30 March 2016

Newly-released email details complicity of Obama’s EPA in Flint poisoning

By James Brewer, 30 March 2016

The lies of top Environmental Protection Agency officials are exposed in this internal communication in which a leading expert at the agency declares, “EPA is a cesspool.”

Obama administration to cut off Flint emergency aid

Why the New York Times is pushing racial politics in Flint

More on the water crisis in Flint, Michigan »

Intelligence accounts raise more questions on origins of Brussels, Paris attacks

By Alex Lantier, 30 March 2016

As NATO powers tried to discredit accusations that they relied on terrorists in their war in Syria, they downplayed signs that ISIS was developing a terror network in Europe.

Officials stoke anti-Muslim hatred following Brussels attack

The US-NATO war in Syria and the Brussels terror attacks

The Belgium bombing: Why the dots are not connected

More on the Brussels terror attacks »

Impeachment looms in Brazil as PT’s largest coalition partner deserts government

By Bill Van Auken, 30 March 2016

The drive for impeachment has gained significant momentum, with both Brazilian and foreign capital demanding a radical change in government policy.

As Brazil’s impeachment crisis deepens, economists advocate “Asian model”

Obama’s pivot to Latin America

Clinton, media step up pressure for Sanders to withdraw

By Patrick Martin, 30 March 2016

The former secretary of state is backing out of an agreement for further debates.

Clinton primary contest losses intensify Democratic Party crisis

More on the 2016 US Elections »

Supreme Court ruling favors unions in agency shop dues case

By Tom Carter, 30 March 2016

The hard-fought Friedrichs case reflects ongoing divisions within the American ruling class over the best means of exploiting workers and suppressing their struggles.

FBI claims successful hack of Apple iPhone security systems

By Thomas Gaist, 30 March 2016

The Federal Bureau of Investigation dropped its suit to force Apple to breach security protections on the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino attackers.

US government delays hearing in Apple iPhone encryption case

Leading tech firms join Apple suit over iPhone encryption

California Democrats, unions announce deal on $15 minimum wage

By Marc Wells, 30 March 2016

The deal, which has many loopholes, is aimed at containing deep opposition to poverty-level wages and bolstering support for the Democratic Party in the run-up to November’s elections.

German interior minister seeks to further restrict rights of immigrants

By Marianne Arens, 30 March 2016

The latest proposals would punish refugees for rules infractions, such as failure to learn German or obtain a job.

French government seeks delay in order to impose unpopular labour reform

By Kumaran Ira, 30 March 2016

The Socialist Party and the union bureaucracies are hoping that upcoming vacations will halt protests and growing opposition to the reactionary El Khomri law.

Australian Labor leader makes a cynical populist pitch

By Peter Symonds, 30 March 2016

Opposition leader Bill Shorten is preparing for this year’s election with false promises on “jobs, education and health” to obscure Labor’s commitment to austerity.

Australia: Pacific Islanders suffer slave-like conditions in fruit industry

By Paul Bartizan, 30 March 2016

The super-exploitation of Pacific Islanders who have no democratic rights under the Seasonal Workers Program is to be extended throughout the agricultural industry.

Dramatic fall in Employment Tribunal cases in UK

By Dennis Moore, 30 March 2016

Following the introduction of fees, the numbers of cases dropped by 77 percent.

New in French

Les chefs militaires américains profitent des attentats de Bruxelles pour envoyer plus de troupes en Irak

Par Thomas Gaist, 30 mars 2016

Plus de quatre ans après la fin officielle de l'occupation américaine en Irak et alors qu’il y a actuellement quelque 5.000 soldats dans le pays, les chefs militaires réclament des moyens militaires supplémentaires.

Lois sur la sécurité au Japon: une nouvelle étape dans la marche à la guerre mondiale

Par Peter Symonds, 30 mars 2016

L’entrée en vigueur de cette législation militaire est une étape importante dans le renouveau du militarisme japonais, encouragé par Washington dans le cadre de ses préparatifs de guerre contre la Chine

Après les attentats de Bruxelles, les responsables attisent la haine anti-musulmane

Par Stéphane Hugues, 30 mars 2016

Les responsables incitent au racisme anti-musulman pour couvrir le rôle de l'Etat dans la création de réseaux terroristes islamistes pour la guerre de changement de régime en Syrie.

New in German

Japans Sicherheitsgesetze:
Ein weiterer Meilenstein auf dem Weg zum Weltkrieg

Von Peter Symonds, 30. März 2016

Die neuen Militärgesetze sind ein entscheidender Schritt bei der Wiederbelebung des japanischen Militarismus, den Washington als Teil seiner Kriegsvorbereitungen gegen China unterstützt.

Politik und Medien hofieren die AfD

Von Johannes Stern, 30. März 2016

Die Sympathiebekundungen für die AfD reichen von einer Übernahme ihrer Parolen durch die Linke bis hin zu direkten Koalitionsangeboten von Seiten der Unionsparteien.

US-Militär nutzt Brüsseler Anschläge für Truppenaufstockung im Irak

Von Thomas Gaist, 30. März 2016

Vier Jahre nach dem offiziellen Ende der US-Besatzung im Irak verlangen die Generäle eine deutliche Aufstockung amerikanischer Truppen.

Nach den Anschlägen in Brüssel:
Belgische und französische Politiker schüren Hass auf Muslime

Von Stéphane Hugues, 30. März 2016

Belgische und französische Politiker schüren Rassismus gegen Muslime, um von der Rolle des Staats bei der Schaffung islamistischer Terrornetzwerke für den Kampf gegen das Assad-Regime in Syrien abzulenken.

Ungarn: Innere Aufrüstung nach Anschlägen in Brüssel

Von Markus Salzmann, 30. März 2016

Die ungarische Regierung will die Telefon- und Internetüberwachung deutlich erleichtern und Bankkonten kontinuierlich überprüfen.

Other Languages

Perspective

Warnings of global arms race ahead of Nuclear Security Summit

30 March 2016

As world leaders gather for this week’s nuclear summit in Washington, leading think tanks are warning of a “new arms race” and the need to plan for “Armageddon.”

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

On sexual harassment policy
Professors’ group charges Obama administration with undermining academic freedom and due process

By David Walsh, 30 March 2016

A report by the American Association of University Professors points to the reactionary role of the sexual harassment industry on university campuses.

Japan’s security laws: Another milestone in the drive to world war

By Peter Symonds, 29 March 2016

“They got away with murder for profit”
Michigan will not sanction GM attorneys involved in cover-up of ignition defect

By Shannon Jones, 29 March 2016

Australia: Socialist Alternative hails downing of Russian jet in Syria

By Oscar Grenfell, 29 March 2016

Obama high court pick Merrick Garland: A record of support for police powers

By Tom Carter, 28 March 2016

Arts Review

San Diego Latino Film Festival 2016—Part 2
The human cost of the drug war in Mexico and a drama from Venezuela: Retratos de una búsqueda and Dauna. Lo que lleva el río

By Kevin Martinez and Toby Reese, 30 March 2016

The San Diego festival showcased films and documentaries from throughout the Spanish-speaking world, including Cuba, Spain, Mexico, South and Central America.

San Diego Latino Film Festival 2016—Part 1
Films from Argentina, Spain and Guatemala: El Movimiento, Hablar, Ixcanul and Tras Nazarin

Rapper Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest dead at 45

I Saw the Light: A biography of country singer Hank Williams

2016 US elections

Fundraising for US presidential campaign surpasses $1 billion

By Joseph Kishore, 25 March 2016

Following terror attacks in Brussels
US presidential candidates call for stepped-up war and police measures

Trump and the Democratic Party

More on the 2016 US elections »

NHS Fightback

UK Junior doctors dispute at a crossroads
Statement by NHS Fightback

29 March 2016

The imposition of a draconian contract on 55,000 junior doctors is a test case for restructuring employment conditions for the entire workforce of the National Health Service.

History

One hundred years since Ireland’s Easter Rising—Part three

By Jordan Shilton, 29 March 2016

The Easter Rising was a seminal event in Irish history, the lessons of which the working class must assimilate.

One hundred years since Ireland’s Easter Rising—Part two

One hundred years since Ireland’s Easter Rising—Part One

Workers Struggles

Indian auto workers fight to defend wages and conditions

By Arun Kumar, 26 March 2016

Chicago Teachers Union approves one-day stunt “strike” on April 1

By Kristina Betinis, 26 March 2016

Tube drivers shut down London Piccadilly Line

By Ross Mitchell, 26 March 2016

Socialist Equality Party

Hundreds attend meetings in Leipzig, Germany on the danger of war and the politics of the pseudo-left

By our correspondents, 22 March 2016

David North addresses Sri Lankan SEP launch of Sinhala edition of The Russian Revolution and the Unfinished Twentieth Century

By David North, 22 March 2016

IYSSE/SEP meetings

SEP meetings in the US: Socialism and the fight against war

16 March 2016

Meeting at Toronto’s York University: Socialism and the Fight Against War

26 March 2016

Socialism and the Fight Against War
IYSSE meetings in Australia and New Zealand—Build an International Movement of the Working Class and Youth Against Imperialism!

24 March 2016

Book Review

German Left Party leader’s plea for nationalism and the free market economy

By Peter Schwarz, 25 March 2016

Obituary

Ex-President Francisco Flores (1959–2016) and the decimation of El Salvador

By Neil Hardt, 28 March 2016

This week in history: March 28-April 3

25 years ago: Chairman of East German privatization agency assassinated

On April 1, 1991, Detlev Rohwedder, chairman of the institution responsible for the privatization of East German industries—the Treuhand—was assassinated by a sniper.

More »

50 years ago: Strikes, demonstrations, bring down Ecuador junta

On March 29, 1966, the Ecuador junta headed by Admiral Ramón Castro Jijón fled the Government Palace in Quito after a week of mass labor strikes and student demonstrations.

More »

75 years ago: Strikes cripple US arms production

On April 2, 1941 autoworkers, steel workers, miners and other industrial workers launched powerful strikes against corporations under military contract.

More »

 

100 years ago: Mass strike of construction workers in New York City

On April 3, 1916, thousands of workers engaged in constructing the New York City subway system walked off the job.

More »

75 Years Since the Assassination Of Leon Trotsky

Security and the Fourth International, the Gelfand Case and the deposition of Mark Zborowski
An open letter from David North to Susan Weissman

10 November 2015

Seventy-five years since the assassination of Leon Trotsky

Meetings in Germany mark the 75th anniversary of the death of Leon Trotsky