Revolutionary Socialism in the 21st Century
 
Revolutionary
Socialism in the
21st Century

Articles >

imperialism

NATO: the West’s war machine

rs21 member Andy Gammon argues that solidarity with Ukrainians means calling for an end to NATO.

Ukrainian soldiers train with javelin missile systems in Donbas. These are arms supplied to Ukraine by NATO.

On the invasion of Ukraine

A statement from the rs21 Steering Group on the inter-imperialist war currently being waged in Ukraine.

COVID Omicron: The case for vaccine justice

The new Omicron variant is the result of the racist and profiteering vaccine policy of the Tory government, writes rs21 member Graham Checkley.

Cartoon shows Boris Johnson as emperor Nero playing the lyre while the world burns

From Nero to Net Zero

Boris Johnson’s classical references are a window onto how he will deal with climate breakdown, writes Gareth Dale.

Afghanistan: the end of the occupation

The fall of Kabul marks a decisive defeat for American power around the world.

Crowd on protest applauding

Germany’s Namibia Genocide Apology: the limits of decolonising the past

What are possible international ramifications of the Namibian-German agreement?

The Nakba never ended. Victory to the Intifada

For 73 years Palestinians have not only mourned the Nakba but refused to accept its continuation.

Palestine: never give up the struggle

What is happening to the Palestinians right now is not new, not some anomaly, not some break with the past.

Protestor holds a Palestinian flag at a demonstration in Syria in 2011.

Syria, Palestine, Solidarity

Palestinian liberation is intimately tied to the liberation struggles of the entire region. Shireen Akram-Boshar argues that Palestine’s dynamic interdependence with the revolutionary struggle against Assad in Syria has important lessons.

Nicolás Maduro at the funeral of Hugo Chávez in 2013.

Interview | Sanctions and ‘shock doctrine’ in Venezuela

In Venezuela, US sanctions are worsening a parlous economic situation and exacerbating a social crisis. What’s the way forward?

Review | Sinews of War and Trade

Mykola Macke reviews an important book which bring together the history of development in the region with the parallel evolution of world shipping routes as the life-blood of world capitalism.

Photo from an action against Elbit Systems showing two protesters sitting in a doorway in front of the weapons factory's graffitied door, which reads 'Shut Elbit Down'. Fake blood is poured across the steps in front of them, as well as a sign that reads 'Ouch'.

‘That’s the power of direct action’: an interview with Palestine Action

On Feb 1 2021, Palestine Action and XR North shut down the Elbit Systems factory in Oldham. rs21 spoke with Huda and Richard from Palestine Action about Elbit, Palestine and direct action tactics.

A crowd of protesters standing near to a flame during the mass protest movement in Ecuador in late 2019.

Revolutionary Reflections | Anti-extractivism and radical politics in Ecuador

Melissa Moreano Venegas looks at the forthcoming presidential election in Ecuador through the lens of Thea Riofrancos’ recent analysis of extractivism and its opponents.

Ende Geleande march in November 2019.

Revolutionary Reflections | Moving towards an ecological Leninism

The urgency of the climate crisis has led some on the left to turn towards ‘ecological Leninism’ – but we need greater clarity on what this means.

Keywords: fascism far right wing nationalism Brexit

Video: Confronting the British state

Three activists speak on the Scottish independence movement, the Tory Party’s right-wing populist strategy, and the political role of migrant solidarity.

An image of Ian Birchall, by Colin Fancy. Keywords: Ian Birchall Algeria France Marxism socialism IS International Socialists

Unearthing hidden histories: an interview with Ian Birchall

An interview with socialist historian Ian Birchall. Ian’s work has has involved researching and reevaluating lesser-known revolutionaries and activists from the Global South.

Worshipers in Kashgar, Xinjiang. Keywords: Xinjiang China Muslims Uighers Uyghers oppression

Why is the Chinese state repressing the Uyghurs in Xinjiang?

The repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang by the Chinese state brings together a long history of national oppression, and a new ambition of capitalist expansion.

Picture of Bolivian city with mountains in background.

Bolivia’s MAS comeback

In late 2019, Evo Morales was toppled in Bolivia by a right-wing coup. Barely a year later, the Movement towards Socialism has recaptured power.

Evo Morales in 2008. Keywords: Bolivia elections election coup coup d'etat US right wing

Bolivia after Evo

Mike Gonzalez analyses the presidency of Evo Morales, who became President of Bolivia in 2005 at the head of a powerful mass movement, and was ultimately ousted in a right-wing coup last year.

Protesters under umbrellas during heavy rain in Hong Kong.

Review: Hong Kong in revolt and The Art of Rebellion

Two new books provide valuable insight into the huge and defiant revolt in Hong Kong that erupted in 2019.

Colombian police officers. Keywords: Colombia police violence

Colombia: mass movement takes up fight against police violence

Mass protests against state and paramilitary violence have shaken Colombia. The brutal right-wing government in Bogotá are responding with fierce repression and indiscriminate killings of political activists.

Getting away with murder

The Overseas Operations Bill, which effectively ‘decriminalises torture’, is an insult to all those who seek accountability for the crimes of British imperialism.

Pro-Palestine protesters in London.

Open letter: Palestinians in Britain demand freedom of speech

The Labour Party’s willingness to censor criticism of Israel gives license to a broader crackdown on anti-racist, anti-Zionist speech across society.

Four protesters stand on top of Elbit's building with a banner reading "Shut down Elbit" and Palestine flags.

Palestine activists shut down Elbit arms factory

Activists are taking courageous direct action to shut down a factory owned by Elbit, Israel’s largest private arms firm, which is also involved in policing migrants arriving to Britain.

Hong Kong: Resistance goes on

As the National Security Law starts to bite, Hong Kongers are still resisting

Beirut port destroyed

Interview: Beirut blast exposed a global system

Rima Majed spoke to rs21 about the blast that devastated Beirut in the context of an existing political and economic crisis.

Video: Capitalism is the virus

Video: Brendan Montague looks at how capitalism, colonialism, ecological devastation co-evolved and at what we can do to cure our societies and our planet.

The British left must stand in solidarity with Palestinians

Lisa Leak argues for vocal solidarity with Palestinians as the annexation of the West Bank goes ahead.

The villains of Parliament Square

A who’s-who of the murderous colonialists set in stone in Parliament Square Gardens.

Winston Churchill waving to crowds on VE Day

Winston Churchill: the man, the myth, the murderer

Churchill is central to the Tory myth of national unit. But the historical record is clear: he was a virulent racist, a diehard colonialist, and responsible for the deaths of millions.