Articles
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Yemen has been at war for eight years since the previous government was overthrown and Saudi Arabia intervened militarily to try to re-impose the former President. This received the backing of the West, which has provided arms. The United Arab Emirates is also fighting for control of the south of the country. Despite a partial truce the war is likely to go on, increasing the terrible suffering of the Yemeni people. A peaceful, decolonised Yemen could look very different and we can help bring that about by campaigning for an end to Britain providing arms to the aggressors in the conflict.
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
The first so-called Pink Tide of progressive governments was rolled back by external pressure from the United States and reactionary forces on the continent. That is with the exception of Venezuela which continued to survived. Now here is a second wave of leftist governments, but what has been learned from the experiences of the recent past about control of natural resources, the power of the media and the armed forces?
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Despite the success of the left in elections to the commission to write a new constitution for Chile, replacing the old Pinochet era one, it was roundly rejected by voters. There are many reasons for this and lessons to be learnt. The establishment ran a well-funded, massive media campaign against it, often misrepresenting what it said. Campaigning by the left was weak. The draft itself appealed to a wide variety of social interests, but was not so strong on redressing economic inequality. The danger is, that with the left demoralised, politics in Chile will move to the right.
Monday, May 15, 2023
The Windsor Framework, agreed between the UK government and the EU, is supposed to deal with problems caused by Boris Johnson's hastily agreed Protocol which was part of his Brexit deal, but it still leaves many unsatisfactory provision in place. Furthermore it is unlikely to address the concerns of Unionists who opposed the original arrangement. Though violence has subsided Northern Ireland's politics remain deeply divided along sectarian lines. The power-sharing arrangements put in place by the Good Friday agreement have enabled sectional interests to block legislation and currently prevent the Assembly in Stormont from meeting. Although its successes should not be denied, 25 years on it needs to be reviewed
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
The right in America is fighting for the hearts and minds of young people, targeting schools to impose its own ideology. There is a concerted effort to take over school boards and censor books. the curriculum is being rewritten in some states to exclude teaching critical of the racism endemic in the history of the United States. This is going alongside attacks on teachers unions.
Monday, February 6, 2023
The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) countries are also among those taking issue with the US trying to impose its will on the world. Their alliance is one of a growing number of bi and multi-lateral agreements between countries of the global south which seek to develop trade and cooperation on a more equitable basis and now also circumventing the restrictions which the United States is imposing through sanctions. Though it remains at present massively dominant, the United States unipolar world is increasingly being challenged. The benefit of a multipolar world would be to break US power and open up the possibility of progressive change. Such a world, and the fight to achieve it, will not be without complications and challenges. It is, therefore, vital to support those opposing US imperialism, to defend the sovereignty of nations and to oppose US sanctions and its drive to war.
Sunday, February 5, 2023
The fallout from the war in Ukraine has increased tensions in the EU and stoked traditional rivalries between Germany and France who vie for leadership of the bloc. Two main areas of dispute are round energy and each countries’ military power. Germany is seeking to manipulate EU policy aimed at combating the self-inflicted energy crisis to protect its own interests at the expense of other EU countries. Likewise, it is asserting itself as a military power, hugely increasing arms spending and threatening France’s military leadership in the EU. Such tensions are not likely to decline, but only to get worse.
Friday, February 3, 2023
In other parts of the world the United States’ attempts to bully countries into line over Ukraine have not had the same success as in Europe and the West. Countries representing nearly half of the world’s population have failed to support the US position on Ukraine at the United Nations. In return the United States is seeking to sanction African states who do business with Russia through its “Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act”. The US also has a widespread military presence on the continent with 29 military bases under the United States Africa Command - AFRICOM. While African countries have shown signs of defiance over Ukraine, America has no intention of giving up the fight for control of its rich natural resources.