Tag: politics

Civil War In Syria

Gerald Mcisaac

For fifty three years, the Assad family has ruled Syria, with an ‘’iron hand’’. Absolutely no dissent was  allowed. Yet on December 8, 2024, the Assad rule came to an ‘’abrupt end’’. This after a mere one week rebellion!

It is no exaggeration to say that the ‘’world is in shock’’. The mainstream journalists are completely amazed! To think that such a revolution could be so successful, so quickly! 

Clearly, those same journalists have no idea of the power of a ‘’popular uprising’’. Or at the very least, they pretend to be unaware!

This is not too surprising, as all mainstream journalists are in the service of the monopoly capitalists, the multi billionaires, the bourgeoisie. For that reason, it is in their best interest to promote that which best serves their ‘’Lords and Masters’’. 

They are careful to avoid any mention of the word ‘’revolution’’! Those taking part in this revolution, are being referred to as ‘’rebels’’. They are not rebels! They are revolutionaries! They are fighting for national liberation! What is more, they are succeeding!

These revolutionaries consist of a broad assortment of people, from different ethnic groups, minorities and religions. In the interest of the revolution, they have agreed to put aside their differences and unite, with the goal of overthrowing the hated Assad regime. 

It is significant that a major mainstream news outlet, sat down ‘’for an exclusive interview’’, with the ‘’main rebel leader, Abu Muhammad Al Valani’’. 

The person conducting the interview, asked a good question: ‘’In a matter of days, you have managed to take large cities. What has changed? How were you able to do this now?’’ 

According to the translator, the reply was: ‘’In recent years, there has been a unification of internal opinions, and the establishment of institutional structures, within the liberated areas of Syria. This institutionalization included the restructuring within military factions. They entered unified training camps, and developed a sense of discipline. This discipline allowed them ….to engage in a battle in an organized manner. The progress and execution of plans have been swift, with clear communication and and adherence to commands. They stop where they should stop, and withdraw where they should withdraw. The revolution has transitioned from chaos and randomness, to a state of order, both in civil and institutional matters, and in military operations alike.’’ (My italics)

I have chosen to include his complete response, as it is so important. The key details I have placed in italics. 

The ‘’unification of internal opinions’’, is a reference to the fact that a successful revolution, ‘’cannot be made by an individual’’, so to speak. It must have ‘’broad based support’’. The vast majority of common people, workers, farmers and small business owners, must be prepared to set aside their differences, and unite in the common cause, that of overthrowing the existing state apparatus. 

He also mentioned ‘’unified training camps’’, in which those same revolutionaries developed a ‘’sense of discipline, which enabled them to engage in battle in an organized manner’’. 

Anyone who doubts the importance of discipline, is free to consider the results of the numerous incidents, through out history, of a group of farmers, armed with pitch forks, attacking a well disciplined army of soldiers. All such outcomes, while predictable, were never pretty. The farmers were cut to pieces.

This brings us to ‘’clear communication and adherence to command’’. The leaders of the revolution must be well respected. Their orders must be ‘’sharp and clear’’. In response, all ‘’enlisted personnel’’ must be prepared to obey those orders, even if they do not agree with them. These orders may include that of ‘’withdraw’’. 

It is in this way, and only in this way, that the ‘’revolution’’ can transition from ‘’chaos and randomness, to a state of order’’.

This brings me to a passage, written by Lenin, in Left Wing Communism, An Infantile Disorder. It is supremely relevant:

‘’The fundamental law of revolution, which has been confirmed by all revolutions, and especially by all three Russian revolutions in the twentieth century, is as follows: for a revolution to take place, it is not enough for the exploited and oppressed masses to realize the impossibility of living in the old way, and demand changes; for a revolution to take place, it is essential that the exploiters should not be able to live and rule in the old way. It is only when the ‘’lower classes’’ do not want to live in the old way, and the ‘’upper classes’’ cannot carry on in the old way, that the revolution can triumph. This truth can be expressed in other words: revolution is impossible without a nation wide crisis (affecting both the exploited and the exploiters). It follows that, for a revolution to take place, it is essential, first, that a majority of the workers (or at least a majority of the class conscious, thinking and politically active workers) should realize that revolution is necessary, and that they should be prepared to die for it; second, that the ruling classes should be going through a governmental crisis, which draws even the most backward masses into politics (symptomatic of every genuine revolution is a rapid, tenfold and even hundred fold increase in the size of the working and oppressed masses – hitherto apathetic – who are capable of waging the political struggle), weakens the government, and makes it possible for the revolutionaries to rapidly overthrow it.’’ (italics by Lenin)

The current situation in Syria, certainly fits the ‘’fundamental law of revolution’’! The ‘’exploited and oppressed masses’’, the common people, the workers and family farmers, can ‘’no longer live in the old way’’, and are ‘’demanding change’’. At the same time, the ‘’exploiters’’, in this case the Assad regime, can no longer  ‘’rule in the old way’’. Revolutionary!

Syria is in a position where it has been crushed and exploited by the Assad family, for many years. At the same time, the competing imperialist powers are anxious to ‘’exert their influence’’ over the country. 

As Lenin explained quite well, in Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, the whole world has long since been divided up, between the so called ‘’Great Powers’’, which is to say the imperialist powers. As he phrased it, ‘’The characteristic feature of this period is the final partition of the globe – not in the sense that a new partition is impossible – on the contrary, new partitions are inevitable – but in the sense that the colonial policy of the capitalist countries has completed the seizure of the unoccupied territories on our planet’’. (italics by Lenin)

The two great imperialist powers, the United States and Russia, are fighting over Syria, as two dogs fight over a bone. Both are determined to crush and exploit the country, preferably with the help of neighbouring countries.

The current situation in Syria can perhaps best be compared to the situation in Russia, immediately after the Great October Socialist Revolution of 1917. At that time, the country was in ruins, after three years of war. The infrastructure of the country was badly damaged. The common people were calling for ‘’peace, land and bread’’. Many of the factories were shut down. The trains were barely running, if at all. The Russian army was in no position to fight. The situation was desperate, and desperate times call for desperate measures.

Lenin responded to this seemingly hopeless situation, by enacting a series of compromises. He persuaded the Russian Communist Party to sign the Treaty of Brest Litovsk. Even though it meant losing a third of the population, half of their industry, and ninety percent of their coal mines, as well as having to pay a huge sum in ‘’indemnities’’, it was better than complete defeat. 

He also made certain concessions to other political parties, within the new government. Bear in mind that none of these concessions violated principle.

As a result of these compromises, the Russian Soviet Republic was able to weather the following three year civil war, as numerous foreign powers tried to wipe out the upstart Socialist republic.

Of course, the current situation in Syria is not that desperate. Yet it is safe to say that the country has been severely damaged, after fifty years of Assad rule. No doubt, the infrastructure needs repair, various factories have been shut down, and countless people are in desperate need of the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter and medical assistance.

As well, according to the internet, over five million Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries. They are currently living in shelters, composed of tents. It is only proper to bring them home, to rebuild their houses, to offer them at least the basic necessities, so that they can live a life of dignity. 

That is going to take a certain amount of time and effort. Yet the result will be a new, improved, strong Syria, so that it is well worth it. 

In the mean time, may I suggest tolerating the presence of Russian and American military bases, within Syria, as well as the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights. 

Even though the Syrian army was able to overthrow the Assad regime, very quickly, it is as yet, too weak to challenge the military power of those countries. 

This may be a ‘’bitter pill to swallow’’, but makes more sense than fighting a battle that cannot be won. At least, not yet! After the country is rebuilt, the infrastructure repaired, the refugees returned, factories working, trains running, farmers growing their crops, and the new Syrian Army is properly trained and equipped, then it will be a different matter. 

That was precisely the policy of the newly created Russian  Soviet Republic, immediately after their revolution. It served them supremely well, at least until the capitalists were able to return to power, after the death of Stalin.

The current situation in Syria is not as desperate, as was that of Soviet Russia, immediately after their revolution. Yet as the Russian Soviets were able to recover, so too, the revolutionary Syrians can also recover. As long as they do not ‘’bite off more than they can chew’’. 

Now is the time to consolidate. May I suggest a slogan of ‘’Return, Repair, Rebuild’’. The refugees can be encouraged to return, to help repair and rebuild the country of Syria. I am sure that the vast majority are quite anxious to do just that! That is the policy which provides the Syrian Revolution, with the best chance of continued success. 

Israel and American Imperialism Under Attack

Gerald Mcisaac

The mainstream press is reporting deep concern, over the possibility of the current ‘’conflict’’ in the Middle East, expanding into a ‘’Regional War’’. Their fears are well grounded! 

The ‘’conflict’’, to which they are referring, is nothing other than a series of wars, which are raging in the Middle East, against the state of Israel. 

For over a year, within the tiny Gaza Strip, an area occupied by Israel, the Israeli Defence Force, IDF, has been trying to wipe out the political party known as Hamas. Unsuccessfully, I might add, as the resistance continues, with over forty thousand residents killed, most of whom are civilians. These people are referred to as Palestinians.

To the north of Israel, in Lebanon, the group known as Hezbollah, has been firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel. The IDF has responded by sending in jet aircraft, bombing suspected Hezbollah sites. As well, they recently sent troops into Lebanon.

Yet another group, known as Houtis, based in Yemen, has been active mainly in the Red Sea, firing missiles at cargo ships, disrupting the shipping in that vital Sea. There have also been reports of missiles being fired at American warships. The Americans have responded by bombing suspected Houti camps, in Yemen.

These groups, or ‘’Islamic Resistance Parties’’, are considered to be ‘’proxies’’ of Iran. They are thought to be armed and equipped by Iran, and supposedly operate on behalf of the Iranian government. 

Then on October 1, the Iranian military confirmed the worst fears, of western analysts. The country launched nearly two hundred ballistic missiles, at Israel. Many of these missiles ‘’pierced’’ the Iron Dome defence system, causing considerable damage to military installations, airfields, radar sites and intelligence centres. 

Without doubt, Iran has spent many years developing a most impressive arsenal of ‘’projectiles’’, drones and missiles of various sorts. Some of these drones may even have adapted ‘’stealth technology’’, in that they may be ‘’invisible’’ to enemy radar. Many of them have managed to fly into Israeli airspace, undetected. 

The American military has responded to this, by sending in their own missile defence system. This is referred to as ‘’Terminal High Altitude Area Defence’’, THAAD, complete with American personnel, to man the system.

This is referred to as having ‘’boots on the ground’’. American boots, on Israeli ground, subject to attack by ‘’enemy combatants’’, which is a reference to Iran, or any one of their ‘’proxies’’. Truly, this could well lead to Regional War!

The question that naturally comes to mind, is just why America is so determined to defend Israel. In order to properly answer that question, we must first face the fact that capitalism, which came into existence with the birth of the industrial revolution, was at first competitive, and possessed certain progressive characteristics. As I have covered this in earlier articles, there is no need to repeat it here.

That changed, and changed quite dramatically, at the time that capitalism reached the stage of monopoly, around the beginning of the twentieth century. The bourgeois economists of the day, knew that something had changed, that it was no longer the old time competitive capitalism, which they had learned to know and love. This ‘’new capitalism’’ was referred to as ‘’imperialism’’, otherwise known as ‘’monopoly capitalism’’.

The task fell to Lenin, to examine this new stage of capitalism, and explain its features. This he did in 1916, and wrote a masterpiece, titled Imperialism, the Highest State of Capitalism. 

There is one passage, which I have chosen to quote, as it is of particular significance. It explains the behaviour of the warring imperialist parties. In reference to the colonial policy of the capitalist countries:

‘’As there are no unoccupied territories – that is, territories that do not belong to any state….we must say that the characteristic feature of this period is the final partition of the globe – not in the sense that a new partition is impossible – on the contrary, new partitions are possible and inevitable – but in the sense that the colonial policy of the capitalist countries has completed the seizure of the unoccupied territories on our planet. For the first time the world is completely shared out, so that in the future only re-division is possible; territories can only pass from one ‘owner’ to another, instead of passing as unowned territory to an ‘owner’’’. (italics by Lenin)

The United States, America, claims the Middle East as ‘’their own’’. The country of Israel is nothing other than their ‘’proxy’’. They use Israel to ‘’exert their influence’’, throughout the Region. 

Now the people of Palestine are in revolt, demanding national independence. Their friends and allies, in neighbouring countries, are offering their assistance. All are determined to wipe out the illegal state of Israel, as well as driving out the American imperialists. 

The country of Iran has distinguished itself, as one of the few countries in the Middle East, to stand up to American imperialism. It has further distinguished itself, in the tactics it is using. The missile attack it launched, against Israel, focused on military and intelligence targets, rather than civilians. This is to their credit. Way to go, Iran!

There is a strong possibility that this war will escalate, to a ‘’Regional War’’, involving all of the Middle East. As there are United Nations troops in Lebanon, American troops could find themselves fighting UN troops! As well, several North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, NATO, have openly sided with Iran. This could lead to Americans fighting the very organization they founded!

Now the various countries within the Middle East, many of which are feudal monarchies, are ‘’considering their options’’. They very likely see the ‘’writing on the wall’’, that Iran is about to drive out the Americans, and that it is ‘’prudent’’ to ‘’jump ship’’, to ‘’throw in their lot’’, with the Iranians. Hence the diplomatic maneuvering. 

Now it is up to American citizens, common people, both middle class and working class, to ‘’do their part’’, and not just as a show of support for the people of Palestine. After all, those ‘’local wars’’ could soon become a ‘’Regional War’’, with American troops and ships attacked. It is also entirely possible that nuclear weapons could be used. 

At the risk of being accused of being a ‘’panic monger’’, bear in mind that the Korean Peninsula could also break out into open warfare, at any time. The tensions are reported to be ‘’extremely high’’, with the military forces on ‘’high alert’’. There are thousands of American troops in South Korea.

That brings us to the ‘’self proclaimed’’ island ‘’country’’, of Taiwan. China maintains that Taiwan is nothing other than a part of China, and fully intends to ‘’bring it back into the fold’’. The Americans are equally determined to keep it separate from China. The American fleet is stationed close by, in case of a ‘’Chinese invasion’’. This could happen at any time.

It is entirely possible that Americans could soon find themselves fighting a war, on three fronts! All in the interests of securing the profits of the multi billionaires, the bourgeoisie. American working people are expected go to war with people they do not even know, with whom they have no quarrel, just so that the country can control those colonies!

This is to stress the sense of urgency in the current situation. As I have documented in previous articles, there are various ways that people can become active.

Among other things, these include becoming involved in Councils, or Soviets, assisting, arming and training working people, in preparation for the insurrection. The ‘’presidential election’’ should be challenged, on Constitutional grounds. Join the two mainstream political parties, as card carrying members, and run for office. Celebrities can publish videos, calling for Scientific Socialism. Take part in the creation of a true American Communist Party, Dictatorship of the Proletariat.

As I have gone into this, in more detail, in other writings, there is no need to repeat it here. Suffice it to say that the imperialists have to be defeated, before they drag the country into a devastating war, one that could bring America to ruin.

Now that the capitalists have blessed us with the internet, and the subsequent ‘’social media’’, it is only proper that we should express our gratitude, by using this new technology, against them. We no longer have to rely on pamphlets, posters and banners, to get our message to the public. We can use emails and videos, which tend to be far more entertaining. May I suggest flooding social media with calls for:

Dictatorship of the Proletariat!

Workers of the World, Unite!

Scientific Socialism!

Prepare For Insurrection!