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The Central African Republic–the end of Françafrique and the return of imperialist competition
The Central African Republic has, despite being at the centre of the continent, been a country on the margins of global power since independence. Despite a conflict which has lasted for more than a decade, the country remains largely ignored. Ben Jackson writes that while African conflicts are often underreported, for example the war in Sudan barely gets a mention, the situation in the Central African Republic demands our attention.
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Some of my best enemies are feminists: on Zionist feminism
Historically speaking, Zionist feminism shares key characteristics of colonial feminisms of the nineteenth century.
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Sex, liberation and the Russian Revolution
My main argument is: On balance, the fledgling socialist country did more to liberate human sexuality and gender in a shorter period of time than any society since the rise of classes. Despite the serious political errors the country made, I believe those errors would have been corrected had there been the time and space for the organized voices of oppressed groups to develop and assert their rights.
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The Antisemitism Industry doesn’t speak for Jews. It speaks for western elites
Film-maker Jonathan Glazer’s crime at the Oscars was to threaten the establishment’s stranglehold on the West’s narrative about Israel–and itself
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Scholar or ideologue?
In mid-February, Chaguan, the (pen-named) Economist columnist based in Beijing, reviewed a new book by Professor Minxin Pei, who was introduced as an academic based at Claremont McKenna College in California. You can read the introductory paragraphs of this review here. Chaguan is, in real-life, David Rennie, the son of a former MI6 Director.
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The panic of the ruling class
Briefly, the chance of the kind of democratic triumph of the working people of which George Galloway dreams, became real with the popular uprising that led to Jeremy Corbyn being placed as Labour leader.
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Sexism and the system: Women speak out
For International Women’s Day, Counterfire asked women activists their views on the state of the struggle for women’s liberation. We are publishing a selection of answers over the weekend.
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BAP Backgrounder: Haiti behind the headlines
Haiti is in the headlines again and, as usual, the headlines on Haiti are mostly negative.
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October Revolution: The first general recognition of women’s equality in history
The land of the October revolution: a country of women walking on the road to emancipation
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“What Is Anti-Racism? And Why It Means Anti-Capitalism,” A book review
Arun Kundnani details the histories of liberal and radical anti-racism and argues that anti-racism ultimately means anti-capitalism.
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Working class films and social change: An interview with Ken Loach
Ken Loach talks to Hilary Wainwright about his latest film, The Old Oak, and his long career dignifying the lives and struggles of ordinary people.
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The Historical Origin of “The Singing Union”
The early history of the Industrial Workers of the World has become the stuff of legend for the U.S. socialist left. Key to the legendary status of the early IWW is the notion that the organization was a “singing union.”
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There will be reading and singing and dancing even in the darkest times: The Tenth Newsletter (2024)
Amidst the genocide against Palestinians and the war in Congo, human beings cling to hope. Saleem, in Rafah, dreams beyond the present, of Red Books Day and a brighter future.
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Anti-Anthropocene vote is ‘null and void’
Commission chairs say organizers of ballot violated statutes and ignored scientific evidence.
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Rochdale has shown what can be done
Sunak’s quivering, late-night address, expressing dire concerns over George Galloway’s win in Rochdale, unveils a profound unease within the elite—good. Now let’s build from here, writes ANDREW MURRAY.
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Liberation through reading in Cuba
Literacy campaigns targeting African (Black) youth in Africa and across the diaspora have played a crucial role in fostering educational empowerment.
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Rich whingers dominate Australian politics
Australia’s richest people are by far the country’s biggest whingers.
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On Music and Politics
Music and politics are alike in belonging, in principle, to everyone. We all have tunes running through our heads, we all sway to certain rhythms, and, in times not long past, it was common for almost everyone to sing.
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Galloway sweeps to victory in Rochdale in vote ‘for Gaza’
Triumphant George Galloway told Sir Keir Starmer “this is for Gaza” after sweeping to a sensational victory in the Rochdale by-election.
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“Letter to the People for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean” launched at Foz do Iguaçu conference
From February 22 to 24, 4,000 people from more than 20 countries gathered in Foz do Iguaçu for the Conference on the Integration of Latin American and Caribbean Peoples