Uprisings in the Middle East
Wave of anti-government protests across Egypt
By Jean Shaoul, 29 September 2020
Protests have been small but testify to the social and economic powder keg over which the El-Sisi regime presides.
Teachers protest Jordan government’s closure of union and harsh crackdown
By Jean Shaoul, 4 August 2020
As poverty and social unrest rise, the government has used the draconian emergency laws introduced in March to curtail democratic rights.
Protests erupt in Syria as the economy collapses
By Jean Shaoul, 10 June 2020
The Syrian pound has fallen precipitously following Lebanon’s economic crisis last October and now the US’s Caesar Act allowing President Donald Trump to impose fresh sanctions.
The mass protests in Iraq and the US drive to recolonize the Middle East
By Bill Van Auken, 25 January 2020
Among the hundreds of thousands who filled the streets of Baghdad were workers and youth whose entire lives have been shaped by the crimes of US imperialism.
Mass protests escalate in Iraq and Lebanon
By Bill Van Auken, 21 January 2020
Both countries saw violent clashes as discredited caretaker governments failed to meet any of the social and political demands made by hundreds of thousands who have taken to the streets.
Iraqi prime minister offers resignation after army unleashes bloodbath
By Bill Van Auken, 30 November 2019
Adel Abdul Mahdi’s announcement followed the massacre of protesters in two southern Iraqi cities and the capital Baghdad, in which at least 62 were killed.
Croatian teachers’ strikes; healthcare workers’ stoppage in Northern Ireland; Zimbabwe unrest over runaway inflation continues
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
29 November 2019
Thousands of Croatian teachers are continuing strikes over pay while 25,000 health staff in Northern Ireland have taken industrial action and Zimbabwe unions have called a mass demonstration over deteriorating economic conditions.
Political and economic turmoil escalates in Lebanon
By Jean Shaoul, 16 November 2019
According to the World Bank, a further devaluation of the Lebanese pound could push up to half the country’s six million people below the official poverty line.
Prime Minister Hariri’s resignation intensifies Lebanon’s political crisis
By Jean Shaoul, 2 November 2019
The political vacuum in Lebanon poses the risk of an intervention by the regional powers or their local proxies.
Lebanese protesters keep up demands for the government’s resignation
By Jean Shaoul, 26 October 2019
The protests have brought a quarter of Lebanon’s six million people out onto the streets.
Workers in Lebanon reject tax hikes, demand the government’s resignation
By Jean Shaoul, 22 October 2019
The protests are part of a broader upsurge that is taking place all over the world and testifies to the primacy of class over ethnicity, nationality and religion.
Iraq in flames
By Bill Van Auken, 5 October 2019
Iraqi security forces opened fire on unarmed civilians for the fourth day in a row Friday as protesters poured into the streets once again in defiance of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s declaration of a round-the-clock curfew.
Iraqi protesters gunned down as demonstrations and strikes spread across Middle East
By Bill Van Auken, 3 October 2019
The death toll in Iraq rose to at least nine as security forces fired into mass protests against unemployment and deteriorating conditions.
Anti-Sisi protesters return to Egypt’s streets in teeth of fierce repression
By Bill Van Auken, 28 September 2019
Security forces placed Cairo on a police state lockdown after arresting some 2,000 people in the space of a week.
Protests in Egypt shake al-Sisi’s bloody military dictatorship
By Johannes Stern, 23 September 2019
The demonstrations in Egypt evoke memories of the revolutionary mass protests that brought down long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak in the winter of 2011.
Mass protests erupt against Algerian army’s call for December elections
By Kumaran Ira, 19 September 2019
Protesters demanded no election take place as long as stooges of the ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika remain in power.
Sudan’s opposition leaders capitulate to the military junta
By Jean Shaoul, 15 June 2019
The AFC has handed the initiative to the Transitional Military Council (TMC), which ousted long-term dictator President Omar al-Bashir in April to prevent the overthrow of the entire regime
Lebanon: Workers take to the streets to denounce government austerity measures
By Jean Shaoul, 13 May 2019
The rallies were part of a nationwide public sector strike affecting schools, universities, state-run media outlets and government offices.
Algerian regime escalates police violence against growing protests
By Will Morrow, 18 April 2019
Four days after police assaulted demonstrators with tear gas and rubber bullets, General Gaed Salah gave a nationally-televised address threatening protesters.
Bouteflika’s resignation as Algerian president to take place by April 28
By Alex Lantier, 2 April 2019
After six weeks of strikes and mass protests, the Algerian presidency set a deadline yesterday for the Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down.
As strikes and protests escalate, Algeria’s army chief demands Bouteflika’s ouster
By Bill Van Auken, 27 March 2019
The call by General Salah for Bouteflika to be declared “unfit to rule” marks a desperate attempt to salvage the regime in the face of a popular uprising.
Strikes spread in Algeria as anti-government protests grow
By Will Morrow, 26 March 2019
Yesterday, a wildcat strike erupted at the Tosyali Algeria steel plant to protest the attempted suicide of a worker.
Egypt hangs nine prisoners
State murder backed by imperialism
By Patrick Martin, 22 February 2019
The bloodstained dictatorship of General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has the support of both Washington and the European powers.
Mass protests against austerity, unemployment shake Tunisia
By Bill Van Auken, 10 January 2018
Coming in the wake of similar upheavals by the most oppressed layers of workers and youth in Iran, the Tunisian events are indicative of a rising tide of global class struggle.
Thousands of textile workers strike in defiance of Egyptian dictatorship
By Johannes Stern, 11 August 2017
Reports indicate that the regime is not willing to meet the demands of the workers and is preparing for a confrontation.
Protests shake Egypt after cut to bread subsidies
By Niles Niemuth, 8 March 2017
Egyptian cities were hit by protests just days after former dictator Hosni Mubarak, ousted in the 2011 revolution, was acquitted of murdering protestors and cleared for release.
Protests erupt in Morocco after fish salesman killed
By Alex Lantier, 3 November 2016
Mohamed Fikri was crushed to death in a trash compactor Friday as he tried to prevent authorities from destroying his merchandise.
Teachers take strike action against Palestinian Authority
By Jean Shaoul, 12 March 2016
The strike by thousands of teachers over miserable pay, one of the largest mass strikes ever seen in the West Bank, has been met with repression from the Palestinian Authority.
Five years of the Egyptian Revolution
By Johannes Stern, 25 January 2016
The basic problem of the Egyptian Revolution was to establish the political independence of the working class from all of the different bourgeois forces.
On the fourth anniversary of 2011 uprising
At least 18 dead as Egyptian military regime violently represses demonstrations
By Thomas Gaist, 26 January 2015
At least 18 protestors were killed by security forces during mass demonstrations marking the anniversary of protests that led to the downfall of the Mubarak regime.
Egyptian regime imposes death penalties on nearly 200
By Mike Head, 4 December 2014
The third mass sentencing since April comes amidst mounting repression by the US-backed military junta.
Egyptian dictator al-Sisi signs military, economic deals in Paris
By Kumaran Ira, 3 December 2014
The Socialist Party government warmly welcomed Egyptian military dictator al-Sisi.
The acquittal of Hosni Mubarak
By Alex Lantier, 1 December 2014
The acquittal of the deposed Egyptian dictator underscores the determination of the Egyptian bourgeoisie to drown the revolutionary struggles of the working class in blood.
Kerry affirms US support for Egyptian junta
By Johannes Stern, 23 June 2014
In a show of support for the blood-soaked military regime in Egypt, US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Cairo on Sunday.
Egypt’s mass death sentences: A crime made in the USA
By Bill Van Auken, 1 May 2014
In conducting drumhead trials in which hundreds are sentenced to die, the Egyptian regime knows it is acting with Washington’s tacit approval.
US-backed Egyptian regime sentences 683 more to die
By Bill Van Auken, 29 April 2014
Washington stands exposed as the direct accomplice in the Egyptian junta’s crimes, with President Obama all but soaping the hangman’s noose.
Military junta implements reign of terror in Egypt
By Jean Shaoul, 16 April 2014
Egypt’s interim president, Adly Mansour, is due to sign a new anti-terrorism bill that effectively outlaws all political opposition.
US-backed military junta in Egypt sentences 529 Brotherhood members to death
By Johannes Stern, 25 March 2014
The biggest mass death sentence in recent history marks another escalation in the ruthless efforts of the US-backed military junta in Egypt to annihilate its political opponents.
Egyptian cabinet resigns as strike wave grows
By Johannes Stern, 25 February 2014
The military-backed government’s resignation is aimed at preparing coup leader Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi’s presidential bid and a confrontation with the working class.
Wave of strikes by Egyptian textile workers
By Johannes Stern, 22 February 2014
Tens of thousands of textile workers in Mahalla and other industrial centers are on strike for higher wages and better working conditions.
Three years of the Egyptian revolution
By Johannes Stern, 25 January 2014
On January 25, 2011, mass revolutionary struggles erupted in Egypt against the regime of President Hosni Mubarak.
Egyptian junta steps up repression after constitutional referendum
By Johannes Stern, 23 January 2014
Following the January 14-15 constitutional referendum, the US-backed Egyptian military junta is stepping up its suppression of all opposition to its rule.
Low turnout as Egypt’s US-backed junta holds constitutional referendum
By Alex Lantier, 16 January 2014
The referendum is intended to provide a pseudo-legal cover for the junta’s July 3, 2013 coup and the restoration of authoritarian military rule as it existed under Mubarak.
Tunisian political parties resume “national dialogue,” vote on constitution
By Antoine Lerougetel and Johannes Stern, 8 January 2014
As the Tunisian Revolution approaches its third anniversary, the Tunisian ruling elite is resuming its “national dialogue” aimed at pre-empting renewed working class struggles.
Egyptian junta launches deadliest crackdown in months
By Johannes Stern, 6 January 2014
Approaching the third anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution on January 25, the military junta in Egypt is intensifying its violent crackdown to suppress opposition to its rule.
Amid protests, Egyptian court suspends trial of ousted President Mursi
By Bill Van Auken, 5 November 2013
As Muslim Brotherhood supporters protested outside the court, Mursi denounced the trial as the illegitimate product of a military coup.
Egyptian junta launches crackdown on protests commemorating 1973 war
By Johannes Stern, 7 October 2013
The ongoing bloody crackdown in Egypt highlights the deepening crisis of the US-backed military junta.
Thousands protest military rule in Egypt after Muslim Brotherhood ban
By Johannes Stern, 28 September 2013
On Friday, thousands protested against military rule in Egypt after the Cairo Court for Urgent Matters outlawed the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood earlier this week.
Egyptian junta intensifies crackdown after unresolved Cairo bombing
By Johannes Stern, 7 September 2013
The Egyptian army seized on the unresolved Interior Ministry bombing to crack down on protests and political parties.
Revolution and counterrevolution in Egypt: The political lessons
By Johannes Stern, 7 September 2013
The recent events in Egypt represent a defeat for the masses, but this does not mean the end of the revolution, it is rather the end of its initial stages.
Military junta puts Egypt in lockdown amid Friday protests
By Alex Lantier, 24 August 2013
In a climate of fear, turnout for the pro-Muslim Brotherhood protests was low, with hundreds or thousands attending.
The release of Hosni Mubarak
By Alex Lantier and David North, 23 August 2013
The US-backed Egyptian military junta’s release of Mubarak symbolizes the advance of counterrevolution in Egypt since the July 3 coup.
Egyptian court orders release of imprisoned former dictator Hosni Mubarak
By Alex Lantier, 22 August 2013
A Cairo criminal court ordered Egypt’s long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak freed from prison on bail yesterday.
Egypt’s military consolidates dictatorship as Washington reviews aid
By Bill Van Auken, 21 August 2013
The Egyptian military is continuing its crackdown, arresting Muslim Brotherhood supreme guide Mohamed Badie.
Egyptian military junta moves to free Mubarak
By Alex Lantier, 20 August 2013
The junta’s rehabilitation of the hated dictator Mubarak shows that its July 3 coup, backed by the pseudo-left, was a counterrevolutionary conspiracy against the people.
How Egypt’s Revolutionary Socialists helped pave the way for military repression
By Chris Marsden, 20 August 2013
The Revolutionary Socialists have played a vital part in a political conspiracy against the Egyptian working class.
Egyptian junta intensifies crackdown
By Johannes Stern, 19 August 2013
Over the weekend, the military junta in Egypt continued its violent crackdown against opposition to its dictatorial regime.
Bahrain gripped by renewed protests
By Jean Shaoul, 19 August 2013
It is no coincidence that the extraordinary measures taken by the Bahraini regime against protest demonstrations occurred at the same time as the massacre carried out by the military junta in Egypt.
Mass protests defy curfew, army crackdown in Egypt
By Alex Lantier, 17 August 2013
Mass protests across Egypt defied a curfew and crackdown by Egypt’s US-backed military junta yesterday, two days after the junta killed over 600 and wounded more than 4,000.
Clashes spread in Egypt amid rising death toll from army massacre
By Alex Lantier, 16 August 2013
Fighting surged yesterday across Egypt after the country’s military junta tried to drown protests in blood in Wednesday’s massacre.
Obama and the Egyptian massacre
By Johannes Stern, 16 August 2013
Wednesday’s massacre of hundreds of protesters by the US-backed Egyptian military junta shatters Washington’s hypocritical claims that its Middle East policy is based on democracy and human rights.
Egyptian junta imposes martial law amid bloody crackdown
By Johannes Stern and Alex Lantier, 15 August 2013
Yesterday’s repression testifies to the ruthlessness of efforts by the Egyptian ruling class and its imperialist backers to drown the Egyptian revolution in blood.
Libya destabilised by Egypt coup
By Jean Shaoul, 13 August 2013
The unstable Libyan regime of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, amid growing social and political tensions, is being further destabilised in the aftermath of the Egyptian coup.
The Egyptian coup and the tasks facing the working class
By Johannes Stern, 30 July 2013
The July 3 military coup in Egypt has starkly revealed the principal problem facing the working class internationally: the crisis of revolutionary leadership.
Massacre in Egypt: US-backed junta kills scores, wounds thousands of people
By Alex Lantier, 27 July 2013
Egyptian security forces attacked pro-Mursi rallies early Saturday morning, firing live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas.
Egyptian coup leader al-Sisi threatens mass repression
By Johannes Stern, 26 July 2013
Like Mubarak before him, al-Sisi is referring to an alleged threat of “terrorism” to provide cover for a crackdown and establish a military dictatorship.
Egypt’s Revolutionary Socialists seek to cover up support for military coup
By Johannes Stern, 26 July 2013
As the military regime in Egypt intensifies its crackdown on all opposition, and as the former elements of the Mubarak dictatorship are integrated into positions of power, the counter-revolutionary role of the “left” supporters of the coup is ever more clearly exposed.
“Independent” trade unions join military-backed government in Egypt
By Johannes Stern, 22 July 2013
The integration of “independent” trade unions into Egypt’s military regime exposes the anti-democratic role of groups like the Revolutionary Socialists, which have promoted them.
Top US official meets with Egyptian junta as crackdown continues
By Chris Marsden, 17 July 2013
Violent repression of members of the Muslim Brotherhood is continuing in Egypt in wake of last week’s coup by the military.
Washington asserts its authority in Egypt
By Chris Marsden, 16 July 2013
Two US Navy ships patrolling in the Middle East have been moved closer to Egypt's coast in recent days, amidst fears of civil war.
Hundreds of thousands join Islamist rallies to protest military coup in Egypt
By Barry Grey, 13 July 2013
On Friday, the Egyptian army maintained a large and highly visible presence, fearing the potential for a violent clash between pro- and anti-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrators and the outbreak of civil war.
US ships F-16s to Egypt as junta intensifies crackdown
By Bill Van Auken, 12 July 2013
The Obama administration’s shipping of F-16 warplanes to Egypt is a clear signal of support to last week’s military coup.
International Socialist Organization backs Egyptian coup
By Alex Lantier, 11 July 2013
In a July 5 interview, ISO leader Ahmed Shawki declared his support for the military government that took power in Egypt on July 3.
Egyptian military regime plans sharp attack on working class
By Alex Lantier, 10 July 2013
The Egyptian military junta’s move to establish a dictatorship imposing austerity measures makes clear the counter-revolutionary character of last Wednesday’s coup.
Egyptian military massacres 51 in Cairo
By Johannes Stern and Alex Lantier, 9 July 2013
Yesterday’s massacre of pro-Islamist protesters in Cairo shatters all claims that the army is carrying out a new revolution in Egypt.
Mass protests, clashes continue as Egyptian army fails to name government
By Alex Lantier, 8 July 2013
Mass protests continue across Egypt in the wake of Wednesday’s US-backed military coup against Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.
Violent clashes spread in Egypt as US backs army coup
By Alex Lantier, 6 July 2013
An army crackdown on protests by supporters of President Mohamed Mursi, who was ousted Wednesday in a US-backed coup, threatens to plunge Egypt into civil war.
Convulsions in Egypt signal new era of world revolution
By David North and Alex Lantier, 5 July 2013
Political lessons must be drawn from this week’s convulsive events in Egypt.
Egyptian army coup topples Islamist President Mursi
By Johannes Stern and Alex Lantier, 4 July 2013
The ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi, following four days of nationwide mass protests, has placed power in the hands of a military junta.
Egyptian President Mursi vows to stay in power despite mass protests
By Johannes Stern, 3 July 2013
Defying millions of protesters demanding his ouster, Mursi pledged to remain in office as Egypt’s president.
The Egyptian Revolution and the crisis of revolutionary leadership
By Johannes Stern, 2 July 2013
Masses of Egyptian workers and youth are once again taking to the streets, this time demanding the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.
Mass protests erupt against US-backed Mursi regime in Egypt
By Johannes Stern, 1 July 2013
Millions of workers and youth poured into the country’s streets to demand the ouster of Egypt’s Islamist president, Mohamed Mursi.
Military deploys throughout Egypt ahead of mass protests
By Johannes Stern, 28 June 2013
After a speech by Islamist president Mohamed Mursi, the Egyptian army has taken up positions throughout the country, moving tanks and soldiers to strategic locations.
Syrian war threatens regional sectarian bloodbath
By Alex Lantier, 21 June 2013
Washington’s escalation of its proxy war in Syria, relying on far-right Sunni Islamist forces, is fomenting a Sunni-Shia sectarian war across the Middle East.
US finalises arms deals with Israel, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
By Jean Shaoul, 25 April 2013
The United States is flooding the Middle East with armaments, a further sign that the preparations for military intervention against Syria are ultimately aimed at Iran.
Leaked report reveals army torture, killings during the Egyptian Revolution
By Johannes Stern, 15 April 2013
A leaked report seen by the Guardian implicates the Egyptian military in detaining, torturing and killing scores of protesters during the first 18 days of the revolution.
Egyptian regime inflames sectarian violence
By Johannes Stern, 12 April 2013
The unpopular government of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi is seeking to channel rising popular discontent into reactionary, sectarian conflicts.
Mursi, army debate imposing martial law as strike wave shakes Egypt
By Thomas Gaist and Alex Lantier, 27 March 2013
In advance of a possible bread strike, as workers struggles spread throughout Egypt, Islamist President Mohamed Mursi is in talks with the army to impose martial law.
Deadly clashes erupt across Egypt after Port Said court verdict
By Johannes Stern, 11 March 2013
Popular anger against President Mohamed Mursi and the ruling Muslim Brotherhood is fueled by a ruling acquitting seven police officers.
Court suspends Egyptian parliamentary elections before explosive Port Said verdict
By Johannes Stern, 9 March 2013
Amid a deepening political crisis and in the run-up to the explosive Port Said verdict today, the Cairo Administrative Court has suspended Egypt’s elections.
For workers’ power in Egypt!
By Johannes Stern and Joseph Kishore, 30 January 2013
As the second anniversary of the overthrow of dictator Hosni Mubarak approaches, the Egyptian working class is again being driven into revolutionary struggle.
Mursi declares state of emergency as protests escalate in Egypt
By Alex Lantier and Johannes Stern, 28 January 2013
President Mohamed Mursi declared a 30-day state of emergency in three cities Sunday, amid mass protests following the Egyptian revolution’s second anniversary.
Two years of the Egyptian Revolution
By Johannes Stern, 25 January 2013
The working class must resolve the historic problems of political leadership and perspective which are posed by the Egyptian revolution.
The Middle East in 2013
By Chris Marsden, 12 January 2013
The despatch of six batteries of Patriot missiles to the Turkish-Syrian border is the clearest indication yet that the world is on the brink of a military intervention by the United States and its NATO allies.
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood claims constitutional referendum victory amid mass abstention
By Johannes Stern, 24 December 2012
On Saturday, the final round of voting on Egypt’s draft constitution completed the referendum—a mockery of democratic process.
Egyptian constitutional referendum marked by low turnout, allegations of fraud
By Johannes Stern, 17 December 2012
On Saturday, the first round of voting on Egypt’s new Islamist and military-backed constitution took place in ten of the country’s 27 governorates.
Mass protests against referendum on new Egyptian constitution
By Chris Marsden, 12 December 2012
Over a hundred thousand people demonstrated in Cairo yesterday against a referendum scheduled for December 15 on an Islamist constitution that enshrines the authority of the military.
Protests spread throughout Egypt against Islamist dictatorship
By Johannes Stern, 8 December 2012
Mass protests against the US-backed Islamist government of President Mohamed Mursi spread throughout Egypt yesterday.
Egypt’s US-backed president Mursi deploys army, prepares massive repression
By Johannes Stern, 7 December 2012
Fearing mass protests, the Mursi regime deployed the army around the Presidential Palace in Cairo.
Mass anti-Mursi protests, clashes with police in Cairo
By Chris Marsden, 5 December 2012
Protests Tuesday against the dictatorial powers assumed by Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi and his efforts to ram through a new constitution culminated in a massive march on the presidential palace.
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