Alan Woods examines the recent opening presidential debate in the USA, where Trump (the billionaire) and Clinton (backed by the billionaires) fought it out. Whether Trump or Clinton win eventually will not make any fundamental difference to the lives of ordinary Americans – both represent the interests of big business.

The US bombing Syrian soldiers and the Assad regime bombing an aid convoy indicate that, just one week after the agreed cessation of hostilities in Syria, the uneasy ceasefire has broken down. The ceasefire breakdown, meanwhile, reflects the ever-increasing tensions between the various imperialist powers and local players in the region.

A new major ceasefire has been agreed in Syria. But what does it mean for Syria and the Middle East? Hamid Alizadeh discusses the changing balance of power in world relations, which is reflected in this latest deal between the US, Russia, and their proxies