The group formerly known as Daesh (Isis), now Islamic State, entered the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobanê In the early hours of Tuesday October 7. As this statement is issued, air strikes seem to have halted its advance for the moment, street-to-street fighting is taking place and initial reports suggest that in these battles secular… Continue reading Imperialism has no progressive role in Kobanê
Category: Articles
The origins, politics and economics of the Islamic State
Consequences of IS atrocities disorientate the left Every day news of new atrocities by the Islamic State is making headlines. From the beheading of young journalists to the mass extermination of religious and national minorities in Iraq and Syria, there seems to be no end to the barbarism and brutality of this latest brand of… Continue reading The origins, politics and economics of the Islamic State
Iran, Israel and Isis
Spreading like a cancer As the massacre in Gaza continues, time and time again the survivors of the conflict are heard on Middle Eastern and western media complaining about the leaders of Arab countries failing the Palestinian cause. In fact, even in comparison with previous wars, the official reaction by Arab states has been extremely… Continue reading Iran, Israel and Isis
Israel’s secret nuclear arsenal
On July 13 the Persian-speaking spokesperson of the US state department was asked by the BBC if in the absence of any progress in negotiations between the P5+1 powers and Iran before July 20 there would be an extension to the deadline for the final phase of nuclear discussions. His reply was clear: John Kerry… Continue reading Israel’s secret nuclear arsenal
Descent into regional chaos, horror and fragmentation
Last week, the leader of the Islamic state (formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or Isis) appeared in Friday prayers in Mosul addressing Muslims worldwide. At least this is what his supporters claimed after a week when the organisation had declared the territory under their control a “caliphate”. On July 3 the… Continue reading Descent into regional chaos, horror and fragmentation
Iran: Arrogance and the supreme leader
The sharp improvement in the relations between the United States and the Islamic Republic (and subsequently between the United Kingdom and Iran) has been remarkable – Washington is seriously considering military cooperation with Iran over the civil war in Iraq. Above all else, this is a reflection of the absence of any strategy by the… Continue reading Iran: Arrogance and the supreme leader
Iraq: A disaster waiting to happen
The US and Iran find themselves on the same side and ready to cooperate, warns Yassamine Mather News from Iraq is getting worse by the hour. Many cities in the north of the country have now fallen to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis), working in alliance with a variety of Sunni… Continue reading Iraq: A disaster waiting to happen
Iraq – No to Military Intervention by the United States and Iran
Iraq totters on the edge of social meltdown and western imperialist powers and their allies flounder for a half rational response. What’s going on and what are the implications for the wider region? Yassamine Mather of Hands Off the People of Iran spoke to Mark Fischer MF: In contradiction to some of the commentary that… Continue reading Iraq – No to Military Intervention by the United States and Iran
Changed and unchanged: What do the negotiations with Iran tell us about US policy?
This is an edited version of a talk given by Mike Macnair to the January 25 Hands Off the People of Iran day school. Since the last national meeting of Hands Off the People of Iran there have been some very substantial changes to the policy of US imperialism, as well as to the policy… Continue reading Changed and unchanged: What do the negotiations with Iran tell us about US policy?
Behind the liberal facade of Rowhani
Despite the easing of sanctions and the mixed messages in Tehran, writes Yassamine Mather, the Islamic regime is thoroughly committed to the capitalist free market, not the welfare of the masses In the early hours of Monday January 19, centrifuges used for the enrichment of uranium up to 20% were switched off in Natanz nuclear… Continue reading Behind the liberal facade of Rowhani