Women are on the front lines of protests in Lebanon — and they are inspiring feminists in other Arab countries to stand up, too. The masculine ridicule has been relentless, but so has the feminist response.
Work two hours a day to save the climate and biodiversity
18 November 2019, byIt has been repeated often in these columns: while indispensable in the short term to avoid the climatic disaster of the “oven planet”, the passage from fossil fuels to renewables is not possible without a substantial reduction in production and transport. A complete change of energy system is needed, requiring huge investment - energy consumption is currently 80% fossil-based and therefore a source of emissions. In other words: without a very strong reduction in other sectors, the energy transition will greatly increase greenhouse gas emissions.
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA): A Progressive Critique
17 November 2019This statement was written by some Hong Kong activists based in both Hong Kong and abroad. If you would like to sign onto the statement as either an individual or collective, please write us at transnationalsolidarity@protonmail.com.
Success of 10 November march in Paris against Islamophobia
16 November 2019, byThe march against Islamophobia on 10 November 2019 in France, was undeniably a success. First in terms of participation, with estimates of between 13,500 and 40,000 people marching through the streets of Paris, with other gatherings and events in the regions. A political success also, with for the first time a mobilization against Islamophobia bringing together Muslim associations, organizations from the popular neighbourhoods and left wing social and political groupings.
Dangerous liaisons: Can Podemos make a deal to govern Spain?
15 November 2019, byOn Tuesday afternoon, we received unexpected news about a potential deal, a pre-agreement, between Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sánchez and Unidas Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias to form a coalition government to last for a four-year term. After six months of inconclusive negotiations and a series of new elections in which both the PSOE and UP lost votes and parliamentary seats it is only natural that this accord would catch everyone off guard, especially given the right-ward turn Sánchez conducted throughout his whole campaign.
Against the coup in Bolivia
14 November 2019, byThis is no time for misrepresentation. Bolivia is suffering a brutal and violent coup d’état organized by a racist extreme right, which has begun to recover a political space and social backing in recent months in the Andean country. We denounce this coup and express our full solidarity with the Bolivian people!
Spain’s permanent crisis regime
13 November 2019, byIn a context of a surging far right alongside the consolidation of political forces determined to defend the pluri-national Spanish state, the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), having shown itself incapable of benefiting from either the collapse of the populist right-wing Ciudidanos party (Citizens-CS) or the retreat by Unidas Podemos (United We Can-UP), has suffered a clear failure in its hopes of winning a “cautious majority.” When all is said and done, Pedro Sánchez, the leader of PSOE, may end up confirmed as prime minister by way of one or another possible pathways. However, neither governability nor political stability are guaranteed faced with growing economic shadows in the middle of a climate emergency, not to mention a deficit of legitimacy for the regime in Catalonia.
Will Evo’s resignation lead to Pinochet or resistance?
12 November 2019, byThe coup d’état against Bolivian president Evo Morales has generated the kind of anguish that great defeats of revolutionary struggles evoke: Allende’s fall, Che’s death in combat, defeat in the Spanish Civil War. “Criticism is no passion of the head, it is the head of passion,” Marx once said. We do not have to put aside the sentiments that envelope us today, rather, we must mobilize them for positive ends.
More than just a “Spring”: the Arab region’s long-term revolution
10 November 2019, byThe Arab region is immersed in a long-term revolutionary process that pits youth-led movements against authoritarian rulers and neoliberal capitalism, explains Gilbert Achcar.
Solidarity with the popular uprising in Chile
9 November 2019, bySince 18 October we have been witnessing the most powerful popular upsurge since the time of the Popular Unity in Chile (1970-1973). In a world context convulsed by great movements against neoliberalism, authoritarianism and corruption – in recent months there have been revolts in France, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Iraq, Sudan and Algeria – the Chilean popular uprising is of enormous importance and symbolism.