This article, which first appeared in 2001 following the September 11th attacks, is reproduced here in its entirety for the 5th anniversary of the attacks. Its strategic perspective for the left is even more important today.

Osama bin Laden’s al-Quaida committed an atrocious crime against humanity on September 11, 2001. In addition to slaughtering thousands in New York City and Washington, DC, this organization of theocratic fascists is campaigning for the destruction of Western “infidel” civilization generally, with special emphasis on Americans and Jews. To do so, it is trying to rally and mobilize the one fourth of humanity that makes up the Islamic world for the reactionary “jihad” or holy war it has declared. The horrendous attacks of Sept. 11 have thus thrown out a challenge to everyone - to the U.S. ruling class, to the American public, and to the international community. (more...)

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As we enter the fourth year of the war on Iraq, our grassroots antiwar movement faces a critical political conjuncture, here and abroad. How we respond to it means a great deal, most importantly to the people of Iraq, but also to all Americans touched by this unjust war. There are four main factors of this turning point. First, the U.S. invasion of Iraq is floundering, stalemated, and drifting toward defeat - but in a horrible way unleashing all the fury of sectarian violence and slaughter, and, beyond Iraq, a 'Clash of Civilizations' throughout the region that serves no one but reactionary zealots on all sides. (more...)

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