Politics
Political scandal engulfs premier in Australia’s most populous state
By Mike Head, 19 October 2020
Behind the Berejiklian affair lies a history of “anti-corruption” inquiries, being used to execute political shifts in the state of New South Wales.
Labour Party strengthens its hold on power in New Zealand election
By Tom Peters, 19 October 2020
The Labour Party has gained significant support from businesses and sections of the upper middle class after launching an assault on the living conditions of the working class.
Alarming spike of COVID-19 infections in Michigan amid ruling class push for “herd immunity”
By Valery Tsekov, 17 October 2020
Several Republican state senators in the Michigan Senate held an online meeting last Saturday, where they discussed steps towards the lifting of mandates to wear masks indoors despite a clear resurgence of the disease.
Role of Virginia fascists in conspiracy to kill Northam and Whitmer comes into focus
By Eric London, 17 October 2020
Many questions remain as to the possible role of Virginia Boogaloo members and other fascist groups in the expanding plot against Democratic governors.
New Zealand pseudo-lefts support Labour and Greens in election
By Tom Peters, 17 October 2020
The International Socialist Organisation and Socialist Aotearoa support the re-election of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government, which is carrying out a historic assault on the living standards of the working class.
Johnson calls off Brexit negotiations following EU summit deadlock
By Thomas Scripps, 17 October 2020
Brexit is a nodal point of interlocking domestic crises confronted by the UK, the EU states, and the United States, and of rising geopolitical tensions between them all.
UK’s local lockdown system in disarray as COVID-19 cases surge out of control
By Robert Stevens, 17 October 2020
This dispute been the local Labour authorities and central government confirms that combating the spread of this deadly disease cannot be left in the hands of any faction of the ruling elite, and their political representatives.
New Zealand Green Party postures over tax, poverty
By John Braddock, 14 October 2020
The record proves that an incoming Labour-Greens coalition would be completely subservient to the demands of big business.
As pandemic surges worldwide, governments resist new lockdowns, step up back-to-work drive
By Benjamin Mateus, 12 October 2020
The world is seeing a resurgence of the pandemic as daily cases of COVID-19 reach record highs. Governments internationally are rejecting future lockdowns and instead are continuing the homicidal policy of “herd immunity,” which sacrifices potentially millions of lives to protect the profits and wealth of the ruling elites.
Thirty years of German unity: Berlin increases military spending, incites nationalism and war
By Johannes Stern, 10 October 2020
The defence minister made no secret of the fact that Germany is arming itself with the deadliest weapons in order to wage war around the world in defence of its economic and geostrategic interest—increasingly against its erstwhile allies.
Trudeau admits US heading for post-election “disturbances,” but won’t condemn Trump
By Keith Jones, 10 October 2020
The Canadian government, reports Reuters, is in consultations with the principal European imperialist powers about how they will respond to Trump’s coup, which has already been set in motion.
Sri Lankan government presses ahead with plans for a presidential dictatorship
By Saman Gunadasa and K. Ratnayake, 10 October 2020
Facing an economic catastrophe exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rajapakse wants new anti-democratic measures to suppress the eruption of mass social struggles by the working class.
Democrats and corporate media cover-up Trump’s role in Michigan coup plot
By Eric London, 10 October 2020
The silence of the Democratic Party and corporate media is giving Trump an opening to move forward with his plot to use fascist militia to overturn the outcome of the election.
Brazil’s Workers Party promotes military police in mayoral elections
By Miguel Andrade, 10 October 2020
The mayoral elections to be held in Brazil in November and December are laying bare the turn by all factions of the ruling class to the hated Brazilian military.
New Zealand debates reveal bipartisan support for austerity and US alliance
By John Braddock, 10 October 2020
Both Labour Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and opposition leader Judith Collins pledged continued support for the US, as it prepares for war against China, while proposing nothing to stop the worst social crisis since the Great Depression.
Dutch government’s malign neglect accelerates resurgence of COVID-19
By Harm Zonderland and Parwini Zora, 10 October 2020
The Netherlands has become a major hot-spot in western Europe for COVID-19 infections, with record numbers of confirmed infections each day.
US imposes draconian new sanctions against Iran amid spiraling COVID-19 pandemic
By Bill Van Auken, 10 October 2020
The sweeping sanctions announced on Thursday are aimed at denying Iran all access to the financial markets, thus cutting off the country’s access to desperately needed food and medicine.
Australian budget based on shaky foundations
By Nick Beams, 10 October 2020
One of the key assumptions of the Australian budget is that an effective COVID-19 vaccine will be developed and available to the population by the end of 2021.
As Canada’s COVID-19 cases surge, unions and NDP expand their support for Trudeau’s reckless back-to-work campaign
By Roger Jordan, 9 October 2020
Quebec, Ontario and Canada as a whole have set new daily COVID-19 infection records this past week. Yet the entire political establishment is doubling down on its criminal back-to-work, back-to-school drive.
Trump’s illness and the Democrats’ call for unity
By Joseph Kishore and David North, 5 October 2020
The response of the Democratic Party to Trump’s illness is determined, as always, by the class interests that it represents and its fear of working-class opposition from below.
Johnson’s UK government forwards legislation flouting the rule of law
By Robert Stevens, 3 October 2020
Parliament has become an arena for enshrining naked criminality within the highest echelons of the state. And there is no constituency in ruling circles for opposing this.
Trump falls victim to his own “herd immunity” policy
By Patrick Martin, 3 October 2020
While the short-term political consequences are highly unpredictable, the Trump diagnosis does not alter the fundamental trajectory of the social and political crisis of American capitalism.
Wolfgang Clement: The unvarnished face of Germany’s SPD
By Peter Schwarz, 3 October 2020
Clement was a ruthless defender of capitalist interests and regarded as his party’s most important task disciplining the working class and ensuring they kept working.
Chinese students support historian Joseph Scalice against Stalinist slanders
By Our correspondents, 3 October 2020
We urge our readers, including in China, to come to the defence of Dr. Scalice, including by sending statements of support to the WSWS opposing the slanderous attack on him by the CPP and sharing his lecture widely.
US deploys missile destroyer off coast of Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 3 October 2020
The military provocation has come amid a wave of new sanctions against both Venezuela and Iran, which is supplying the South American country with vital fuel supplies.
Modi government rams half-dozen anti-worker, anti-farmer laws through India’s parliament
By Kranti Kumara, 3 October 2020
The BJP’s labour “reform” abolishes restrictions on the use of contract labour, job cuts, and plant closures, and illegalises most worker job action.
PSOE, Podemos propose herd immunity as COVID-19 rips through Madrid
By Alejandro López, 3 October 2020
This week, the Spanish government reached a deal with Madrid regional authorities on policies for the working class districts hardest hit by the virus.
Biden-Harris campaign demands increased censorship by Facebook before 2020 election
By Kevin Reed, 3 October 2020
The Biden-Harris campaign has issued an open letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg demanding that Trump campaign posts be removed from the social media platform.
Cost cutting and council’s austerity measures led to Grenfell tragedy
By Charles Hixson, 3 October 2020
The role of JRP, the company overseeing onsite safety at Grenfell, mainly consisted of walking around, getting “a general feel for what the client has asked us to do” and asking the questions “have you guys checked that it’s compliant and have building control approved it?”
UK schools told “anti-capitalist” teaching prohibited
By Julie Hyland, 2 October 2020
The guidance builds on the Prevent strategy, first implemented by the Blair Labour government, which targeted Muslims as potential extremists and required schools to report anyone they deemed “vulnerable to radicalisation.”
As pandemic resurges, Canada’s governments press forward with reckless back-to-work drive
By Roger Jordan, 2 October 2020
The coronavirus pandemic is surging across Canada, with total new daily infections rapidly approaching 2,000—or more than four times the average just six weeks ago.
Australian Labor Party leader demands budget “discipline” and “back to work”
By Mike Head, 2 October 2020
Anthony Albanese’s main pitch is for big business to again rely on a trade union-supported Labor government in a period of economic and political crisis.
Trump uses debate to incite fascist violence
By Joseph Kishore—SEP candidate for US president, 30 September 2020
Trump renewed his call for supporters—that is, right-wing vigilante organizations—to monitor polling places and not accept the results of the election.
Judge orders release of recordings in Breonna Taylor grand jury proceedings
By Kevin Reed, 30 September 2020
The Kentucky Attorney General's exoneration of the police officers who shot Taylor is being exposed as part of a cover-up that began when she was killed in her apartment on March 13.
Former US prison warden testifies Assange will be treated like a “terrorist”: The “war on terror” comes home
By Thomas Scripps and Laura Tiernan, 30 September 2020
Baird’s testimony made clear that Assange is now the victim of the CIA-backed torture and rendition which he courageously exposed as WikiLeaks publisher and journalist.
As Trump nominates ultra-right jurist
Biden downplays danger of election coup
By Patrick Martin, 26 September 2020
In an interview with MSNBC, the Democratic presidential nominee sought to spread complacency about Trump’s threat of dictatorship.
“State of Emergency” declared in three states as protests continue over cover-up of Breonna Taylor slaying
By Jacob Crosse, 26 September 2020
Courageous multiracial demonstrators continue to defy curfews, police rampages and vehicle assaults in cities across the US to protest the state-sanctioned murder.
Killing by Colombian military escalates protests against state violence
By Andrea Lobo, 26 September 2020
The wave of unrest is merging with opposition to the devastation caused by the state’s counter-insurrectionary war, which has killed more than 200,000 civilians.
New bailout for UK corporations as COVID-19 infections rocket
By Robert Stevens, 26 September 2020
Chancellor Sunak’s announcement was unveiled outside his office in Downing Street, flanked by Trades Union Congress General Secretary Frances O'Grady and Confederation of British Industry Director General Dame Carolyn Fairbairn.
A murderous pact: The European Union to deport refugees
By Peter Schwarz, 26 September 2020
Wrapped up in sugary phrases about “values,” “responsibility” and “solidarity,” the EU Commission president has presented a plan that spells deportation, misery and certain death for hundreds of thousands.
Renewed mass arrests target Kurdish-nationalist HDP in Turkey
By Ulaş Ateşçi, 26 September 2020
There is growing speculation that the Turkish government is preparing a renewed military offensive against US-backed Kurdish-nationalist forces in Syria.
Washington continues to ramp up tensions with Beijing over Taiwan
By Ben McGrath, 26 September 2020
The US has sent another high-ranking government official to Taiwan—a thinly-veiled challenge to the “One China” policy—while also planning a $7 billion military package to Taipei.
White House nears antitrust lawsuit against Google while advancing new censorship rules for social media
By Kevin Reed, 26 September 2020
Any antitrust action against Google by the US government, whether focused on the search or advertising aspects of the tech firm’s business, has nothing to do with stopping anti-competitive practices or protecting the rights of consumers.
Canadian PM Trudeau provides political cover for criminal back-to-work drive
By Roger Jordan, 26 September 2020
The Liberal government is determined to “reopen” the economy, even as it concedes that Canada is in the midst of a “second wave” of the pandemic that threatens to be worse than last spring.
Former Australian PM Paul Keating lashes central bank
By Nick Beams, 26 September 2020
Keating’s overriding concern is the explosive social and political consequences of rising unemployment resulting from the deepening crisis of the capitalist economy.
After the exoneration of Breonna Taylor’s killers: The way forward in the fight against police violence
By Niles Niemuth, 26 September 2020
The ubiquity of police violence in the US, with approximately 1,000 people killed every year, is bound up with the extreme growth of social inequality and class tensions.
Decision on Assange’s extradition set for next year
By Thomas Scripps and Laura Tiernan, 26 September 2020
Accepting the defence’s argument that any dramatic change in the facts surrounding the case before November 13 would have to be taken into account, Baraitser asked, “What impact on your case, say you, will the American elections have?”
Educators must defend historian Joseph Scalice from Stalinist attacks
By The Committee for Public Education, 26 September 2020
“The defence of Scalice and academic freedom is inseparably connected to the broader issues facing educators.”
Fed officials push for new corporate stimulus package
By Nick Beams, 25 September 2020
Fed chair Jerome Powell said that while there had been some recovery, employment and overall activity remained well below pre-pandemic levels, and the future was “highly uncertain.”
Italian regional elections: Political elite shifts further right
By Peter Schwarz, 25 September 2020
Elections for the presidents and parliaments in six of Italy’s 18 regions were held on Sunday and Monday. The first election since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic was seen as a test for the government in Rome.
Trump delivers anti-China tirade to United Nations
By Bill Van Auken, 23 September 2020
The annual opening of the UN General Assembly was held under the shadow of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the growing threat of imperialist war.
Assange faces “very high risk of suicide,” medical expert tells court
By Thomas Scripps and Laura Tiernan, 23 September 2020
Kopelman’s evidence confirms the warnings made since November 2019 by Doctors for Assange that Assange is suffering “psychological torture” and “could die in prison.”
Casualties of “herd immunity”: Three new teacher deaths in one week as US schools reopen
By Genevieve Leigh, 19 September 2020
The deaths are a direct result of the criminal actions by Democratic and Republican governors, as well as the Trump administration.
Colorado police conduct militarized arrests of Party for Socialism and Liberation members
By Jacob Crosse, 19 September 2020
The manner of the arrests and the overwhelming charges against the six protesters are a clear act of intimidation against all those determined to put an end to police violence and racism.
Biden in Minnesota: A phony “pro-worker” spin on a right-wing campaign
By Barry Grey, 19 September 2020
On the basis of economic nationalism, Biden is doubling down on his ludicrous self-promotion as a “working stiff” from “hard-scrabble” Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Wall Street demands still more Fed money
By Nick Beams, 19 September 2020
The US Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates at virtually zero, for as far as the eye can see, has been deemed insufficient.
Johnson government opposes national lockdown despite exponential rise in UK coronavirus cases
By Robert Stevens, 19 September 2020
It is just 77 days since the Johnson government recklessly reopened the economy on July 1, in the middle of a pandemic. By next Tuesday at least 13 million people will be in lockdown.
US, Colombia stage war games as Pompeo threatens Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 19 September 2020
Pompeo’s Latin American tour is aimed both at escalating aggression against Venezuela and countering China’s influence in the region.
Political crisis in the Philippines intensifies
By John Malvar, 19 September 2020
With the support of the Stalinists, sections of the military and business elite are coalescing around Vice-President Leni Robredo, as a possible replacement for President Rodrigo Duterte.
Germany: Right-wing extremist network in police pays homage to Hitler and the Nazis
By Jan Ritter, 19 September 2020
A photo montage shared online by police officers shows a grinning SS soldier pressing a button marked “Gas.” In the background, refugees are screaming in fear in a gas chamber.
Neo-Nazis in German police issue new threats
By Gregor Link, 19 September 2020
The extreme-right continues its work because it is being protected by senior authorities in the state apparatus.
Russia’s opposition parties fail to win broad support in regional elections
By Andrea Peters, 19 September 2020
Kremlin-backed candidates held onto governorships and control of local parliamentary bodies in the 83 regions of the country where voting occurred.
Peace negotiations stall as ceasefire begins to fall apart in Ukraine
By Jason Melanovski, 19 September 2020
Ukraine’s far-right continues to oppose any negotiated settlement that could lead to the end of the six-year long civil war that has needlessly killed over 13,000.
Australian jobs figures show acceleration of “gig economy”
By Mike Head, 19 September 2020
Governments and employers are exploiting the mass unemployment triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic to bludgeon workers onto reduced wages and conditions.
White House bans TikTok and WeChat: A major intensification of internet censorship
By Kevin Reed, 19 September 2020
The move is an assault on freedom of expression and an effort to consolidate control of the internet by a handful of massive corporations working in partnership with the American government.
Witnesses recall Collateral Murder attack: “Look at those dead bastards,” shooters said
By Thomas Scripps and Laura Tiernan, 19 September 2020
“The publication of that video and those words was the equivalent of the death of George Floyd and his words ‘I can’t breathe’. They had a profound effect on public opinion in the world.”
US Democrats warn UK Tories no trade deal if Good Friday Agreement threatened by hard Brexit
By Robert Stevens, 18 September 2020
Whatever the parliamentary arithmetic, Johnson is carrying out measures that can only deepen geopolitical fault lines.
Germany: Local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia express growing opposition to official politics
By Peter Schwarz, 18 September 2020
Half of all eligible voters stayed at home. Many saw no point in voting between parties that work together and pursue similar right-wing, anti-working-class policies.
SEP (Sri Lanka) condemns Philippines Maoist party’s slanders against historian Joseph Scalice
Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 18 September 2020
Sri Lanka is one of the countries, like the Philippines, where groups following Maoism brought one disaster after another to workers, young people and rural poor.
Letters from Australia, the US and New Zealand defending Philippine historian Dr. Joseph Scalice
By our reporters, 17 September 2020
The Communist Party of the Philippines “is scapegoating an historian for having the principles and courage to tell the truth to the whole world about the anti-democratic and anti-working class role of the Stalinists.”
Yoshihide Suga replaces Abe as Japanese prime minister
By Ben McGrath, 16 September 2020
LDP support for Suga indicates that the Japanese ruling class views him as the most capable of carrying out its agenda, in the face of a growing economic and social crisis.
Dr. Joseph Scalice responds to Jose Maria Sison’s Stalinist lies and slanders
By our reporter, 14 September 2020
Sison hails “Stalin’s great achievements,” and Anakbayan prints this statement without any attempt to distance itself from such an assertion.
Revelation of US government conspiracy on COVID-19 exposes EU herd immunity policy
By Alex Lantier, 12 September 2020
Revelations that US officials conspired to lie to the public about the severity of the coronavirus pandemic also expose the politically criminal role of the EU.
As Congress rejects renewal of unemployment benefits
US jobless claims top 884,000 for second week in a row
By Jacob Crosse, 12 September 2020
With no congressional relief in sight, millions of workers are seeing meager unemployment benefits expire while layoffs continue to mount.
As Trump incites police, fascist attacks on social protests
Biden pledges to keep troops in the Middle East and maintain record military spending
By Barry Grey, 12 September 2020
Since Labor Day, Biden has focused on appeals for support from the military and national security establishment, along with economic nationalist demagogy and pledges to prosecute “violent” left-wing protesters.
India-China border conflict remains on knife’s edge
By Jordan Shilton and Keith Jones, 12 September 2020
US support for India and efforts by major European powers to boost their military-strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific could cascade the border crisis into a catastrophic war.
Australian raids on Chinese journalists mark escalation of US-led witch hunt
By Mike Head, 12 September 2020
The timeline of this affair points to an intensifying anti-China propaganda campaign, instigated by Washington and the intelligence apparatus.
Brexit crisis intensifies after Johnson government tears up agreement with Brussels
By Robert Stevens, 12 September 2020
Brexit epitomises the malignant growth of inter-imperialist antagonisms that are plunging the world into a brutal trade war and exacerbating the threat of military conflict.
UK Tories use Extinction Rebellion protests to argue for savage political repression
By Richard Tyler, 12 September 2020
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked officials to take a “fresh look” at the legal status of Extinction Rebellion and see if it can be classified as an “organised crime group.”
UK government’s “Operation Moonshot”—a trojan horse for herd immunity policy
By Thomas Scripps, 12 September 2020
Under the cover of a non-existent mass testing programme, the government plans to encourage as much intermingling as possible.
UK Conservative government votes down Grenfell Tower safety recommendations as inquiry resumes
By Charles Hixson, 12 September 2020
The inquiry’s toothless “suggestions”—that tower block tenants be granted a few minimal safety rights—have been tossed into the bin by the Tories.
Russia holds regional elections amidst growing political crisis
By Andrea Peters, 12 September 2020
Balloting in 83 regions ends Sunday, and Kremlin-backed candidates are facing challengers in a number of areas.
Trade unions confer with big business Liberals on how to revive Canadian capitalism
By Roger Jordan, 12 September 2020
The government’s real agenda is for a rapid return to work, higher corporate profitability and “competitiveness,” and to advance Canadian imperialism’s predatory interests internationally.
Constitutional amendment aims to provide Sri Lankan president with authoritarian powers
By Sanjaya Jayasekera and Deepal Jayasekera, 12 September 2020
Like his political counterparts around the world, Rajapakse’s preparations for dictatorial rule are being made in order to unleash a massive social assault on the working class.
As pandemic death toll approaches 200,000, American oligarchs celebrate their wealth
By Niles Niemuth, 12 September 2020
According to Forbes’ list of the 400 wealthiest Americans, the super-rich now possess $3.2 trillion, enough to pay for an entire year of public education, health care, nutrition and disaster relief for millions of people.
US attempting to block Spanish investigation into CIA spying on Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 12 September 2020
The US authorities are seeking to prevent judicial confirmation that their pursuit of Assange has included illegal spying, and gross violations of attorney-client privilege.
No to a Greek-Turkish war in the eastern Mediterranean!
International Committee of the Fourth International, 12 September 2020
Amid the escalation of threats and naval maneuvers between Turkey and Greece, backed by France, Europe and the Middle East are teetering on the brink of war.
CPP founder Sison regurgitates Stalinist lies about Trotskyism
By Peter Symonds, 12 September 2020
Sison’s second interview, defending his politically bankrupt “semi-colonial, semi-feudal” thesis, is a desperate bid to stem the haemorrhaging of support for the Communist Party of the Philippines, and to suppress any questioning in its ranks.
The coronavirus conspiracy: What did they know, and when did they know it?
By Andre Damon, 11 September 2020
While Trump is the first US official to admit to having deliberately lied to the American population about the dangers posed by the pandemic, he did not act alone.
Speaking before auto union bureaucrats in Michigan, Biden makes nationalist appeal
By Patrick Martin, 10 September 2020
The Democratic nominee sought to maintain one of the most pernicious fictions of capitalist politics—that the union executives represent the working class, rather than serving as a corporate police force.
World Socialist Web Site interviews historian Dr. Joseph Scalice
10 September 2020
In a detailed and engaging interview, Dr. Scalice answers the slanders of the Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison.
Federal task force kills suspect in slaying of right-wing Trump supporter in Portland
By Niles Niemuth, 5 September 2020
Michael Forest Reinoehl, gunned down by a fugitive task force in Washington State on Thursday, had said he was being “hunted” by far-right groups coordinating with the police.
Trump campaign enlists army of poll-watchers to intimidate Democratic voters
By Barry Grey, 5 September 2020
The Trump campaign hopes to mobilize among its “poll watchers” the militia and vigilante types who have been attacking those protesting police violence and racism.
Washington DC’s mayor and Trump trade authoritarian demands in crackdown on peaceful protesters
By Ray Coleman and Nick Barrickman, 5 September 2020
The office of Washington, DC’s Democratic mayor has been upbraided by the federal prosecutor’s office for trying to “skirt constitutional protections and due process.”
New pandemic projections place US death toll at over 400,000 by end of the year
By Benjamin Mateus, 5 September 2020
The IHME prediction would see COVID-19 deaths comparable to the 1918 influenza pandemic, which took 675,000 lives in the US.
Millions reject UK government’s return to work call as COVID-19 cases escalate
By Robert Stevens and Paul Bond, 5 September 2020
The response to the pandemic has been driven from day one by a “herd immunity” policy and indifference to the deaths of tens of thousands.
Germany is reopening all schools despite rising coronavirus infections
By Marianne Arens, 5 September 2020
The lockdown in the spring saved millions of lives throughout Europe, but now schools and day care centres are being reopened, despite the rising spread of infections.
Washington slaps sanctions on International Criminal Court prosecutor
By Bill Van Auken, 5 September 2020
The sanctions, normally reserved for alleged terrorists or drug traffickers, are aimed at intimidating the ICC over its investigation of US war crimes.
NSA surveillance program exposed by Edward Snowden ruled illegal by US Ninth Circuit
By Kevin Reed, 5 September 2020
The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the bulk phone record collection program of the NSA—exposed by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden in 2013—violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
India-China border tensions flare anew, posing threat of catastrophic military conflict
By Deepal Jayasekera, 5 September 2020
India’s increasingly aggressive stance against China is being stoked by Washington.
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