The present war, in which US imperialism seeks to maintain its
hegemony, is further aggravating the current contradictions in Turkey.
Although the country is engulfed in a serious economic crisis, Turkey
is setting out to undertake new roles in the region, playing "little
brother" of the USA. The Internationalist Communists of Turkey report
on anti-war movements, and send solidarity greetings from the Turkish
workers.
Speaking at a White House ceremony on March 11, exactly six months
after the devastating attacks on New York and Washington, George Bush
addressed an audience of 1,300 dignitaries, including 100 ambassadors
in Washington. He did not mention Iraq by name, but left no doubt he
was determined to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Bush is said to have mapped
out a "global strategy" against the enemies of America. It even goes by
the name of "the Bush Doctrine." But in reality there is no such
strategy. Bush's policy consists in lashing out blindly, making use of
America's overwhelming military strength to intimidate and compel the
rest of the world to do America's bidding.
"Inaction is not an option," declares George W. Bush, seeking to extend
the "war on terror" to Iraq. But the recent heavy fighting between US
and Afghan forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan gives the lie to those
who say the war is over. It is dawning on the military strategists that
victory cannot be won by air power alone, and combat troops will be
required on the ground for some time to come. However, using Afghan
forces has proved complicated, as the warlords - newly armed by the
Americans - seek to reassert their influence.
With splits surfacing even within the Blair cabinet over war with Iraq,
opposition to this military adventure is swiftly growing within the
British Labour movement. Many unions are determined to raise the matter
at the TUC and Labour Party conferences, which is now threatening to
dominate the political agenda. From the Editorial Board of the British
Marxist Journal Socialist Appeal.
The sound of war drums from Washington becomes louder and more
insistent by the day. The recent declarations of Bush, Cheney and
Rumsfeld leave no doubt as to the intentions of the ruling clique in
the USA. They are impatient to launch a military operation against
Iraq. When this perspective becomes reality there will be enormous
potential for a massive anti-war movement around the world. The best
activists in the workers' and students' movements will want to show
their anger and to oppose the war, and we must be prepared.