Sadiq Jalal al-Azm (1934–2016), the Syrian Marxist who was professor of Modern European Philosophy at the University of Damascus from 1977 to 1999, and who died in December 2016. Arrested and then jailed for his book Naqd al-fikr al-dini (Critique of Religious Thought) when it was published in 1969, much of his work remains banned in the Arab countries. Here's a short excerpt from an interview he gave al-Jumhuriya in April 2013. It outlines his views on the ‘class' base of the Syrian (…)

After more than 10 years of civil war, the Syrian population is grappling with an extremely complicated recovery and reconstruction process. Joseph Daher analyses the government's first measures. The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 had rekindled hopes for Syria's future. However, after just a few months, numerous difficulties have emerged or intensified: territorial and political fragmentation, interference and occupation by foreign forces, sectarian tensions—particularly (…)

Le jugement de la Cour suprême britannique du 16 avril, statuant que les termes « femme » et « sexe » dans la loi sur l'égalité de 2010 (Equality Act) font référence au sexe biologique, découle d'une contestation menée par le groupe de campagne « critique du genre » For Women Scotland, soutenu par des personnalités réactionnaires comme l'auteure JK Rowling [célèbre pour avoir écrit la série Harry Potter, devenue controversée pour ses positions sur les questions trans]. Ils cherchent à (…)

Photo: Steve Eason Today's ruling is only one example of a right-wing offensive happening around the world. But as June writes, trans people will keep on fighting, with protests already being planned. Trans women are under attack. They are under attack in the US by creep reactionaries who want to police what toilet you use and what haircut you get. They are under attack by violent men angry at themselves. They are also under attack by so called feminist activists, and their reactionary (…)

The UK Supreme Court's 16 April judgment, ruling that “woman” and “sex” under the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex, arises from a challenge brought by the gender-critical campaign group For Women Scotland, backed by reactionaries like author JK Rowlings. They seek to prevent public bodies from including trans women in the definition of “woman” for quotas and representation. The ruling reverses a Scottish government policy and narrows the interpretation of who qualifies for sex-based (…)

Despite mounting evidence of the army's gender-based crimes, Israeli women's groups have largely ignored or denied the UN's damning new report. A demonstrator protests outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City, calling attention to sexual violence against women during Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, December 4, 2023. (Yakov Binyamin/Flash90) Last month, a report for the UN Human Rights Council affirmed — as Palestinians have long asserted — that Israel has (…)

On April 17, 2025, as part of the global observance of International Farmers Day, thousands of small-scale farmers, landless peasants, and rural workers across Pakistan mobilised under the call of the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC). In 17 cities and rural districts, demonstrations and rallies were held to honour the historical struggles of peasant communities and to assert demands for food sovereignty and agrarian justice. However, the day was marred by state repression, (…)

“In Mindanao and elsewhere in the country, for decades, a handful of powerful families have ruled the region - hoarding power, wealth, and influence at the expense of the millions of peoples. When power stays in the hands of a few families, it deepens poverty, weakens our democracy and blocks progress for the many.” Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibits political dynasties…” (…)

The axe has finally fallen. And it has likely not finished falling. “Since 12:01 am on 4 March 2025], 25% American tariffs apply to Canadian and Mexican products. Except for energy, which is slightly less [...]”This is the first attack in this trade war. The second to come will target aluminium and steel. An additional 25% in April. Why not add lumber? All this remains to be determined. A third attack is possible, with additional tariffs in response to tariffs imposed by Canada." Add to (…)

Le couperet est enfin tombé. Et il n'a sans doute pas fini de tomber. « Depuis 0 h 1 [le 4 mars 2025], des tarifs américains de 25 % s'appliquent sur les produits canadiens et mexicains. Sauf l'énergie, c'est un peu moins […] C'est la première attaque de cette guerre commerciale. La deuxième à venir visera l'aluminium et l'acier. Un 25 % de plus au mois d'avril. Pourquoi ne pas ajouter le bois d'œuvre ? Tout ça est à déterminer. Une troisième attaque est possible, des tarifs (…)

PSM says many residents living in rundown units are poor families renting properties at low rates due to unaffordable housing elsewhere. PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has called on the government to consider tenants whose homes might be affected by the Urban Renewal Act (URA), a proposed law that would allow the redevelopment of land without the consent of all its owners. In a statement, PSM chairman Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj said while the proposed legislation (…)

On February 5, six independent labor unions announced a joint decision to initiate seven collective labor disputes against the government, aiming to reinstate the dismissed employees. This marks the first time collective action is used against the state and may pave the way for a legally warranted strike. The right to a strike was introduced relatively recently in Georgia's legislation and is notoriously complex to implement. The Unions include The Georgian Labor Union of Science, (…)

When Neville Jayaweera was exiled to Sri Lanka's remote Vavuniya district in 1971, he never imagined he would become entangled in a profound moral crisis that would define his life. As the highest-ranking civil servant in the region during the JVP insurrection—a rebellion of impoverished rural youth against a deeply unequal society—Jayaweera found himself caught between his duty to the state and his growing horror at the military's systematic murder of unarmed civilians. Nearly fifty years (…)

While hindsight shows the Khmer Rouge regime was committing horrific atrocities, at the time there was considerable scepticism about reports coming through Western media channels, given the history of communist propaganda. Mandel and the IMT majority took a principled position defending the concept of workers' states against intervention, even by other workers' states. Their analysis emphasized the importance of opposing bureaucratic nationalism and defending the theoretical foundations of (…)

In the absence of any real military targets, Israel is waging a reckless offensive against those who are in no way involved in the fighting against it. Gazans are forced to choose between death and displacement to 'safe zones' that are far from safe A girl looks at the bodies of family members killed in a strike on Thursday in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip.Credit: Bashar Taleb / AFP Even those who don't believe most of the people killed in Gaza are innocent cannot deny the (…)

Thousands gather in Parliament Square in a show of unity after supreme court judgment Thousands protest for trans rights in London after supreme court ruling – video. After last week's supreme court decision, activists had been worried that trans people might become fearful of going out in public in case they were abused. They weren't afraid in London on Saturday. Thousands of trans and non-binary people thronged Parliament Square, alongside families and supporters waving baby blue, (…)

Samedi 11 janvier à Lisbonne, des milliers de personnes ont manifesté contre les violences policières. Les inégalités sociales, raciales et d'accès au logement, combinées avec la forte poussée de l'extrême droite locale, créent des tensions importantes dans la société, comme ailleurs en Europe. Le 19 décembre, une opération de la police portugaise (PSP, Polícia de Segurança Pública) a provoqué une vague d'indignation au Portugal. Ce jour-là, plusieurs dizaines personnes ont été placées (…)

Sans surprise, la secrétaire nationale sortante a été réélue dès le premier tour du congrès des Écologistes avec 73 % des suffrages exprimés. Avec ses nouveaux statuts et sa cheffe connue, le parti dispose d'un exécutif fort et cohérent. Mais il lui manque encore un programme pour réellement imposer l'écologie dans le débat public. Les résultats du premier tour du congrès des Écologistes sont tombés samedi 19 avril, en fin d'après-midi. Sans surprise, Marine Tondelier a été réélue (…)

On 11 January, thousands of people demonstrated in Lisbon against police violence. Tensions driven by social, housing and racial inequalities, as well as pressure from the far right, have aroused debate across the country, as elsewhere in Europe. On 19 December, an operation by the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP, Portugal's police force) provoked a wave of outrage in Portugal. When a large number of individuals on Rua do Benformoso in Lisbon were forced against the wall and searched, (…)

PARIS – Le journaliste kurde, Maxime Azadî revient sur l'accord signé hier entre le commandant général des Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) Mazloum Abdi et le président par intérim de la Syrie, Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Joulani) pour intégrer les forces arabo-kurdes « dans les institutions de la République arabe syrienne, soulignant l'unité du territoire syrien et rejetant la division ». Que signifie l'accord entre les Kurdes et Damas ? Selon Farhad Shami, directeur du centre de médias des (…)

Raphaël Canet analyzes the striking parallels between historical fascism and the rise of Trumpism in the United States, drawing on the 14 characteristics of “eternal fascism” identified by Umberto Eco. Canet demonstrates point by point how Trumpism reproduces the mechanisms of historical fascism today: cult of tradition, rejection of modernism and science, obsession with conspiracy, exacerbated nationalism, misogyny, populist elitism. Canet shows how new technologies and social media (…)

Raphaël Canet analyse les parallèles frappants entre le fascisme historique et la montée du trumpisme aux États-Unis, en s'appuyant sur les 14 caractéristiques du « fascisme éternel » identifiées par Umberto Eco. Canet démontre point par point comment le trumpisme reproduit aujourd'hui les mécanismes du fascisme historique : culte de la tradition, rejet du modernisme et de la science, obsession du complot, nationalisme exacerbé, misogynie, élitisme populiste... L'article expose comment les (…)

The political movement in Ceylon against British rule began on the 2nd March of 1915, exactly 100 years after losing independence to the British in 1815. A group of educated youth, led by A.E. Goonesinha, a 24-year-old from Kandy, gathered in the Pettah Public Library and founded the Young Lanka League which was the first political organisation to fight for freedom in 20th century Ceylon. C.E. Victor Corea, an advocate from Chilaw, was elected president and A.E. Goonesinha was the secretary. (…)

Une alliance de milices dirigée par les Kurdes qui contrôle le nord-est de la Syrie a signé un accord visant à intégrer toutes les institutions militaires et civiles dans l'État syrien, a annoncé la présidence du pays. Le commandant des FDS, Mazloum Abdi (à gauche), a signé l'accord aux côtés du président par intérim Ahmed Al-Charaa (à droite). L'accord, qui prévoit la cessation complète des hostilités, stipule que les Forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS), soutenues par les États-Unis, (…)

In a Poland where abortion access depends on your bank balance, the struggle for reproductive rights reveals a stark class divide. This isn't merely about personal freedom—it's about economic justice. When working women carry the double burden of paid employment and unpaid domestic labor while earning less than men, how can we pretend abortion is simply a matter of individual choice? Photo by Przemysław Stefaniak Abortion in Poland exists, but is primarily regulated by the thickness of (…)

A Kurdish-led militia alliance which controls north-eastern Syria has signed a deal to integrate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state, the country's presidency says. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi (L) signed the deal alongside interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) The agreement, which includes a complete cessation of hostilities, says the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will hand over control of the region's border posts, airport, and vital oil and gas (…)

La Chine a approuvé la construction de ce qui sera le plus grand barrage hydroélectrique du monde, suscitant des inquiétudes quant au déplacement de communautés au Tibet et aux impacts environnementaux en aval, en Inde et au Bangladesh. Getty Images Vue aérienne d'une section de la rivière Yarlung Tsangpo le 13 mai 2023Getty Images Le barrage, qui sera situé dans le cours inférieur du fleuve Yarlung Tsangpo, pourrait produire trois fois plus d'énergie que le barrage des Trois Gorges, (…)

Après plus de dix ans de guerre civile, la population est confrontée à un processus de relance et de reconstruction extrêmement complexe. Les premières mesures prises par le gouvernement en témoignent. La chute du régime d'Assad en décembre 2024 avait rallumé l'espoir d'un avenir meilleur pour la Syrie. Cependant, après seulement quelques mois, de nombreuses difficultés sont apparues ou se sont aggravées : fragmentation territoriale et politique, ingérence et occupation par des forces (…)

Emmanuel Macron se rendra sur l'île de La Réunion dans la semaine du 21 avril. Les crises sanitaires récentes – Covid, chikungunya – ont signalé l'approche verticale et autoritaire du pouvoir hexagonal. Une étude post-Covid montre pourquoi ces politiques de santé, imposées sans concertation avec les populations locales, ont suscité méfiance et colère. Partager la responsabilité avec les communautés s'avère indispensable pour une gestion de crise efficace. Les débats contemporains mettent (…)

THE UAW STATEMENT “In a Victory for Autoworkers, Auto Tariffs Mark the Beginning of the End of NAFTA and the ‘Free Trade' Disaster” posted on the UAW website, presents a faulty understanding of the impact NAFTA had on the restructuring of the auto industry. It then outlines a disastrous strategy for auto workers, similar to a previous UAW administration's call on members to save their jobs by voting for two-tier contracts. In the 1990s corporate restructuring meant increased automation, (…)

Jakarta - The government plans to provide pardons or amnesty for around 44 thousand prisoners. One of the categories of prisoners who will receive amnesty are political prisoners related to Papua. Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai's plan to provide amnesty for Papuan political prisoners (tapol) is specifically for those who have different ideologies. The government will not provide amnesty to political prisoners involved with armed criminal groups (KKB, the government's term for armed (…)

À San Nicola di Melfi, les premières « nouvelles » Jeep Compass (hybrides) sont passées à la chaîne de montage. « Mais le rythme de travail est de plus en plus rapide, le nombre de voitures augmente, pas celui des ouvriers. Nous n'y arrivons pas, nous sommes à bout et cela se répercute sur la qualité du produit final », nous confie un ouvrier. Il y a du mouvement chez Stellantis à San Nicola di Melfi. La semaine dernière, la nouvelle Jeep Compass hybride a fait son apparition sur la (…)

Après près de 14 ans de guerre civile, la Syrie est un pays dévasté, avec une économie en ruine et un marché du travail détruit. Ceux qui ont obtenu un bon emploi ou fondé une entreprise prospère mettront du temps à revenir. Sur l'image, un employé syrien déplacé par la guerre met une pizza dans le four du restaurant Tayba, dans le quartier de Fatih à Istanbul, en Turquie, le 25 mars 2025. « Je dois souvent choisir entre acheter de la nourriture pour ma famille ou acheter du carburant », (…)

After nearly 14 years of civil war, Syria is a devastated country, with a ruined economy and a destroyed labour market. Those who have found good jobs or founded successful businesses will be slow to return. In this image, a Syrian employee displaced by the war puts a pizza in the oven at the Tayba restaurant in the Fatih neighbourhood of Istanbul, Turkey. 25 March 2025. “I often have to choose between buying fuel or food for my family,” says Wael, from the Atma refugee camp in northern (…)

De lourdes peines de prison : de 13 à 66 ans ! L'un des moments les plus sombres de l'histoire judiciaire tunisienne récente. 4h55 du matin, une heure où les consciences sommeillent et où les regards sont ailleurs, l'agence officielle Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) publie une dépêche sobre, presque banale, pour annoncer ce qui restera sans doute comme l'un des moments les plus sombres de l'histoire judiciaire tunisienne récente. Une série de condamnations lourdes, frappant une quarantaine (…)

Alors que le Sri Lanka se trouve à la croisée des chemins dans son parcours vers les droits LGBTQ+, des militants de toutes générations poursuivent leur lutte, vieille de plusieurs décennies, contre les lois discriminatoires qui criminalisent les relations entre personnes de même sexe. Le mouvement fait face à de nouveaux défis suite aux changements politiques tant au niveau national qu'international, mais reste résilient dans sa lutte pour les droits humains fondamentaux. Remontant à 1995 (…)

In a troubling development that highlights the growing influence of conservative ideology in corporate decision-making, BigBoard—the Czech Republic's largest outdoor advertising provider—has rejected a campaign about abortion access from reproductive justice organisation A.S.A.P. (Abortion Support Alliance Prague). The company claims that providing factual information about abortion constitutes “behaviour damaging health or threatening safety” of foetuses, despite abortion being legal in the (…)

As of 2023, same-sex marriage is not legal in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore or Indonesia, although Thailand was taking initial legislative steps toward approving same-sex unions while our survey team was in the field. A majority of Thai adults strongly or somewhat favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally (60%). Neighboring Cambodia is the only other surveyed country where a majority takes this stance (57%). By contrast, large majorities of the public in (…)

In a landmark victory for environmental activism, Portugal has become the first European nation to legally enforce a moratorium on deep-sea mining until 2050. This groundbreaking decision represents a crucial step in safeguarding one of Earth's most vulnerable and least understood ecosystems. The moratorium emerged from a powerful coalition of scientific expertise, grassroots organizing, and local economic concerns, particularly in the Azores islands, where fishing and tourism communities (…)

Le printemps arabe a ouvert une page nouvelle dans l'histoire politique du monde arabe. Alors que plusieurs pays ont sombré dans le chaos ou sont retournés à l'autoritarisme, la Tunisie a souvent été présentée comme l'exception réussie. Mais qu'en est-il réellement du point de vue des femmes et des mouvements féministes ? L'entretien avec Ahlem Belhadj, figure emblématique du féminisme tunisien et ancienne présidente de l'Association tunisienne des femmes démocrates, offre une analyse (…)

L'énergie solaire est à l'avant-garde du mouvement mondial vers les énergies renouvelables. Mais quelle est l'importance de ce changement dans des pays comme le Pakistan ? Pour les militants écologistes de gauche, l'expansion rapide de l'énergie solaire présente à la fois une opportunité et un défi. Ces dernières années, le Pakistan a connu une augmentation stupéfiante des installations de panneaux solaires, tant connectées au réseau qu'hors réseau. Les chiffres officiels montrent que la (…)

In Robert Musil's The Man Without Qualities (1930), set in Vienna on the eve of the First World War, the army general Stumm von Bordwehr asks, ‘How can those directly involved in what's happening know beforehand whether it will turn out to be a great event?' His answer is that ‘all they can do is pretend to themselves that it is! If I may indulge in a paradox, I'd say that the history of the world is written before it happens; it always starts off as a kind of gossip.' Last week, with Donald (…)

Jewish Scholars intentionally violate the controversial and discredited IHRA definition of antisemitism which has been a tool for the Trump administration to imprison activists and dismantle higher education WASHINGTON - Over 32 prominent Jewish scholars of antisemitism, Holocaust Studies, and Jewish History today challenged the Trump administration's authoritarian crackdown on free speech by demonstrating the danger and falsehood of its false claims to care about Jewish safety. The Trump (…)

China has approved the construction of what will be the world's largest hydropower dam, stoking concerns about displacement of communities in Tibet and environmental impacts downstream in India and Bangladesh. Getty Images An aerial view of a section of the Yarlung Tsangpo River on May 13, 2023Getty Images The dam, which will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo river, could generate three times more energy than the Three Gorges Dam, currently the world's largest (…)

China recently approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam, across the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet. When fully up and running, it will be the world's largest power plant – by some distance. Yet many are worried the dam will displace local people and cause huge environmental disruption. This is particularly the case in the downstream nations of India and Bangladesh, where that same river is known as the Brahmaputra. China recently approved the construction of the (…)