Articles
Monday, May 22, 2023
The dangers of a third world war are very real. The United States and its allies in the West and NATO are pursuing the war in Ukraine, primarily to weaken Russia, and without regard to whether or not continuing the war is in Ukraine’s interests. More and more weapons and other forms of military support are being poured in with scant signs of progress. Though welcomed by other countries the US has rejected out of hand Chinese proposals to achieve peace.
Not only that, but the US is ramping up rhetoric and war preparations against China itself. Though Germany seems to have been happy enough to undermine its economy to serve US interests over Ukraine, Macron in France seems less keen to commit to a war with China. So far the divisions within imperialism have not broken the core of the US alliance, but countries of the global south seem ever stronger in their pursuit of a place in world affairs and to have economic, financial and trading systems that are not subservient to the US. Their strengthening alliances, refusal to join the war drive and advocacy for peace in Ukraine provides some hope in a grim situation.
The movement here needs to play its part in opposing the war drive, yet pro-peace voices have been marginalised and messages ambivalent. In the worst cases there are some in the unions and on the left who have joined the campaign for more arms.
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.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
The global financial system has so far narrowly escaped another meltdown as urgent measures by the US and Swiss authorities contained the recent crisis to specific banks. A worldwide crisis has been postponed to another day. However, the inherent problems in trying to regulate the banks and the contradictions in trying to manage capitalist economies were what led to this situation. It is only a matter of time before the system implodes under the weight of its contradictions.
Friday, May 19, 2023
The crisis engulfing the Scottish National Party could provide the opportunity to up the level of class struggle in Scotland by focusing on a working-class agenda independent of attitudes to the constitution - whether people are for or against independence or some other option. The all-consuming debate round the future constitutional status of Scotland has not advanced working-class interests. The meltdown in the SNP means that there is no immediate prospect of another independence referendum, so space has opened up for unambiguous class politics to take centre stage in Scotland if that opportunity is taken.
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