27 September 2016

Clinton-Trump debate: A degrading spectacle

By Patrick Martin, 27 September 2016

The 90-minute exercise in reaction and backwardness was an indictment not only of the candidates, but also of the political system that produced them.

On the eve of the US election debate: The politics of the grotesque

More on the 2016 US elections »

Deutsche Bank plunge sparks talk of “Lehman moment”

By Nick Beams, 27 September 2016

The turmoil surrounding Deutsche Bank is only the sharpest expression of a crisis gripping the whole of the European banking system.

Financial parasitism and the rising war danger

Top Workers Party former minister arrested in Brazil

By Bill Van Auken, 27 September 2016

The fate of ex-finance minister Antonio Palocci sums up the historical trajectory of the Workers Party itself.

Brazilian prosecutors charge ex-president Lula as “commander” of Petrobras bribery racket

US to deport thousands of Haitian workers

By John Marion, 27 September 2016

The policy, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on September 22, is a brutal denial of workers’ rights to live and work where they choose.

Pakistan replies with belligerence to Indian threats

By Sampath Perera, 27 September 2016

The Pakistan Air Force conducted war exercises last week, including over the skies of the national capital, Islamabad, and on the highway connecting it to Lahore.

India’s Defence Minister reaffirms vow to “punish” Pakistan

India and Pakistan teeter on the precipice of war

Workers and youth at Jaffna protest speak out against US-backed Sri Lankan regime

By Subash Somachandran and K. Nesan, 27 September 2016

There is growing anger among Tamil workers and youth against the Tamil nationalists’ support for US imperialism’s foreign policy and for its client regime in Colombo.

Unifor’s big lie exposed
Ontario Liberal government reveals GM investments are not finalized

By Carl Bronski, 27 September 2016

A minister has let slip that Unifor’s much-trumpeted investment “guarantees” at General Motors Canada—“guarantees” it “won” through further concessions—are not a done deal.

Negotiations resume as Minneapolis nurses’ strike enters fourth week

By Ron Jorgenson, 27 September 2016

The federal mediator's recall of both sides indicates that the company, union and Democratic Party are preparing to force through a sellout contract against the resistance of striking nurses.

Allina nurses’ strike and the union’s fraudulent “corporate campaign”

New York and New Jersey scandals highlight corruption across political establishment

By Fred Mazelis, 27 September 2016

Charges in a wide-ranging investigation into bribery and extortion by New York Democrats came amid sensational testimony in the trial of close aides to Republican Governor Chris Christie in New Jersey.

German Left Party on a war footing for participation in federal government

By Johannes Stern, 27 September 2016

The Left Party has reacted to the recent Berlin state election with a sharp shift to the right.

The international significance of the Berlin election

Lesbos fire highlights tragic situation of refugees in Greece

By John Vassilopoulos, 27 September 2016

Around 60 percent of the camp was destroyed, including sleeping tents and clothing supplies.

More on the refugee crisis »

Bosnian Serb referendum inflames tensions in the Balkans

By Paul Mitchell, 27 July 2016

The referendum went ahead despite the Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitutional Court ruling it illegal.

New Zealand: Ex-Green Party MP launches pseudo-left think tank

By Tom Peters, 27 September 2016

Economic and Social Research Aotearoa is a nationalist organisation, inspired by identity politics and the anti-Marxism of Syriza and Podemos.

New in French

Les États-Unis accusent la Russie de “crime de guerre”, le risque d’un affrontement américano-russe s’intensifie en Syrie

Par Jordan Shilton, 27 septembre 2016

Les accusations hypocrites de crimes de guerre lancées contre Moscou par les États-Unis, la Grande-Bretagne et la France sont une tentative de fournir une couverture pour leur politique téméraire de changement de régime en Syrie.

Alain Juppé candidat de droite pour la présidentielle française met en garde contre la hausse de l’hystérie anti-musulmans

Par Kumaran Ira, 27 septembre 2016

Le parti de Juppé a joué un rôle majeur pour attiser le sentiment anti-musulman, et sa déclaration selon laquelle cela a mis la France au bord de la « guerre civile » est un aveu accablant.

Jeremy Corbyn réélu chef du Parti travailliste britannique

Par Chris Marsden, 27 septembre 2016

Corbyn a remporté la victoire malgré la tentative de putsch menée par les blairistes de l’aile droite du parti

Le Japon a fait décoller d’urgence un avion de chasse afin d’intercepter un avion militaire chinois

Par Peter Symonds, 27 septembre 2016

Alors que les avions chinois se trouvaient en dehors de l’espace aérien japonais, l’incident souligne les vives tensions qui règnent en Asie du nord-est sur fond de renforcement de la présence militaire américaine dans la région.

New in German

Wagenknecht und die Linkspartei unterstützen Steinmeiers Kriegskurs

Von Johannes Stern, 27. September 2016

Die Linkspartei reagiert auf die Berlin-Wahlen mit einem scharfen Rechtsruck. In den letzten Tagen machte vor allem die Bundestagsfraktionsvorsitzende Sahra Wagenknecht deutlich, dass sich die Linke im Kern nicht von den Hartz-IV und Kriegsparteien SPD und Grünen unterscheidet.

USA werfen Russland „Kriegsverbrechen“ in Syrien vor

Von Jordan Shilton, 27. September 2016

Die heuchlerischen Vorwürfe der USA, Großbritanniens und Frankreichs, Moskau habe Kriegsverbrechen begangen, sollen von ihrer eigenen rücksichtslosen Politik des Regimewechsels in Syrien ablenken.

US-General: „Flugverbotszone“ in Syrien bedeutet Krieg mit Russland

Von Bill Van Auken, 27. September 2016

Angesichts der geplanten Eskalation der US-Intervention im Nahen Osten und verstärkten Kämpfen in Syrien muss die Warnung von General Dunford ernst genommen werden.

Finanzparasitismus und die wachsende Kriegsgefahr

Von Nick Beams, 27. September 2016

Die Förderung des Parasitismus, der bereits die Katastrophe von 2008 ausgelöst hat, wurde faktisch zur offiziellen Politik der großen Finanzbehörden der Welt erhoben, obwohl der dadurch erhoffte Wirtschaftsaufschwung ausgeblieben ist.

Jeremy Corbyn als Labour-Führer wiedergewählt

Von Chris Marsden, 27. September 2016

Mit einer noch größeren Mehrheit als beim ersten Mal wurde Jeremy Corbyn am 24. September als Führer der Labour Party wiedergewählt. Auch die Wahlbeteiligung war höher.

Polnisches Parlament stimmt Abtreibungsverbot in erster Lesung zu

Von Clara Weiss, 27. September 2016

Das verschärfte Abtreibungsverbot ist zutiefst reaktionär und bedeutet einen Angriff auf demokratische und auch soziale Rechte der Arbeiterklasse.

Other Languages

Perspective

Syria and the pro-imperialist pseudo-left

27 September 2016

The response of leading spokesmen of state capitalist and Pabloite tendencies reflect the increasingly open pro-war policies of substantial sections of the international pseudo-left.

Earlier Perspectives »

Online Interview with David North

November 5 Antiwar Conference

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

The purpose of the conference in Detroit is to politically mobilize workers and young people against the war policies of US and world imperialism, which threaten to escalate into a nuclear Third World War.

Register today at sep2016.com/conference


Arts Review

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

By David Walsh, 27 September 2016

This year’s Toronto International Film Festival screened some 400 feature and short films from 83 countries at 1,200 public screenings.

Leonardo da Vinci–The Genius in Milan: The marketing of genius

By Lee Parsons, 23 September 2016

International Committee of the Fourth International

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

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

The SEG and IYSSE are holding meetings in Wellington, Lower Hutt and Auckland to discuss a socialist program to fight against Washington’s war drive against China.

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

21 September 2016

“You are a man of unimpeachable revolutionary integrity”
On the 75th birthday of Sri Lankan Trotskyist leader Wije Dias

By David North, 9 September 2016

In his greetings, David North reviewed the significance of the more than 50-year struggle for revolutionary internationalism waged by Wije Dias, the leader of the SEP in Sri Lanka.

Science

New fossil discovery may date origin of life on Earth earlier than previously known

By Philip Guelpa, 27 September 2016

The discovery of what appear to be stromatolites dating to 3.7 billion years ago in southwestern Greenland suggests that life first evolved in the first 500 million years after Earth’s formation.

Workers Struggles

Workers Struggles: The Americas

27 September 2015

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

SEP 2016 US Election Campaign

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

By Eric London and Thomas Gaist, 26 September 2016

SEP presidential candidates to be on the ballot in Louisiana

By our reporter, 26 September 2016

Jerry White speaks in Detroit and Ann Arbor
SEP presidential candidate warns of war dangers

By a reporting team, 24 September 2016

SEP candidate restored to ballot in West Virginia

By our reporter, 23 September 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

IYSSE

“Democracy doesn’t exist in the United States”
Students at Wayne State and San Diego State universities speak on war and the 2016 elections

By the IYSSE, 26 September 2016

The IYSSE interviewed students and youth across the country at student welcome week events at the beginning of the school year.

Commentary

US accuses Russia of “war crimes” as danger of clash in Syria mounts

By Jordan Shilton, 26 September 2016

Top US general warns Syrian “no-fly” zone means war with Russia

International Socialist Organization backs NATO escalation in Syria

More on the war in Syria »

Japan scrambles fighter to intercept Chinese military aircraft

By Peter Symonds, 26 September 2016

Charlotte police release videos showing Keith Scott with arms down as he was shot

By Tom Carter, 26 September 2016

More on police violence in America »

UK Labour right views Corbyn’s compromises as chance to resume offensive

By Chris Marsden, 26 September 2016

Jeremy Corbyn re-elected leader of UK Labour Party

More on the British Labour Party election »

Unifor president jeered by hundreds at Oshawa meeting
GM Canada workers narrowly approve sellout deal

By Carl Bronski, 26 September 2016

Vote “No” on GM Canada contract
Build rank-and-file committees to resist Unifor sellout!

SPD continues talks with the Left Party, Greens about next Berlin Senate

Mobilise workers against Sri Lanka’s Sirisena-Wickremesinghe-Sampanthan regime!

This week in history: September 26-October 2

25 years ago: Military coup in Haiti

The Haitian military carried out a bloody military coup on September 30, 1991, overthrowing President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

More »

50 year ago: Klansman acquitted of murder of Viola Liuzzo

On September 27, 1966, a state court in Alabama acquitted Eugene Thomas, one of four Ku Klux Klan members who murdered Detroit civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo.

More »

75 years ago: Stalin appeals for American and British aid

On September 28, 1941 representatives of American and British imperialism began three days of meetings in the Kremlin with Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin to discuss the establishment of avenues for military aid.

More »

 

100 years ago: The Battle of Thiepval Ridge at the Somme

On September 26, 1916, British forces launched an attack on Thiepval Ridge as part of their new offensive in the final stages of the Battle of the Somme.

More »

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.