Articles
Sunday, May 26, 2024
There is always money to be made from war and Ukraine and Gaza are no exceptions. The arms industry has certainly benefited from both these current conflicts. Increasingly, however, electronic systems are vital to fighting wars. the US company Palantir has contracts in Israel, Ukraine and here in the NHS. It has been described as “…the AI arms dealer of the 21st century” and works closely with the US government. So what is it doing in our NHS? Apparently “integrating health data”. Access to data is a prime objective of tech companies and Palantir’s role in the Health Service has met widespread opposition.
Friday, May 24, 2024
One of the main accusations leveled by capitalist ideologues against socialism is that it simply does not work. This is rather unconvincing coming from the system which has brought us close to the edge of climate catastrophe, decaying living standards and infrastructure, lower productivity and stagnating growth in western economies. And yet this critique of socialism is routinely accepted without examining the evidence of the achievements of the Soviet Union and other socialist countries. When these are set out they reveal the opposite - growing economies and improvements in the well-being of the citizens of those countries. This should give us confidence and hope that there is an alternative to the dire reality of our capitalist world.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The rise in military spending by Germany rings alarm bells from a previous era when the fascists were in power preparing for World War 2. Even without fascism, the growth of militarism threatens world peace. War is not the only danger it poses. Carbon emissions by military hardware, like tanks add to the climate change crisis.
Thursday, February 8, 2024
What shape is German imperialism in today? An imperialism that twice dared to reach for world power and thus triggered two world wars. Yet now its economy has been hard hit by US demands over Ukraine. It is suffering from increased fuel prices a result of the closure and sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline from Russia and rocketing arms spending. Discontent is fueling the far right, while the left remains relatively weak. There have been bans on pro-Palestinian protests. To achieve change common struggles based on class and for peace are essential.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
During the Ukraine conflict Poland has taken a confrontational stance and has been at the forefront of pushing for more weapons for Ukraine. This has included pressurising Germany to fall into line. It has also become the centre of NATO operations in Europe and has 10,000 US soldiers based there. It is an essential ally for the United States in its proxy war.
Sunday, September 17, 2023
How do commentators in other countries view world politics? A round up of views and events:
Prospects for peace in Ukraine
Expansion of BRICS
Africa rejects western control
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Mission to Moscow (Victor Gollanz 1942) was written by Joseph E. Davies who was United States ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1936-38. He saw at first hand the progress being made by the young Soviet state but also the threat that it faced from war. He gives a first hand account of the prominent individuals he met, his trips round the country and the refusal of the US to act to deter Nazi Germany.
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Voices advocating for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine have a big task and confront a substantial state-sponsored media machine. There are persistent untruths peddled by the mainstream media which, by their constant repetition, have a powerful effect on the public consciousness. These myths, for example, say that Russia was unprovoked, launched a "full-scale" invasion and that democracy is being defended in Ukraine. In addition there is the illogical argument the Russia blew up the Nord Stream pipeline. This reporting is certainly not the result of unbiased journalism and there are links between the state, military/security personnel and funding for this propaganda.