Stop the War

Britain's war machine: imperial fantasies and the tilt to China

Britain's new hi-tech aircraft carrier and its 100-stop mission will only increase global tensions, argues Chris Nineham
The 20 year war: how the West destroyed Afghanistan

As Biden announces US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Shabbir Lakha investigates the consequences of the war.
The crisis over Ukraine in dates

A timeline of events in Ukraine that the media want to ignore shows who's threatening who, writes Chris Nineham
The West's defeat in Afghanistan: after twenty years of war, what was it all for?

Twenty years of the War on Terror has produced neither security nor stability for the Afghan people and cost countless lives in the process, argues Terina Hine
'Global Britain': Boris Johnson's vision for more war

The Tory Integrated Review sets out a plan to spend money on nukes instead of nurses and expand Britain's imperialist role in the world, argues Terina Hine
Starmer's flag fetish: win the middle ground, don’t chase it

Rather than Starmer’s bland patriotic appeal, Kevin Ovenden argues for the revolutionary tradition of winning broad support for socialists through building mass movements
Students take a stand against war on Yemen during global day of action

Students held a mass rally as part of an internationally-coordinated day of action to stop the war on Yemen, reports Minnie Life
The Saudi massacre in Yemen: A very British disgrace

As we approach the global day of action for Yemen on Monday 25 January, Jamal Elaheebocus describes the humanitarian catastrophe inflicted by Saudi Arabia with US and UK support.
Biden's presidency, the warmakers and the anti-war movement in the US

Anti-war sentiment has already impacted on the incoming Biden administration, but it will have to be mobilised to deliver change, argues Chris Nineham
Conscious barbarism: Pompeo ramps up war on Yemen in final days of Trump administration

Millions more Yemenis are now at risk of starvation because of Pompeo's Houthi terrorist designation, writes Chris Nineham
The spy who never came in from the cold

John Rees looks back at the literary achievement of John Le Carré, who died at the weekend
ICC dropping investigation into Iraq war crimes is a scandal - video

Despite thousands of allegations of crimes committed by the British army in Iraq, not one case has been prosecuted in a court - how can the ICC say there isn't a cover-up?
Permanent war: Britain’s global military reach exposed

With a permanent military presence at 145 base sites in 42 countries or territories around the world, Britain is far from a ‘nation in retreat’, writes Terina Hine
Why is there £21.5bn more for the military but no money for key workers?

The credit card is maxed out when it comes to public sector pay but there's always money for war according to the Tories, writes Terina Hine
US foreign policy is unlikely to become less belligerent under Biden

Biden's foreign policy record suggests there isn't likely to be much change, so the anti-war movement must prepare to assert itself, argues Chris Nineham
Spycops: the rottenness at the heart of the British State

As the history of state infiltration of the left is exposed, it is no wonder the government is hurrying through its new SpyCops Bill, argues Terina Hine
After the election, is US foreign policy likely to change?

As the chaotic presidential election inches towards resolution, we can expect more continuity than change in US foreign policy, argues Terina Hine
Crossing red lines: why the establishment wants to destroy Corbyn

Corbyn's anti-war principles and their popular appeal are the biggest threat to the establishment, says Chris Nineham
The SpyCops bill is an attack on us all: it must be resisted

We shouldn’t imagine that we are powerless and have to accept this assault on our civil liberties lying down, argues Shabbir Lakha
Stop the war on Yemen: a global protest the warmongers can't ignore

As the devastation of Yemen continues, Stop the War is part of a global coalition organising an international day of action against the war
Trump and Biden on Iran: more continuity than change

Whoever holds the keys to the White House after the US election, the future relationship with Iran looks unlikely to improve, argues Terina Hine
International opposition to the war on Yemen is growing

The desperate situation in Yemen cannot be hidden anymore. More and more international voices are calling for a halt to the fighting, says Chris Nineham
Taiwan: the US is leading the world to the brink of a new Cold War

Recent provocations in Taiwan between the US and China risks military escalation, and must be resisted by the anti-war movement, argues Terina Hine
Protecting war criminals and torturers: the Tory bill and Starmer's shame

The passing of the Overseas Operations bill which Labour abstained on is a disservice to victims of torture and undermines international law, argues Lindsey German
Trump is in charge of the political prosecution of Julian Assange

John Rees debunks one of the prosecution's key arguments in the Assange trial
Donald Trump is no 'peace president'

Trump is once again claiming he has an anti-war foreign policy in his election campaign, but his record doesn't back it up, argues Chris Nineham
War feeds the climate crisis

The climate crisis is headline news, but the role of Western military policy in it is still not well known enough, argues Maddalena Dunscombe
This is about all our rights: don't extradite Assange protest

Protesters assembled outside the Old Bailey to voice the opposition to extraditing Julian Assange, reports Shabbir Lakha
'Enough' is enough: an interview with Slovo's Dave Randall

The author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music and founder of south London music collective Slovo speaks to Mayer Wakefield
Protest works: how the anti-war movement weakened the warmongers

Recent reports show how social movements can impact directly on militarism, writes Chris Nineham
Jazz and the anti-war movement

Chris Nineham reflects on the history of jazz music and the anti-war movement ahead of Stop the War's event with Shabaka Hutchings marking the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Stop the massacre in Yemen

Demands for an end to UK support for Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen are growing, reports Jamal Elaheebocus
We must resist continuing US aggression towards Iran

The incident involving a US fighter jet and Iranian passenger plane is the latest escalation of US hostility towards Iran, writes Jamal Elaheebocus
Once upon a time in Iraq, a TV documentary review

Terina Hine reviews the fascinating five-part TV documentary Once Upon a Time in Iraq available on BBC iPlayer
'Global Britain': the defence review

As competition increases for defence funding, Cummings' involvement has reignited concerns over the UK’s defence strategy, argues Terina Hine
Protest for Yemen: The UK has blood on their hands

The opposition to Britain’s role in facilitating the destruction of Yemen spilled onto the streets of London for a second week, reports Maddalena Dunscombe
Protesters march against the UK enabling the war on Yemen

Protesters demanded an end to Britain's role of facilitating the war on Yemen that has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis, reports Lucy Nichols
Starmer is moving Labour to the right 'brutally and rapidly': a CLP secretary’s resignation statement

Socialists should focus their energies on building the extra-parliamentary left, argues Terina Hine in her statement resigning as Cities of London and Westminster CLP secretary
The looming danger of a US-China military confrontation

The coronavirus and deepening economic crisis is being used as a pretext by Trump to scale up tensions with China, writes Lindsey German
The China syndrome: why Trump’s obsession could lead to war – long read

The US policy to counter the growing economic and political strengths of China have taken a dangerous turn, says Chris Nineham
Fight to fund health, not war

With the current crisis increasing military tension, we must argue publicly to avoid increased military spending in the UK, writes Chris Nineham
Coronavirus is showing that war has never been about security

While thousands are dying from the pandemic, it is obscene that war machines are still grinding on, argues Lindsey German
How Labour officials tried to drive out anti-war activists

Labour HQ's campaign against anti-war party members shows why the movement needs to be strengthened, writes Chris Nineham
Endless conflicts are deepening Coronavirus crisis

In this critical hour, all sanctions and hostilities must cease argues Chris Nineham
Behind Trump's tantrums: the US, Iran and the continuing threat of war

The decline in the US' strategic power in the region is leading to desperate measures from Trump writes Chris Nineham
War with Iran is still a danger

The threat of war with Iran isn't over and the anti-war movement must continue to organise against it, writes Shabbir Lakha
Do not be fooled: Trump is the problem

European governments are frightened by Trump’s behaviour but even more frightened of upsetting relations with the US, argues Lindsey German
The anti-war movement gears up to oppose war with Iran

Protesters took the streets to say no to Trump's drive to war with Iran, reports Shabbir Lakha
Protest has helped define the first two decades of the 21st century – here’s what’s next

We’re living in an unprecedented moment - the fortunes of popular protest will depend on the collective leadership of the movements, writes Feyzi Ismail
Labour needs Corbyn’s anti-war politics more than ever

The leadership contest is likely to be a missed opportunity for making Labour a serious anti-war party, argues Alex Snowdon
Why can’t Tony Blair stay away?

The anti-war movement and Jeremy Corbyn were always the biggest threat to Blairism, that's why he's so adamant to try to show he's still standing, argues Jonathon Shafi
Beyond the Labour leadership election: let's not wait until 2024 for change

Strategy is important for the left now and it must go beyond who leads Labour next, argues Vladimir Unkovski-Korica
We need to talk about Nato: an imperialist war machine

Ahead of the Nato Summit in London on 3 December, Sweta Choudhury busts the myths that portray Nato as a force for peace
BBC attacks Corbyn over his correct stance on foreign wars

Corbyn's position on Britain's military adventures has been right on every occasion, argues Chris Nineham
What the government wants us to forget on Remembrance Day

Poppies must not distract us from the Tories' contempt for the working class, writes Mona Kamal
Trump’s coming to London during the election

Trump's meddling can be beaten with protest, writes Lindsey German
Official Secrets review: how Bush and Blair lied their way to war with Iraq

Official Secrets shows the extent of the lies in the drive to war with Iraq and leaves the viewer asking how on earth Blair got away with it, writes Shabbir Lakha
Trump betrays the Kurds: never trust the imperialists

US and British imperialism will never be an ally for the liberation of people anywhere, writes Shabbir Lakha as Erdogan begins bombing northern Syria
9/11: we are still living in the world created by Bush and Blair's response

9/11 was both terrible in itself and the catalyst for the destruction and horror to come, argues Chris Nineham
Profiting from death and destruction: DSEI 2019

The world's worst arms dealers will be gathering to exhibit their instruments of death at London's ExCel Centre once again, writes Lucy Nichols
Boris Johnson is a racist, sexist, warmonger who must be stopped - video

"If you try to have a war with Iran... you will create a mass movement against war in this country of the sort that you haven’t seen in more than a decade"
Murad Qureshi - Standing up for Londoners

Murad Qureshi is standing to be a Labour candidate for the London Assembly. He sent Counterfire his campaign statement and we are happy to share his reasons for standing.
Crisis in the Gulf - Stop the War statement

A statement from Stop the War raises the alarm on the escalating threat of war with Iran over the seizures of tankers
Stop Boris: General Election Now - Counterfire Freesheet July 2019

No new Tory Prime Minister, protest the Tory party conference, revolt in Sudan, does modern monetary theory work, stop the drive to war with Iran, the British state and what Engels said about revolution in this month's Counterfire freesheet
Britain is following Trump and escalating the threat of war with Iran

The British Navy's seizing of an Iranian oil tanker shows Britain following Trump, trading in diplomacy for the threat of military confrontation, argues Lindsey German
Be in no doubt: Britain will be involved if there is war on Iran

If there is war, Britain will be part of it, writes Chris Nineham
Iran: act now to stop Trump’s dogs of war

The US empire is on the march again and the anti-war movement must respond in kind and without delay, demands Chris Nineham
Organise now to avoid war with Iran

Despite platitudes from both sides of the Atlantic, we cannot ignore the very real risk of another disastrous conflict in the Middle East, writes Chris Nineham
Trump and Iran: the brink of war

Trump, John Bolton and Mike Pompeo have created a situation with Iran that is risking a new war in the Middle East, argues Chris Nineham
We stand with Palestine: thousands march in solidarity

Thousands of protesters marched through London on Saturday showing that solidarity with Palestine in Britain hasn't gone anywhere, reports Shabbir Lakha
Why we need a movement: Stop the War at Lowkey's concerts - video

The Stop the War Coalition supported Lowkey's recent tour around the country, this is a video of National Officer Shabbir Lakha speaking at the London concert
No thanks for nuclear weapons - protest outside Westminster Abbey

The Royal Navy's bizarre #nukes4jesus thanksgiving service was met with the disgust it deserves, reports Richard Pratt
Soldiers taking aim at Corbyn is a result of years of lies and vilification

Soldiers shooting at a picture of Corbyn reveals the effect of the rhetoric portraying Corbyn as a security threat and terrorist sympathiser, writes Chris Nineham
Why stopping wars is essential for stopping climate change

War isn’t just a waste of resources that could be used to tackle climate change, but is itself a significant cause of environmental harm, argues Elaine Graham-Leigh
We must stand up to Islamophobia - video

Speaking at the Stand up to Racism march in London, Chris Nineham says we need a campaign that takes on Islamophobia and the politicians and media that fuel it
Christchurch terrorist attack: Stop the War statement

Islamophobia has been fuelled by the 'War on Terror' - Stop the War Coalition's statement on the terrorist attack in New Zealand
Tony Benn: socialist, comrade, friend

An obituary written at the time of Tony Benn's passing by John Rees on a life well lived
From toy drones to real ones: the arms trade and education

By allowing the arms trade into schools, colleges and universities, we are teaching children that innovation for the sake of destruction is acceptable and desirable, argues Lucy Nichols
Gavin Williamson: delusional and dangerous

Gavin Williamson's latest speech with jingoistic rhetoric and calling for more military spending shows just how out of touch with reality he is, argues Lindsey German
Explo Nani-Kofi: fighting back against the hostile environment

A leading anti-war activist and UK resident of 29 years speaks about the machinations of the Home Office and the campaign to reinstate his indefinite leave to remain
Operation Cast Lead: the 22 day massacre in Gaza

Ten years on since the massacre of Operation Cast Lead, conditions in Gaza are worse than ever, argues Shabbir Lakha
The anti-war left must capitalise on Trump's withdrawal from Syria

Anti-war campaigners should exploit the cracks in neoconservative foreign policy as the priorities of US imperialism clash with the republican voter base, argues Lindsey German
What motivates the man in the White House? A study of Trump's foreign policy

Despite the disastrous results of post-9/11 wars, Trump continues to lead a belligerent administration that we must resist at home, argues Chris Nineham
Hundreds rally in London to end arms sales to Saudi Arabia

A packed out public meeting organised by Stop the War demanded an end to Britain's complicity in the war on Yemen, reports Chris Nineham
Britain must stop arming the Saudi war criminals now

A new offensive in the Saudi war on Yemen will ratchet up the humanitarian crisis. We must build a huge campaign to end arms sales, writes Chris Nineham
A hundred years after WW1, what are we remembering?

The establishment makes a big display of remembering fallen WW1 soldiers while justifying today's wars. We should remember those who fought hard to stop war, argues Lindsey German
How to influence people: Saudi Arabia, Yemen and British bombs

The government's intransigence on Saudi arms sales is leading to catastrophe in Yemen writes Chris Nineham
Afghanistan's unending war: seventeen years since the Western invasion

The Taliban is advancing again, met by escalation from Trump and NATO. Amidst the devastation, our leaders still can't recognise defeat, writes Stop the War's Chris Nineham
Justice for Palestine: a report from the Labour Party conference

Conference shows strong support among Labour members for the Palestinian cause, reports Terina Hine
The importance of mass mobilisation against war

Build the mass movements against war. Kevin Courtney's speech from the Stop the War Coalition national conference
Why is the West so silent on Yemen?

As the west continues to arm Saudi Arabia, Yemen bears the brunt, argues Julie Al-Hinai
To be called a political artist is no insult - Rachid Taha tribute

An obituary for the iconic Algerian singer who stood up against war and racism
Racism, war and Trump: the Stop the War Coalition AGM

Far from being an ‘isolationist’, Donald Trump has increased bombings, sanctions and war, argues Lindsey German
Military propaganda must end

The MoD is attempting to rebrand life in the military in order to recruit vulnerable young people, argues Jago Corry
Boris is going for brutal Brexit - weekly briefing

From blustering buffoon to Trumpish racist, Johnson’s recasting himself for a new wave of reactionary and anti-working class politics, writes Lindsey German
Rural activism: tales from the sticks – part two

In the second part of tales from the sticks, Jim Scott explains the birth and growth of a movement in rural Wales over the last 5 years
Libya: chaos reigns seven years on

Libyans are still paying the price with their lives for the 2011 Nato intervention. A stark reminder of why we urgently need an antiwar government argues Eleftheria Kousta
Afghanistan: more troops to continue an endless war

Britain sending more troops to Afghanistan shows the end of the war isn't in sight and lays bare what the 'special relationship' is all about argues Lindsey German
Together against Trump: a mass show of opposition

Looking back at the quarter of a million strong demonstration against Trump, Daniel Jakopovich argues that it was a mass display of people power
Trump’s Nato ultimatums: red letter or red herring?

There is no justification for the obscene levels of military spending across the world says Lindsey German
Our NHS: Keep the fight on the streets - Counterfire Freesheet June 2018

Fighting for our NHS, Ireland's abortion rights victory, Grenfell one year on, Dump Trump and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 026, June 2018
Dump Trump and the special relationship, too

Theresa May's support for Trump is a faultline we must fully exploit, argues Jonathan Maunders
Nationwide opposition to Syria airstrikes

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in over 40 towns and cities across the country to voice their opposition to Theresa May's bombing of Syria
The idea that the West have been “inactive” in Syria is completely untrue

Politicians and commentators supporting more military action in Syria say inaction has consequences, but the West haven't been inactive in Syria argues Shabbir Lakha
The mission accomplished that is nothing of the sort – weekly briefing

A primed anti-war movement finds the new warmongers much the same as the old warmongers, writes Lindsey German
Six things we learnt from the Syrian airstrike

John Rees on the immediate conclusions we can draw from the US led airstrike on Syria
Syria: the solution is not more military intervention

As Theresa May prepares to back Trump in escalating military intervention in Syria, Stop the War published the following letter in response
Douma attack and the war in Syria - Stop the War statement

Statement from Stop the War Coalition following the attacks on Douma in Syria
John Bolton: the return of the uber hawk

Trump's new National Security advisor will see his appointment as an opportunity to test his military prowess, argues Lindsey German
Skripal coverage: reporting, purporting and contorting

The media have used the Skripal affair as a stick to beat the left and the anti-war movement, argues Chris Nineham
The Trump era and the anti-war movement

With the US state department looking increasingly aggressive, the anti-war movement must fight on many fronts, argues Lindsey German
Saudi Prince not welcome: demonstrate against his visit

Statement from organisations opposing the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to the UK and urging people to join the demonstration tomorrow
Alternative models and silent revolutions

After years on the back foot, Labour has shown that ideas of worker-led ownership are back in play
Back to the future? The possibility of a new arms race

Just as Trump feels that “unmatched power is the surest means to our true and great defence”, Putin evidently feels much the same way
15 years on from the biggest protest in British history

Lindsey German looks back at the day in 2003 that millions took to the streets to protest the Iraq war
Will Trump’s UK visit be the end of the special relationship?

After yet another disastrous intervention into UK politics over the NHS protest John Rees asks what will be the effect of the Trump visit?
Palestine: the open wound

Shabbir Lakha reflects on the twentieth century imperial imposition that continues to blight global justice
An anti-war government: a formation whose time has come

Jeremy Corbyn’s roots in the global anti-war movement offer an unprecedented opportunity to marginalise the warmongers, asserts Chris Nineham
False alarm in Hawaii: Trump and nukes keep the world on edge

With Trump in the White House boasting about his nuclear button, the world is on knife-edge and events in Hawaii serve as a warning to us all argues Tom Unterrainer
Britain is hardening its foreign policy

As the British state's new aircraft carrier, worth billions of pounds, springs a leak, Lindsey German takes a look at the war games being played
The prevalence of Islamophobia: a Europe-wide phenomenon

Prejudice against Muslims is high across Europe, but in Britain there are grounds for optimism thanks to a mass movement against Islamophobia
Theresa May went to Saudi to encourage, not to condemn

The government’s attempts at justification for its conduct in the Middle East are becoming more and more desperate, argues Chris Nineham
Saudi faction fight: break Britain's links

Mohammed bin Salman is no moderniser. Time to end the corrupt relationship with the House of Saud, argues Kevin Ovenden
We need a new foreign policy built around peace

Jeremy Corbyn's rise has put anti-war politics centre stage. We now have a chance to do things completely differently, argues Chris Nineham
How the Establishment Lost Control - an interview with Chris Nineham

How did the establishment get it so wrong? Alistair Cartwright talks to Chris Nineham about his new myth-busting book
North Korea: the United States seek power rather than peace

The US approach to North Korea cannot be understood without considering its wider goals in the region
North Korea: moving towards the threat of real war

With calls for a freeze on testing and manoeuvres on all sides falling on deaf ears, tensions are reaching a dangerous level, writes Lindsey German
Trump and North Korea - Stop the War statement

The urgent priority must be to de-escalate and pursue a negotiated solution to the crisis
UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia ruled lawful by High Court

Does anyone really believe Saudi Arabia respects international law? Today's High Court ruling fails to deliver truth argues Chris Nineham
Finsbury Park attack: Stop the War Coalition statement

The atmosphere of Islamophobia in which attacks on Muslims are becoming all too familiar has been whipped up throughout the 'War on Terror'.
London Bridge attack: Stop the War statement

We urgently need a serious discussion of the causes of terrorism, not populist rhetoric
Is there any war you don't support Theresa May?

Corbyn is wrongly labelled a pacifist by the Tories and the media, but his opposition to unnecessary war without end is in stark contrast to Theresa May's endless warmongering
Corbyn's opposition to endless war is his greatest strength

Jeremy Corbyn's wide-ranging speech on the threat of global war is a lesson to us all
May‘s plans on Syria: Stop the War statement

Theresa May‘s plans to start airstrikes against Assad are another reason to vote her out
Stop the War Coalition statement on the Westminster attack

Issued 22 March 2017
Trump's foreign policy: escalation in the Middle East

If anyone had doubts about the direction of Trump’s Middle East policy, the last few days should have cleared them up
Coming to grips with the Syrian tragedy

How should the left approach the disaster of the war in Syria? We republish some suggestions by David Bush
Crossing lines: Tatchell and his attacks

Tatchell's obsession with self-publicity has now led him to attacks on Jeremy Corbyn and the anti-war movement
What does a Trump presidency mean for foreign policy?

Donald Trump's foreign policy intentions are unclear, however, what is, is that we should step up anti-war efforts, argues Chris Nineham
'Keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down': a potted and bloody history of Nato

From its inception to the present, Nato has been intent on pursuing a policy of aggression. Jonathan Maunders explains
War begets war: the case against intervention in Syria

As many push for escalation in Syria, Chris Nineham takes a look at why this is a bad idea
Press regulation: we must condemn the Sun’s racist abuse

Connecting terrorism with Islam, as Sun columnist Kelvin MacKenzie did, is not intellectually respectable - no matter what Ipso says
Mosul: Stop the War statement

More aerial bombardment of civilians will not help to bring about peace and stability in Iraq
Corbyn represents change: the anti-war movement must stand behind him

We must renew our efforts, build the anti-war movement and support Corbyn, argues Mick Wattam
Protest and propaganda: what the Russian Embassy row is all about

What's behind the hysteria over protesting outside the Russian Embassy? Alex Snowdon considers the motives of Stop the War's critics.
Syria: No to all interventions

Calls for further intervention show that the lessons of Libya and Iraq have not been learnt, writes Lindsey German
Calls for a no-fly zone in Syria are dangerous and naive

A no-fly zone in Syria would only escalate and inflame tensions, argues Chris Nineham
15 years on: Stop the War conference - video

Footage from the Stop the War conference, including speeches from Jeremy Corbyn, Salma Yaqoob and Lindsey German
No more war: time to step up a gear

Saturday's Stop the War Coalition international conference was an important and timely gathering of anti-war activists
Syria: a war without end?

As aid convoys to Syria are suspended, Jonathan Maunders takes a look at where we are, and where we are going to
Who's to blame for the end of the ceasefire in Syria?

The cessation of the Syrian conflict begins with the end of foreign intervention, argues Chris Nineham
British foreign policy just fell apart, and Labour must seize the moment

A disastrous summer for the foreign policy establishment should be a golden opportunity for Labour, argues John Rees
Libya: hindsight is not good enough

The anti-war movement argued unequivocally against intervention in Libya, and the Foreign Affairs Committee proved it was right, argues Chris Nineham
Syria: why the war will not end soon

The ceasefire in Syria is only temporary, and will not lead to lasting peace, argues Lindsey German
Fifteen years after 9/11: deepening chaos across the world

The world is now almost unrecognisably more agonised, unstable and dangerous, writes Chris Nineham
Corbyn, democracy and the movement

Opposing imperialism through the movement on the streets is imperative, argues Lindsey German
Chilcot, parliament and Tony Blair’s lies

The state is still using pro-war rhetoric to cloud the truth behind the War on Terror, argues Lindsey German
After Chilcot: now Blair must face charges

We now need action to finally achieve justice for Iraq, writes Lindsey German
A beacon of hope in dark times

Shabbir Lakha reports on the Convoy to Calais, which the French police shamefully turned back at the border
Libya: Britain heads to war

The government is taking us ever closer to war in Libya, says Chris Nineham
Stop the War: official statement on anti-Semitism and Palestine

In response to claims of anti-Semitism within the Labour Party, Stop the War condemns the double standards applied to those who oppose Israeli oppression
Hands off Libya: No to Western Intervention

Stop the War is holding a public meeting on Libya to discuss how we can oppose another disastrous intervention
The media attacks on Malia Bouattia are sadly predicatable

The media's reporting of the election of Malia Bouttia has ignored the woman and her policies
Are we poised for another war in Libya?

After imposing a 'unity' government in Libya, Western powers have signalled they are waiting for the call for more intervention, which could mean more war
The bombing of Syria is not bringing peace

The great powers are using Syria as a battlefield to advance their own interests, argues Andrew Murray
Cameron fans the flames of Islamophobia

David Cameron's attacks on Muslim women come within the context of rising Islamophobia across the world, writes Lindsey German
Stop the War: strengthening the movement in 2016

The anti-war position of the radical left inside the Labour Party needs to be consolidated in the coming months, writes Kevin Ovenden
Syria: out of sight, out of mind

The warmongers may have won the vote, but they are losing the argument. Not starting new wars might be sensible, says Lindsey German
Start The War versus Stop The War: McCarthyism returns

Stop the War has been attacked by every part of the establishment recently, but the smears are blatant hypocrisy
Stop the War: challenging the lies

Here are the Stop the War Coalition's views on some issues that are routinely misrepresented
MPs complaints of bullying show contempt for democracy

Many of those complaining fear greater accountability and the wave of anti-war feeling evident from Corbyn's election as Labour leader
Saturday's demonstration can be historic

It is the anti-war demonstration on 12 December, not Hilary Benn's speech which is likely to prove historic
Protesters take to the streets for final push against extending airstrikes

Last night saw a passionate demonstration against the government's plans to extend airstrikes, reports Callum Thomas
Syria vote: Hilary Benn goes to war

Now that the Labour right has a new champion, Corbyn needs our support more than ever, writes Alastair Stephens
Syria vote: Keep up the pressure on MPs

Last night's Stop the War protest had an impact. Keep up the pressure on MPs before the vote tonight, writes Yasmin Dahnoun
Why would you back this war? Its promoters voted for Iraq and Libya

Advocates for the bombing of Syria led us into disaster in Iraq and Libya. Their judgement should not be trusted, argues Chris Nineham
Cameron's bloody cynicism

If Cameron's plan for the Middle East wasn't bad enough, his cynical use of the tragedy in Paris to make political gains shows his true colours
Stopping Whitehall to stop a war

On Saturday, the British public showed strong opposition to airstrikes in Syria, reports Yasmin Dahnoun
Incoherent and dangerous: Cameron's case for war

David Cameron is asking MPs to vote to plunge Britain into a maelstrom of competing powers without any apparent co-ordination or plan
Back on the attack: the meaning of Cameron's defence review

Not only is new money being pumped into the military – it is being targeted on strengthening UK ability to intervene internationally
End the cycle of violence: war is not the answer

Behind Cameron’s new push for war, lies a total failure to recognise the reasons for the growth of Isis, writes Lindsey German
Tony Blair's ghost riders in action

The crisis in Labour illustrates a modern fact of life: the old political structures are unable to contain the new political forces at work, writes Brian Heron
The War on Terror: it's time to end the violence

Remove all Western military from the region and stop backing the most reactionary leaders; these should be first steps to solving the crisis, writes Chris Nineham
Paris attacks: fight the racist backlash

In the wake of the atrocities in the French capital, building an anti-war movement is more necessary than ever, writes Kevin Ovenden
Stop the War: for a world without terrorism and imperialism

The response of the West and other major powers has been for more war. The idea that bombing will end terrorism is refuted by the history of the last 14 years
Remembrance should be for all victims of war

The commemoration has morphed from being a call to end all wars, to one used by British politicians to support our wars in the Middle East, writes Lindsey German
Cameron's retreat on Syria is not the end of the battle

Cameron's plans to bomb Syria may have suffered a setback, but we still have to build the anti-war movement, argues Alastair Stephens
Why safe havens are a green light for bombing

Stop the War Coalition has prepared a briefing on why safe havens and no-fly zones amount to military intervention, and must be opposed
Father of soldier who died in Iraq confronts Hilary Benn MP over Syria bombing

Peter Brierley, who made headlines when he snubbed Tony Blair over his son's death, joins protest against Hilary Benn MP
Syria and the Labour warriors

The Tories need Labour's war faction to deliver a serious looking majority on bombing Syria writes Brian Heron
Protesters show solidarity with Palestinians

Palestinians, with their incredible courage and hope, will fight for their survival. Ellen Graubert reports from the demonstration on Saturday
Stay in the streets

The movement outside of Parliament is critical. This government can – and will – be defeated. But it will need all of us to work for it
How we can stop the UK government bombing Syria

The stakes are high, but with enough pressure from below, David Cameron's plan to bomb Syria can be defeated
Warmongers and hypocrites accuse Jeremy Corbyn of disrespect for war dead

Jeremy Corbyn’s victory is a threat because he stands against the establishment's warmongering and hypocrisy writes Lindsey German
Video: John Rees on Jeremy Corbyn victory

John Rees comments to RT International on Jeremy Corbyn's victory
The Tories want war - and right wing Labour MPs are willing to help them

Right wing Labour MPs plan to give the Tories a majority for war - and inflict damaging defeat on Jeremy Corbyn, argues John Rees
Western wars and the new generation of refugees

The West's wars have played a central part in the refugee crisis, says Lindsey German
Stop the War: bombing Syria won't stop Isis

'Britain needs to break with the idea that proxy wars and western bombs, drones and tanks can solve the problems in the Middle East'
Brian Eno: Labour's widening witch hunt

Claims of 'far left infiltration' are being used to justify the Labour machine's purge of new members but, as musician Brian Eno makes clear in this opinion piece, the purge goes a lot deeper
Jeremy Corbyn: anti-war protests have shaken British politics

Jeremy Corbyn discusses the impact of the anti-war movement on British politics with Stop the War Coalition convenor Lindsey German

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Stop the War

Stop the War

Britain's new hi-tech aircraft carrier and its 100-stop mission will only increase global tensions, argues Chris Nineham

As Biden announces US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Shabbir Lakha investigates the consequences of the war.

A timeline of events in Ukraine that the media want to ignore shows who's threatening who, writes Chris Nineham

Twenty years of the War on Terror has produced neither security nor stability for the Afghan people and cost countless lives in the process, argues Terina Hine

The Tory Integrated Review sets out a plan to spend money on nukes instead of nurses and expand Britain's imperialist role in the world, argues Terina Hine

Rather than Starmer’s bland patriotic appeal, Kevin Ovenden argues for the revolutionary tradition of winning broad support for socialists through building mass movements

Students held a mass rally as part of an internationally-coordinated day of action to stop the war on Yemen, reports Minnie Life

As we approach the global day of action for Yemen on Monday 25 January, Jamal Elaheebocus describes the humanitarian catastrophe inflicted by Saudi Arabia with US and UK support.

Anti-war sentiment has already impacted on the incoming Biden administration, but it will have to be mobilised to deliver change, argues Chris Nineham

Millions more Yemenis are now at risk of starvation because of Pompeo's Houthi terrorist designation, writes Chris Nineham

John Rees looks back at the literary achievement of John Le Carré, who died at the weekend

Despite thousands of allegations of crimes committed by the British army in Iraq, not one case has been prosecuted in a court - how can the ICC say there isn't a cover-up?

With a permanent military presence at 145 base sites in 42 countries or territories around the world, Britain is far from a ‘nation in retreat’, writes Terina Hine

The credit card is maxed out when it comes to public sector pay but there's always money for war according to the Tories, writes Terina Hine

Biden's foreign policy record suggests there isn't likely to be much change, so the anti-war movement must prepare to assert itself, argues Chris Nineham

As the history of state infiltration of the left is exposed, it is no wonder the government is hurrying through its new SpyCops Bill, argues Terina Hine

As the chaotic presidential election inches towards resolution, we can expect more continuity than change in US foreign policy, argues Terina Hine

Corbyn's anti-war principles and their popular appeal are the biggest threat to the establishment, says Chris Nineham

We shouldn’t imagine that we are powerless and have to accept this assault on our civil liberties lying down, argues Shabbir Lakha

As the devastation of Yemen continues, Stop the War is part of a global coalition organising an international day of action against the war

Whoever holds the keys to the White House after the US election, the future relationship with Iran looks unlikely to improve, argues Terina Hine

The desperate situation in Yemen cannot be hidden anymore. More and more international voices are calling for a halt to the fighting, says Chris Nineham

Recent provocations in Taiwan between the US and China risks military escalation, and must be resisted by the anti-war movement, argues Terina Hine

The passing of the Overseas Operations bill which Labour abstained on is a disservice to victims of torture and undermines international law, argues Lindsey German

John Rees debunks one of the prosecution's key arguments in the Assange trial

Trump is once again claiming he has an anti-war foreign policy in his election campaign, but his record doesn't back it up, argues Chris Nineham

The climate crisis is headline news, but the role of Western military policy in it is still not well known enough, argues Maddalena Dunscombe

Protesters assembled outside the Old Bailey to voice the opposition to extraditing Julian Assange, reports Shabbir Lakha

The author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music and founder of south London music collective Slovo speaks to Mayer Wakefield

Recent reports show how social movements can impact directly on militarism, writes Chris Nineham

Chris Nineham reflects on the history of jazz music and the anti-war movement ahead of Stop the War's event with Shabaka Hutchings marking the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Demands for an end to UK support for Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen are growing, reports Jamal Elaheebocus

The incident involving a US fighter jet and Iranian passenger plane is the latest escalation of US hostility towards Iran, writes Jamal Elaheebocus

Terina Hine reviews the fascinating five-part TV documentary Once Upon a Time in Iraq available on BBC iPlayer

As competition increases for defence funding, Cummings' involvement has reignited concerns over the UK’s defence strategy, argues Terina Hine

The opposition to Britain’s role in facilitating the destruction of Yemen spilled onto the streets of London for a second week, reports Maddalena Dunscombe

Protesters demanded an end to Britain's role of facilitating the war on Yemen that has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis, reports Lucy Nichols

Socialists should focus their energies on building the extra-parliamentary left, argues Terina Hine in her statement resigning as Cities of London and Westminster CLP secretary

The coronavirus and deepening economic crisis is being used as a pretext by Trump to scale up tensions with China, writes Lindsey German

The US policy to counter the growing economic and political strengths of China have taken a dangerous turn, says Chris Nineham

With the current crisis increasing military tension, we must argue publicly to avoid increased military spending in the UK, writes Chris Nineham

While thousands are dying from the pandemic, it is obscene that war machines are still grinding on, argues Lindsey German

Labour HQ's campaign against anti-war party members shows why the movement needs to be strengthened, writes Chris Nineham

In this critical hour, all sanctions and hostilities must cease argues Chris Nineham

The decline in the US' strategic power in the region is leading to desperate measures from Trump writes Chris Nineham

The threat of war with Iran isn't over and the anti-war movement must continue to organise against it, writes Shabbir Lakha

European governments are frightened by Trump’s behaviour but even more frightened of upsetting relations with the US, argues Lindsey German

Protesters took the streets to say no to Trump's drive to war with Iran, reports Shabbir Lakha

We’re living in an unprecedented moment - the fortunes of popular protest will depend on the collective leadership of the movements, writes Feyzi Ismail

The leadership contest is likely to be a missed opportunity for making Labour a serious anti-war party, argues Alex Snowdon

The anti-war movement and Jeremy Corbyn were always the biggest threat to Blairism, that's why he's so adamant to try to show he's still standing, argues Jonathon Shafi

Strategy is important for the left now and it must go beyond who leads Labour next, argues Vladimir Unkovski-Korica

Ahead of the Nato Summit in London on 3 December, Sweta Choudhury busts the myths that portray Nato as a force for peace

Corbyn's position on Britain's military adventures has been right on every occasion, argues Chris Nineham

Poppies must not distract us from the Tories' contempt for the working class, writes Mona Kamal

Trump's meddling can be beaten with protest, writes Lindsey German

Official Secrets shows the extent of the lies in the drive to war with Iraq and leaves the viewer asking how on earth Blair got away with it, writes Shabbir Lakha

US and British imperialism will never be an ally for the liberation of people anywhere, writes Shabbir Lakha as Erdogan begins bombing northern Syria

9/11 was both terrible in itself and the catalyst for the destruction and horror to come, argues Chris Nineham

The world's worst arms dealers will be gathering to exhibit their instruments of death at London's ExCel Centre once again, writes Lucy Nichols

"If you try to have a war with Iran... you will create a mass movement against war in this country of the sort that you haven’t seen in more than a decade"

Murad Qureshi is standing to be a Labour candidate for the London Assembly. He sent Counterfire his campaign statement and we are happy to share his reasons for standing.

A statement from Stop the War raises the alarm on the escalating threat of war with Iran over the seizures of tankers

No new Tory Prime Minister, protest the Tory party conference, revolt in Sudan, does modern monetary theory work, stop the drive to war with Iran, the British state and what Engels said about revolution in this month's Counterfire freesheet

The British Navy's seizing of an Iranian oil tanker shows Britain following Trump, trading in diplomacy for the threat of military confrontation, argues Lindsey German

If there is war, Britain will be part of it, writes Chris Nineham

The US empire is on the march again and the anti-war movement must respond in kind and without delay, demands Chris Nineham

Despite platitudes from both sides of the Atlantic, we cannot ignore the very real risk of another disastrous conflict in the Middle East, writes Chris Nineham

Trump, John Bolton and Mike Pompeo have created a situation with Iran that is risking a new war in the Middle East, argues Chris Nineham

Thousands of protesters marched through London on Saturday showing that solidarity with Palestine in Britain hasn't gone anywhere, reports Shabbir Lakha

The Stop the War Coalition supported Lowkey's recent tour around the country, this is a video of National Officer Shabbir Lakha speaking at the London concert

The Royal Navy's bizarre #nukes4jesus thanksgiving service was met with the disgust it deserves, reports Richard Pratt

Soldiers shooting at a picture of Corbyn reveals the effect of the rhetoric portraying Corbyn as a security threat and terrorist sympathiser, writes Chris Nineham