3 December 2008

Thailand airportThai court dismisses the government

By Peter Symonds, 3 December 2008

In a highly political decision, Thailand’s Constitutional Court effectively sacked the government yesterday by dissolving the ruling People Power Party and two of its coalition partners. Anti-government protests that paralysed Bangkok’s two main airports for a week have been called off, but the country’s protracted political crisis is far from over.

Canada’s “putsch”: Oppose Conservative power-grab! No support to Liberal-NDP coalition!

By Keith Jones, 3 December 2008

Canada’s Conservative government is preparing to cling to power illegally, unleashing a constitutional crisis and inciting anti-Quebec chauvinism. In opposing the Conservatives’ attempt to retain power, working people must give no political support to the proposed Liberal-NDP coalition government.

Obama warns US governors of “hard choices”

By Tom Eley, 3 December 2008

The president-elect warned governors at the Philadelphia conference to be prepared to make sharp cuts in social spending in the months ahead.

Sharp conflicts in Europe over economic stimulus program

By Peter Schwarz, 3 December 2008

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) has become the focus of criticism for her refusal to support a wide-ranging package of measures aimed at stimulating the European economy.

More military vessels dispatched to Somalia

By Brian Smith and Chris Talbot, 3 December 2008

The increased militarisation of the oil-rich region represents a major danger to the peoples of the region and the entire world. Warships from Britain, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Russia and the US are all currently operating off the Somali coast.

Australia: State provocations, security and Socialist Alternative

By Patrick O’Connor, 3 December 2008

The failure of protest organisation Socialist Alternative to issue any serious response to revelations of infiltration by an agent provocateur provides a revealing insight into its opportunist political orientation.

Venezuela: Divided election points to sharpening social struggle

By Rafael Azul, 3 December 2008

Local and state elections held in Venezuela in the third week of November yielded sharply mixed results, pointing to increased political polarization and a resurgence of social struggles

New in German

Obamas Team für Nationale Sicherheit und das Scheitern der amerikanischen Demokratie

Von Bill Van Auken, 3. Dezember 2008

Am Montag wurde in Chicaco offiziell das Team für Nationale Sicherheit der künftigen Obama-Regierung vorgestellt. Das Ereignis macht endgültig klar, dass Obamas Wahlkampfgerede über den kommenden „Wandel“ Betrug war.

Schäubles Anschlag auf die Demokratie
Der Konflikt über das BKA-Gesetz geht weiter

Von Andreas Kunstmann, 3. Dezember 2008

Der Bundesrat lehnte am vergangenen Freitag den BKA-Gesetzentwurf ab. Doch die Regierung ist entschlossen die Aufrüstung des Staatsapparats gegen jeden Widerstand durchzusetzen.

Island - ein Blick in die Zukunft

Von Chris Marsden, 3. Dezember 2008

Island steht vor einer sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Katastrophe. Was sich zurzeit in diesem Land abspielt ist ein Vorgeschmack auf das, was sich unausweichlich in viel größeren Ländern auf der ganzen Welt ereignen wird.

New in Portuguese

Obamas Team für Nationale Sicherheit und das Scheitern der amerikanischen Demokratie

Por Peter Symonds, 3 de dezembro de 2008

As vagas promessas de "mudanças" feitas durante a campanha eleitoral por Barack Obama desaparecem na medida em que os cargos-chave do novo governo são preenchidos por veteranos tradicionais da instituição política estadunidense.

New in French

Les candidats retenus par Obama signalent la poursuite d’une politique d’agression et de guerre

Par Peter Symonds, 3 décembre 2008

Les vagues promesses de campagne de « changement » de Barack Obama s’évanouissent rapidement au fur et à mesure que les postes clés du prochain gouvernement sont occupés par des vétérans de l’/establishment/ politique américain.

Fin des combats contre les terroristes à Bombay après 59 heures de siège

Par Peter Symonds, 3 décembre 2008

Le siège de Bombay s'est terminé le 29 novembre lorsque des commandos indiens ont tué trois tireurs qui s'étaient retranchés dans l'Hôtel de luxe /Taj Mahal/.

Perspective

US Congress, Big Three, UAW conspire against auto workers

3 December 2008

In the run up to this week’s appearance by auto industry executives and the president of the United Auto Workers union before the US Congress, the real issues in the official debate over a bridge loan for the auto makers have become clear.

Earlier Perspectives »

Arts Review

Quantum SolaceQuantum of Solace: James Bond vs. imperialism

By Hiram Lee, 3 December 2008

Daniel Craig returns as Agent 007 for the twenty-second installment of the popular James Bond franchise.

History

Leon Trotsky, Soviet Historiography, and the Fate of Classical Marxism

By David North, 1 December 2008

This paper was presented by David North at a panel on “The Intellectual and Political Legacy of Leon Trotsky” at the recent 2008 National Convention of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies in Philadelphia.

Workers Struggles

Boeing: Professional workers vote to accept contract

By Hector Cordon, 3 December 2008

Professional workers at Boeing ratified two new contracts Monday night. The new contract is a betrayal of the engineers’ and technicians’ legitimate demands.

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