8 March 2013

US Senate approves John Brennan, tied to torture and drone assassination, as CIA director

By David Walsh, 8 March 2013

The Senate vote confirming the mastermind of Obama’s drone program followed a revealing quarrel within the establishment about the government’s right to assassinate Americans on US soil.

Obama, Republicans conspire to attack Medicare, Social Security

By Andre Damon, 8 March 2013

President Barack Obama has initiated what commentators called a “charm offensive,” including dinner with Paul Ryan, aimed at a “Grand Bargain” with the Republicans.

UN imposes harsh new sanctions on North Korea

By Peter Symonds, 8 March 2013

The UN resolution was the outcome of protracted diplomatic haggling, in which the US pressed China to agree to more severe penalties.

Mounting economic instabilities loom over Chinese congress

By John Chan, 8 March 2013

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, as he stepped down, warned of an “unbalanced” and “unsustainable” economy.

The Detroit City Council begs Snyder, “We can do this without an emergency manager.”

By Lawrence Porter, 8 March 2013

On March 6 the Detroit City Council voted 7-1 to initiate a legal appeal of the decision by Michigan’s governor to name an emergency manager for the city of Detroit.

The political issues confronting the Bulgarian protests

By Christoph Dreier, 8 March 2013

Protesters in Bulgaria oppose the austerity measures dictated by the EU and the IMF and the bitter poverty they have produced, but the organisers are mainly petty-bourgeois forces seeking their own share of the spoils.

Unions sign French automaker Renault’s plan to slash jobs, wages

By Kumaran Ira, 8 March 2013

Unions at Renault approved a cost-cutting plan allowing the carmaker to cut jobs, lengthen working hours and freeze wages in factories across France.

European economy contracts as stock markets soar

By Stefan Steinberg, 8 March 2013

On the same day that figures were released underlining that Europe is in deepening recession, European stock markets soared to their highest levels since August 2008.

Australian High Court further erodes free speech

By Mike Head, 8 March 2013

The rulings eviscerate the supposed implied freedom of political communication in the Australian Constitution.

Thousands of native children died in Canada’s residential schools

By Vic Neufeld, 8 March 2013

Allegations of murder, cruelty and genocide in Canada’s now-defunct residential school system for native children has sparked an ongoing “history war”.

New in French

Le gouvernement français appuie les partis d'opposition de la pseudo-gauche en Tunisie

Par Kumaran Ira, 8 mars 2013

Après l'assassinat de Chokri Belaïd, le gouvernement du Parti socialiste français appuie les forces petites-bourgeoises du Front populaire tunisien.

Hitchcock, un film traitant pour une bonne part de choses pas vraiment importantes

Par Joanne Laurier, 8 mars 2013

Le nouveau film de Sacha Gervasi se concentre sur la génèse de Psycho (Psychose, 1960), l’un des films les plus connus d’Hitchcock

Les quinze ans du WSWS: 1998-2013
Pourquoi je lis le WSWS: Courrier des lecteurs
Année passée en revue : 1998

New in German

Japan:
Premierminister bereitet Krieg vor

Von Peter Symonds, 8. März 2013

Abes Kommentar ist eine unmissverständliche Absichtserklärung: er wird notfalls einen Krieg gegen China um ein paar umstrittene Inseln im Ostchinesischen Meer führen.

Französische Regierung unterstützt pseudolinke Parteien in Tunesien

Von Kumaran Ira, 8. März 2013

Seit der Ermordung von Chokri Belaïd geht die Regierung in Paris auf die kleinbürgerliche Volksfront in Tunesien zu, um ihre imperialistischen Interessen zu sichern.

Massenentlassungen bei Vattenfall

Von Ernst Wolff und Johannes Stern, 8. März 2013

Bei der Durchsetzung der geplanten Entlassungen von 2.500 Mitarbeitern kooperiert die Konzernleitung eng mit den Gewerkschaften Verdi, IG Metall und IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie.

Innenminister Friedrich hetzt gegen Migranten

Von Martin Kreikenbaum, 8. März 2013

Innenminister Friedrich verhinderte am Donnerstag die Aufnahme Bulgariens und Rumäniens in das Schengen-Abkommen und forderte die Einschränkung der Freizügigkeit innerhalb der EU.

Other Languages

Perspective

Hugo Chavez and socialism

8 March 2013

Chavez’s nationalist rhetoric and diversion of oil revenues to social assistance programs earned him the hatred of both Washington and a fascistic ruling class layer in Venezuela, but did not represent a path to socialism.

Earlier Perspectives »

Fifteen Years of the World Socialist Web Site: 1998-2013

The WSWS is posting a year-by-year Chronology, selected from its archive of more than 45,000 articles, to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the critical events of years 1998 to 2013.

We urge our readers to study the Chronology and review how the great events, political issues, social processes, and cultural and intellectual controversies of the last 15 years were reported on and analyzed by the WSWS.

The year in review 2001

We publish today the fourth installment in the year-by-year Chronology, covering the first year of the Bush administration, 9/11 and its aftermath, the war in Afghanistan and other major developments.

15th Anniversary page »

Commentary

The Obama administration’s persecution of Bradley Manning

By Naomi Spencer, 8 March 2013

The Obama administration intends to make an example out of the accused whistleblower.

The collapse of Detroit: An indictment of American capitalism

By Jerry White, 7 March 2013

Obama administration claims right to assassinate citizens within the US

By Joseph Kishore, 7 March 2013

French government promotes pseudo-left opposition parties in Tunisia

By Kumaran Ira, 7 March 2013

Workers Struggles

Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa

8 March 2013

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Teachers, school staff strike in Cleveland suburb

By Phyllis Scherrer, 7 March 2013

The Strongsville, Ohio school board is seeking the elimination of seniority protections and changes to pension and health care plans.

Las Vegas taxi drivers continue strike

By Therese Leclerc, 5 March 2013

Berlin bus driver welcomes rank-and-file committee of New York City school bus workers

4 March 2013

Auto Workers Struggles

Chrysler victimizes Detroit-area auto worker

By Shannon Jones, 7 March 2013

The victimization of Alex Wassell is an attempt by Chrysler management to intimidate opposition to the new Alternative Work Schedule.

More on auto workers struggles »

Arts Review

Oscar-nominated Palestinian filmmaker detained at Los Angeles airport

By Kevin Martinez, 7 March 2013

63rd Berlin International Film Festival—Part 5
Raoul Peck’s Fatal Assistance: An indictment of Western aid to Haiti, but…

By Stefan Steinberg:, 6 March 2013

Socialist Equality Party

David North to address public meetings in Australia
Fifteen Years of the World Socialist Web Site

6 March 2013

In the 15 years since the World Socialist Web Site began publication on February 14, 1998, it has established itself as the most widely read and authoritative socialist publication in the world, accessible in 19 different languages.

International Youth and Students for Social Equality

Quebec’s Education Summit and the failure of ASSE’s protest perspective

By International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Canada), 5 March 2013

NHS

National Health Services in London under sustained attack

By Paul Stuart, 4 March 2013

Visit the NHS FightBack web site »

This Week in History: February 25-March 3

25 years ago: Palestinian uprising enters fourth month

The uprising in occupied Palestine, known by its Arabic name as the intifada, entered its fourth month on March 9, 1988.

More »

50 years ago: French coal miners defy de Gaulle

Striking coal miners of France’s nationalized coal industry defied two back-to-work orders from the government of President Charles de Gaulle.

More »

75 years ago: Third Moscow frame-up trial hears confessions from defendants

During the week beginning March 4, 1938, the third Moscow show trial continued with a cavalcade of lies and “evidence” that was fabricated and at times contradictory.

More »

 

100 years ago: Mother Jones and strikers charged with murder

On March 10, 1913, 80-year-old Mary Harris Jones, known as “Mother Jones,” was charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

More »