The danger of this moment is an escalation of the current war against Iran. The argument heard in the media is that Trump botched the war against Iran and the subsequent negotiations. As a result the Iranians still have nuclear material and capability, the cease fire has failed, and, above all, the Strait of Homuz is still closed. And only, so goes the the argument, a resumption and escalation of the war can clean up the mess that Trump created and left behind.
While Trump, facing rising gas prices, an unstable stock market, a restive public, and a stubborn and resourceful opponent, agreed to a temporary ceasefire, no one should think his war of choice is necessarily over. Netanyhu doesn’t as the bombing of South Lebanon and the war against the Palestinian people continues unabated. Nor has Trump shown any inclination to give up his claim that Iran is an existential threat to the American people or his desire to control the flow of oil on a global level.
In the short term, all that anyone who opposes this madness can do is to continue to make their voices heard in every arena where people and politicians gather, not least the massive mobilization planned for May Day.
Looking further down the road, it is imperative to continue to use every site of struggle, not least the fall elections, to throw back Trump and the MAGA movement, while at the same time demanding a robust and egalitarian democracy at home and non violence, sustainability, global cooperation, and a nuclear free planet worldwide.
Under pressure from many sides, Trump retreats for the time being from war and war crimes of his own making. Netanyahu supported him as did the sycophants in his cabinet and too many in his own party, but beyond that human cesspool of inhumanity and moral vacuity he was standing alone here and worldwide.
Impeach Trump!
Today’s No Kings actions are led by, broadly speaking, liberal, progressive and left thinking people. And they embrace a range of timely demands. Not to mention mobilize millions of people.To even suggest that these actions have the stamp of the “liberal bourgeoise” on them is simply silly and betrays a distance from the actual movement and a sectarian/undialectical cast of mind.
This fall’s Congressional elections should be coming into focus in a practical way for the broad democratic coalition battling Trump and his cross class coalitiion. A Democratic Party victory at the Congressional level as well as in states across the country this fall would constitute a significant weakening of Trump and the MAGA movement and, conversely, a significant strengthening of the diverse, popular coalition fighting for a liveable, democratic, egalitarian, and peaceful world without Trump and Trumpism. All this is made all the more imperative against Trump’s threats to blow back Iran to the Stone Age.
