Ep 3. Football, Fascists, and the Frontline

In this episode of Hate Thy Neighbour titled "Football, Fascists, and the Frontline," host Jamali Maddix travels to Ukraine to explore the country's rampant neo-Nazism and how it has infiltrated the country's football culture.

Jamali introduces viewers to the far-right hooligan groups who have gained control of some of the biggest football clubs in the country. These groups are known for their violent tactics, and their homophobic, xenophobic, and anti-Semitic views. The hooligans are often comprised of young men who see this movement as a way to stand up against the perceived encroachment of globalization on Ukraine's traditional values.

Jamali meets with members of one of these groups, who show him around their headquarters and share their beliefs with him. They explain that their goal is to "protect" Ukrainian culture, and that they see themselves as modern-day nationalists who are fighting to maintain their country's independence. They are also clearly anti-Russian, seeing the political situation in their country as part of a larger geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West.

Jamali also travels to the frontline of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, where he meets with Ukrainian soldiers who are fighting against Russian-backed separatists. He speaks with these soldiers about their experiences and how they see their role in the larger political situation.

Throughout the episode, Jamali grapples with how to make sense of the complex and often-violent politics he encounters in Ukraine. He is both fascinated by the passion and energy of the young men who have been drawn to the far-right movement, and disturbed by the violent rhetoric and actions that they espouse. He also spends time reflecting on the larger geopolitical context of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and how this feeds into the dynamics of the far-right movement in Ukraine.

Overall, this episode of Hate Thy Neighbour provides a deep and nuanced exploration of the complex political and cultural tensions that exist in contemporary Ukraine, and the role that football hooliganism and far-right movements play in shaping this landscape. It is a thought-provoking and challenging episode that will leave viewers with much to ponder about the state of the world today.