Quote: “In the last 100 years, Russia has attacked more than 19 countries, some as many as three or four times. None of these countries has ever attacked Russia.”
Context. The main focus of this meeting was the ongoing peace talks (www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/12/02/8010003/), with the US administration proposing 20 points regarding the ending of the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine. The meeting (www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/informal-foreign-affairs-c…) also addressed the intensification of Europe's remilitarisation and preparations for conflict with Russia.
In reality, the rhetoric employed by Kaja Kallas and others suggests that the foreign policy of the USSR was essentially the same (www.nbcnews.com/news/world/back-u-s-s-r-how-todays…) as that of modern capitalist Russia, obscuring the historical and class differences between socialism and capitalism. Capitalist propagandists use this false equivalence to discredit communism, portraying (www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/241-understanding…) it as a “totalitarian, aggressive regime.”
► The USSR adopted a defensive policy against openly counter-revolutionary threats, protecting the workers’ state. Finland shows this: born after 1918 through White Terror backed by German imperialism, Finnish communists were physically exterminated, as in the Perttula executions. The Finnish ruling class was fiercely nationalist, anti-communist, and promoted “Greater Finland” expansion into Soviet Karelia.
► Despite this, the USSR pursued diplomacy in the late 1930s, proposing (www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/winter-w…) territorial exchanges and mutual security guarantees to protect Leningrad, even offering (www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/winter-w…) more land than it planned to take. When Finland repeatedly rejected these measures, the Winter War (1939–1940) became a necessary defensive action, not “Soviet aggression,” amid the growing Nazi threat.
► The claim that these countries never attacked Russia or the USSR is false. Between 1918 and 1921, Britain, France, the United States, Japan, and others intervened in the Civil War to try crush Soviet power. In 1920, Poland invaded Soviet territory. During the late 1920s and 1930s, the USSR faced ongoing military encirclement and border provocations, notably from Japan. In 1941, Finland joined Operation Barbarossa, attacking the USSR alongside Nazi Germany, confirming Soviet security concerns.
Restoration of the USSR is senseless according to Putin, contradicting liberal and social-chauvinist claims that he seeks to restore it.
Details. President of Russia Vladimir Putin stated (tass.com/politics/2053883) in an interview with India Today that restoration of the USSR is “not on the table” and doesn’t “make any sense”.
► He added (tass.com/politics/2053883) that reviving the Soviet Union in current circumstances is irrational, “because it would critically change the national and religious composition of the Russian Federation”.
► Putin also suggested (tass.com/politics/2053883) that assigning blame for the USSR’s collapse is pointless, arguing that “it was the system that turned out not to be viable.” He noted that the people “always believed it was so big, so great” that nothing could happen to the country, and any potential problems would not affect it.
Context. Since 2014, Western media and liberal commentators have claimed that Putin seeks to “restore the USSR (https://youtu.be/sYz2SIqFiKQ).” This narrative equates the modern Russian capitalist state with the former socialist Union, presenting current Russian actions as alleged Soviet “expansionism” to reinforce anti-communist sentiment among workers.
Important to Know. Putin's statement that restoration of the USSR is “not on the table” is unsurprising, given that he represents the modern Russian capitalist state and openly maintains an anti-communist worldview.
► Some social chauvinists (https://youtu.be/sK6RLP7i5-w?si=A1Jqi...) echo these claims that modern Russia is the spiritual continuation of the USSR, but instead portray it as a “progressive” and “anti-imperialist” defender of communist interests. They falsely claim that supporting Russia serves the international proletariat, while in reality it prioritises the interests of a single capitalist state.
In 2025, there were numerous conflicts, and it only looks like there will be more in the future. We explain why capitalism generates wars and what place war occupies in the history of the development of capitalism.
► The conference was marked by immediate infighting. Co‑founder Zarah Sultana boycotted the first day, protesting the expulsion of members who had violated the party’s rule banning dual membership in other left‑wing organisations. She described the expulsions as a “witch hunt (www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/29/corbyns-new-part… by Corbyn-aligned officials.
► Sultana complained (news.sky.com/story/zarah-sultana-boycotts-first-da…) she was excluded from organising the conference, while Corbyn’s allies said she had removed herself after leaving the Independent Alliance, a group of MPs and volunteers close to him.
► The lead‑up to the founding conference saw the emergence of organised factions (us.politsturm.com/uks-your-party-splits-into-facti…) within Your Party, as different blocs formed around competing political programmes and visions for the party’s structure.
► Before the conference, a “Socialist Unity Platform (dsyp.org/sup/)” was launched to lift the dual‑membership ban. Its signatories included several Trotskyist parties, such as the Socialist Workers Party, as well as the "Democratic Socialists" faction, which also backed the platform.
► French President Macron declared (www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2025/11/27/deplaceme…) that “in the case of a major crisis”, the state will be able to call up civilians from the registry for military service. France’s Army Chief, General Mandon, publicly stated (www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce91zvnrz0lo) that the French population must be “ready to lose its children” and “to suffer economically” in the conflict. French mayors were directed to “speak of this” coming sacrifice to their localities.
Important to Know. Under imperialism, conscription turns workers into cannon fodder for capitalist interests while lecturing them about “national duty.” As with austerity during economic crises, wartime conscription and rationing simply offload the costs of the imperialist war effort onto the working class.
► German capitalists expressed fears (www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/arbeitsma…) that volunteers and conscripts going to the army would remove workers from the labour force, and complained to the government. Capitalists are also reluctant to teach the masses of workers how to wield weapons (us.politsturm.com/marxism-and-arms). However, the inevitable confrontation with rival imperialists will force their hands.
► The Solidnet-affiliated (www.solidnet.org/contact/France-French-Communist-P…) French “Communist Party” (PCF) responded opportunistically, posturing against conscription (www.pcf.fr/oui_defense_nationale_non_valets_armes) despite having opposed its abolition in 1996. Instead of rejecting workers’ service in imperialist wars, it fixates on details like low pay and backs France’s “national defence,” aligning with France Unbowed in blaming Macron rather than the imperialist system that demands militarisation.
► Germany’s “The Left” party responded to conscription with a joke video (www.youtube.com/shorts/z0haGk...) making light of the seriousness of the situation, and issued a short statement (www.die-linke.de/start/presse/detail/news/keine-we…) suggesting that social-democratic welfare measures should be increased to motivate German workers to die for the capitalists.
► These groups vaguely demanded diplomatic efforts, ceasefire accords and “peace instead of war” from the German and French governments. By expecting a real peace policy (us.politsturm.com/recognition-of-palestine-produce…) from the capitalist regimes with which they collaborate, these “workers’ parties” are fooling the workers. Whilst capitalism persists, war is inevitable due to imperialist contradictions.
NATO was founded in solidarity against “Soviet Aggression,” claims Polish Prime Minister.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk published (x.com/donaldtusk/status/1994716751305871828?s=20) a statement on X defending NATO’s historic mission and insisting that the alliance was founded for solidarity and defence.
Quote: “I wish to remind our allies that NATO was created to defend the West against Soviet aggression, that is against Russia. And its foundation was solidarity, not egoistic interests. I hope that nothing has changed.”
► Poland in particular has (us.politsturm.com/poland-attempts-to-ban-the-commu…) recorded the largest rise in military spending relative to GDP among EU states in recent years, expanding its armed forces and importing new weapons systems at a record pace.
In reality, NATO was never a defensive or peaceful bloc, but an imperialist alliance created to contain socialist forces and maintain Western dominance. The narrative of “Soviet aggression” serves only to obscure this history.
► The alliance was created (history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/nato) before the Warsaw Pact, when the USSR’s only “threat” was its appeal to workers worldwide. Western officials openly (origins.osu.edu/article/natos-new-order-alliance-a…) feared that communist movements in Italy, France, and Greece could take power, and NATO’s founding goal — as its first Secretary General, Lord Ismay, put it — was to “keep the USSR out of Europe, ensure an American presence there, and contain Germany.”
► The only solidarity NATO ever embodied was solidarity among capitalist states defending their domination, while the Soviet Union expressed genuine internationalist workers’ solidarity through support for workers and anti-colonial liberation.
The “Horrors of socialism” were condemned by Congress, whilst social-democratic leaders reassured the White House.
Details. On 21 November, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution denouncing the “Horrors of Socialism (www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/house-condemns-social…. The measure recycles long-standing anti-communist propaganda, including the fabricated “100 million” figure and claims of “brutal crimes” by socialist states. The same rhetoric appeared in Trump’s recent proclamation establishing a new “Anti-Communism Week (www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/11/an….
► While many Democrats opposed the resolution (98 voting against), and social-democratic representatives such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib decried it as “pointless (truthout.org/articles/house-passes-resolution-cond… 86 Democrats voted alongside 199 Republicans to pass it. No House Republicans opposed the measure.
► The vote took place shortly before a meeting (www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgqd42gl0qo) between New York City’s Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, and President Donald Trump. Despite past animosity between them, the meeting was very friendly. Trump withdrew his threat to cut New York’s funding, and Mamdani dismissed the House resolution as a mere “difference in ideology,” stressing that his priority was “the work at hand”.
►The cordial meeting between Trump and Mamdani highlights how, although representing different branches of capital, both simultaneously represent the capitalist class as a whole. As Stalin described (www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/19… “Fascism is the bourgeoisie’s fighting organisation that relies on the active support of Social-Democracy,” which “is objectively the moderate wing of fascism.” The capitalist class is unable to “achieve decisive successes in battles, or in governing the country, without the active support of Social-Democracy.”
The UK’s new "left alternative to Labour" failed to present anything seriously different from Starmer's programme at its first congress.
Details. On the last weekend of November, members of Britain’s newest left party – now officially called (x.com/thisisyourparty/status/1995169383417622600?s…) Your Party – voted to decide the party’s policies and political positions, along with how the internal structure of the party will work.
► Politically, the party fails to present anything radically different from other left-wing reformist parties and even from the Labour party itself. The stated goals, formally outlined in its evolved constitution (www.yourparty.uk/constitution/), amount to timid reformist demands cloaked in socialist wording. In its congress, the political statements in the constitution were voted on, and a finalised version is to come out in the near future.
► The agreed upon constitution outlines that “Your Party stands for freedom – from poverty, exploitation and war.” Similar phraseology can be found within Labour’s own constitution (labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rule-Book…, which states the party fights for a society free from the “tyranny of poverty, prejudice and the abuse of power.” Both brand themselves as socialist parties and claim to defend democracy, accountable to the people.
► Your Party recognises capitalism as the cause of inequality, but aims to achieve the “democratic and socialist transformation” of society through the “public ownership of key sectors and services.” If this is all it takes to create socialism, then Labour has taken the first steps for them by nationalising British rail (www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9vkp3jw2l8o) and by taking control (us.politsturm.com/uk-nationalise-steel-production) of the UK's last virgin steel plant.
► The main difference between the two parties is their internal structure. Your Party members have voted (www.yourparty.uk/constitution/) to adopt a Central Executive Committee over a single leader, with party officials being liable to recall. But this will be rendered useless by Your Party’s permission of dual membership and having already split (us.politsturm.com/uks-your-party-splits-into-facti…) into numerous factions.
► During the founding conference, a dispute erupted over dual membership. Trotskyist groups such as the Socialist Workers Party (socialistworker.co.uk/news/zarah-sultana-says-join…) (SWP) and the Revolutionary Communist Party (communist.red/corbyn-and-sultanas-party-takes-off-…) (RCP) attempted to use the party’s popularity to gain a foothold through entryism. The SWP was initially expelled under Your Party’s ban on dual membership.
► Through the experience of party building and the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks learned that factions divide the party, let opportunists thrive, and prevent it from acting decisively on behalf of the workers. In 1921 (www.marxists.org/history/ussr/government/party-con…, they banned factions while retaining Marxist debate, to maintain a disciplined, scientifically grounded line (us.politsturm.com/why-do-we-criticize#ideological-…. Your Party, founded by petty-bourgeois reformists without any theoretical basis (us.politsturm.com/corbyns-new-party-faces-crisis), naturally gave rise to entrenched and acceptable factionalism.
► As Lenin aptly stated (us.politsturm.com/lenin-on-unity-2), “Unity is a great thing and a great slogan. But what the workers’ cause needs is the unity of Marxists, not unity between Marxists, and opponents and distorters of Marxism.”
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Politsturm International
The Soviet Union was 'naturally aggressive', claims EU foreign policy chief.
EU High Representative (www.euronews.com/2024/07/15/estonias-prime-ministe…) Kaja Kallas recently spoke at a press conference (www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/informal-foreign-affairs-c…) following an informal EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. She claimed that “Russia’s” supposed historical aggressiveness – by which she implicitly refers to the USSR – should be remembered in peace negotiations.
Quote: “In the last 100 years, Russia has attacked more than 19 countries, some as many as three or four times. None of these countries has ever attacked Russia.”
Context. The main focus of this meeting was the ongoing peace talks (www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/12/02/8010003/), with the US administration proposing 20 points regarding the ending of the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine. The meeting (www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/informal-foreign-affairs-c…) also addressed the intensification of Europe's remilitarisation and preparations for conflict with Russia.
► Anti-communist propaganda is not an isolated phenomenon. Europe (us.politsturm.com/france-unveils-monument-to-victi…, the United States (us.politsturm.com/trump-launches-anti-communism-we…, and Russia (us.politsturm.com/is-russia-capable-of-denazifying…) itself have systematically spread slander against the international communist movement, obscuring the historical reality of invasions, interventions, and defensive Soviet actions.
In reality, the rhetoric employed by Kaja Kallas and others suggests that the foreign policy of the USSR was essentially the same (www.nbcnews.com/news/world/back-u-s-s-r-how-todays…) as that of modern capitalist Russia, obscuring the historical and class differences between socialism and capitalism. Capitalist propagandists use this false equivalence to discredit communism, portraying (www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/241-understanding…) it as a “totalitarian, aggressive regime.”
► The USSR adopted a defensive policy against openly counter-revolutionary threats, protecting the workers’ state. Finland shows this: born after 1918 through White Terror backed by German imperialism, Finnish communists were physically exterminated, as in the Perttula executions. The Finnish ruling class was fiercely nationalist, anti-communist, and promoted “Greater Finland” expansion into Soviet Karelia.
► Despite this, the USSR pursued diplomacy in the late 1930s, proposing (www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/winter-w…) territorial exchanges and mutual security guarantees to protect Leningrad, even offering (www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/winter-w…) more land than it planned to take. When Finland repeatedly rejected these measures, the Winter War (1939–1940) became a necessary defensive action, not “Soviet aggression,” amid the growing Nazi threat.
► The claim that these countries never attacked Russia or the USSR is false. Between 1918 and 1921, Britain, France, the United States, Japan, and others intervened in the Civil War to try crush Soviet power. In 1920, Poland invaded Soviet territory. During the late 1920s and 1930s, the USSR faced ongoing military encirclement and border provocations, notably from Japan. In 1941, Finland joined Operation Barbarossa, attacking the USSR alongside Nazi Germany, confirming Soviet security concerns.
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Restoration of the USSR is senseless according to Putin, contradicting liberal and social-chauvinist claims that he seeks to restore it.
Details. President of Russia Vladimir Putin stated (tass.com/politics/2053883) in an interview with India Today that restoration of the USSR is “not on the table” and doesn’t “make any sense”.
► He added (tass.com/politics/2053883) that reviving the Soviet Union in current circumstances is irrational, “because it would critically change the national and religious composition of the Russian Federation”.
► Putin also suggested (tass.com/politics/2053883) that assigning blame for the USSR’s collapse is pointless, arguing that “it was the system that turned out not to be viable.” He noted that the people “always believed it was so big, so great” that nothing could happen to the country, and any potential problems would not affect it.
Context. Since 2014, Western media and liberal commentators have claimed that Putin seeks to “restore the USSR (https://youtu.be/sYz2SIqFiKQ).” This narrative equates the modern Russian capitalist state with the former socialist Union, presenting current Russian actions as alleged Soviet “expansionism” to reinforce anti-communist sentiment among workers.
Important to Know. Putin's statement that restoration of the USSR is “not on the table” is unsurprising, given that he represents the modern Russian capitalist state and openly maintains an anti-communist worldview.
► Some examples include an accusation that the soviet economy supposedly produced "only rubber shoes (https://youtu.be/onki6_Prtm4?si=Am1Ay..., that the Marxist-Leninist ideology is “a beautiful fairy-tale (www.reddit.com/r/socialism/comments/sz964r/putin_r… or that Bolsheviks wanted to “socialise (https://youtu.be/BkjGYj1BN6s?si=mDRVi... wives.
► At the same time, Putin exploits Soviet nostalgia – such as the victory in WW2 (youtube.com/live/tVEiz-floKY?si=IXZ8ILAyq2hnFQnI&t…) or Stalin’s (apnews.com/article/stalin-statue-russia-ussr-putin…) image as a strong leader – in a nationalist way, ignoring the role of class struggle and the socialist nature of Soviet achievements.
► Some social chauvinists (https://youtu.be/sK6RLP7i5-w?si=A1Jqi...) echo these claims that modern Russia is the spiritual continuation of the USSR, but instead portray it as a “progressive” and “anti-imperialist” defender of communist interests. They falsely claim that supporting Russia serves the international proletariat, while in reality it prioritises the interests of a single capitalist state.
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In 2025, there were numerous conflicts, and it only looks like there will be more in the future. We explain why capitalism generates wars and what place war occupies in the history of the development of capitalism.
Read more: us.politsturm.com/capitalism-and-war-pt1/
5 days ago | [YT] | 69
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Corbyn's 'Your Party' held its first congress. It was marked by disunity and mutual accusations.
Details. The founding conference (www.yourparty.uk/conference/) of “Your Party” (us.politsturm.com/corbyn-to-form-new-socialist-par…) was held on 29–30 November. Its main purpose was to finalise and ratify the party’s founding documents (www.yourparty.uk/founding-documents/) – including the constitution, political statement, standing orders, and first-year organisational strategy – and this was carried out through random sortition (www.yourparty.uk/sortition/), with paying members selected as congress delegates.
► The conference was marked by immediate infighting. Co‑founder Zarah Sultana boycotted the first day, protesting the expulsion of members who had violated the party’s rule banning dual membership in other left‑wing organisations. She described the expulsions as a “witch hunt (www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/29/corbyns-new-part… by Corbyn-aligned officials.
► Sultana complained (news.sky.com/story/zarah-sultana-boycotts-first-da…) she was excluded from organising the conference, while Corbyn’s allies said she had removed herself after leaving the Independent Alliance, a group of MPs and volunteers close to him.
► Corbyn and Sultana clashed over leadership structure, with Corbyn supporting a single-leader model and Sultana advocating collective leadership. The conference narrowly approved collective leadership (51.6% (www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/30/your-part…) and also passed an amendment permitting dual membership (www.thecanary.co/trending/2025/11/30/your-party-du….
► Several speakers were reportedly barred from speaking on stage. The largest organised faction, the “Democratic Socialists,” claimed (x.com/DemSocsYP/status/1994781607988007026?s=20) many amendments were blocked from voting (x.com/DemSocsYP/status/1994850830361792858?s=20) and that delegates formed a queue demanding the removal (x.com/DemSocsYP/status/1995163238284267686?s=20) of the conference chair.
Context. “Your Party” was announced (www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q8q2e1qnlo) in July 2025. Corbyn and Sultana – both ex-Labour (www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyel9kgdvdo) MPs – presented it as a grassroots, “fully” democratic and explicitly socialist project.
► Immediately after the party’s announcement, public infighting erupted. Zarah Sultana launched an unauthorised membership scheme. Party leaders condemned (www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4ywy0j0rgo) the move and considered legal action, with sources close to Corbyn describing it as a “coup (www.ft.com/content/ceacdb36-83d9-4789-a302-5a58af2… attempt. Sultana also accused Corbyn of running a “sexist boys’ club (www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4ywy0j0rgo).”
► The lead‑up to the founding conference saw the emergence of organised factions (us.politsturm.com/uks-your-party-splits-into-facti…) within Your Party, as different blocs formed around competing political programmes and visions for the party’s structure.
► Before the conference, a “Socialist Unity Platform (dsyp.org/sup/)” was launched to lift the dual‑membership ban. Its signatories included several Trotskyist parties, such as the Socialist Workers Party, as well as the "Democratic Socialists" faction, which also backed the platform.
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In Europe, “workers' parties” are failing to defend the masses from the return of military conscription.
Details. Both French and German governments recently launched a new “voluntary” military service aimed at 18–25 year old men. In Germany (www.bmvg.de/de/aktuelles/alles-wichtige-rund-um-de…, the newly passed (www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/german-parliament-approves…) law will require males to register with the army (www.euronews.com/2025/11/13/germany-inches-closer-…) and fill out a recruitment form, reestablishing a systematic registry (www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/german-…) of eligible conscripts which can be called up (www.wsj.com/world/europe/berlins-answer-to-its-con…) in an emergency. All men born from 2008 on will undergo a mandatory examination (www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/germany-mili…) of their fitness for military service.
► Over the next decade, Germany intends to increase its army size by 280,000 (edition.cnn.com/2025/11/23/europe/germany-europe-a…) additional soldiers; France aims for 50,000 (www.politico.eu/article/france-vladimir-putin-russ…) more. Germany’s new military service bill (dserver.bundestag.de/btd/21/018/2101853.pdf) includes provisions to trigger a mandatory draft (edition.cnn.com/2025/11/23/europe/germany-europe-a…) if the annual recruitment goals are missed, calling up conscripts (www.tagesschau.de/inland/wehrdienst-einigung-100.h…) if there aren’t enough volunteers.
► French President Macron declared (www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2025/11/27/deplaceme…) that “in the case of a major crisis”, the state will be able to call up civilians from the registry for military service. France’s Army Chief, General Mandon, publicly stated (www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce91zvnrz0lo) that the French population must be “ready to lose its children” and “to suffer economically” in the conflict. French mayors were directed to “speak of this” coming sacrifice to their localities.
Context. With Germany’s army slowly shrinking (www.dw.com/en/german-bundeswehr-sees-rising-number…) – despite a surge (www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundeswehr-bewerbungen-10…) in applications – the volunteer scheme is projected (www.iwkoeln.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/alexander…) to fall significantly short of the additional +20,000 troops (www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpkerdn9qo) expected by the end of 2026. As a result, the German government can resort to drafting as early as six months from now, making the ‘volunteer’ scheme a hidden way to reintroduce conscription.
► Europe (us.politsturm.com/eu-rearmament-hits-400-billion-2…) and the US (us.politsturm.com/us-secretary-of-war-admits-prepa…) are remilitarising to Cold War levels (us.politsturm.com/nato-spending-for-war-prep) in preparation for imperialist war. France and Germany together are expected to cut social spending by €37 billion (www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/100bn-cuts-next-year-…, whilst expending over €140 billion (us.politsturm.com/eu-rearmament-hits-400-billion-2…) on military budgets. European newspapers and media are playing up Russian incursions (us.politsturm.com/russian-aircraft-violate-nato-ai…) and warning of looming war (us.politsturm.com/europes-last-summer-of-peace-may…) to sow fear and militaristic hysteria (us.politsturm.com/eu-leaders-statements-boost-defe….
Important to Know. Under imperialism, conscription turns workers into cannon fodder for capitalist interests while lecturing them about “national duty.” As with austerity during economic crises, wartime conscription and rationing simply offload the costs of the imperialist war effort onto the working class.
► German capitalists expressed fears (www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/arbeitsma…) that volunteers and conscripts going to the army would remove workers from the labour force, and complained to the government. Capitalists are also reluctant to teach the masses of workers how to wield weapons (us.politsturm.com/marxism-and-arms). However, the inevitable confrontation with rival imperialists will force their hands.
► The response of the ‘left (us.politsturm.com/left-wing-opposition-grows)’ and ‘communist (us.politsturm.com/whats-social-chauvinism#i-what-i… parties to the newly announced military service in France and Germany was lukewarm, unprincipled and opportunistic. Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s “France Unbowed” party focused on procedural issues in its criticism (lafranceinsoumise.fr/2025/11/27/service-national-v…) of the new military service, stating it “lacks a financial framework” and would be ineffective.
► The Solidnet-affiliated (www.solidnet.org/contact/France-French-Communist-P…) French “Communist Party” (PCF) responded opportunistically, posturing against conscription (www.pcf.fr/oui_defense_nationale_non_valets_armes) despite having opposed its abolition in 1996. Instead of rejecting workers’ service in imperialist wars, it fixates on details like low pay and backs France’s “national defence,” aligning with France Unbowed in blaming Macron rather than the imperialist system that demands militarisation.
► Germany’s “The Left” party responded to conscription with a joke video (www.youtube.com/shorts/z0haGk...) making light of the seriousness of the situation, and issued a short statement (www.die-linke.de/start/presse/detail/news/keine-we…) suggesting that social-democratic welfare measures should be increased to motivate German workers to die for the capitalists.
► These groups vaguely demanded diplomatic efforts, ceasefire accords and “peace instead of war” from the German and French governments. By expecting a real peace policy (us.politsturm.com/recognition-of-palestine-produce…) from the capitalist regimes with which they collaborate, these “workers’ parties” are fooling the workers. Whilst capitalism persists, war is inevitable due to imperialist contradictions.
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NATO was founded in solidarity against “Soviet Aggression,” claims Polish Prime Minister.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk published (x.com/donaldtusk/status/1994716751305871828?s=20) a statement on X defending NATO’s historic mission and insisting that the alliance was founded for solidarity and defence.
Quote: “I wish to remind our allies that NATO was created to defend the West against Soviet aggression, that is against Russia. And its foundation was solidarity, not egoistic interests. I hope that nothing has changed.”
Context. This comes amid (kyivindependent.com/outrage-against-human-decency-…) growing European frustration with Trump’s attempts to accommodate Russia (us.politsturm.com/global-powers-push-to-shape-ukra…, which clashes with the EU’s drive to expand its militarisation (us.politsturm.com/eu-militarism-growth), sustain the conflict in Ukraine, and prepare for a future confrontation with Moscow.
► Poland in particular has (us.politsturm.com/poland-attempts-to-ban-the-commu…) recorded the largest rise in military spending relative to GDP among EU states in recent years, expanding its armed forces and importing new weapons systems at a record pace.
In reality, NATO was never a defensive or peaceful bloc, but an imperialist alliance created to contain socialist forces and maintain Western dominance. The narrative of “Soviet aggression” serves only to obscure this history.
► The alliance was created (history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/nato) before the Warsaw Pact, when the USSR’s only “threat” was its appeal to workers worldwide. Western officials openly (origins.osu.edu/article/natos-new-order-alliance-a…) feared that communist movements in Italy, France, and Greece could take power, and NATO’s founding goal — as its first Secretary General, Lord Ismay, put it — was to “keep the USSR out of Europe, ensure an American presence there, and contain Germany.”
► NATO has not fought a single defensive war. Its key operations – from the 1999 bombing (www.counterfire.org/article/natos-insatiable-expan…) of Yugoslavia without UN authorisation to later actions (www.belfercenter.org/publication/natos-lessons-afg…) in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya – were (tribunemag.co.uk/2021/03/natos-libya-disaster-10-y…) offensive interventions outside NATO territory, causing civilian casualties and serving Western imperialist interests.
► Its member states (www.fairobserver.com/world-news/us-news/breakfast-…) consistently acted to suppress socialist forces and maintain imperial dominance, from neo-colonial wars and coups to clandestine anti-communist operations such as Operation Gladio (https://youtu.be/iTE2QZG1kSY?si=FIkOy....
► The only solidarity NATO ever embodied was solidarity among capitalist states defending their domination, while the Soviet Union expressed genuine internationalist workers’ solidarity through support for workers and anti-colonial liberation.
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The “Horrors of socialism” were condemned by Congress, whilst social-democratic leaders reassured the White House.
Details. On 21 November, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution denouncing the “Horrors of Socialism (www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/house-condemns-social…. The measure recycles long-standing anti-communist propaganda, including the fabricated “100 million” figure and claims of “brutal crimes” by socialist states. The same rhetoric appeared in Trump’s recent proclamation establishing a new “Anti-Communism Week (www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/11/an….
► While many Democrats opposed the resolution (98 voting against), and social-democratic representatives such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib decried it as “pointless (truthout.org/articles/house-passes-resolution-cond… 86 Democrats voted alongside 199 Republicans to pass it. No House Republicans opposed the measure.
► The vote took place shortly before a meeting (www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgqd42gl0qo) between New York City’s Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, and President Donald Trump. Despite past animosity between them, the meeting was very friendly. Trump withdrew his threat to cut New York’s funding, and Mamdani dismissed the House resolution as a mere “difference in ideology,” stressing that his priority was “the work at hand”.
Context. As the Trump administration continues to lose public trust (us.politsturm.com/america-first-fails-to-convince-…, the Democrats are positioning themselves (us.politsturm.com/democrats-may-look-to-harris-to-…) as the “lesser evil” ahead of the next election by giving more visibility to their social-democratic figures such as Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Zohran Mamdani. Though criticised (apicciano.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2025/04/27/disunity-…) by the party’s centrists, this wing remains crucial for drawing back disillusioned voters.
► The resolution is part of the ongoing fascisation (us.politsturm.com/myth-of-inherent-democracy-shatt…) of the US. It follows the Trump administration’s attacks on the left, particularly the blanket targeting of “Antifa (www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/09/fact-sheet-… as a label for all leftist organisations, seeking to conflate communists with terrorists (us.politsturm.com/trump-targets-left-under-antifa-….
►The cordial meeting between Trump and Mamdani highlights how, although representing different branches of capital, both simultaneously represent the capitalist class as a whole. As Stalin described (www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/19… “Fascism is the bourgeoisie’s fighting organisation that relies on the active support of Social-Democracy,” which “is objectively the moderate wing of fascism.” The capitalist class is unable to “achieve decisive successes in battles, or in governing the country, without the active support of Social-Democracy.”
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The UK’s new "left alternative to Labour" failed to present anything seriously different from Starmer's programme at its first congress.
Details. On the last weekend of November, members of Britain’s newest left party – now officially called (x.com/thisisyourparty/status/1995169383417622600?s…) Your Party – voted to decide the party’s policies and political positions, along with how the internal structure of the party will work.
► Politically, the party fails to present anything radically different from other left-wing reformist parties and even from the Labour party itself. The stated goals, formally outlined in its evolved constitution (www.yourparty.uk/constitution/), amount to timid reformist demands cloaked in socialist wording. In its congress, the political statements in the constitution were voted on, and a finalised version is to come out in the near future.
► The agreed upon constitution outlines that “Your Party stands for freedom – from poverty, exploitation and war.” Similar phraseology can be found within Labour’s own constitution (labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rule-Book…, which states the party fights for a society free from the “tyranny of poverty, prejudice and the abuse of power.” Both brand themselves as socialist parties and claim to defend democracy, accountable to the people.
► Your Party recognises capitalism as the cause of inequality, but aims to achieve the “democratic and socialist transformation” of society through the “public ownership of key sectors and services.” If this is all it takes to create socialism, then Labour has taken the first steps for them by nationalising British rail (www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9vkp3jw2l8o) and by taking control (us.politsturm.com/uk-nationalise-steel-production) of the UK's last virgin steel plant.
► The main difference between the two parties is their internal structure. Your Party members have voted (www.yourparty.uk/constitution/) to adopt a Central Executive Committee over a single leader, with party officials being liable to recall. But this will be rendered useless by Your Party’s permission of dual membership and having already split (us.politsturm.com/uks-your-party-splits-into-facti…) into numerous factions.
Context. The Labour Party formed in 1900, like Your Party, as a conglomerate (consoc.org.uk/history-of-the-labour-party/) of leftist activists, trade unionists, socialists and Marxists. But already in 1913, Lenin had already branded (www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1913/apr/12.h…) it a workers’ organisation “that is most opportunist and soaked in the spirit of liberal-labour policy,” with Labour revealing (www.nytimes.com/1924/01/24/archives/macdonald-and-…) itself to be against real socialism by opposing the workers’ state in Russia – all whilst formally stating in its 1918 constitution (www.labourcounts.com/Clause_four_comparisons.htm) that its goal was the common ownership of the means of production (this clause being removed after 1995).
► The UK’s Green Party has also experienced a surge (www.ukfactcheck.com/article/48/zack-polanskis-gree…) in popularity, as workers lost confidence in Your Party over its public infighting and disunity (us.politsturm.com/disunity-marks-first-congress-of…. Adopting some radical phraseology and proposing slightly bolder reforms – even claiming they will abolish (www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy9zqzp44vo) landlords – their growth represents the British workers’ desire for a real alternative to capitalism, but a lack of a true vanguard party which can lead them.
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The UK’s "Your Party" immediately split into factions and permitted dual membership.
Details. In the months leading up to the founding conference, a range of internal factions emerged around Corbyn’s new project. Blocs (prometheusjournal.org/category/your-party-camp-fac…) and factions aligned around specific issues – such as environmental policy (prometheusjournal.org/2025/10/22/eco-socialist-hor…, trans-rights (prometheusjournal.org/2025/10/22/trans-liberation-…, and various “socialist (prometheusjournal.org/2025/10/22/democratic-social… currents – each presenting its own programme for influence inside the broader movement.
► During the founding conference, a dispute erupted over dual membership. Trotskyist groups such as the Socialist Workers Party (socialistworker.co.uk/news/zarah-sultana-says-join…) (SWP) and the Revolutionary Communist Party (communist.red/corbyn-and-sultanas-party-takes-off-…) (RCP) attempted to use the party’s popularity to gain a foothold through entryism. The SWP was initially expelled under Your Party’s ban on dual membership.
► Zarah Sultana condemned the expulsions as a “witch hunt (www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/29/corbyns-new-part… and boycotted the first day of the founding conference, while Corbyn called for unity (www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/30/your-part…. The conference subsequently voted to reverse the dual-membership ban (www.thecanary.co/trending/2025/11/30/your-party-du…) and adopt a collective leadership (www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/30/your-part…) model – formally recognising multiple blocs and entrenching factionalism.
Context. “Your Party” was announced (www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q8q2e1qnlo) in July 2025, following record-low voter turnout (us.politsturm.com/uk-labour-election-landslide) in the 2024 election and mounting disillusionment (us.politsturm.com/britains-two-major-parties-colla…) with both Labour and the Conservatives, as interest in alternative parties began to grow. Corbyn and Sultana – both ex-Labour (www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyel9kgdvdo) MPs – presented it as a grassroots, “fully” democratic and explicitly socialist project.
► Through the experience of party building and the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks learned that factions divide the party, let opportunists thrive, and prevent it from acting decisively on behalf of the workers. In 1921 (www.marxists.org/history/ussr/government/party-con…, they banned factions while retaining Marxist debate, to maintain a disciplined, scientifically grounded line (us.politsturm.com/why-do-we-criticize#ideological-…. Your Party, founded by petty-bourgeois reformists without any theoretical basis (us.politsturm.com/corbyns-new-party-faces-crisis), naturally gave rise to entrenched and acceptable factionalism.
► As Lenin aptly stated (us.politsturm.com/lenin-on-unity-2), “Unity is a great thing and a great slogan. But what the workers’ cause needs is the unity of Marxists, not unity between Marxists, and opponents and distorters of Marxism.”
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