October 16 2008

Does the current economic crisis and the collapse of banks and financial institutions mean the threat of war against Iran has subsided? We believe that the opposite is true. In the past, capitalism in decline has often turned to external war to solve its problems at home. There are reports that influential voices in the Israeli government and secret service are increasing their efforts to lobby the US government to “deal with Iran” before George W. Bush leaves office (click here to read an interesting article on this matter by David Owen, former foreign secretary:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4926251.ece)

But a change of the ruling administration will not make a big difference either. Both John McCain and Barack Obama have made clear that they see Iran as a “threat” and would be prepared to use military force to attack its nuclear installations. There is also the danger of unilateral military action by Israel, designed to provoke some sort of retaliation of Iran, so that the US is obliged to get involved and ‘defend’ Israel. Meanwhile, the sanctions against Iran are nothing but war with other means – they hurt particularly the poor and dispossessed.

We in Hopi are firmly on the side of the women’s, workers’ and students’ movements who are struggling against of the threat of war and their own repressive regime. We believe that democracy cannot be delivered from outside – be it by military means, sanctions or US-financed coups. We want regime change, both in Iran and in the imperialist countries. But we know that change must come from below – from the struggles of the working class and social movements – if it is to lead to genuine liberation.