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Under the Shadow Ep. 1 | The Beginning: Monroe and Migration Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

Two hundred years ago, on December 2, 1823, then-president James Monroe delivered his State of the Union address to Congress. In his address, he laid out what would become both one of the most consequential and devastating ideas for Latin America—the Monroe Doctrine.
We look back on the history of the Monroe Doctrine and the devastating impact on the region. The list of U.S. invasions, occupations, coups and sanctions is endless. Hundreds. From Mexico to Panama. The Caribbean. Colombia to the tip of Chile and Argentina. No country in Latin America has remained free from the shadow hanging over them. The shadow of the United States. The shadow of the Monroe Doctrine.
In the second half of the episode, we meet migrants walking North toward the United States on the edge of Central America. A very real manifestation, right now, of the never-ending impact of U.S. intervention in Latin America.
Under the Shadow is a new investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, to tell the story of the past, by visiting momentous places in the present.
In each episode, host Michael Fox takes us to a location where something historic happened — a landmark of revolutionary struggle or foreign intervention. Today, it might look like a random street corner, a church, a mall, a monument or a museum. But every place he takes us was once the site of history-making events that shook countries, impacted lives and left deep marks on the world.
Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.
This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.

Edited by Heather Gies.

Sound design by Gustavo Türck: twitter.com/coletivocatarse

Theme music by Monte Perdido: open.spotify.com/artist/0nexDyQCZI89JH8zsYu5wa. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Watch the clip from Democracy Now! looking at the 200th Anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSO-t49t198
Support journalist Michael Fox or Under the Shadow: www.patreon.com/mfox

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Brazil on Fire: An Autopsy of Bolsonaro's Failed Coup (Update 3) Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

On Jan. 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil's capital in a failed attempt to spark a military coup. In scenes that drew instant comparison to the events of Jan. 6th, 2021 in the US, Bolsonaro supporters smashed windows, destroyed artwork, and even climbed on the roofs of government buildings before being rounded up and arrested en masse by security forces.
In this update to Brazil on Fire, Michael Fox examines the significance of the failed coup in scattering pro-Bolsonaro forces and uniting the country behind Lula, who has already embarked on an aggressive agenda to undo his predecessor's legacy. While Lula may be triumphant for now, the battle for Brazil's future is far from settled. As Bolsonaro licks his wounds in exile in Florida, the question remains as to how he might scheme with his US-based allies in the future. Historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez returns to the show to delve deeper into the links between Brazil and the US's evangelical right and neofascist movements.
Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.

This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.

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Brazil on Fire: Lula Presidente (Update 2) Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the Brazilian presidency on October 30th. He defeated far-right president Jair Bolsonaro by just over 2 million votes. Tens of thousands of Lula supporters descended on Sao Paulo’s Paulista Avenue for huge celebrations. Brazil on Fire host Michael Fox was there and he takes us to the streets.

But Bolsonaro supporters were also mobilizing. They shut down highways and called for the military to intervene.

In this second update to Brazil on Fire, we look at Lula’s victory, Bolsonaro’s disinformation campaign that is keeping Bolsonaro’s supporters in the streets, Bolsonaro’s ties to Donald Trump’s former White House strategist Steve Bannon, and how Bannon is trying to spread a fake news fraud narrative to bolster Bolsonaro and divide Brazil, like the United States after Trump’s 2020 defeat. We hear from UFSC International Relations professor Camila Feix Vidal about the shared tactics of the international far-right and University of Virginia Media Studies professor David Nemer about Bolsonaro's unprecedented use of fake news and disinformation in the election.

This is Brazil on Fire, a podcast about Brazil’s descent toward fascism under President Jair Bolsonaro. Over these six episodes, we look at Bolsonaro’s far-right government that has set the country ablaze, and how the United States helped him do it. We visit the birthplace of Brazilian Nazism, evangelical churches, and Indigenous villages in the Amazon.

Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.

This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.

Edited by Heather Gies.

Sound design by Gustavo Türck.

Theme music by Monte Perdido.

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Brazil on Fire: Elections Update with BrasilWire’s Brian Mier Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

The first round of Brazil’s elections has come and gone. As expected, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was the big winner, with 48 percent. But he fell short of winning outright. Current president Jair Bolsonaro exceeded expectations and came in just a handful of points behind the former president. And it’s going to mean weeks of intense campaigning as Bolsonaro has now become a real contender for the second-round election at the end of the month.

In this first update to Brazil on Fire, we look at what it all means and how things stand ahead of the runoff election on October 30. In particular, we analyze the media spin in the wake of the first-round vote in an in-depth interview with Brian Mier, editor of the English-language news site BrasilWire.

This is Brazil on Fire, a podcast about Brazil’s descent toward fascism under President Jair Bolsonaro. Over these six episodes we look at Bolsonaro’s far-right government that has set the country ablaze, and how the United States helped him do it. We’ll visit the birthplace of Brazilian Nazism, evangelical churches, and Indigenous villages in the Amazon.

Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.

This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.
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Support our work! nacla.org/donate
Looking for more in-depth analysis on Latin America? Subscribe to the quarterly NACLA Report: nacla.org/subscribe
Follow The Real News: https://therealnews.com/

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Brazil on Fire Episode 6: Amazon up in Smoke Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

The Amazon is a place that both Brazil’s former military regime and President Jair Bolsonaro have eyed with dreams of development, looking to take advantage of bountiful resources.

It’s a place where Bolsonaro’s deconstruction of state institutions is wreaking havoc. Where illegal and armed actors are pushing into formerly protected areas and plundering the land to make a quick profit. Where Indigenous people are constantly under threat, whether staring down the barrel of a gun, fires, or Covid-19. Where their territories and their way of life are under attack—the invaders slowly eating away at the forests that have given them life for generations.

And where Bolsonaro has been empowering those behind the devastation.

There is no other place in Brazil that better symbolizes the destruction that Bolsonaro has wrought on the country.

The Amazon is under attack. The fires are just the most visible sign.

And that is where we go, in this sixth episode.

Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.
This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News and NACLA.

Edited by Heather Gies

Sound design by Gustavo Türck https://twitter.com/coletivocatarse

Theme music by Monte Perdido https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nexDyQCZI89JH8zsYu5wa

Get weekly updates from NACLA: nacla.org/newsletter

Support our work! nacla.org/donate

Looking for more in-depth analysis on Latin America? Subscribe to the quarterly NACLA Report: nacla.org/subscribe

Follow The Real News: https://therealnews.com/

Read NACLA: nacla.org
Support NACLA: nacla.org/donate
Follow NACLA on X: https://twitter.com/NACLA

Brazil on Fire Episode 5: Ghosts of the Past Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

Brazil’s military dictatorship was a dark time in the country’s history. Hundreds were killed. Thousands jailed and tortured. And it is an era that President Jair Bolsonaro remembers with nostalgia. It's the place where he got his start and something he has long championed as being worthy of returning to.

As president, Bolsonaro has called for the closure of Congress and the Supreme Court, marched with supporters to demand military intervention, and appointed more military officials to his government than any leader since the end of the dictatorship.

In this episode, we dive headfirst into Brazil’s military regime that ran the country from 1964 through to 1985. We’ll look at the country’s failure to reckon with the past and Bolsonaro’s steps to push Brazil back in that direction.

This is Brazil on Fire. A podcast about Brazil’s descent toward fascism under President Jair Bolsonaro. Over these six episodes we look at Bolsonaro’s far-right government that has set the country ablaze, and how the United States helped him do it. We’ll visit the birthplace of Brazilian Nazism, evangelical churches, and Indigenous villages in the Amazon.

Featuring host Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.

This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News and NACLA.

Edited by Heather Gies

Sound design by Gustavo Türck https://twitter.com/coletivocatarse

Theme music by Monte Perdido

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nexDyQCZI89JH8zsYu5wa

Get weekly updates from NACLA: nacla.org/newsletter

Support our work! nacla.org/donate

Looking for more in-depth analysis on Latin America? Subscribe to the quarterly NACLA Report: nacla.org/subscribe

Follow The Real News: https://therealnews.com/

Read NACLA: nacla.org
Support NACLA: nacla.org/donate
Follow NACLA on X: https://twitter.com/NACLA

Brazil on Fire Episode 4: Nazis on Your Street Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

Brazil has a long and complicated history with fascism, going back to the early 20th century. Far-right and white supremacist groups have been emboldened by President Jair Bolsonaro—with some members of his own cabinet openly sporting Nazi tattoos. They’ve unleashed online attacks, pushed fake news and misinformation in favor of Bolsonaro, and threatened Brazil’s Supreme Court and its justices. But the country’s top court is pushing back.

In this episode, we look at Brazil’s troubled past of reactionary fascist forces, and how Bolsonaro’s rise unleashed them anew.

Featuring host Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.

This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News and NACLA.

Sound design by Gustavo Türck https://twitter.com/coletivocatarse

Theme music by Monte Perdido. https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nexDyQCZI89JH8zsYu5wa
Get weekly updates from NACLA: nacla.org/newsletter
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NACLA
Support our work! nacla.org/donate
Looking for more in depth analysis on Latin America? Subscribe to the quarterly NACLA Report: nacla.org/subscribe
Follow The Real News: https://therealnews.com/

Read NACLA: nacla.org
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Brazil on Fire Episode 3: God Above Everyone – Good versus Evil Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

Jair Bolsonaro could not have won the presidency without the support of one very important group: Evangelical Christians. There is, perhaps, no other group that Bolsonaro has so vocally courted, or that has been so loyal to the president. And they remain key for Bolsonaro’s hopes of recapturing the presidency this year.

In this episode, we visit those spreading the gospel for Bolsonaro. And look at how Bolsonaro and his allies are pushing a religious war of good versus evil, with dangerous repercussions.

Featuring host Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.

This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News and NACLA.

Sound design by Gustavo Türck https://twitter.com/coletivocatarse

Sign up for NACLA's newsletter: nacla.org/newsletter
Follow The Real News: https://therealnews.com/
Theme music by Monte Perdido. https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nexDyQCZI89JH8zsYu5wa

Portions of this episode were previously aired in a series on nationalism and religion that Michael Fox produced for PRI’s The World. https://theworld.org/categories/sacred-nation
Get weekly updates from NACLA: nacla.org/newsletter
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NACLA
Support our work! nacla.org/donate
Looking for more in depth analysis on Latin America? Subscribe to the quarterly NACLA Report: nacla.org/subscribe

Read NACLA: nacla.org
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Follow NACLA on X: https://twitter.com/NACLA

Brazil on Fire Episode 2: Free Lula Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

The election of President Jair Bolsonaro was never a foregone conclusion. For most of that electoral season, someone else was ahead in the polls. But he was jailed on supposed corruption charges by a biased judge, six months out from the election, and blocked from running.

In this episode, we look at the fight to free former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from prison, the corruption investigation that jailed him, the role of the United States, and what it all means ahead of the 2022 election, as Lula again leads in the polls.

Featuring host Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.

This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News and NACLA.

Sound design by Gustavo Türck https://twitter.com/coletivocatarse

Sign up for NACLA's newsletter: nacla.org/newsletter
Follow The Real News: https://therealnews.com/
Theme music by Monte Perdido. https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nexDyQCZI89JH8zsYu5wa
Get weekly updates from NACLA: nacla.org/newsletter
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NACLA
Support our work! nacla.org/donate
Looking for more in depth analysis on Latin America? Subscribe to the quarterly NACLA Report: nacla.org/subscribe

Read NACLA: nacla.org
Support NACLA: nacla.org/donate
Follow NACLA on X: https://twitter.com/NACLA

Brazil on Fire Episode 1: Violence and Culture War Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

As candidate Jair Bolsonaro neared the presidency in 2018, violence rippled across Brazil, mostly perpetrated by Bolsonaro supporters. Hundreds of threats and attacks, including several killings, were reported in the weeks and months leading up to the election. Bolsonaro's hateful rhetoric and fake news machine spurred on the violence, painting the election as a battle for the soul of the country. With key issues like family values and security, Bolsonaro tapped into a growing culture war aimed not at winning a democratic debate, but eliminating opponents.

This episode looks at Bolsonaro’s most ardent supporters, and how a culture war born from the United States inspired a wave of political violence that forced people to flee Brazil in fear for their lives.

This is Brazil on Fire. A podcast about Brazil’s descent toward fascism under president Jair Bolsonaro. Over these six episodes we look at Bolsonaro’s far-right government that has set the country ablaze, and how the United States helped him do it. We’ll visit the birthplace of Brazilian Nazism, evangelical churches, and Indigenous villages in the Amazon.

Featuring host Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.

This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News and NACLA.

Sound design by Gustavo Türck https://twitter.com/coletivocatarse

Read NACLA: nacla.org
Support NACLA: nacla.org/donate
Follow NACLA on X: https://twitter.com/NACLA

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