On June 5, a federal appeals court upheld the convictions of the “Cuban Five”: René González, Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labaniño, Fernando González and Antonio Guerrero. The Five heroically risked their lives to defend the Cuban Revolution against terror attacks launched from the U.S. Prosecutors presented evidence that the five had infiltrated counterrevolutionary terror groups in Miami. The government outrageously charged the defendants with “conspiracy” to commit espionage and murder, since there is not a shred of evidence that they commited any crime whatsoever.

As the Iraq War runs its bloody course, Iran has become a central focus in the 2008 presidential campaign. While not satisfied with Barack Obama's conditional plan for a much delayed disengagement from Iraq; Socialist Party Vice Presidential nominee Stewart A. Alexander says that he and his Presidential running mate Brian Moore are "greatly concerned" that comments being made by Republican presidential contender John McCain, regarding Iran "are reckless and irresponsible and will further escalate tensions in the Middle East and the international community."

On May 1, all 29 ports on the U.S. West Coast are to be shut down by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in protest against the U.S. war on Afghanistan and Iraq. This is a historic event of international significance: labor action against imperialist war by a major American union. The strategically placed port workers in the ILWU can bring commerce with Asia to a grinding halt, and they’re about to demonstrate it. The maritime employers are already screaming, and you can bet it’s got the attention of the warmongers in Washington.

The unfolding events in Tibet are a tragedy. The Chinese government has occupied Tibet for more than fifty years, using every conceivable method to incorporate the occupied territory into an integral part of China. Tibetan cultural and religious sites have been desecrated and Buddhist monks have been forced to sign a pledge of allegiance to China. In its desire to extract the valuable natural resources of Tibet, the Chinese government has ignored essential environmental safeguards.

It is testament to how much Latin America has changed politically over the past several years that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez not only criticizes U.S. military policy in the region but now actively seeks to form a new defense force designed to counteract the colossus of the north. Recently, Chávez invited Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to join him on his weekly TV show, Aló, Presidente!