Nèdeem Elmahjoub's blog

NYT, 19 June 2025

“Even if the US does not bomb Iran, it will continue to arm Israel. Either way, there will be serious implications for the Middle East and US politics. “Labour Party meetings and trade union meetings should pass resolutions demanding an end to the assault on Iran and further demanding that Britain should play no role in the attack on Iran, either directly or indirectly and socialists should support demonstrations, lobbies and rallies to that effect.” Even if resolutions were passed they would be defeated by Starmer and the right of the Labour Party.

“When people hear the word 'genocide', they probably think of Gaza, maybe Sudan. But the world’s worst genocide has been occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where vicious wars have been fought for nearly three decades for power and control over critical minerals .” Note that the writer does not refer to the definition of genocide amd how it applies to the Congo. Related Africa's Leaky Giant

“We are not Arabs, and others measure us by a different standard… Our instruments of war are different from those of the Arabs, and only our instruments can guarantee our victory. Our strength is in defence… and this strength will give us a political victory if England and the world know that we are defending ourselves rather than attacking.” Israel's image as a victim has endured , even as it carries out mass killings and forced displacement. Related Hypocrisy and savagery

If/when you are in London, I recommend you join this tour .

“And just as Israel’s allies in the region have already helped shoot down Iranian missiles, we can be certain that Western governments will come readily to Israel’s defence — both rhetorically and materially — ensuring it can continue its attacks.  “This is the overwhelming lesson Israel has drawn from the past 20 months amid its intensifying onslaught on Gaza: there is no limit to what the world will let it get away with. Now, as it bombs its sixth neighbouring state or occupied territory in less than two years, there should be no doubt that impunity is the lifeblood of Israel’s far-right government, and the fuel driving its spiralling aggression. Until it runs up against firm international resistance, it will not cease in its campaign to militarily re-engineer the entire region.” International resistance is not specified. Personally, I understand that Ben Reif means governments  resistance. Reif like any liberal and a few leftists has faith in 'international l...

The majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are. —Nicolo Machiavelli, Discourses, circa 1513–17

A short reply to this question circulating in the social media. I fundamentally disagree with the basics of the analysis and the appeal. As the question states there are Arab nations, not one. They have been divided for a long time. They do not have common interests. Nor do they have an 'Arab NATO' or form  an 'Arab EU'.  So any comparison with one nation like Canada or England, for example, and that the US would defend in the event of a foreign attack, is misplaced. The US in fact would hurry to defend the UAE or Saudi Arabia. The Arab nations are divided and ruled by ruling classes (combrador bourgeoisies with different colours) that have more in common with the rulers in the West than with the Arab people in the respective countries. One has to link colonial division with the neocolonial studies as students at universities are doing. The UAE    and Turkey, for example, have been expanding their strategic outreach for more capital accummulation. Saudi Arabia has...