Author: icsswpadmin

Just back from the West Bank, international human rights advocate and lawyer Dan Kovalik will discuss the current situation in Palestine in light of historical developments. In addition to Gaza, the West Bank has been under ferocious Israeli attack and repression. The general population in the West Bank is experiencing increased Israeli settler violence with over 300 Palestinians murdered and 3000 arrested since October 7. Last month, our speak visited Cairo with the first international solidarity delegation, which tried unsuccessfully to enter Gaza and bring humanitarian aid through the Rafa crossing.

Dan Kovalik has written extensively on international human rights and US foreign policy. He has lectured throughout the world on these subjects and frequently appears on RT. He is the author of books exposing the machinations of US imperialism in Nicaragua, Venezuela, Iran, and Russia, and an upcoming one on Palestine and Israel. Other books include a progressive case against cancel culture and how the US violates international law. He teaches international human rights at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Recently back from a humanitarian mission to besieged Gaza, which was denied entry by Egyptian authorities, our speaker will explain how the ongoing genocide against the Palestinians is a natural outcome of Zionism. The social dynamics of domination inevitably lead to genocide given sufficient time. This is the logical consequence of exceptionalism.

The resistance forces of the Palestinians and their allies have planned for a confrontation of unlimited duration, while Israel plans only short, massive attacks designed for a quick, decisive victory, which in this case is illusive. This is the main reason they have chosen genocide as a tactic. They reason that massive, horrible deaths of vulnerable civil Palestinians, mainly women and children, will force Hamas, Hezbollah, and their allies to take risks and expose themselves. But genocide is not working. And when it doesn’t, Israel’s answer is to use more genocide.

This Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library session covers the attacks on the pro-Palestine, anti-genocide movement being made in the name of “fighting antisemitism,” A group discussion  follows several short presentations on the subject.

The 200-year history of the Monroe Doctrine is a history of US imperialism. Among Washington’s recent junior partners, Israel stands out as an accomplice to the US imperial project not only in the old world but in this hemisphere as well.

Beginning with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the course of what is labeled Manifest Destiny (term was applied in 1845) will be charted through the 19th century. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 is a continuation of the planned expansion across the North American continent. As the 19th century proceeded apace, the North defeated the South during the 1861-1865 Revolt of the Planters. Industrialization of the United States together with the eventual linking of Chesapeake Bay with the Golden Gate instilled a dynamic America, an allure to become a willing participant in what President Monroe’s document urged the Europeans not to repeat here, Imperialism. Historical parallels will be made with such efforts as the Catholic Church and Spanish Army in the Philippines, the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, and the present situation in Gaza.

Our speaker, Mark Albertson, is a frequent presenter at the Library. In fact, according to his blog, in each of the last three years, he has logged 200-plus appearances. Mark is a military historian with a commanding knowledge of geo-politics. He is the historical research editor at Army Aviation magazine and is the historian for the Army Aviation Association of America. He has authored several books: USS Connecticut: Constitution State Battleship; They’ll Have to Follow You! The Triumph of the Great White Fleet; On History: A Treatise. He is at work on a two-volume history on the saga of Army aviation. Mark teaches history at Norwalk Community College in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Suggested background reading:

Elier Ramírez Cañedo, 200 Years of the Monroe Doctrine: History and Present, https://resumen-english.org/2023/07/200-years-of-the-monroe-doctrine-history-and-present/

Or check out this informative video:

Ben Norton, Israel’s destruction of Gaza is West’s fascistic plan for Global South, warns Colombia’s president, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC8YMcHn9nE

This talk will cover from the late 1970s to present, with main focus on the past few years. Two aspects: far rightwing direct action (e.g., direct attacks on racial, religious, gender, communist and other political attacks) and legislative rollbacks on the same groups (e.g., Moms for Liberty attempts to promote reactionary education policies).
Also, it will cover various groups and their ideologies, chief social traits and international interconnections among them. Finally, some proposals to counter them.

Our speaker, Al Sargis, is the founder of the Friedrich Engels Institute of Marxist War and Military Analysis.