Commentary: We Need a Ceasefire in Ukraine

| Dennis Torigoe |

This is a full page ad in the print edition of the New York Times published in May, 2023.  It was signed by former members of the State Department and the military, as well as leading critics of the war like Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University.  It came to my attention from an email sent out by Stop the War Machine, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico (http://www.stopthewarmachine.org/).

In summary, the Russia-Ukraine War is a humanitarian crisis that has caused immense death and destruction.

There are many factors that contributed to the war, including Russia’s security concerns, NATO expansion, and Ukraine’s desire to join the West. However, it is clear that NATO expansion played a significant role in the conflict.

NATO expansion has been a source of tension between Russia and the West for many years. Russia sees NATO expansion as a threat to its security, and has repeatedly warned against it. NATO expansion has also been seen by some as a betrayal of the promises made to Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The war in Ukraine is a reminder of the dangers of NATO expansion. It is also a reminder that diplomacy is the only way to resolve security disputes. The United States and its allies must work with Russia to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine. Otherwise, the war could escalate into a nuclear world war  and have devastating consequences for all involved.

New York Times ad for Ceasefire in UkraineDownload

Watch: Forum on the Democratic Socialists of America

Last month, Voices for New Democracy hosted its latest monthly political forum discussing the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the work of its New York chapters.

The conversation, facilitated by NYC-DSA member Harrison Carpenter-Neuhaus in conversation with fellow member Danny Valdes, began with a presentation on the overall structure of the DSA and how chapters are organizing for a socialist future before shifting to dialogue about the successes and challenges that a new generation of socialist organizers in the DSA are experiencing. The conversation covered how NYC-DSA is navigating the challenges of wielding state power while preserving principles, the limits and possibilities of legislative and electoral campaign organizing, NYC-DSA’s efforts to support the labor movement, an analysis of the international situation, and the challenges of internal democracy in the country’s largest existing socialist organization.

Harrison and Danny encourage further discussion and dialogue via comments and questions on this post. Watch the full forum below.

September 11 Monthly Political Forum: The Future of American Socialism

Is the present situation in the US a revolutionary situation?

Did Post-Industrialism change the balance of class power in the US?

Is US financial capital on the political ropes?

Will we be living under socialism with American characteristics by the end of this decade?

Yes to all, says Steve Clark, who elaborated and defended his thesis in a recent e-booklet: American Socialism Lacks Vision and Plan: Post-Marxist Social Science Can Help

Join us on Sunday, September 11 at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET for our next monthly political forum to discuss these questions and more. Steve Clark will briefly reprise his essay, followed by an open discussion and debate. Click here to join the conversation.