Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Donald Trump is desperately trying to reverse the decline of US imperialism. From Gaza to Ukraine to Venezuela, the past week has seen new twists and turns that all paint a similar picture: Trump, far from being able to extricate himself from world events and put ‘America first’, is entangling himself ever more deeply in conflicts across the globe.
While Trump is a product of the decline of American imperialism, he is also an accelerator of that very same process, adding his own chaotic character to the deepening crisis. In this week's Against the Stream, Fred Weston and Hamid Alizadeh delve into Trump’s contradictory policies on the world stage, drawing out the monumental shifts at play and their consequences for the class struggle.
Against the Stream is the current affairs podcast of the Revolutionary Communist International. It airs weekly on YouTube on Thursdays at 6 p.m. London time.
📖 RECOMENDED READING 📖
A Federal Critical Mineral Processing Initiative: Securing U.S. Mineral Independence from China
🔗 warontherocks.com/2025/04/a-federal-critical-mineral-processing-initiative-securing-u-s-mineral-independence-from-china
Israel’s two-year Gaza war nears its end, but questions of victory remain
🔗 jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-870569#google_vignette
A high-stakes gamble Ukraine has successfully slowed Russia’s advance in central Donbas — but at the cost of its defenses elsewhere
🔗 meduza.io/en/feature/2025/10/06/a-high-stakes-gamble
The meaning of the ceasefire in Gaza
🔗 marxist.com/the-meaning-of-the-ceasefire-in-gaza.htm
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️
0:00 Introduction
0:54 Gaza 'peace deal'
17:09 China: US' biggest opponent
52:00 Ukraine: The centrepoint of world politics
🌐 LINKS 🌐
✊ Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm
🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443
📱 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern
💬 Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern/
ℹ️ DISCLAIMER ℹ️
This video is intended solely for educational, informational, and documentary purposes. It examines historical and contemporary political ideologies, events, and terminology — including controversial or sensitive topics — with the aim of fostering critical thinking and public understanding. This content does not promote, endorse, or glorify violence, right-wing extremism, terrorism, hate speech, or discriminatory ideologies. Any references to such topics are made in the context of analysis, journalism, or historical documentation. Viewer discretion is advised due to the sensitive nature of some discussed topics. All commentary is protected under fair use for educational and journalistic purposes in accordance with YouTube's community guidelines and policies.
Donald Trump is desperately trying to reverse the decline of US imperialism. From Gaza to Ukraine to Venezuela, the past week has seen new twists and turns that all paint a similar picture: Trump, far from being able to extricate himself from world events and put ‘America first’, is entangling himself ever more deeply in conflicts across the globe.
While Trump is a product of the decline of American imperialism, he is also an accelerator of that very same process, adding his own chaotic character to the deepening crisis. In this week's Against the Stream, Fred Weston and Hamid Alizadeh delve into Trump’s contradictory policies on the world stage, drawing out the monumental shifts at play and their consequences for the class struggle.
Against the Stream is the current affairs podcast of the Revolutionary Communist International. It airs weekly on YouTube on Thursdays at 6 p.m. London time.
📖 RECOMENDED READING 📖
A Federal Critical Mineral Processing Initiative: Securing U.S. Mineral Independence from China
🔗 warontherocks.com/2025/04/a-federal-critical-mineral-processing-initiative-securing-u-s-mineral-independence-from-china
Israel’s two-year Gaza war nears its end, but questions of victory remain
🔗 jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-870569#google_vignette
A high-stakes gamble Ukraine has successfully slowed Russia’s advance in central Donbas — but at the cost of its defenses elsewhere
🔗 meduza.io/en/feature/2025/10/06/a-high-stakes-gamble
The meaning of the ceasefire in Gaza
🔗 marxist.com/the-meaning-of-the-ceasefire-in-gaza.htm
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️
0:00 Introduction
0:54 Gaza 'peace deal'
17:09 China: US' biggest opponent
52:00 Ukraine: The centrepoint of world politics
🌐 LINKS 🌐
✊ Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm
🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443
📱 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern
💬 Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern/
ℹ️ DISCLAIMER ℹ️
This video is intended solely for educational, informational, and documentary purposes. It examines historical and contemporary political ideologies, events, and terminology — including controversial or sensitive topics — with the aim of fostering critical thinking and public understanding. This content does not promote, endorse, or glorify violence, right-wing extremism, terrorism, hate speech, or discriminatory ideologies. Any references to such topics are made in the context of analysis, journalism, or historical documentation. Viewer discretion is advised due to the sensitive nature of some discussed topics. All commentary is protected under fair use for educational and journalistic purposes in accordance with YouTube's community guidelines and policies.
