Socialist correspondent

Israeli elections are usually a distraction from Palestinian self-determination. However, to the alarm of Israel’s mainstream and liberal apologists, the hard-right government emerging from the November 2022 election puts Palestine centre-stage. The extreme anti-Palestinian racism of parties in Netanyahu's coalition and their anti-liberal views are causing concern among supporters of Israel abroad and buliding Palestinian resistance and solidarity.

The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) countries are also among those taking issue with the US trying to impose its will on the world. Their alliance is one of a growing number of bi and multi-lateral agreements between countries of the global south which seek to develop trade and cooperation on a more equitable basis and now also circumventing the restrictions which the United States is imposing through sanctions. Though it remains at present massively dominant, the United States unipolar world is increasingly being challenged. The benefit of a multipolar world would be to break US power and open up the possibility of progressive change. Such a world, and the fight to achieve it, will not be without complications and challenges. It is, therefore, vital to support those opposing US imperialism, to defend the sovereignty of nations and to oppose US sanctions and its drive to war.

The war in Ukraine has intensified rivalries between major imperialist powers. The US has forced its allies to impose anti-Russian sanctions which result in weakening Europe and strengthening itself. This is also raising tensions between Germany and France, the two major powers in the EU.

The UK government is prepared to pour billions into propping up private capital, billions that will materialise as shareholder dividends, but is not prepared to pay public sector workers a decent wage.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) exist across the world, where national laws and rights are suspended and companies operating in them are more or less free to do as they please. SEZs – sometimes referred to as ‘open zones’ – take different forms; freeports and charter cities are both forms of SEZ. All this means bigger profits for the companies operating in these zones and worse conditions for workers.

Western media and politicians continue to assert that Russia intendeds to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, but there is no real evidence to support these claims. On the other hand the United States continues to plan to use of nuclear weapons in conflicts and remains the only country ever to have deployed them.

The sanctions imposed at the behest of the United States have hit European economies hard, particularly the German economy. It is not only gas supplies that are affected, sanctions on Russia will also impact heavily on its key automotive industry. The severe blow to Germany’s economy will weaken its dominance of the EU and strengthen the influence and control of the US in Europe. Ironically China’s car industry may well be the beneficiary of these sanctions on Russia. The war in Ukraine is reshaping the world in more ways than one.

The Tories are at risk of turning economic struggles by workers to stave off destitution into a political fight which could have unwanted consequences for the ruling class.

The Solomon Islands in the Pacific are being threatened with military intervention by the USA and Australia to prevent the enactment of a security pact agreed between China and the Solomon Islands nation. This makes these islands a flashpoint where a US war with China could begin.

The island of Taiwan is part of China. It is a principle agreed upon by the UN and 181 countries including the US, the UK, Europe, Japan and Australia. While the US and UK officially support the One China principle, they are doing all they can to destroy it in practice.