21 February 2009

US commander warns American troops will be in Afghanistan for years

By Peter Symonds, 21 February 2009

The top US commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, warned on Wednesday that the troop buildup announced this week was “not a temporary force uplift” but would have to be sustained for years.

Israel: Netanyahu tapped as prime minister

By Bill Van Auken, 21 February 2009

Israel’s President Shimon Peres Friday called upon Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud Party to form a new government after a group of right-wing parties representing 65 seats in the Knesset backed his designation as prime minister.

Indian government offers full support for Sri Lankan war

By Arun Kumar, 21 February 2009

In a statement to the parliament last Wednesday, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee called on the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka to unconditionally surrender and offered to evacuate Tamil civilians from the war zone in the north of the island.

To relief of Canada’s elite
Obama makes Ottawa his first foreign stop

By Keith Jones, 21 February 2009

Barack Obama visited Canada’s national capital, Ottawa, for six hours Thursday, his first foreign foray since becoming US president.

General Motors workers speak out against pay cuts

By Andre Damon, 21 February 2009

The World Socialist Web Site spoke to autoworkers in Michigan as the Obama administration auto task force held its first meeting.

GM workers videoVideo: GM workers denounce concession demands

21 February 2009

Workers at the General Motors Truck and Bus plant in Pontiac, Michigan, denounced the pay cuts and concessions which are being demanded by the Obama administration as the condition for government loans to the auto corporations.

Zimbabwe: MDC proceeds with power-sharing fiasco

By Chris Talbot and Barry Mason, 21 February 2009

Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change has been sworn in as prime minister in a power-sharing government in Zimbabwe.

Report exposes false claims of British unions’ “Britons First” campaign

By Robert Stevens , 21 February 2009

A report from the industrial tribunal ACAS into the dispute at the Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire has exposed union claims that British workers’ wages and conditions were being undercut.

New in German

Hypo Real Estate – ein Fass ohne Boden

Von Ludwig Weller, 21. Februar 2009

Die von der Bundesregierung anvisierte Verstaatlichung der Hypo Real Estate ist eine reine Bankenrettungsmaßnahme und wird der Bevölkerung weitere Milliarden Euro abverlangen. Sie lässt die grundlegenden Interessen der herrschenden Klasse unangetastet, die im kapitalistischen Privateigentum und der Kontrolle über das Finanzsystem wurzeln.

Chavez siegt bei Referendum, Krise in Venezuela schärfer

Von Bill Van Auken, 21. Februar 2009

Das Referendum vom vergangenen Sonntag ermöglicht dem venezolanischen Präsidenten Hugo Chavez eine weitere Amtszeit. Die Abstimmung fand vor dem Hintergrund der internationalen Wirtschaftskrise und zunehmender Klassenkämpfe statt.

Zu Ehren des zweihundertsten Geburtstags von Abraham Lincoln und Charles Darwin

Von Tom Eley und Daniel Douglass, 21. Februar 2009

Abraham Lincoln und Charles Darwin sind zufällig am gleichen Tag, dem 12. Februar 1809, geboren. Beide leisteten einen gewaltigen Beitrag zur Befreiung der Menschheit: Lincoln in politischer Hinsicht und Darwin auf dem Gebiet der Naturwissenschaft.

Kunst und Sozialismus: die wirklichen Grundlagen

Von David Walsh, 21. Februar 2009

Der Kulturredakteur der WSWS, David Walsh hat in mehreren Städten in Großbritannien einen Vortrag zu dem Thema "Kunst und Sozialismus" gehalten. Wir drucken diesen Vortrag heute ab.

New in French

Guadeloupe : Un gréviste tué au cours de la répression de la grève générale
Le gouvernement Sarkozy envoie 300 policiers en renfortt

Par Antoine Lerougetel, 21 février 2009

Le gouvernement du président Nicolas Sarkozy a réagi à la grève générale en Guadeloupe en intensifiant la répression qui a eu pour conséquence la mort du gréviste Jacques Bino dans la nuit de mardi.

Perspective

Obama’s housing plan and the American ruling class

21 February 2009

US President Barack Obama’s Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, announced Wednesday, will do little to alleviate the enormous financial pressures on working class families caused by plummeting home prices.

Earlier Perspectives »

Socialist Equality Party

For the unification of Europe on a socialist basis
Support the European election campaign of the Socialist Equality Party!

Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (Germany),
20 February 2009

The Socialist Equality Party in Germany (Partei für Soziale Gleichheit) is participating in the European election this summer, advancing a socialist perspective for the unification of Europe.

WalshISSE/SEP meetings in the US
The future of art in an age of crisis
David Walsh, WSWS arts editor, to speak in San Diego and Los Angeles

17 February 2009

The International Students for Social Equality and the Socialist Equality Party are hosting meetings in Southern California in February.

Workers Struggles

Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific

21 February 2009

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Correspondence

Letters from our readers

21 February 2009

A selection of recent letters sent to the World Socialist Web Site.

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Videos and Images

Chrysler workers oppose cuts
Chrysler workers oppose pay cuts, concession demands London demonstration against Sri Lankan war
Over 100,000 demonstrate in London against Sri Lankan war Joanne
Funeral for Michigan man frozen following utility shut-off Montserrat
Exposing Franco's mass graves Bay City, Mich.: “Shutting somebody's electricity off in the dead of winter is criminal”
Bay City, Michigan residents speak on death from utility shut-off London protesters speak to the WSWS
WSWS interviews London protesters London demonstrators protest Israeli assault on Gaza
London demonstrators protest Israeli assault on Gaza Chrysler workers denounce pay cuts
Chrysler workers denounce pay cuts Griffiths and Walsh
The Writer and Revolution: A conversation with Trevor Griffiths Chicago factory occupation
WSWS report on Chicago factory occupation Highland Park
The rise and fall of Highland Park, Michigan Images of War
UK photographic exhibition: Images of War Kandy O'Neill
Kandy O'Neill speaks to the WSWS firemen interviews
Thousands mourn Detroit firefighter DHL interviews
Wilmington, Ohio residents speak on DHL job cuts WSWS interviews workers at Detroit poverty summit
WSWS interviews workers at Detroit poverty summit SEP Candidate Jerry White speaks in Chicago
SEP Candidate Jerry White speaks in Chicago Highland Park house fire interviews
WSWS speaks with family members of Michigan fire victims Highland Park house fire
Detroit residents denounce social decay in fire deaths Highland Park house fire
Highland Park, Michigan residents speak on deadly fire Aboriginal town camp
Northern Territory intervention: Comments from an Aboriginal town Wall Street bailout
New York workers denounce Wall Street bailout Detroit workers
SEP presidential candidate speaks with workers in Detroit LA homeless shelter director
WSWS interviews director of homeless shelter in Los Angeles Jerry White
SEP presidential candidate denounces Wall Street bailout Jerry White
SEP presidential candidate speaks on financial crisis NYC taxi
New York City taxi drivers speak to WSWS on gas prices
Northern Territory intervention: Photographs by John Hulme
Social crisis in Detroit: Food banks struggle to meet needs
Social crisis in Detroit: "We don't take that Sunday drive" American Axle strikers arrested
Arrests on American Axle picket line in Detroit

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