This is the speech by World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board Chairman David North given on Sunday, August 20, honoring the life and political legacy of Leon Trotsky.
David North•
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Republican presidential debate—the ugly face of American fascism
The Democrats offer no alternative to the Republicans, because both parties represent the interests of the financial aristocracy and its national-security apparatus.
In response to failure of Ukraine’s offensive, the Biden administration and the Pentagon have claimed – in the form of anonymous statements to the US media – that the debacle has been due to the Ukrainian military’s unwillingness to carry out suicide charges.
Andre Damon•
Regardless of the truth behind the downing of the plane, the death of much of the leadership of Wagner is set to further intensify the crisis of the Putin regime and the conflicts within the Russian oligarchy and state apparatus.
Clara Weiss•
Despite Trump's repeated calls for protests, only a few dozen of his supporters appeared outside the Fulton County jail ahead of Trump’s booking.
Jacob Crosse•
The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party - SGP) is contesting the 2024 European elections in close cooperation with its sister parties in Britain, France and Turkey.
Christoph Vandreier•
The closer the election date, the more the country’s political elites seem to be working themselves up to a reactionary fever pitch.
Martin Nowak•
Prasanna Vithanage’s film is set in the early nineteenth century as British colonialists plot to overthrow the feudal Kandy kingdom and take control of the entire island.
Pani Wijesiriwardena•
Since July 2022, more than 400 union reps and postal workers have been sacked or suspended in the largest number of victimisations since the 1984-85 miners’ strike.
Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (UK)•
Dietmar Gaisenkersting•
Either the university in Sydney ends the de facto ban on the IYSSE or it tacitly acknowledges its commitment to censoring anti-war opposition.
International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Macquarie University)•
SEP 2023 Summer School Opening Report
Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the Epoch of Imperialist War and Socialist Revolution
The following report was delivered by David North, national chairman of the Socialist Equality Party (US) and chairman of the World Socialist Web Site, to the opening session of the SEP summer school last week.
David North•
SEP 2023 Summer School Lecture
The Origins of Pabloite Revisionism, the Split Within the Fourth International and the Founding of the International Committee
This lecture was delivered by Joseph Kishore, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (US), to the SEP (US) International Summer School, held between July 30 and August 4, 2023.
Joseph Kishore•
SEP 2023 Summer School Lecture
The Historical and Political Foundations of the Fourth International
This lecture on the origins of the Fourth International was delivered by Clara Weiss and Johannes Stern at the 2023 SEP (US) international Summer School.
Clara Weiss, Johannes Stern•
Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the Twenty-First Century
The essays in this book, though written over the span of more than 40 years, are connected by a central argument: Leon Trotsky was the most significant figure in the history of socialism during the first four decades of the twentieth century, and his legacy remains the critical and indispensable theoretical and political foundation of the ongoing contemporary struggle for the victory of world socialism.
Order your print or epub version of the book from Mehring Books today.
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UPS contract declared ratified under cloud of suspicion among the rank and file
The “ratification” sets up the next stage in the fight of the rank and file against the bureaucracy, to expose the sellout nature of the contract and the methods employed to ram it through.
Tom Hall•
Country singer Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond” promotes antisemitism and racism
The song is a provocative collection of reactionary attacks on the poor, disguised with phony populist appeals and denunciations of “rich men” in northern cities.
Nick Barrickman, David Walsh•
Biden’s war summit with Japan and South Korea
In the guise of maintaining “peace and stability” in Asia and “deterring China,” US imperialism and its two military allies in North East Asia agreed to military and economic collaboration whose only meaning is the preparation for war.
Peter Symonds•
The battle lines in the autoworkers fight: Class struggle vs. the UAW’s promotion of the Democratic Party
An understanding of the gang-up of the corporations, the Biden administration and the UAW bureaucracy, is essential for autoworkers to prepare their own strategy and organizational structures to fight for their interests.
Jerry White•
Kevin Reed•
Thomas Scripps•
Our correspondent•
Saman Gunadasa•
Evan Blake•
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
National strike by Sri Lankan government hospital paramedics; India: Assam public sector workers strike for restoration of former pension scheme; Australia: Queensland midwives protest unsafe conditions and staff shortages; New Zealand medical lab workers hold third national strike.
UK: Rail workers union leader Mick Lynch announces de facto end of industrial action
The RMT is effectively ruling out any industrial action “until the outcome and determination from the ticket office closures consultation has been provided by the Government”, scheduled for December 1, 2023, and with a cooling off period after that.
Robert Stevens•
UK local councils and private sector partners intensify attacks on refuse workers
The collection of domestic refuse is the responsibility of local authorities. However, many councils, regardless of which political party is in control, outsource refuse services. Refuse workers provide an essential service but are among the lowest paid.
Barry Mason•
Wildcat strikes by civil servants in Romania continue as union tries to take control; strikes and protests across Syria as government lifts fuel subsidies; South African municipal workers continue wildcat pay strike in City of Tshwane
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
Wildcat strikes by civil servants at Romanian Ministry of Finance against job losses and pay cuts continue as union tries to take control; strikes and protests across war-torn Syria amid cost-living-crisis as government lifts fuel subsidies; South African municipal workers continue wildcat pay strike in defiance of union and victimisations in City of Tshwane
Jerry White•
Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee Network•
Ludwig Weller, Peter Schwarz•
Gabriel Black•
Samuel Davidson•
Country singer Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond” promotes antisemitism and racism
The song is a provocative collection of reactionary attacks on the poor, disguised with phony populist appeals and denunciations of “rich men” in northern cities.
Nick Barrickman, David Walsh•
Between Two Worlds: The brutally exploited in France
Author Marianne Winckler (Juliette Binoche) gives up her life and connections in Paris to work as a cleaning woman in northern France.
David Walsh•
Robbie Robertson, lead guitarist of the Band, dead at 80
The Canadian-born guitarist and songwriter spent 16 years on the road with The Band before embarking on a musical career in Los Angeles scoring movies and producing records.
James Brewer•
"We refuse to give up"
US actors, writers speak about lengthy strike and the crisis facing their profession
The WSWS talked to several actors and writers at picket lines, and over the phone, in Los Angeles this past week. They spoke about the strike but also the broader struggles of the working class erupting across the country.
Kimie Saito, Gabriel Black, Jacob Crosse•
Jacob Crosse, Hong Jian, Karsten Schneider•
James Brewer•
Jacob Crosse, Joseph Kishore•
David Walsh•
David Walsh•
Surveillance camera exposes police lies in Philadelphia killing
Footage shows that Eddie Irizarry, 27, posed no threat when police riddled his body with bullets as he sat in his car.
Landon Gourov•
California shop owner murdered over LGBTQ pride flag by fascist gunman
Laura Carleton, 66, is one of more than 350 people who have been attacked by right-wing anti-LBGTQ elements in the United States this year according to a June report by GLAAD and the Anti-Defamation League.
Hong Jian•
Local Democratic Party leaders and corporate media demand Washington D.C. transit workers pay for massive budget shortfall
Corporate media and politicians immediately seized upon a nearly $1 billion deficit to demand cutbacks in workers’ pay.
Nick Barrickman, Bill Mertz•
West Virginia University students protest planned slashing of cultural and language programs
The planned cuts are widely understood as a frontal assault on the social and cultural rights of workers and youth more broadly.
Anthony Wallace, Clara Weiss•
Kevin Reed•
Penny Smith•
Norisa Diaz•
Phyllis Steele•
Jacob Crosse•
Biden administration launches new student debt repayment program
SAVE participants making over $30,000 a year will pay 5 percent of their discretionary income for at least 20 years before becoming eligible for debt forgiveness.
Alex Findijs•
On eve of Trump booking in Georgia conspiracy case, Giuliani, Powell, other 2020 election criminals turn themselves in
Half of the 19 defendants in the racketeering case have been booked on charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia by illegal means.
Patrick Martin•
South Carolina Supreme Court reinstates 6-week abortion ban
South Carolina’s high court reversed an earlier decision blocking a six-week ban on abortion and accepted the right-wing state legislature’s reactionary and unscientific arguments about establishing the time frame for fetal cardiac activity.
Kevin Reed•
Georgia court sets bond and restrictive release terms for Trump
The action follows Trump’s decision not to hold a press conference to present “evidence” to support his bogus claims of a stolen election in the state.
Patrick Martin•
Patrick Martin•
Patrick Martin•
Jacob Crosse•
James Vega and Emma Arceneaux•
David Rye•
Growing mortgage stress in Australia amid cost of living crisis
Levels of mortgage stress are at their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis, with broad sections of the working class struggling to make ends meet.
Vicki Mylonas•
Australian Labor government whitewashes the Vietnam war
Labor is covering up one of the major imperialist crimes of the 20th century because it is preparing even bloodier catastrophes as part of the US war drive against Russia and China today.
Oscar Grenfell•
Military-backed coalition government installed in Thailand
Pheu Thai’s formation of a government with the parties of the military, which ousted it in 2006 and 2014 and gunned down its Red Shirt supporters in 2010, demonstrates its complete repudiation of any democratic pretensions.
Robert Campion•
Pakistan’s military strengthens hold over government, reinvigorates ties with Washington
Rumours are swirling to the effect that Pakistan’s military, backed by the ruling elite, will greenlight the postponing of the national and provincial elections that are due this fall, on the calculation that the newly-installed caretaker government will be a better vehicle for pushing through unpopular IMF austerity measures.
Dr. Zayar•
Mike Head•
Martin Scott•
Kurt Brown•
Martina Inessa, Kranti Kumara•
Mike Head•
Netherlands and Denmark deliver F-16 fighter jets to Kiev
The deliveries are a concerted action by the leading imperialist powers—first and foremost the US—which are further escalating the confrontation with the nuclear power Russia.
Johannes Stern•
US intelligence agencies admit Ukrainian offensive will fail
Despite months of promotion by the US media, Ukraine’s “Spring offensive” has produced nothing but a blood-drenched debacle.
Andre Damon•
An interview with Ukrainian socialist Maxim Goldarb
Union of Left Forces — For a New Socialism Party (SLS) head speaks with the WSWS about the persecution of his party, the growing anti-war sentiments in Ukraine, and the impact of the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians on society.
Clara Weiss•
Heatwave and agricultural crisis hit Ukraine
Skyrocketing temperatures hit Ukraine this past week as the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to push forward an obviously botched counteroffensive that has already claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers.
Jason Melanovski•
Andre Damon•
Johannes Stern•
Andrei Ritsky, Clara Weiss•
David Benson, Clara Weiss•
Andre Damon, David North•
As tens of millions of children return to school without any mitigations
COVID hospitalizations double amid worsening US pandemic surge
Despite official claims that the pandemic is over, the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paint a different picture.
Benjamin Mateus•
Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry opens with presentation by vaccine sceptic Dr. Ashley Croft
The first public event held by the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry late July, billed as a “scene setting” presentation on the epidemiology of COVID-19, gave a two-day platform for the views of vaccine sceptic, Dr Ashley Croft.
Steve James•
Acting PSOE-Podemos government removes remaining mitigation measures as new Covid-19 variant Eris spreads across Spain
Joan Caylà, a member of the Spanish Epidemiology Society (SEE) warned that “infections are increasing in the middle of summer instead of going down.”
Santiago Guilen•
Britain among four countries where new highly mutated COVID strain detected
The tearing up of all testing and monitoring measures, and depriving millions of people of access to vaccines, places the entire population in danger.
Robert Stevens•
Richard Phillips•
Dan Conway•
Benjamin Mateus•
Michael Anders•
Tom Peters•
Corruption scandal forces another shakeup in Chile’s pseudo-left government
A two-month-long corruption scandal has precipitated the second reshuffle of Boric’s cabinet in 17 months.
Mauricio Saavedra•
Brazilian student and teacher unions cover for Lula government attacks on education
Beginning last year, student and teacher unions diverted the fight against Bolsonaro’s attacks on education towards Lula’s election; today they are covering for the successive austerity measures of the new Workers Party (PT) government.
Guilherme Ferreira•
State of emergency declared in Ecuador after killing of presidential candidate
While it is still unclear who was behind Villavicencio’s killing, it is evident that its effect will be to discredit the elections as a whole, creating the potential for their being overturned.
Andrea Lobo•
Congressional inquiry into Brazil’s January 8 coup attempt marked by secrecy and cover-up for the military
The ruling Workers Party (PT) tried to avoid the convening of the commission at all costs in order to hide the true extent of the plot to overthrow constitutional rule.
Miguel Andrade•
Guilherme Ferreira•
Andrea Lobo•
Eduardo Parati•
Andrea Lobo•
Miguel Andrade•
GEO/AFT holds vote to ratify university-dictated contract
U-M grad student workers: Vote “No” on sellout contract! Form a rank-and-file committee to unite with Detroit teachers, autoworkers and win a living wage!
The union bureaucracies are working hand in glove with the Biden administration and the Michigan Democratic Party to end strikes that are in progress and block new walkouts.
Judy Ryden, Barry Grey•
Students at Sydney’s Macquarie University speak out against political censorship of IYSSE
“I agree with anti-war sentiment, there is no reason to censor anti-war views, if anything that makes you pro-war! I hate the war in Ukraine, I hate war in general. I don’t see any point to it.”
Our reporters•
Sri Lanka: Enthusiastic student response to forthcoming IYSSE anti-war meeting at Peradeniya University
Peradeniya University students are keen to discuss the US-led war against Russia in Ukraine and their own personal economic difficulties, with many agreeing to attend this week’s IYSSE meeting.
Our correspondents•
Meeting: End political censorship at Sydney’s Macquarie University! Affiliate the IYSSE!
The IYSSE urges students and staff to take a stand against management’s censorship of the only socialist and anti-war club on campus. Attend our meeting on campus on Thursday September 7.
Judy Ryden, Matthew Brennan•
Tim Avery•
Our reporters•
Our reporter•
Our reporters•
Sri Lankan racist groups whip up communal tensions over controversial archaeological site
The promotion of Sinhala-Buddhist communalism is being advanced in order to create division, with rising working-class opposition to the Wickremesinghe government’s austerity agenda.
Wasantha Rupasinghe, P.T.Sampanthar•
The lessons of the 1953 mass uprising (hartal) in Sri Lanka
The political lessons of the 1953 Hartal are critical for the working class not only in Sri Lanka but internationally as class struggles around the world intensify. The events of 70 years ago have a direct relevance to workers in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of last year’s April-July uprising.
Saman Gunadasa•
Sri Lankan SEP to hold memorial meeting in Jaffna to honour Comrade Wije Dias
Commemorating Wije Dias in war-torn northern Sri Lanka is significant because only the SEP has consistently fought for the unity of the working class and opposed both Sinhala chauvinism and Tamil separatism.
Our correspondent•
Forty years since the beginning of civil war in Sri Lanka
The 26-year bloody war contains important strategic lessons for the working class in Sri Lanka and internationally.
R. Ranges, K. Ratnayake•
Our correspondents•
Our reporters•
Our reporters•
W.A. Sunil•
Saman Gunadasa•
Deepening problems in the global economy
The marked slowdown in China, amid growing financial problems, is a particular expression of significant global trends.
Nick Beams•
Growing pressure on Xi as China’s economic woes mount
China is being hit by two interconnected developments: a worsening property market, a mainstay of the economy, and an accelerating liquidity crisis in the shadow banking system that has the potential to spread more broadly.
Nick Beams•
Deepening problems for the Chinese financial system
The pickup in the Chinese property market at the start of the year, following the lifting of COVID public health measures, has been short-lived with a major property developer missing an interest payment on a debt.
Nick Beams•
Chinese exports slump amid global downturn and US trade war
China’s economic slowdown is not just the result of low global growth and faltering global trade but of the US economic warfare aimed at undermining the Chinese economy and in particular crippling its hi-tech industries.
Peter Symonds•
Nick Beams•
Shannon Jones•
Jean Shaoul•
Nick Beams•
Nick Beams•
The Huxley family and the history of evolutionary theory
A review of An Intimate History of Evolution: The Story of the Huxley Family, by Alison Bashford.
Frank Gaglioti•
The Canadian forest fires and global climate change: a conversation with forest fire scientist Dr. Ellen Whitman
The WSWS had the opportunity to speak to Canadian forest fire scientist, Dr. Ellen Whitman, on the recent unprecedented fires raging across the Canadian boreal forests.
Benjamin Mateus•
The past 20 days have been the hottest ever recorded
The simultaneous heatwaves across the world are a direct result of global warming.
Bryan Dyne•
On the first year of astronomical discoveries by the James Webb Space Telescope
Rho Ophiuchi is the nearest star-forming region to Earth and includes dozens of young stars, the majority of which are estimated to be less than 1 million years old.
Bryan Dyne•
Alex Findijs•
Bryan Dyne•
Don Barrett•
Kevin Reed•
Philip Guelpa•
This week in history: August 21-27
This column profiles important historical events which took place during this week, 25 years ago, 50 years ago, 75 years ago and 100 years ago.
70 years since the end of the Korean War
The lessons of the Korean War should not be forgotten. It is a graphic demonstration of the ruthlessness with which US imperialism will pursue its economic and strategic interests with complete disregard for human life and suffering.
Ben McGrath•
“There has been a shift in the historical profession”
An interview with economic historian Stephen Wheatcroft on the Soviet famine and historical falsification
In this interview, Wheatcroft discusses his findings on the Soviet famine, the attacks on the concept of historical objectivity, and the current climate in academia.
Clara Weiss•
Introduction to Lawrence Porter’s Marcus Garvey and the Reactionary Logic of Racialist Politics
Mehring Books is pleased to announce the publication of Marcus Garvey and the Reactionary Logic of Racialist Politics by Lawrence Porter, assistant national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (US).
Tom Mackaman•
Shannon Jones•
Johannes Stern•
Peter Schwarz•
Johannes Stern•
Chris Marsden•
18 migrants killed as fires rage in Greece and southern Europe
Those who perished had made the perilous crossing in the Evros region near the border with Turkey and had been hiding in forests north of the port city Alexandroupolis.
Robert Stevens•
Acting PSOE-Podemos government removes remaining mitigation measures as new Covid-19 variant Eris spreads across Spain
Joan Caylà, a member of the Spanish Epidemiology Society (SEE) warned that “infections are increasing in the middle of summer instead of going down.”
Santiago Guilen•
State election in Hesse, Germany: Social Democrats adopt far-right platform
In this year's Hesse state election, which will be held on October 8, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) is running on a xenophobic platform.
Marianne Arens, Peter Schwarz•
UK wage growth cannot conceal escalating cost-of-living surge and social inequality
Headline inflation figures give a distorted picture as the cost of basics, including food prices are still surging. Those already in the highest-paying jobs account for the lion’s share of the wage increase.
Robert Stevens•
Jason Melanovski•
Peter Schwarz•
Alice Summers•
Clara Weiss•
Robert Stevens•
US Labor Department uses spurious arguments to reject Will Lehman’s election complaint, sanctions disenfranchisement of UAW members
The August 8 letter from the Office of Labor-Management Standards Enforcement ignores the widespread evidence of voter suppression by the UAW bureaucracy.
Jerry White•
Support grows among autoworkers for lawsuit demanding UAW elections be re-run: “This entire election needs to be tossed”
In an indication of the seriousness with which the suit is being taken, several articles about Lehman’s suit have appeared in leading legal news outlets over the past week.
Marcus Day•
Will Lehman and attorney discuss lawsuit against Biden admin demanding re-run of UAW election
In this video, Will Lehman and his attorney discuss the lawsuit Lehman filed Monday against the Biden administration’s Department of Labor over the fraudulent UAW election.
Will Lehman•
Bluster from UAW President Fain as Ford receives $9 billion federal loan for electric vehicle production
The unprecedented low-cost loan to Ford by the Biden administration reveals the extent to which the transition to EV production is being underwritten by the capitalist state.
Shannon Jones•
Our reporters•
Eric London•
Marcus Day•
Will Lehman•
Barry Grey, Tim Rivers•
West African states reiterate threat of military action against Niger, but are hampered by divisions
An ECOWAS spokesman warned, “If push comes to shove we are going into Niger with our own contingents and equipment and our own resources to make sure we restore constitutional order.” In a veiled reference to the US, Fance and other imperialist powers, he added, “If other democratic partners want to support us they are welcome.”
Thomas Scripps•
French troops ordered out of Niger
France has already been forced to withdraw 2,400 soldiers from Mali and 400 from Burkina Faso following military coups in May 2021 and September 2022, drastically reducing its military presence in its former colonial territories.
Athiyan Silva, Thomas Scripps•
The Niger crisis and the global threat of war
The impoverished West African state of Niger is the latest flashpoint in the struggle by the imperialist powers for a redivision of the world.
Thomas Scripps•
West African states step back from immediate military action against Niger due to popular opposition
The threat of war remains, driven by the global conflict between the imperialist powers and Russia and China erupting in different flashpoints and via various proxies across the globe.
Thomas Scripps•
Thomas Scripps•
Jean Shaoul•
Athiyan Silva, Jean Shaoul•
Kipchumba Ochieng•
Ben McGrath•
Saudi massacres of refugees: Mass murder by key US ally
Sometimes upwards of 100 people were killed in a single assault. Mass killings continued as the victims fled back toward Yemen. Mass graves are being dug at crossing points along the border.
Thomas Scripps•
US and Iran reach agreement amid escalating pressure, tensions and threats
Washington’s objectives in seeking some sort of accommodation with Iran are to disrupt growing ties with Russia that cut across US geostrategic interests and to ease escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Jean Shaoul•
Netanyahu’s coalition rams through judicial coup law in Israel despite largest ever protest movement
Police opened fire with water cannon on protests throughout Israel against the passage of the law.
Jean Shaoul•
Congress, Biden embrace Israeli racists and warmongers
While Congress overwhelmingly approved a resolution denying that Israel is a racist state, the White House invited the racist-in-chief, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to make an official visit to Washington..
Patrick Martin•
Jean Shaoul•
Johannes Stern•
Jean Shaoul•
Jean Shaoul•
Jean Shaoul•
20 years since the 2003 US invasion of Iraq
March 20 marks 20 years since the beginning of the US invasion of Iraq, launched on the basis of lies. At the time of the initial invasion, the WSWS published many statements on the background of the war, its history and its implications. This page features some of the most important statements.
Read
On eve of Trump booking in Georgia conspiracy case, Giuliani, Powell, other 2020 election criminals turn themselves in
Half of the 19 defendants in the racketeering case have been booked on charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia by illegal means.
Patrick Martin•
Georgia court sets bond and restrictive release terms for Trump
The action follows Trump’s decision not to hold a press conference to present “evidence” to support his bogus claims of a stolen election in the state.
Patrick Martin•
Trump incites threats of fascist violence against grand jurors and judges
In a clear and obvious threat of violence, supporters of ex-president Donald Trump have posted on the internet the names and addresses of every member of the Fulton County, Georgia grand jury that indicted Trump.
Patrick Martin•
Georgia indictment of Trump exposes the rot of American political system
Dozens of top officials, campaign aides and Georgia Republicans were engaged in a conspiracy, headed by Trump, to steal the 2020 presidential election.
Patrick Martin•
Patrick Martin•
Patrick Martin•
Barry Grey•
Jacob Crosse•
Jacob Crosse•
On the 25th anniversary of the World Socialist Web Site
Twenty-five years ago, the International Committee of the Fourth International began posting the World Socialist Web Site. In this video, WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North explains the background to the WSWS, reviews its record and contemporary significance and makes an appeal to all readers to donate to the WSWS and expand its readership.
Watch now
Blinken’s denunciation of Assange exposes Australian government’s phony posturing
While the Secretary of State made crystal clear that the US is proceeding with its legal lynching of Assange, Australian PM Albanese absurdly claimed Blinken’s comments were of no importance.
Oscar Grenfell•
Australian Labor MP calls for Assange to plead guilty to frame-up US charges
In the most cynical and mealy-mouthed fashion possible, Hill was signaling that the Labor government will do nothing more to secure Assange’s freedom.
Oscar Grenfell•
FBI trying to pressure British journalists into giving evidence against Assange
The activities of the FBI in London indicate an escalation of the campaign against WikiLeaks and Assange, now being spearheaded by the Biden administration.
Oscar Grenfell•
British High Court rejects Assange appeal: Extradition an imminent threat
Assange has only one option of appeal remaining within the British legal system and it could be rejected next week.
Oscar Grenfell•
Oscar Grenfell•
WSWS International Editorial Board•
Richard Phillips, Oscar Grenfell•
Richard Phillips, Oscar Grenfell•
Oscar Grenfell•
2023: The global capitalist crisis and the growing offensive of the international working class
In 2022 the accumulating pressure of these intersecting elements of the world capitalist crisis attained the equivalent of critical mass: that is, they have reached the point where the dynamic of crisis has passed beyond the ability of governments to control the movement toward a social cataclysm.
Read statement
Clarios workers return to work, angered over UAW sellout of their strike
The United Auto Workers shut down the powerful 40-day strike after pushing through a concessions-laden contract, which workers had decisively rejected two times before.
Jerry White•
UAW President Shawn Fain falsely touts “massive gains” as his administration sells out Clarios and other strikes
It has taken less than three months for UAW President Shawn Fain and his administration to demonstrate conclusively where they stand: on the side of the corporations and opposed to the interests of the workers they claim to represent.
Marcus Day•
UAW rams through sellout deal, shuts down 40-day Clarios strike
The sabotage by the United Auto Workers bureaucracy of the courageous strike by workers at the Toledo, Ohio, area auto battery plant is a warning to autoworkers facing their own contract battle this September.
Jerry White•
Vote NO on the UAW-Clarios sellout contract! Reject corporate slavery and launch a workers’ counteroffensive throughout the auto industry!
It is already clear that the deal is nothing more than a repackaging of the first two sellout agreements brought back by the UAW bureaucracy, which workers courageously voted down by overwhelming margins.
WSWS Autoworker Newsletter•
Jerry White•
Jerry White•
Jerry White•
Jerry White•
Shannon Jones•
NOW AVAILABLE
COVID, Capitalism, and Class War: A Social and Political Chronology of the Pandemic
Mehring Books, the publishing arm of the Socialist Equality Party (US), is proud to announce the publication of Volume 1 of COVID, Capitalism, and Class War: A Social and Political Chronology of the Pandemic, a compilation of the World Socialist Web Site's coverage of this global crisis.
Read the introduction
May Day 2023: For the international unity of the working class against national chauvinism and war!
The following is the text of the opening report delivered by David North, chairperson of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site, to the International May Day Online Rally 2023, held Sunday, April 30.
David North•
The ICFI’s May Day 2023 online rally: A milestone in the building of a global, working class movement against war
Together, the speakers set out a political programme capable of uniting the international working class and mobilising its immense social power in a struggle against the world’s major corporations and governments.
Thomas Scripps•
The developing struggle to bring down the Macron government in France
This is the report delivered by Alex Lantier, national secretary of the Parti de l’égalité socialiste (PES), to the 2023 International May Day Online Rally held on April 30.
Alex Lantier•
The struggle for a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses in Sri Lanka
This is the report delivered by Deepal Jayasekera, the General Secretary of the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka, to the 2023 International May Day Online Rally held on April 30.
Deepal Jayasekera•
Stepan Geller, Andrei Ritsky•
Andre Damon•
Joseph Kishore•
Tom Peters•
Keith Jones•
A call to youth throughout the world: Build a mass movement to stop the Ukraine war!
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality—the student and youth movement of the Socialist Equality Parties, the national sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International—calls for the building of a mass global movement of young people to end the reckless escalation toward World War III.
Read statement
Enthusiastic response by Sri Lankan workers and students to upcoming international May Day online rally
“Nowadays May Day is used as political propaganda by the trade unions and the capitalist parties. In fact, May Day belongs to the workers and it should be a day that brings together workers in struggle in every country.” –Kandy Hospital nurse
our reporters•
SEP (Australia) holds well-attended post-election public meeting
The SEP held an important meeting Sunday afternoon entitled: “After the NSW Elections—How to fight AUKUS, War & Austerity!”
Our reporters•
World Socialist Web Site launches its Ukrainian-language edition
The Ukrainian edition of the WSWS will publish critical historical and programmatic documents that will create the foundations for a Ukrainian section of the ICFI.
World Socialist Web Site Editorial Board•
Watch SEP online memorial meeting: A Tribute to Regina Lohr – Australian Trotskyist
The SEP held an online memorial meeting to pay tribute to the life of Regina Lohr, who passed away on October 10 at the age of 66.
Socialist Equality Party (Australia)•
Our reporters•
Statement of the Editorial Board
For a Global Workers’ Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Inquest is necessary to break through the cover-up, lies and misinformation that have been used to justify policies responsible for the avoidable deaths of millions.
Find out more
NSW election: Australian workers and youth speak about COVID, war and social crisis
One worker said: “I think it’s a good idea to have an international movement for the working class against war and for democratic rights, for workers to unite, it makes sense.”
Our reporters•
Australia: After media lies about a Labor landslide, NSW election likely to result in minority government
The media misinformation was aimed at covering up the crisis of the two-party system and trying to ensure a “stable” government to implement budget austerity.
Oscar Grenfell•
SEP (Australia) election campaign finds intense opposition to war and austerity in northern NSW
Among those who spoke out were victims of last year’s floods in Lismore, a regional city, where thousands of residents are still living in substandard accommodation more than a year after the floods.
Mike Head•
Australia: NSW election sees further crisis of Liberals, but no landslide to Labor
Contrary to media claims, the result is no ringing endorsement of Labor. Instead it expresses a deepening of the crisis of the two-party set-up.
Oscar Grenfell•
Our reporters•
Socialist Equality Party (Australia)•
Our reporters•
Max Boddy, SEP candidate for Bankstown in NSW•
Oscar Grenfell•
The definitive left-wing critique of the 1619 Project. This volume includes interviews with eminent historians and essays from the World Socialist Web Site exposing the New York Times’ racialist falsification of history.
Former Montgomery, Alabama teacher testifies about the forced reopening of schools in 2020-21
In this interview, Tynisa Williams, former teacher in Montgomery, Alabama, describes the experience of being forced to teach in-person in the fall of 2020 and winter of 2021. She and her coworkers waged a courageous struggle to stop the deadly return to in-person learning that cost the lives of eight educators in the district.
Emma Arceneaux, Evan Blake•
Accomplices to social murder
The international pseudo-left and the lifting of Zero-COVID in China: Part 1
The pseudo-left’s hostility to public health and support for imperialism found sharp expression in their universal demand—echoing that of the Western corporate media and political establishment—that China abandon its Zero-COVID strategy.
Evan Blake•
Accomplices to social murder
The international pseudo-left and the lifting of Zero-COVID in China: Part 2
The pseudo-left’s hostility to public health and support for imperialism found its sharpest expression in their demand—echoing that of the Western corporate media and political establishment—that China abandon its Zero-COVID strategy.
Evan Blake•
Immunocompromised mother in Manhattan speaks to Global Workers’ Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic
Melanie, whose children attend public schools in New York City, spoke to the WSWS about the toll the “let it rip” policy toward the pandemic has taken on her and her family.
Tim Avery•
George Kirby•
Tom Peters•
Dylan Lubao•
Evan Blake•
Tom Peters•
Timothy Snyder’s Bloodlands: Right-wing propaganda disguised as historical scholarship
This five-part series and historical timeline exposes Snyder’s Bloodlands as a work of falsification, aimed at justifying the imperialist proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and the alliance of US imperialism with the Ukrainian far-right.
Read
The Wuhan lab lie: “Weapons of mass destruction” redux
In an uncanny instance of history repeating itself, the lies used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq based on false claims about “weapons of mass destruction” are being used to promote the United States’ unprecedented military buildup around China.
Andre Damon•
A discredited conspiracy theory about the origins of COVID-19
The Wuhan Lab Leak slander being resurrected to bolster US war drive against China
The Wall Street Journal disclosed that the Department of Energy has shifted its opinion on the origin of the coronavirus to it being most likely a result of a lab leak. However, unnamed sources who have read the report indicate the evidence is of low confidence.
Benjamin Mateus•
Republicans revive discredited Wuhan Lab Leak theory and call Anthony Fauci to testify
Republicans have demanded Former Biden chief medical advisor Dr Anthony Fauci testify on the Wuhan lab leak theory.
Benjamin Mateus•
Anthony Fauci gives aid and comfort to COVID-19 “lab leak” conspiracy theory
Fauci’s aim in lending credence to the conspiracy theory, which he knows to be a lie, is to distract attention from the antiscientific policies carried out under the Trump and Biden administrations that led to the deaths of over a million Americans.
Andre Damon•
Andre Damon•
Benjamin Mateus•
Kevin Reed•
Frank Gaglioti•
Timeline of thirty years of war: The historical background to the US-NATO conflict with Russia
This interactive timeline presents some of the most important events that have brought humanity to the brink of World War III. It includes links to critical articles and statements produced by the International Committee of the Fourth International over the past 30 years.
View the Timeline
The 1619 Project and the New York Times’ promotion of the racialist ideology of Ukrainian nationalism
The racialist historical revisionism of the Times and the racialist ideology of the Ukrainian neo-Nazis share a common premise: the mythological reimagining of history as a struggle of “the nation” and “the race.”
Tom Carter•
Oppose political censorship of antiwar views at Howard University!
We call on all students, faculty and staff members at Howard University to oppose this censorship and demand that the IYSSE be allowed to hold its planned meeting on campus.
International Youth and Students for Social Equality•
Marcus Garvey and the reactionary logic of racialist politics
More than one hundred years after the formation of his Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), Marcus Garvey's legacy remains highly relevant in the struggle to overcome efforts to divide the working class along racial lines.
Lawrence Porter•
1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones was paid over $1 million to speak about race at colleges in 2022
The race-obsessed middle class layers which Hannah-Jones epitomizes are fundamentally fearful of and hostile to the growing movement of the working class. The last thing they want is for the party to end when there is yet so much money to be made.
Dominic Gustavo•
Tom Mackaman•
Douglas Lyons•
Tom Mackaman•
Tom Mackaman•
Tom Mackaman•
Report to Seventh Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (US)
The historical and political principles of the socialist opposition to imperialist war and the Putin regime
This report was given by Clara Weiss to the Seventh Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (US) in support of the resolution, “Mobilize the working class against imperialist war!”
Clara Weiss•
Report to Seventh Congress of Socialist Equality Party (US)
The historical background of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fight for global elimination
This report was given by Evan Blake to the Seventh Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (US) in support of the resolution titled “The COVID-19 pandemic and the fight for socialism”
Evan Blake•
America’s “New World Order”— The historical and social roots of US plans for war with Russia and China
The following is a report given by Andre Damon to the Seventh Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (US) in support of the resolution titled “Mobilize the working class against imperialist war!”
Andre Damon•
Report to Seventh Congress of Socialist Equality Party (US)
Build rank-and-file committees, the organs of 21st century working class struggle!
This report was given by Eric London to the Seventh Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (US) in support of the resolution titled “Build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees! For a global counteroffensive of the working class!”
Eric London•
Ulaş Ateşçi•
Tom Peters•
Keith Jones•
Tomas Castanheira•
Forty-five years since the assassination of Tom Henehan (1951-1977): A Revolutionary Life
October 16 marked the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Tom Henehan, a member of the Political Committee of the Workers League—the predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party in the US. We are republishing here a tribute delivered by David North at a meeting in 1997.
WSWS readers demand Facebook reverse ban on SEG in New Zealand
Readers have expressed outrage at the social media company’s anti-democratic censorship of the Trotskyist Socialist Equality Group in New Zealand.
Facebook blocks Socialist Equality Group in New Zealand from advertising
We call on readers to oppose Facebook’s blatant political censorship of the Trotskyist movement in New Zealand.
Tom Peters•
Elon Musk’s Twitter abruptly reverses ban on promotion of alternative social media platforms
After instituting a ban on sharing links from competitive social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and Mastodon, Elon Musk canceled the policy less than 24 hours later.
Kevin Reed•
Musk continues to ban from Twitter journalists who criticize him
Twitter owner and fascistic billionaire Elon Musk acknowledged late Thursday that he had shut down the accounts of numerous prominent journalists earlier in the day, claiming falsely that they had violated a new policy on the platform against “doxxing."
Kevin Reed•
Kevin Reed•
Dominic Gustavo•
Eric Ludlow•
Our reporter•
Kevin Reed•
Wije Dias: A fighter for Trotskyism (1941-2022)
Comrade Wije Dias, the longtime general secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), died in Colombo on July 27, 2022. This exhibit includes two tributes to Wije by WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North as well as a selection of Wije’s most significant articles and speeches.
A historic advance in the fight for Trotskyism
The International Committee of the Fourth International accepts application of the Sosyalist Eşitlik Grubu to become its section in Turkey
The June 19 decision followed extensive discussions with representatives of the International Committee in Istanbul on the development of the fight for Trotskyism in Turkey and the Aegean and Black Sea regions.
Read more
An interview with Harvard anthropology Professor John Comaroff—Part one
We spoke recently to South African-born John Comaroff, the Hugh K. Foster Professor of African and African-American studies and of Anthropology, and Oppenheimer Research Fellow in African Studies, Harvard University.
David Walsh•
Harvard UAW, pseudo-left groups organize provocation against professor John Comaroff
The right-wing witch-hunt of John Comaroff at Harvard University continued Tuesday with a stage-managed protest during his first class of the semester.
Mike Ingram•
Defend Harvard professor John Comaroff against the right-wing witch-hunt!
This shameful campaign reached new heights Tuesday when concerted efforts were made to prevent Comaroff from teaching. Provocations were organized both inside and outside the classroom.
Socialist Equality Party (US), International Youth and Students for Social Equality•
The politically driven campaign against Harvard anthropologist John Comaroff
The attack on Harvard anthropology professor John Comaroff has taken to a new level the campaign to purge American colleges and universities on the basis of anti-democratic identity politics.
David Walsh•
David Walsh•
James McDonald, Sam Wayne•
Mike Head•
Matthew Brennan, Barry Grey•
Barry Grey•
The fight for Trotskyism and the political foundations of the World Socialist Web Site
The WSWS is publishing the report delivered by David North 25 years ago, on February 1, 1997, motivating the proposal to end publication of the SEP’s printed newspaper and replace it with an international website; as well as North’s reply to the National Committee ‘s discussion of the proposal.
Russia downs British-supplied long-range missile as Zelensky and Sunak declare “jets coalition”
Central to NATO’s plans to defeat Russia and force regime change in Moscow is aerial supremacy over the Ukrainian battlefield. Speaking to reporters after the talks, Zelensky said, “We want to create this jet coalition.”
Robert Stevens•
Pentagon national strategy document targets China
The US military published a series of documents Thursday outlining US plans for war with Russia and China, and asserting the central role of nuclear weapons in US warfighting.
Andre Damon•
Australia dispatching military “trainers” to aid the US-NATO war against Russia
Australia, already the largest non-NATO funder of the war in Ukraine, is escalating its involvement amid warnings that the conflict could result in a nuclear catastrophe.
Oscar Grenfell•
German President Steinmeier delivers war speech to the nation
Steinmeier's remarks to invited soldiers, journalists, think tank representatives and leading politicians can only be described as a “war speech to the nation.” The focus was de facto a declaration of war on Russia and the Russian population.
Johannes Stern, Christoph Vandreier•
Jordan Shilton•
Tom Peters•
Jean Shaoul•
Peter Symonds•
Tom Peters•
Germany’s secret service intensifies persecution of war opponents and warns against “Trotskyism”
The latest “Constitutional Protection Report” published by the Verfassungsschutz (Germany’s domestic intelligence service) at the end of June aims to silence anyone who criticises the mass death being organised by the NATO powers, calls social inequality by its name, and rejects the government’s pro-war narrative.
Gregor Link•
Peace activist sentenced for criticizing German war policy in Ukraine
The Berlin-Tiergarten District Court has sentenced peace activist Heinrich Bücker for a speech he gave on the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s invasion on the Soviet Union.
Justus Leicht•
Large-scale raid against right-wing terrorist network reveals the extent of the fascist danger in Germany
Around 3,000 officers from the special police forces stormed 137 locations in 11 federal states on Wednesday morning and arrested 25 people. Another 27 people are being investigated. The state prosecutor has accused them of being members or supporters of a terrorist organisation.
Peter Schwarz•
German secret service operates hundreds of far-right social media profiles
Regardless of whether the pending investigations can demonstrate that the agents gave the impetus to the planned terrorist attacks, a picture emerges of a right-wing extremist milieu organized and controlled by the state.
Christoph Vandreier•
Christoph Vandreier•
Justus Leicht•
Statement of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei•
Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee (UK)•
Peter Schwarz•
WSWS Review
Thirty years since the dissolution of the USSR
Review the most critical essays, lectures and letters produced by the ICFI in the course of its intervention in response to the crisis of Stalinism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Read more
Republican presidential debate—the ugly face of American fascism
The Democrats offer no alternative to the Republicans, because both parties represent the interests of the financial aristocracy and its national-security apparatus.
Patrick Martin•
UPS contract declared ratified under cloud of suspicion among the rank and file
The “ratification” sets up the next stage in the fight of the rank and file against the bureaucracy, to expose the sellout nature of the contract and the methods employed to ram it through.
Tom Hall•
Biden’s war summit with Japan and South Korea
In the guise of maintaining “peace and stability” in Asia and “deterring China,” US imperialism and its two military allies in North East Asia agreed to military and economic collaboration whose only meaning is the preparation for war.
Peter Symonds•
Saudi massacres of refugees: Mass murder by key US ally
Sometimes upwards of 100 people were killed in a single assault. Mass killings continued as the victims fled back toward Yemen. Mass graves are being dug at crossing points along the border.
Thomas Scripps•
David North•
Evan Blake•
Kevin Reed•
Thomas Scripps•
Patrick Martin•
Eighty years since the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union
The WSWS has published a feature page incorporating a selection of essential essays from its own archives, and other documents produced contemporaneously by the Fourth International.
Read more
Police locate more bodies in New Zealand’s Pike River mine
The police investigation into the 2010 disaster that killed 29 mineworkers has been dragged out until at least the end of 2023, with no guarantee that anyone will be charged over the avoidable deaths.
Tom Peters•
New Zealand police extend investigation into Pike River mine disaster until the end of 2023
Police are delaying their decision on whether to lay charges over the 2010 Pike River mine disaster that killed 29 people, until after the October election.
Tom Peters•
Nine dead, 44 still missing in mine collapse in China
The disaster tragically exposes the brutal working conditions faced by miners in China in the reckless drive for profits ahead of lives and safety.
Jack Wang•
New Zealand: Court action over Pike River mine disaster
The fathers of two of the 29 workers killed in the 2010 Pike River mine disaster are campaigning for the release of documents and correspondence relating to a 2013 decision to drop charges against Pike River CEO Peter Whittall.
Tom Peters•
Tom Peters•
Tom Peters•
Tom Peters•
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand)•
Tom Peters•
Cliff Slaughter: A political biography (1928-1963)
By David North
Cliff Slaughter died on May 3, 2021, in Leeds, England, at the age of 92. His enduring contribution in the 1960s to the defense of Trotskyism stands in tragic contrast with his subsequent political opportunism and repudiation of revolutionary Marxism.
Die Insel (The Island): A harrowing account of the European Union’s murderous refugee policy
Thanks to her lively depictions and her factual, yet sensitive descriptions, the author brings to life the "hell of Moria".
Carola Kleinert•
Cormac McCarthy (1933-2023): Chronicler of American carnage
His works are so permeated with misanthropy and a hostility to human progress that his literary output represents a step back from the great American writers of the 20th century.
Eric London•
Author Elizabeth Gilbert suspends novel’s publication due to protests by Ukrainian nationalists
Gilbert explained she was “removing the book from its publication schedule” because of complaints about its Soviet-Russian setting.
David Walsh•
John McWhorter’s Woke Racism: An argument about how to secure privilege
McWhorter's book offers biting criticism of racialism, but it explains neither where this ideology comes from nor how to combat it.
Andrea Peters•
James McDonald•
Sandy English•
Margaret Rees•
Sandy English•
James McDonald•
Sylvia Ageloff and the assassination of Leon Trotsky
With David North and Eric London
North and London discussed the significance of the latest revelations of the the Security and the Fourth International investigation into Trotsky’s assassination.
Watch the video