Trump’s escalation against Venezuela is about more than oil, it is about regaining control over the ‘natural’ zone of influence of the United States at a moment where its hegemony is slipping, argues VIJAY PRASHAD
France and the exciting prospect of advance for the left
With the tantalising prospect of Melenchon’s left alliance winning a majority in the national assembly, KEVIN OVENDEN takes a look at the shifting French political forces where, for the left, there’s all to play for
FIVE years ago there was jubilation among the liberal-capitalist centre that Emmanuel Macron had not only won the presidency but had then secured a solid majority in the separate national assembly elections with 350 seats out of 577.
That euphoria and almost erotic investment in the dashing, young, liberal moderniser have today given way to a dose of reality.
His majority in April’s presidential election narrowed compared to 2017. He lost two million votes. His second-round opponent Marine Le Pen, heading the far right, gained over two million.
Similar stories
The desperate French president keeps running up the same political cul-de-sac. DENNIS BROE offers an explanation
KEVIN OVENDEN cautions against a simplistic ridiculing of Trump, Musk or Farage as any such laughter might turn out to be at our expense



