Questions on the ICL’s position on Syria: reading 13 December 2019

 

“These warring sides have received support from foreign imperialist or regional powers. For example, Russia and Iran have backed Assad, while the Pentagon and CIA have armed and financed various Sunni forces fighting the regime.”―Workers Vanguard No. 1167, 13 December 2019, On the Syrian Civil War

 

The ICL raises the support of imperialist or regional powers to the both sides who took part in the so-called “civil war” as a basis for neutrality.

So,

1) Can “regional powers” be equated with imperialism?

2) Is Russian and Iranian intervention imperialistic?

3) Is “Syrian civil war” a competition or proxy war between imperialist rivals?

Marxists should not only present the phenomena as they are, but also explain the real foundation, or nature. But the ICL does not explain why the conflict, which it describes as a “civil war or communal war”, and why the imperialist U.S. and regional powers Russia and Iran are involved.

4) What is the background of imperialism and local powers’ involvement in this conflict, which is nothing but a “civil war”?

 

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“Though it has intervened in Syria, the U.S. has not decisively entered the civil war with its own armed forces to remove Assad. If Washington were to launch a direct attack or invasion of the country, Marxists would take a military side with Assad’s forces against imperialist assault while maintaining our political opposition to his rule.”―ibid

 

During the past eight years of war, behind the “civil or communal war”, the United States has not only provided financial, military, and mass media support to the anti-Assad rebels, but has also staged various military operations, staying within Syrian territory. Nevertheless, the ICL says, “If Washington was to run a direct attack or an investment of the country. Marxists would take a military side with Assad’s forces against imperialist assault while maintaining our political opposition to his rule.”

So. 5) what does the “direct attack or involvement ” mean to the ICL? How do you define it?

 

Feb 29, 2020

Bolshevik EA