7 January 2009

European diplomacy in Gaza crisis prepares trap for Palestinians

By Peter Schwarz, 7 January 2009

Unlike the United States, which has given its unconditional backing to Israel and opposed all cease-fire proposals following Israel's onslaught on the Gaza Strip, Europe has undertaken a series of diplomatic initiatives.

Worldwide protest against Israeli violence in Gaza

By David Walsh, 7 January 2009

Widespread revulsion against the murderous Israeli assault on the Gazan population has sparked protest on every continent. Hundreds of demonstrations have taken place in cities large and small.

US Congress opens under Democratic control

By Patrick Martin, 7 January 2009

The 111th Congress opened Tuesday with the Democratic Party in firm control of both houses.

Alcoa lays off 15,000, US economy moves toward depression

By Tom Eley, 7 January 2009

As layoffs mount, including 15,000 by aluminum maker Alcoa, new economic data indicate the US will not quickly rebound from the crash of 2008.

General Motors cashes in on Australian car industry fund

By Terry Cook, 7 January 2009

The Labor government will give General Motors Holden $149 million from its $1.3 billion “Green Car Innovation Fund”. Despite the government’s grandiose claims, its auto industry assistance package will not create jobs nor guarantee long-term employment for car workers.

Germany: Open questions in the stabbing of police chief in Bavaria

By Markus Salzmann, 7 January 2009

While it is well established that the German police and intelligence services have a significant number of agents in right-wing extremist groups, the perpetrator and his accomplices in the stabbing of the police chief in Passau, Bavaria remain at large.

France: Sarkozy moves to control public television

By Olivier Laurent, 7 January 2009

President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plans to strengthen his control over French public television are being put into action.

Latvia bailed out by IMF and European Union

By Niall Green, 7 January 2009

On December 23 the International Monetary Fund approved a €1.68 billion (US$2.35 billion) rescue loan for the ex-Soviet republic of Latvia, as part of a €7.5 billion (US$10.5 billion) bailout.

New in German

Truppenverstärkung der USA in Afghanistan droht Krieg auszuweiten

Von Tom Eley, 7. Januar 2009

Die USA planen neue Nachschublinien nach Afghanistan einzurichten. Sie bereiten damit die Verdopplung ihrer Besatzungstruppen unter Obama vor. Das ist eine bedrohliche Entwicklung und beinhaltet die Gefahr eines größeren Krieges.

Europäische Diplomatie bereitet Falle für Palästinenser vor

Von Peter Schwarz, 7. Januar 2009

Die europäische Pendeldiplomatie zwischen Ägypten, der Westbank und Israel bereitet eine "Lösung" für die Zeit nach dem Krieg vor, die sicher stellt, das Gaza ein riesiges Gefängnis für die palästinensische Bevölkerung bleibt.

New in French

Hors de Gaza !

Par Barry Grey et David North, 7 janvier 2009

L’attaque aérienne et terrestre simultanée sur une enclave densément peuplée et pratiquement sans défense est un crime de guerre.

Perspective

Israeli atrocities in Gaza: a political impasse and moral collapse

7 January 2009

The premeditated slaughter yesterday of innocent men, women and children sheltering in the UN-run al-Fakhora school in Gaza is a monstrous war crime for which the Israeli government and military top brass are directly responsible.

Earlier Perspectives »

Arts Review

Kurt WeilKurt Weil

New York concerts examine “lost music” of twentieth century

By Fred Mazelis, 7 January 2009

Classical works by composers who died at the hands of the Nazis or who were forced into exile have been receiving increased attention. Conductor James Conlon has taken the lead in this project to rescue unjustly neglected or unknown work.

Socialist Equality Party

Sri Lanka: SEP and ISSE public meeting to launch provincial election campaign

7 January 2009

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP), the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), is contesting two provincial council elections scheduled to be held on February 14.

Workers Struggles

Eyewitness report of metal factory occupation in Turkey

7 January 2009

We are posting a news report sent to the World Socialist Web Site by a reader from Istanbul.

Polemics

Adam Haig responds to Alex Steiner’s burst of outrage

6 January 2009

Adam Haig’s essay “Steiner, Brenner and Neo-Marxism: The Marcusean Component” provoked an angry response from Steiner and Brenner. We post here Haig’s reply.

History

The tragedy of the 1925-1927 Chinese Revolution
Part Three

By John Chan, 7 January 2009

The rise and fall of the 1925-1927 Second Chinese Revolution was one of the most significant political events of the twentieth century. One cannot understand modern Chinese history without examining its lessons.

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