World Socialist Web Site

26 January 2009

Congressional office admits:
Obama stimulus plan won’t meet job-creation target

By Patrick Martin, 26 January 2009

As the Obama administration and congressional Democrats began the final push to pass an $825 billion economic stimulus plan, the Congressional Budget Office conceded that the measure would create far fewer jobs than promised.

The New York Times’ Frank Rich: Obama is right—the people are to blame

By David Walsh, 26 January 2009

Barack Obama’s inauguration has brought out the worst in a good many people, especially from within the environs of American liberalism.

As Vice President Biden warns of an “uptick”
in casualties
Afghanistan civilians killed in US military raid

By Patrick O’Connor, 26 January 2009

A US military raid in the eastern Afghanistan province of Laghman last Friday night resulted in the deaths of at least 16 civilians, including women and children, according to local residents.

US moves to consolidate new supply routes to Afghanistan

By James Cogan, 26 January 2009

The commander of US forces in Central Asia, General David Petraeus, announced last week that he had reached an agreement with the Russian government for the transit of “nonmilitary” supplies through its territory to the US and NATO occupation forces in Afghanistan.

Economic crisis unleashes violent protests across Eastern Europe

By Markus Salzmann, 26 January 2009

The international economic crisis has hit Eastern Europe with full force and brought long-simmering social and political tensions to the surface.

US: Economic crisis forces families to cut back on healthcare

By E. Galen, 26 January 2009

One of the most important, and least talked about, consequences of the US financial crisis is that millions of individuals and families are being compelled to cut back on needed medical treatments.

Ukraine and Russia reach gas agreement

By Niall Green, 26 January 2009

A deal has been reached to end the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Millions across Europe have been left with little or no gas for heating in the middle of winter.

Australian government hopes recession will produce military “recruitment bonanza”

By Terry Cook, 26 January 2009

The Australian has published a front-page article expressing satisfaction that rising unemployment could produce a “recruitment bonanza” for the Australian Defence Force.

Canada: Vital lessons from last month’s political crisis

By Keith Jones, 26 January 2009

It is crucial that working people ponder the lessons of the political crisis that rocked Canada late last year, including of the Conservatives’ “constitutional coup.” So as to avoid defeat in an impending confidence vote, the minority Conservative government prevailed on the un-elected Governor-General to shut down Canada’s parliament.

New in Portuguese

O exílio de Trotsky na Noruega

26 de janeiro de 2009

Em recente visita à Noruega, um colaborador alemão do CIQI visitou a casa onde Leon Trotsky se refugiou após ser expulso da União Soviética, em 1929. Nosso colaborador preparou o seguinte relato sobre o período de exílio de Trotsky na Noruega.

New in French

La diffamation du peuple américain par Obama

Par Barry Grey, 26 janvier 2009

Les phrases du discours d’investiture d’Obama qui ont suscité le plus grand enthousiasme dans le spectre politique de /l’establishment/ américain, qui va de la droite républicaine aux libéraux démocrates, ont été celles suggérant que le peuple américain était responsable de la catastrophe économique actuelle.

Suite à la guerre à Gaza
Colère massive en Egypte contre le régime de Moubarak

Par Johannes Stern au Caire, 26 janvier 2009

Mohamed allume une cigarette et murmure un juron à l’adresse du président égyptien Hosni Moubarak. Ce jeune homme de 25 ans exprime ce que pensent de nombreux Egyptiens : « Moubarak est un porc qui travaille avec Israël pour faire de Gaza une prison et il est responsable de la souffrance des Palestiniens. »

Les enjeux cachés de la grève des terminaux pétroliers de Marseille

Par Anthony Torres, 26 janvier 2009

Une grève des agents des terminaux pétroliers de Fos-sur-Mer et Lavéra/ a bloqué le port /du 4 au 16 décembre dernier et bloqué ainsi 61 navires dont des pétroliers au large du port de Fos sur Mer et dans la rade de Marseille.