Archives
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The Egyptian Uprising and Workers’ Grievances
It is too early to give an explanation for the Egyptian revolt. Much still needs to be understood about the character and the driving forces behind this sustained mass mobilization, … Keep reading »
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From Cairo to Dakar to Durban, Another World Actually Is Possible!
Last week’s World Social Forum (WSF) in Dakar, Senegal, ended up riotously happy thanks to the eviction of a universally-hated Egyptian Pharoah, after near-debilitating logistical disasters at the event’s outset. … Keep reading »
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The Workers, Middle Class, Military Junta and the Permanent Revolution
Since yesterday (11 February 2011), and actually earlier, middle-class activists have been urging Egyptians to suspend the protests and return to work, in the name of patriotism, singing some of … Keep reading »
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Egypt’s Uprising: Not Just a Question of ‘Transition’
The events of the last weeks are one of those historical moments where the lessons of many decades can be telescoped into a few brief moments and seemingly minor occurrences … Keep reading »
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Dead Hope: The Capitalist West Cannot Afford a Free Middle East
On Feb 1, 2011 in a remark on the riots of the Egyptians Obama stated, “Now, it is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt’s leaders. Only … Keep reading »
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Mubarak’s Folly: The Rising of Egypt’s Workers
Rarely do our rulers look more absurd than when faced with a popular upheaval. As fear and apathy are broken, ordinary people – housewives, students, sanitation workers, the unemployed – … Keep reading »
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Whither Egypt? Gilbert Achcar interviewed by Farooq Sulehria
Farooq Sulehria (FS): Do you think that Mubarak’s pledge on February 1st not to contest the next election represented a victory for the movement, or was it just a trick … Keep reading »
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The Great Recession and the Deficit
The Great Recession will take a long time to come to an end. Even the most optimistic forecasters expect the official unemployment rate in the U.S. to stay above 9 … Keep reading »
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Tomorrow’s Tunis and Egypt: Reform or Revolution?
Arab uprisings are taking place with the historical speed of light. I began writing this piece following the downfall of Tunisian dictator Ben Ali and closed with the imminent downfall … Keep reading »
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Interview with Hossam el-Hamalawy
Mark LeVine, professor of History at UC Irvine, managed to catch up with blogger Hossam el-Hamalawy via Skype to get a first-hand account of events unfolding in Egypt. Mark LeVine: … Keep reading »
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Night in Tunisia: Riots, Strikes and a Spreading Insurgency
Popular upheavals always carry a distinct sonic resonance. The cascading chants that reverberate through the streets, the roar of the crowd as it drives back the riot police and seizes … Keep reading »
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Like We Said, It’s a Global Slump
I have never accepted the postmodernist contention that contemporary capitalism is all about smoke and mirrors. The notion that ideology and illusion make the system go round strikes me as … Keep reading »