Colonialism, Counter Insurgency, and Community

The pursuit of liberation necessitates a sustained commitment to critical education that interrogates the structural foundations of oppression while cultivating transformative praxis. Understanding the mechanics of colonialism—its historical trajectories, contemporary manifestations, and adaptive strategies—remains essential for dismantling systems of domination that continue to shape global relations. Equally crucial is the study of counterinsurgency, which reveals how imperial powers deploy sophisticated methods of social control, co-optation, and fragmentation to undermine resistance movements and maintain hegemonic stability. These analytical frameworks must be coupled with deep engagement in community-centered organizing that grounds theoretical understanding in lived experience and collective struggle. We highly recommend "From COINTELPRO to Project Esther: The evolution of domestic counterinsurgency in the U.S." by Carrie Zaremba

The Good Shepherd Collective has curated (crowd-sourced, actually) a long-overdue collection of podcasts and articles that synthesize these critical areas of study, offering accessible yet rigorous resources for those committed to developing revolutionary consciousness. This educational initiative recognizes that liberation movements require more than spontaneous resistance—they demand systematic analysis of power structures, historical precedent, and strategic possibilities. Through sustained engagement with these materials, organizers and community members can develop the theoretical foundations necessary for effective praxis, bridging the gap between critical analysis and transformative action. Folks need more than NGO speak and slogans. 

The development of praxis—the dynamic interplay between theory and practice—emerges through this iterative process of study, reflection, and application. As communities engage with these curated resources, they build capacity not only to understand the nature of their oppression but to envision and implement alternative futures. This educational framework positions learning as a collective endeavor that strengthens community bonds while sharpening political analysis, creating the intellectual infrastructure necessary for sustained liberation work. The Collective's resource compilation represents a vital contribution to this broader project of popular education and revolutionary organizing.

Dr. Ali Kadri's latest discussion on Guerrilla History offers essential economic analysis for understanding how US-led sanctions function as instruments of genocide rather than diplomatic pressure. Building on his previous discussions of Lebanon vs. Zioimperialism and Palestinian proletarianization, Kadri dissects the structural violence embedded in America's sanctions regime, revealing how economic warfare targets entire populations while masquerading as measured policy. His rigorous Marxist framework exposes sanctions as deliberate tools of imperial control that systematically destroy social reproduction, making this episode crucial listening for anyone seeking to understand how the US maintains global hegemony through economic strangulation. This analysis is particularly vital as sanctions continue to devastate countries from Cuba to Iran, demonstrating the genocidal logic that underlies American foreign policy.