most informative video! Thanks Rania.

[@joylean1225]

Vijay is the man alright, clear and precise

[@bentao3352]

Fantastic spokesman and spokeswoman for humanity

[@charleskesner1302]

It's always good to hear from Vijay. Thanks, Rania. All the best.

[@newtonojok9720]

Great discussion...educative and informative. Thanks!

[@soothsayer2406]

Awesome to have Vijay!

[@asmaburney2028]

Excellent as always! My two favorites.

[@espionage84]

Quite refreshing to hear an Indian with a balanced view. Rather than extreme biasedness like ppl on WION

[@ronmackinnon9374]

I've only seen a couple of videos from WION. What is their bias? Aren't they critical of US and Europe?

[@burnerburner4074]

@@ronmackinnon9374 wion has a hate boner for anything to do with China more than they hate imperialists over a little border issue.

[@mattspeedyou]

Vijay is absolutely brilliant. It would be nice to see Pepe Escobar on the show as well.

[@-truthprevails3674]

Powerful point of discussion. Keep it up the good work. Thank you

[@blackbird-25]

Very informative and helpful conversation, thanks for sharing

[@wayneshilcock3027]

I take you all the way back to WW2 when straight after the war and the dropping of the nuclear bombs, UK and the US were planning to nuke Russia and China, until Russia conducted their first nuclear test. So there is more to it than just sharing power, we have a huge divide in ideology that demands a vile rejection of Socialism and Communism, even though Russia and China are now very much Capitalist type countries. This attitude still exists and we have old age pensioners that want to bring back the good old days in order to regain something that's been lost for the last 15 to 20 years. These are dangerous times we live in when you have a power like the US willing to provoke a reaction from other competing powers in order to create a conflict. I believe an economic crisis will naturally remove US hegemony in order to save money, however I fear for the future if that happens, because I don't see the US going quietly.

[@mayachatterjee2336]

How prescient! See Ukraine.

[@wayneshilcock3027]

@@mayachatterjee2336 Interesting about Ukraine, also, seems like a rinse and repeat for China now.

[@diosamurcielaga9418]

Great work and interview

[@manikiyani]

Excellent and thoughtful interview. Thank you

[@gdeiselable]

Damn this is prime rib content. Nowhere else is these discussions happening with such depth

[@sjaw100]

Excited to see Vijay on your program.

[@SG-dq5pj]

I kept searching for latest interviews of Vijay Prashad as I had already watched every single one of his talks and interviews. I think he is underrated for obvious reasons, just like they ignored Michael Parenti.

[@tymanung6382]

Both have written many books.

[@tc-fz5qn]

What a great discussion.congratulations.

[@dr.tariqkhan1666]

Vijay prashad a great person great asset of humankind

[@abdulwasiali7070]

Very informative and educational discussion.

[@johntrauger68]

Excellent discussion. Thank you!

[@theresewalters1696]

Excellent conversation. We need more like this. You have expanded my understanding of the World issues. I am deeply grateful.

[@PatriciaFreddy]

Respect to Vijay and Breakthrough NEws channel. Love this channel and love how they try to wake people up with the TRUTH! Best wishes from a Chinese.

[@js_guyman]

The answer is yes. And I didn't even watch the video. The question is not whether multipolarity is a good thing for the world. The question is how to get these other poles strong enough to be able to survive a western imperialist onslaught. And that's been the difficult part ever since the British became the dominant world power back in the 1600's. People need to stop delving into theories, and start delving into real concrete strategies, as China is already doing.

[@noelborbon6155]

Research, real world experiences and direct communications with locals matters

[@baruasafi5880]

For those who sre deeply embedded in Islamic eschatology, this episode is so educative. Unfortunately only one Muslim scholar is discussing these issues in an islamic perspective . This is Sheikh Imran Hossein .

[@dontaskmewhy100]

Your channel is getting some of the best people on the subjects！

[@dryeoh2023]

Thanks Vijay

[@axelbra]

Thank you!

[@barakmoss1691]

Great episodes! I loved it

[@yingxu7908]

Thank you Rania for invided the honest full of knowledge，i respected too much for him and you Rania

[@esorbmaecallaw8699]

Great piece

[@Mjones9532]

What an amazing interview

[@foxyrollouts]

Great vid. I think it hits some really important issues. I think like vijay has said. Countries have a right to decolonise...

[@wenkeadam362]

It's always fascinating to see dialectic in play in real life. Let's hope the US never learns what it is about and continues to try to bully everyone and getting united fronts in response!

[@HxH2011DRA]

Very good history lesson

[@troutstalker4744]

Yes... more Vijay.

[@aetnat0k1y0]

Thumbs up... great podcast! 🙂

[@SimonAshworthWood]

Rania, in response to you saying “I’m a huge pessimist. I don’t think world revolution is just around the corner”, I would say that you are like someone in a grid iron game, who catches the ball and just stands there and says “I’m a pessimist, I don’t think our team will win the game“. Rania, you have an audience of tens of thousands! How about, rather than making defeatist predictions, you instead take action using your media platform to CAUSE world revolution??? If I had the huge audience and skills you have, that’s what I’d be doing. It’s what I try to do with my tiny audience of social media followers and lack of media skills. I would be achieving MUCH more in causing revolution if I had your audience and skills. Please don’t waste your opportunities to cause revolution! Please use those opportunities that others don’t have, to benefit the world by causing revolution! Hint: one way to check whether you are merely being a spectator, or are instead causing revolution, is to look at how you talk. Do you talk about probabilities and predictions of what OTHER PEOPLE will do? Or do you talk about WHAT WE CAN DO? E.g. your question at the end was empowering, encouraging us to action. Good on you for this. 🤩

[@adamiskandar5107]

These are the conversations that the world needs more of. Vijay Prashad is absolutely right. It's not good enough to be just anti-this, anti-that. There must be clear alternative paths for people to choose.

[@chomwachomwa4964]

Seeing Vijay always reminds me of the late great Michael Brooks.

[@windps1410]

If India, Russia and China get together, the world will be totally different. Although the colonial history legacy left rich conflicting hostility among the three giants, the new era with multi-polar competition nations forms an interesting new order in the post American according to Mr. Fareed Zakaria...

[@ashm3697]

I see Vijay I click

[@bennychua8957]

Wide range, brilliant and frank talk by Vijay. Rania look so cute , beautiful and sweet smile.

[@joset.guamese2213]

👋🏽🇬🇺 all the way across the international date line Guam..love your work Rania and Vijay

[@ronmackinnon9374]

This is the first I've ever heard of Adam Clayton Powell trying to sideline the Bandung Conference for the U.S. Interesting.

[@Dahlen4Dummies]

Thank you for mentioning Zambia and Zimbabwe without condescendence.

[@chuchunichichi]

Political analysis expressed without MSM influence or censure is refreshing and informative. I could listen to Vijay Prasad all day. His command of the English language makes his discourses such riveting dialogues. It seems to me that he has great geopolitical understanding of world affairs so much so that he ought to be one of those in the UN seats of responsibility that mediate and help resolve conflict. Hmmmm. Jeffrey Sachs tried hard to do that and his own American country does not listen to him. But then again the UN is………..ahem.

[@Andrearuch97]

Vijay so great

[@ronmackinnon9374]

As Michael Parenti has said, from the perspective of an empire, only two other kinds of states can exist -- vassal states, and enemies.

[@yuv06]

Well CIA training the military in Taiwan is good then we know that Taiwan will lose the US regime military track record isn't great.

[@bobekvelky4129]

YES

[@tatekmenji3571]

In my view ,I would suggest tripolar weight of balance would keep the house in order. Ideologically Godlily and economically Capitalist power VS the current Ideologically socialist and economically capitalists power VS an Amal ligated neutral or None alliance power as that has been constituted 1953 or 61 to 1991

[@Rogerdowler]

Prophetic

[@sammychow5238]

USA Had a hundred years to help others nations. They only suppress and put other developing nations Uber suppress. You should help others to help us as win -win situation.

[@xianseah4847]

USA bribe local politicians to rob resources of the whole country.

[@thomasphoenix6976]

Brilliant insighter of geopolitics. Thanks.

[@joeawk]

Talked about donkey years ago. The US threatened n derailed any attempt on multipolarity in the past.

[@oldfan1963]

48:00 - "We are against war. Full stop."

[@mohamedwarsamaboss5014]

Once Albert Einstein said: "I don't know what kind of weapons we will use to fight with for the world war III; all I know is that we will fight each other during a world war IV with sticks and stones.