4 October 2016

US suspends talks with Russia as danger mounts of escalation in Syrian war

By Jordan Shilton, 4 October 2016

Washington’s attempt to pin the blame on Russia for the breakdown of diplomacy in Syria is thoroughly dishonest and hypocritical.

Russia responds to US threats with blunt warning over use of force in Syria

More US troops sent to Iraq ahead of assault on Mosul

New York Times brands Russia an “outlaw state”

More on the war in Iraq and Syria »

US defence secretary announces “third phase” of military build-up against China

By Peter Symonds, 4 October 2016

Ashton Carter made clear that the US would sharpen its “military edge” in the Asia Pacific so as to remain the most powerful military in the region.”

Amid war crisis, Pakistani actors hounded out of India

By Kranti Kumara, 4 October 2016

The Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association has passed a resolution banning Pakistani actors, singers and technicians from Bollywood productions.

India and Pakistan teeter on the brink of war

US backs India’s military strikes on Pakistan

Colombia votes against peace accord between the FARC and government

By Andrea Lobo, 4 October 2016

Widespread abstention has postponed President Juan Manuel Santos’ plan to initiate an austerity plan under the banner of “peace” and “unity.”

Deutsche Bank crisis: Germany and US accuse each other of economic warfare

By Stefan Steinberg, 4 October 2016

While the latest outbreak of transatlantic hostilities revolves around the perilous state of Deutsche Bank, it is not the only bank facing collapse.

Deutsche Bank and the global financial crisis

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson maps out post-Brexit agenda

By Robert Stevens, 4 October 2016

Johnson gave a disgusting panegyric to militarism and empire, bragging that Britain “has directed the invasion or conquest of 178 countries” over two centuries.

UK Prime Minister announces timetable for UK exit from European Union

Corbyn’s capitulation to the right wing and the lessons of the UK Labour leadership contest

More on the UK Brexit referendum »

“If they bring back the same contract as GM we are going to reject it”
Unifor sets stage for Fiat-Chrysler sellout

By Carl Bronski, 4 October 2016

Unifor’s bargaining team at Fiat-Chrysler in Canada is putting the finishing touches on the “pattern” agreement initially negotiated at GM late last month.

UAW lines up behind Trump’s call for trade war

By Shannon Jones, 4 October 2016

The nationalist ravings of Trump dovetail with the UAW’s corporatist program based on the subordination of the working class to the interests of the American auto companies.

UAW endorses Clinton, “Wall Street’s presidential darling”

More on autoworkers issues »

Italy: Strikes and protests against the Renzi government’s “Jobs Act”

By Marianne Arens, 4 October 2016

Italy is experiencing a wave of strikes by rail workers, flight attendants and teachers that are also directed against the traditional unions.

Job cuts threatened at New Caledonia nickel plant

By John Braddock, 4 October 2016

The Koniambo job “review” foreshadows a major assault on workers throughout the nickel industry in the French colony and internationally.

Australia: Strike continues at Anglo American’s German Creek coal mine

Australia: Dean of arts college quits amid student protests

By Elle Chapman, 4 October 2016

The moves to close Sydney College of Arts are one expression of a broader assault on the social rights to education and culture.

New in French

Les guerres « majeures et meurtrières » à venir

Par Andre Damon, 4 octobre 2016

Un rapport par un groupe de réflexion de stratégie géopolitique de premier plan montre clairement que l’armée américaine est engagée dans une préparation intensive pour des guerres impliquant des pertes massives.

La Russie répond aux menaces américaines par une mise en garde claire sur l’utilisation de la force en Syrie

Par Jordan Shilton, 4 octobre 2016

Une attaque américaine contre les forces gouvernementales syriennes pourrait se traduire par la « guerre totale » et des « changements tectoniques » au Moyen-Orient, a prévenu le ministère russe des Affaires étrangères

Après l’attaque au Cachemire, les médias américains menacent de soutenir l’Inde dans une guerre avec le Pakistan

Par Kumaran Ira, 4 octobre 2016

Le « pivot vers l’Asie » de Washington visant la Chine alimente les tensions de guerre entre le Pakistan et l’Inde qui ont dégénéré depuis que des militants islamistes ont attaqué une base militaire indienne au Cachemire.

New in German

Die Deutsche Bank und die globale Finanzkrise

Von Nick Beams, 4. Oktober 2016

Der Widerspruch zwischen dem Boom der Finanzmärkte und der fortdauernden Rezession der Realwirtschaft wird immer bedrohlicher.

Russland reagiert auf US-Drohungen in Syrien

Von Jordan Shilton, 4. Oktober 2016

Das russische Außenministerium warnt, dass ein Angriff auf syrische Regierungstruppen zu einem „umfassenden Krieg“ und zu „tektonischen Verschiebungen“ im Nahen Osten führen könnte.

The Economist warnt vor den revolutionären Folgen beispielloser Konzernmacht

Von Gabriel Black, 4. Oktober 2016

Nach Einschätzung des britischen Wirtschaftsmagazins ähneln die wirtschaftlichen und politischen Bedingungen zunehmend denen, die 1917 zur Russischen Revolution führten.

Siemens: IG Metall und Betriebsrat stimmen erneut Abbau von 1.700 Arbeitsplätzen zu

Von Elisabeth Zimmermann, 4. Oktober 2016

Am 26. September vereinbarten Konzernvorstand und Gesamtbetriebsrat einen sogenannten Interessenausgleich, der massiven Arbeitsplatzabbau beinhaltet.

Zum 75. Geburtstag des sri-lankischen Trotzkisten Wije Dias

Von David North, 4. Oktober 2016

In seinem Grußwort betonte David North die Bedeutung des Kampfs für die Perspektive des revolutionären Internationalismus, den Wije Dias seit über 50 Jahren in Sri Lanka führt.

Other Languages

Perspective

Trump’s taxes: Capitalist corruption and class privilege

4 October 2016

The tax dodges that Trump employed provide a glimpse of the real nature of the “free market” system, in which working people are systematically exploited to boost the wealth of the super-rich.

Earlier Perspectives »

Online Interview with David North

Large audience for interview with David North, author of A Quarter Century of War: The US Drive for Global Hegemony, 1990-2016

By our reporter, 29 September 2016

November 5 Antiwar Conference

Socialism vs. Capitalism and War
The SEP and IYSSE schedule November 5 antiwar conference in Detroit

Register today at sep2016.com/conference


SEP 2016 US Election Campaign

SEP presidential candidate Jerry White visits Windsor
Growing opposition from Canadian autoworkers to Unifor-backed sellout contracts

By a WSWS reporting team, 4 October 2016

FCA Canada workers warmly greeted White and stopped to discuss their contract battle as well as the broader political questions raised by the US elections.

“I’d say it’s the worst election ever”
US autoworkers speak out on war, inequality and the 2016 elections

SEP Presidential candidate Jerry White speaks to students and workers in Northern Virginia

By Alex Gonzalez and Nick Barrickman, 4 October 2016

White spoke before an audience of students, workers and members of the community at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale about the dangers of war.

SEP Vice Presidential candidate Niles Niemuth speaks about the presidential debate and the danger of war

By Niles Niemuth, 1 October 2016

Socialism and the 2016 elections
Socialist Equality Party campaign launches fall election meetings

Socialist Equality Party (US) 2016 Congress Resolutions
Perspectives and Tasks of the Socialist Equality Party

Commentary

Spanish Socialist Party coup exposes Podemos

By Paul Mitchell and Alex Lantier, 4 October 2016

Podemos’ perspective was to form a government with the Socialist Party, which is now working to bring a right-wing government to power in Spain.

The “major and deadly” wars to come

By Andre Damon, 3 October 2016

Death toll mounts in US police killings

By Patrick Martin, 3 October 2016

More on police violence in America »

The pseudo-left’s role in the defeat of the British junior doctors’ struggle

By Robert Stevens, 3 October 2016

Workers Struggles

Workers Struggles: The Americas

4 October 2016

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

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh orchestra musicians on strike

By Fred Mazelis, 3 October 2016

Defeat MNA sellout!
Mobilize the working class behind the Minnesota nurses strike!

By Ron Jorgenson, 3 October 2016

Book Review

Adam Hochschild’s Spain in Our Hearts: A deeply felt work on the Spanish Civil War marred by its perspective

By Emanuele Saccarelli, 3 October 2016

This week in history: September October 3-9

25 years ago: Yugoslav civil war deaths reach 2,500

On October 7, 1991, the Croatian capital of Zagreb sustained surface-to-surface missile attacks and the presidential palace was rocketed by warplanes, nearly killing the republic’s president and other leaders.

More »

50 year ago: Hoffa fraud and conspiracy conviction upheld

On October 4, 1966, the conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges of Teamster President James R. “Jimmy” Hoffa was upheld by the US Court of Appeals in a 2-to-1 decision.

More »

75 years ago: Nazi armies advance upon Moscow

On October 3, 1941, Hitler made his first address to the German public since the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa.

More »

 

100 years ago: New Japanese cabinet formed amid international tensions

On October 4, 1916, the Emperor of Japan, Taishō, requested that Lieutenant General Count Seiki Terauchi form a new cabinet to replace the government that had been headed by Marquis Okuma.

More »

Obituary

Shimon Peres (1923-2016)

By Patrick Martin, 1 October 2016

The state funeral for Shimon Peres, former Israeli president and prime minister, brought leaders from around the world to pay tribute, not so much to the individual as to the rapacious, land-grabbing, militaristic state he did so much to construct.

Arts Review

Toronto International Film Festival 2016: Part 3
Loving, The Birth of a Nation: Distinct approaches to historical events

By Joanne Laurier, 1 October 2016

Toronto International Film Festival 2016: Part 2
The Chosen, on Trotsky, and other political subjects

Toronto International Film Festival 2016: Part 1
How well does filmmaking reflect present-day life?

Clint Eastwood’s Sully: The “Miracle on the Hudson” dramatized

By Joanne Laurier, 28 September 2016

International Committee of the Fourth International

Indian workers and students speak out against US war drive

By our correspondents, 28 September 2016

Public meeting in Chennai, India: Oppose the imperialist war drive! Fight for socialist program!

New Zealand public meetings: The US Navy visit and the drive to war

By Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 27 September 2016

History

New Zealand Labour Party marks its centenary

By Tom Peters, 29 September 2016

25 years since the death of Bill Brust

A remembrance of veteran Trotskyist Bill Brust, twenty-five years after his death

By Fred Mazelis, 15 September 2016

Today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the death of veteran Trotskyist Bill Brust, whose political struggle as a revolutionary socialist spanned 53 years.

The Life and Times of Bill Brust

By David North, 15 September 2016

This speech, originally delivered by David North at a memorial meeting in Minneapolis in 1991, reviews the life and political legacy of Bill Brust.