Fred Weston continues his series on the crisis in Greece by looking at the radicalised and polarised political situation that has developed over the past few years. In particular, Fred highlights the shift to the Left and the speed of events, with the rapid rise and fall in support for SYRIZA.

For the first time, Turkey has launched a direct military intervention in Syria, sending tanks and warplanes across the border in a coordinated campaign with Syrian opposition fighters and targeting positions held by ISIS. The failed coup attempt against Erdogan in July has acted to change Turkey’s foreign policy in the region, shifting the geo-political landscape and altering the dynamics between Turkey, the USA, and Russia.

The backlash against the racist and draconian ban of the “burkini” has resulted, today, in France’s highest court declaring the burkini ban to be illegal. Such bans and attacks on democratic rights are an attempt by the ruling class to distract from the current government’s programme of austerity and cut across the rising class struggle in France. Fight racism! Fight all oppression! Fight capitalism!