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From The Socialist newspaper, 22 September 2009
Afghanistan: An unwinnable war
THE US and NATO's top military chief in Afghanistan has told his political bosses that western forces will fail there unless there is a change in policy. A secret 66-page document from General McChrystal, leaked to the Washington Post, says that unless the insurgent tide is turned back within 12 months then the Taliban may become unbeatable.
But McChrystal's warning isn't simply about winning militarily, but is a call to shift the western forces' emphasis from fighting the Taliban to winning the 'hearts and minds' of angry and alienated Afghan people. "The insurgents cannot defeat us militarily but we can defeat ourselves", he laments. But can a turnaround in strategy be achieved?
It isn't rocket science to understand that blasting the country back to the stone age, tolerating mass unemployment and widespread poverty, and allowing an unaccountable, rich, corrupt and brutal warlord regime to rule, has proved to be a recruiting sergeant for the Taliban.
Eight years on from the Bush and Blair initiated invasion of Afghanistan, the vast majority in the country are worse off in terms of security, the economy and democratic rights.
The Socialist Party opposed the invasion and we continue to call for an end to the occupation.
Demonstrate against the continuing occupation/bring the troops back - Saturday 24 October, central London.
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Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
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We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 22 September 2009:
Prepare political challenge to cuts agenda
Education
Higher education - cuts cuts cuts!
Universities in crisis - Join Socialist Students
Defend education - stop the £2 billion cuts in spending
TUC
TUC congress: Anger on the fringes, inaction at the top
War and occupation
Afghanistan: An unwinnable war
Postal workers strike
Postal workers strike as national ballot continues
Vestas
Vestas workers determined to continue fight for jobs
Youth fight for jobs
Youth unemployment hits record level
Future Jobs Fund - massaging the figures
Socialist Party news and analysis
Campaign for a Salford workers' MP
International socialist news
Socialist Party MEP denounces "campaign of fear" on Lisbon Treaty
Workers' fightback grows in Italy
Socialist Party workplace news
Engineering construction: Stewards' forum recommends bosses' offer Workers should reject!
Portsmouth shipbuilders vote for strike
Bosses ask JCB workers for sacrifice
Battle over pensions means strike threat at Corus
Liverpool bin workers score victory
Socialist Party reviews
Listening to Grasshoppers by Arundhati Roy
The Dirty Thirty - Heroes of the Miners' Strike
The Anti-Flag album 'The People or the Gun'
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