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Published by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI)

12 March 2016

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Pentagon deploying drone aircraft within the US

By Joseph Kishore, 12 March 2016

The use of military drones is part of a broader expansion of domestic military activity, under the cover of the “war on terror,” which is a serious warning to the working class.

The assault on encryption and the drive to expand police state spying

Donald Trump rally in Chicago cancelled amidst mass protests

By George Marlowe, 12 March 2016

Violence erupted Friday inside a Donald Trump rally at the University of Illinois-Chicago, which was surrounded by thousands of protesters denouncing his presence.

The New York Times ’ Nicholas Kristof warns of “Donald the Dangerous”

What political conclusions must be drawn from Trump’s Super Tuesday?

German state elections: The repackaging of right-wing politics

By Peter Schwarz, 12 March 2016

Although all of the parties claim they will not collaborate with the far-right AfD, they have adopted its extreme right-wing programme.

Brazil’s president rejects resignation as prosecutors demand Lula’s arrest

By Bill Van Auken, 12 March 2016

Leading sections of Brazilian big business are seeking to oust the government in order to resolve the political crisis and push through a drastic fiscal “reform.”

The arrest of former President Lula and the crisis of rule in Brazil

Trudeau pledges strengthened Canada-US partnership in White House visit

By Roger Jordan, 12 March 2016

A key, although little reported, theme of the Trudeau-Obama summit was strengthening Canada-US military-security cooperation in the Arctic, Middle East and around the world.

Canada’s parliament endorses expanded role in Mideast war

Teachers take strike action against Palestinian Authority

By Jean Shaoul, 12 March 2016

The strike by thousands of teachers over miserable pay, one of the largest mass strikes ever seen in the West Bank, has been met with repression from the Palestinian Authority.

Turkish government intensifies crackdown on media, opposition parties

By Halil Celik, 12 March 2016

Ankara calculates that the European powers, who are asking it to halt the flow of Middle East refugees to Europe, will not protest its anti-democratic actions.

Junior doctors in England mount 48-hour strike

By Robert Stevens, 12 March 2016

Despite the government's direct intervention last month to impose an inferior contract, the British Medical Association has insisted that doctors are not involved in a political struggle.

US reignites controversy over Chinese lease of Australian port

By Peter Symonds, 12 March 2016

The Australian government is already feeling the heat from Washington for failing to carry out a military intrusion into Chinese-claimed waters in the South China Sea.

New Jersey Transit strike deadline approaches

By Sandy English, 12 March 2016

Some 4,200 rail workers at New Jersey Transit, the third-largest bus, rail and light rail transit system in the US, are set to strike on Sunday over wages and health care contributions.

Medicare to test cost-cutting plan for Part B prescription drugs

By Kate Randall, 12 March 2016

Physician groups say the CMS plan will adversely affect the care of vulnerable Medicare patients being treated for cancer and other complex conditions.

War and the destruction of social infrastructure in America

New York City’s housing crisis deepens under “progressive” Mayor de Blasio

By Fred Mazelis, 12 March 2016

Nearly 10 percent of the city’s households now live in conditions defined as crowded, in apartments with more than one person per room.

Sri Lankan government announces tax hikes before IMF loan talks

By Saman Gunadasa, 12 March 2016

The IMF-required austerity measures implemented by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will have a heavy impact on the living standards of workers and the poor.

Arrium demands Australian mine workers take pay cuts

By Terry Cook, 12 March 2016

Under the threat of closure, steelmaker Arrium is working with the unions to impose a 10 percent wage cut in its iron ore mines.

New in Spanish

Sobre la visita del Papa a México

Por Clodomiro Puentes, 12 marzo 2016

El tour papal fue pagado por el gobierno y un grupo de empresarios mexicanos para diluir la creciente ira popular.

New in French

La Banque centrale européenne réduit les taux et injecte plus d’argent sur les marchés financiers

Par Nick Beams, 12 mars 2016

Les dernières mesures de la BCE ne feront rien pour stimuler l’économie réelle, mais conduiront seulement à de nouvelles spéculations financières et augmenteront le danger d’une guerre monétaire.

La crise des réfugiés et la polarisation de l'Europe

Par Peter Schwarz, 12 mars 2016

Tandis qu’une bonne partie de la population regarde les conditions brutales faites aux réfugiés avec horreur et dégoût, le débat politique officiel lui, a été restreint à une bande étroite allant de la droite à l'extrême-droite.

Le ministre chinois des Finances demande des facilités pour licencier

Par Peter Symonds, 12 mars 2016

Alors que le gouvernement chinois se prepare à licencier des millions de travailleurs, le ministre des Finances Lou Jiwei s’est plaint que le système juridique rendait le licenciement des salariés trop dificile.

Other Languages

Perspective

Violence, racism and the Trump campaign

12 March 2016

Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s thuggery and racist agitation against immigrants must be taken as a warning of the emergence of a fascistic movement out of the putrefaction of the American two-party system.

Earlier Perspectives »

Socialism and the Fight Against War
Build an International Movement of the Working Class and Youth Against Imperialism!

Statement of the International Committee of the Fourth International, 18 February 2016

Commentary

The International Socialist Organization agitates for war with Russia over Syria

By Alex Lantier, 12 March 2016

Amid bitter disputes within the American state over Obama’s Syria policy, the ISO is seeking to build broader support for an escalation of US involvement in the Middle East war.

The conspiracy against the Chicago teachers

By Kristina Betinis, 12 March 2016

The struggle to defend public education brings teachers into conflict with both big business parties, the corporations they represent and the unions that push through their policies.

European Central Bank cuts rates and pours more money into financial markets

By Nick Beams, 11 March 2016

Europe’s attack on refugees produces humanitarian catastrophe

By Martin Kreikenbaum, 11 March 2016

The refugee crisis and the polarization of Europe

By Peter Schwarz, 11 March 2016

What do the electoral gains of the right-wing Alternative for Germany signify?

By Marianne Arens and Ulrich Rippert, 11 March 2016

The Crisis in Detroit and Flint

Flint meeting examines background of city’s water crisis

By Shannon Jones, 12 March 2016

The SEP and IYSSE held a well-attended meeting on the campus of the University of Michigan, Flint, examining the social and political background to the lead poisoning of city residents.

Flint residents call out government’s failure to act on water poisoning

More on the water crisis in Flint, Michigan »

Arts Review

A Perfect Day: 24 hours in the Bosnian War

By Joanne Laurier, 12 March 2016

Spanish filmmaker Fernando León de Aranoa’s movie A Perfect Day deals with international humanitarian aid workers in the Balkans near the end of the war in the mid-1990s.

Race: Jesse Owens and the 1936 Berlin Olympics

Mehring Books

ICFI statement “Socialism and the Fight Against War” now available from Mehring Books

9 March 2016

Mehring Books has just published in pamphlet format the statement calling for the building of a new anti-war movement based on the perspective of international socialism.

Featured Commentary

For an active boycott of the Brexit referendum!
Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International

29 February 2016

Brexit referendum: Remain camp backs European Union of austerity and militarism

By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 10 March 2016

Workers Struggles

Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific

12 March 2016

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

United Steelworkers rams through sellout contract at ATI

25 years ago: Serbia on the verge of civil war

On March 9, 1991, tanks and armored cars dispersed a mass demonstration against the Stalinist regime of Slobodan Milosevic, as the political crisis in Yugoslavia came to the verge of civil war.

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50 years ago: Australia to triple forces in Vietnam War

On March 8, 1966, the Liberal government of Australian Prime Minister Harold E. Holt announced that it would triple its contingent of troops in Vietnam from 1,500 to 4,500.

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75 years ago: Lend-Lease Act passes US Congress

On March 11, 1941 President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Lend-Lease Act moments after an overwhelming congressional majority passed the bill.

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100 years ago: American troops pursue Pancho Villa in Mexico

This week in March 1916, the US government sent troops into Mexico on a “punitive” expedition targeting the famous agrarian revolutionary Francisco “Pancho” Villa and his supporters.

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