International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Iran Between the Russian and Chinese Models

Gilbert Achcar — 2026-05-04T09:32:37Z

Donald Trump claimed to pursue “regime change” in Iran, but in a manner distinct from the George W. Bush administration's use of the term to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which was framed as bringing democracy after Saddam Hussein's overthrow. As we have repeatedly argued in these pages, even before the joint U.S.-Israeli aggression against Iran (see, for example, “Washington Will Not Bring Democracy to Iran” [Arabic], 10 February 2026), Trump's objective was – and remains – to replicate his Venezuelan strategy: abducting the president to pave the way for a successor willing to cooperate with Washington and its oil interests. In other words, his aim was to “change the regime's behaviour”, not to change the regime itself.

- IVP616 - May 2026 / Russia, China, Iran

Purges and Regime Crisis in China

Pierre Rousset — 2026-02-09T21:15:33Z

The dismissal of General Zhang Youxia was officially announced on January 24. This is another step in the purges that have been taking place within the Chinese army's general staff. Zhang was considered “untouchable” given his supposed closeness to Xi Jinping. As for the Central Military Commission (CMC), it is now a hollow shell, having lost five of its seven members. Xi continues to clear the field around him, contrary to any form of collegiality.

- IVP613 - February 2026 / China

What is left of the Chinese Left?

Au Loong-Yu — 2025-12-26T10:48:24Z

With Trump in power, many parts of the world are swinging to the far right. This is the most pressing challenge we currently face. But what is the situation of the Left in China? And where is the Chinese far right?

- IVP611 - December 2025 / China, Far Right

The Crisis of Social Reproduction, Women's Agency, and Feminism in China

Ralf Ruckus, Yige Dong — 2025-11-30T11:44:06Z

Dramatically falling birthrates and a skyrocketing number of divorces as the number of marriages collapsing increases all point toward the erosion of the capitalist family unit in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Such trends, furthermore, represent an existential crisis for the nation, as the deepening crisis of social reproduction in the post-socialist country also threatens the reproduction of its necessary supply of labor power. But what exactly is this crisis of social reproduction, and what, if anything, is specific about the situation in the PRC? What role does the feminist movement in the PRC play in all of this?

- Feminism / Women, China

Trump's strategy to reassert U.S. dominance

Ashley Smith — 2025-11-30T11:27:27Z

Despite all the chaos, confusion, and faction fights, the Trump administration is united behind one project—escalating Washington's imperial rivalry with China.

- China November 2025 / United States (USA), China

China's labour movement under fire

Manfred Elfstrom — 2025-11-30T10:51:17Z

China's labour movement is of strategic importance for the global working class. Yet little data is available about its struggles due to government restrictions on the media and labour-focused organisations.

- China November 2025 / China, Trade unions/workplace organizing

The Four Critical Junctures of Taiwan DPP's Transformation from Democratic Reformers to US Client

Fang — 2025-11-29T15:49:07Z

Taiwan's social and political structure are facing greater division and confrontation as the US-China conflict intensifies. During the course of this confrontation, the successive administrations of Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), along with various groupings in its camp, have increasingly bent to the US anti-China strategy, and are calling for “defending democracy” against the looming threat from China. As part of this, the DPP regime has made several moves to tighten control on the society, like the Anti-Infiltration Act, the proposed Digital Media Services Act, and the All-out Defense Mobilization Readiness Act.

- China November 2025 / China, Taiwan

Preliminary Theses on the Taiwan Strait Crisis and Taiwanese Self-Determination

Worker Democracy — 2025-11-26T11:51:48Z

Editorial of Worker Democracy, a Chinese socialist journal. It has been translated by the authors.

- China November 2025 / China, Taiwan

India after the Tianjin summit and in the midst of the climate crisis – an overview

Pierre Rousset, Sushovan Dhar — 2025-10-10T19:19:25Z

On China's initiative, the Tianjin Summit was held on 31 August and 1 September 2025, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). India was invited to attend. Sushovan Dhar, a political activist and trade unionist in Kolkata, analyses the summit's proceedings and geopolitical implications in this interview. He also examines the nature of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regime, the link between the climate, democratic and social crises plaguing the country, and the state of the parliamentary and radical left.

- IVP609 - October 2025 / Russia, Pakistan, China, India, Bangladesh

China and the IMF, supported by BRICS+, provided a lifeline to Javier Milei's far-right government in Argentina

Éric Toussaint — 2025-10-07T16:14:25Z

In September 2025, after having presided over the country since December 2023, the neo-fascist Javier Milei suffered an electoral defeat in an important vote. The result was the election in the province of Buenos Aires. This election renewed 46 seats in the provincial Chamber of Deputies and 23 in the provincial Senate. The Peronist opposition beat Milei's party by 13 points and holds a majority in the Buenos Aires Provincial Senate. The capital province represents about 37-38% of the national electorate. The provincial elections in Buenos Aires always serve as a major test at the national level, including for Javier Milei this year.

- Features / Economy, China, Argentina