ICSS Past Presentations

https://youtu.be/hpJcmUH5KOI The dramatic shift in the Trump led U.S. foreign policies, as seen recently in the bombing in Iran, has created enormous confusion and consternation within establishment centers of power. These changes are manifested in the abandonment of both the liberal international order constructed under U.S. hegemony after the Second World War and the long-term strategy of NATO enlargement and proxy war with Russia in Ukraine. Imposition of high tariffs and shifting military...

https://youtu.be/wQ0wVh_9nGQ With the current occupant in the White House unleashing the Marines and National Guard against immigrants, banning US entry to citizens from nearly 20 non-white countries, flouting court orders, accusing media as "the enemy of the people," and extending executive power, can the US be said to be fascist or on the brink of becoming so? To have a provocative discussion on this topic, we have invited long-time activist and past speaker Stansfield Smith to return to...

https://youtu.be/X_n7t2Cjycw   South Asian nation states were formed at the end of WWII, when Colonial Imperialism was given a body blow by the war. Britain, France and other European colonial capitalist states were badly weakened. Socialism was in ascendency, but US capitalism was also advancing. Today capitalism is in decline and is in its rottenest stage in the G-7 countries. The impact of it in South Asia will be examined, keeping in view the short military conflict between India and...

https://youtu.be/C_DFz1MV0Io Sunday Morning at the Marxist LibrarySun., June 8, 2024: 10:30 am-12:30 pm PDTThe Great Patriotic War and its AftermathSpeaker: Mark Albertson June 22, 1941, Adolf Hitler hurled 3,300,000 German troops against the Soviet Union, the start of the greatest land war in modern times. It will be the Soviets who will win the land war, defeating the German Army, not the United States and the Western allies. During the second chapter of the Great War, Britain will incur...

https://youtu.be/GSlbtN6tKc0 On June 3rd, South Korea will hold its ninth presidential election—a pivotal moment following a year of political turmoil and mass mobilization. The election follows far-right President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, a move that sparked a nationwide democratic uprising. In response, nearly 10 million Koreans braved freezing temperatures and escalating repression to demand his removal. Their efforts culminated in a historic victory...

https://youtu.be/wk1ygQwB97s We will have a group discussion on the lessons of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany and the significance of the worldwide celebrations of Victory Day 2025.   Join us with your ideas, comments, and questions for what should be a lively and informative session!

https://youtu.be/fjlUyaUzuPI "What is Economic Nationalism?"  Some historian's notes on the present antagonisms among the great powers. Anthony D'Agostino is a diplomatic historian, emeritus of SF State University, and has written 5 books, along with many articles and reviews over the years, on the history of international politics, with attention to the Russian revolution, Soviet politics, the Gorbachev period, and the fall of the Soviet Bloc. The last book was The Rise of Global Powers:...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aTJSYHrR5k The US/Israel are actively and overtly preparing for war on Iran. From their perspective current conditions may be favorable for an attack due to several strategic and geopolitical factors. Iran could be nearing weapons-grade uranium enrichment levels, but it does not yet have a nuclear deterrent capability. Additionally, regional instability—such as the weakening of Iran’s allies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen—may reduce the risk of retaliation....

https://youtu.be/gxSM56JfGnA On September 1, 1987, some of the most dedicated peace activists in the nation – including our two guests – were protesting outside the Concord Naval Weapons Station trying to block a Navy munitions train loaded with weapons bound for Nicaragua and El Salvador. Instead of stopping the train and arresting the protestors, authorities ordered the train to speed up. While some barely made it off the tracks, S. Brian Willson was run over. He suffered horrific injuries,...

https://youtu.be/YZcsGkPqcFY This Sunday, the Marxist Forum will analyze and discuss the U.S. trade war, tariffs, and globalization from a working class perspective. Allan Miller is a political activist and member of the ICSS Program Committee.  He has a PhD in economics from UC Riverside, and has taught data analysis and statistical programming at UC Berkeley Extension.