The US’s ultimate target is China

15th August 2017 Socialist Action 0

By Mark Buckley

The beleaguered Trump presidency has continued to ramp up its war rhetoric against North Korea. But the impediments to any attack, even a nuclear attack are substantial. The real target for the US administration is China.

What the G20 tells us

10th July 2017 Socialist Action 0

By Ian Richardson

The Hamburg G20 summit was highly revealing. G20 summits rarely provide the impulse for major new developments, and the latest was no exception. Instead they can provide an important marker point or snapshot of the global relation of forces. The most important signal from the latest G20 summit was that the relative decline of the US continues and Trump’s ‘America First’ policy is only accelerating it. As a result, other leading powers are being driven towards greater co-operation, unity on tackling climate change, and defence of trade against protectionism.

No support for US war on Syria

10th April 2017 Socialist Action 0

By Stephen Bell

The bombing of a Syrian airfield by US President Trump represents a further escalation of the US military presence in the Middle East. It is immediately unclear whether this represents a one-off, or the start of a campaign against Syria. US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley said ‘We are prepared to do more, but we hope it will not be necessary’. The action was taken without UN authorisation, or US Congressional debate.

Will Trump end US support for the Saudi-led war upon Yemen?

26th January 2017 Socialist Action 0

The following article by Stephen Bell, about US backed war on Yemen, was first published on the Stop the War Coalition Website.

Following President Trump’s inauguration, many questions are posed about the future direction of US foreign policy. During the election campaign, when questioned on the Middle East, Trump reiterated his opposition to: the Iraq war; US intervention against Assad rather than ISIS; and to the use of US ground troops where local states ought to intervene. Perhaps such shifts will lead him to withdraw support for the Saudi-led war upon Yemen?

After Trump’s victory China is the main strategic pillar for globalisation

21st November 2016 Socialist Action 0

The following article by John Ross, examining the significance of Donald Trump’s election for world trade, was previously published by Socialist Economic Bulletin.

Trump’s election as US President means 2016 is ending with a stark public contrast between the positions of China and the US on global trade. The US has its first president proclaiming support for protectionism since World War II, while China states its support for increased international trade and economic globalisation.

The US, UNCLOS and the militarisation of the South China Sea

21st July 2016 Socialist Action 0

The following article on the US militarisation or the South China Sea, by Jude Woodward, was originally published by New Cold War.org.

On 12 July, the Arbitration Court at The Hague handed down judgment on the case brought under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by the Philippines against China. In a pre-arranged declaration, the Court ruled comprehensively against China’s claims in the South China Sea.