VIJAY PRASHAD looks at the web of militias and drug-trafficking gangs that emerged in the Sweida region through the Syrian civil war, and how they relate to recent clashes and Israel’s intervention
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The risks of playing football politics
Politicians have made capital out of football since Harold Wilson in 1966 but — Boris Johnson lost on Sunday, writes KEITH FLETT
England fans wearing masks of Matt Hancock, Boris Johnson, Chris Whitty and Rishi Sunak at the fan zone in Trafford Park, Manchester ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Final between Italy and England, last Sunday
by Roger D Harris and John Perry
VINCE MILLS says Scottish Labour has adopted better positions than its Westminster counterpart — but unless it starts to fight for them that will count for nothing
Labour MSP CAROL MOCHAN calls for Britain to follow France’s lead and recognise the Palestinian state as part of efforts to end this war
A Chilean court ruled that funds were illegally taken by the dictator to accumulate family wealth that is now disputed among his heirs, writes PABLO MERIGUET
The shock suspension of socialist MPs and Diane Abbott’s re-suspension reveals a leadership intent on crushing internal debate — but MERCEDES VILLALBA MSP warns against surrendering party democracy without a fight
IT WAS hardly possible to miss the politics around the European football championship. Indeed the traditional cries of “keep politics out of sport” were very muted.
“Patriotic” Tory MP Lee Anderson refused to back the England team because they were taking the knee against racism. Boris Johnson and Priti Patel were relaxed about racists booing the team until they found out they were doing well — then they started cheering them.
Sport and politics have a long history and no more so with the challenges socialists have made back to the 19th century to try to keep the interests of capital out of it. There was even a Workers Wimbledon from 1932-1951, which may seem a little odd to some who currently frequent the championships.
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