IV565 - February 2022

“The fate of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will determine the propensity of all other countries for aggression. ”

There is a striking parallel between Vladimir Putin’s behaviour in Ukraine and Saddam Hussein’s behaviour in the past. The two men resorted to force, accompanied by remarkably similar claims, to achieve expansionist ambitions.

“First of all, we need to demand an end to the war in Ukraine, and direct talks between Putin and Zelensky. It is necessary to demand the withdrawal of weapons in the Donbass and UN control. It is necessary to say clearly who started this war and not to look for any excuses for it.”

The ‘anti-imperialism of idiots’ meant people turned a blind eye to Russia’s actions

Vladimir Putin has launched his invasion of Ukraine, seemingly expecting that his forces can subdue Ukrainian resistance. But the attack could severely destabilize his regime — with Russians already showing a notable lack of enthusiasm for war.

In the wake of the pandemic, a radical re-orientation of queer and trans organizing is in order

“In Russia now the possibilities of expressing dissent are very limited. Demonstrations are basically illegal […] most people simply do not have a clear idea of what is happening.”

“It would be wrong to categorise all Canadians protesting against Covid restrictions as fascists, but the Left has not won them over.”

The banning of neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn was hailed as proof of Greece’s return to normality after the painful crisis years. Yet far-right ideas are now firmly established in the mainstream, including within the ruling conservative party.

“Great powers bullying each other at the expense of weaker countries, reduced to bargaining chips: that’s the ugly reality of our global jungle.”