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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Tottenham ten years on from the riots: writing a provisional history of the present
Socialist historian and local KEITH FLETT looks at what has changed and what has not for the famous working-class area in North London, from racism to gentrification
Then London mayor Boris Johnson is confronted by local residents in Tottenham, 2011
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 10 years ago on August 4, 2011 that police shot dead Mark Duggan in Tottenham Hale. A gun was not found on him and there is no evidence that he fired one at police.
Numerous inquiries and court proceedings have followed but as so often the matter remains unresolved – not least for the family, but also for the wider community.
Two days later a local protest march went to the police station in central Tottenham. Such protests remain common, with incidents of racist policing still an issue. Usually the police engage with protesters who peacefully disperse. On that Saturday evening, August 6 2011, the police did not engage but tried to push back the protest. It sparked a riot — and that riot sparked others across the country.
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KEITH FLETT looks at the long history of coercion in British employment laws
The government cracking down on something it can’t comprehend and doesn’t want to engage with is a repeating pattern of history, says KEITH FLETT
While Hardie, MacDonald and Wilson faced down war pressure from their own Establishment, today’s leadership appears to have forgotten that opposing imperial adventures has historically defined Labour’s moral authority, writes KEITH FLETT
10 years ago this month, Corbyn saved Labour from its right-wing problem, and then the party machine turned on him. But all is not lost yet for the left, says KEITH FLETT
