The Red Review | Issue #34 (July 2026)

A Socialist Action Journal

No War on Cuba!

By Barry Weisleder

The Canadian Network on Cuba held its 12th biennial convention in Toronto, June 5-7. Some forty delegates, representing over 20 organizations, gathered at the downtown Steelworkers’ Hall to hear reports from officials of revolutionary Cuba and to adopt an Action Plan. The aim of the CNC, in concert with solidarity movements across North America and around the world, is nothing less than to prevent a U.S. invasion of the Caribbean island nation -- which leading activists warn could occur at any moment. The gravity of the situation prompted the CNC convention to unanimously call for monthly mass demonstrations, and emergency actions as may be necessary, united by the demand “No War on Cuba!” A week of education and solidarity actions occurred from June 28-July 4.

A Marxist Analysis of War Against Iran

By Gary Porter

The ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran—whether conducted through overt air strikes, covert assassinations, cyber warfare, or economic strangulation—is not a response to Iran’s nuclear program, not a defense of Israeli security, and not a mission to liberate the Iranian people. It is, rather, the latest expression of imperialism, a violent attempt to restructure the Middle East in the interests of global capital, to secure strategic energy corridors, and to arrest the decline of US hegemony in a world increasingly defined by inter-imperialist rivalry.

Stop the AI Data Centers! Bring AI & Big Tech Into Public Control, Make Billionaires Pay!

By Kshama Sawant

Data centers have existed since the World Wide Web took off in the mid-1990s. But in the last five years, what are mainly being built are absolutely massive “hyperscale” data centers for AI, used for AI training and inference at unprecedented scale. There are nearly 4,500 data centers in the United States, accounting for about 45 percent of all facilities globally. Standard data centers may have a few thousand servers. These new hyperscale facilities exceed 5,000 servers and can go up to hundreds of thousands of servers and can occupy millions of square feet. One hyperscale data-center campus can demand anywhere from 200 to more than 500 megawatts of electricity—as much as hundreds of thousands of American homes. There are approximately 600 to 650 operational hyperscale data centers in the United States, 54 percent of the total worldwide number.

Open the Books! Stop Stonewalling! Support OPSEU!

By Julius Arscott and Barry Weisleder

Socialist Action members in Toronto have been walking with Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO Local 540) picketers at Sistering, a community center. The strikers are among 4,000 social workers engaged in an unprecedented sectoral strike at 24 sites, across many agencies and employers in community, health and social services throughout Ontario -- for six weeks so far. The strikers demand funding to ensure the continuation of the care and support they provide to many of the most vulnerable people in the community, along with a pay increase denied to the workers due to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s unconstitutional Bill 124 over the past two years. Wait lists are growing and people are falling through the cracks. Many of the workers involved in the strike provide essential services to people with disabilities, children and youth in crisis, people experiencing homelessness, women fleeing violence, and individuals with mental health and addiction challenges.

Is Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic or Endemic?

By Rubina Chowdhury

Globally, 1 out of 3 women experiences Intimate Partner Violence. Why do major political parties in Canada oppose declaring an IPV epidemic? Because their leaders do not want to increase funds for systematic change. Canada claims to be a progressive social welfare country, but a major issue is being avoided. The World Health Organization identifies IPV as “a major global public health concern, as it affects millions of people and can result in immediate and long-lasting health, social and economic consequences. IPV impacts people of all genders, ages and socioeconomic statuses. It affects people of all racial, educational, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. However, women experience this form of gender-based violence at much higher rates, most often perpetrated by men. IPV can occur in both public and private spaces, as well as online. When children are exposed to IPV, it is considered a form of child maltreatment.”

Crisis of Capitalism – Crisis of Labour Leadership Summary of the 2026 Socialist Action / Ligue pour Action Socialist Annual Convention

By John Wilson

Socialist Action held its annual convention June 20 in-person in Toronto and on-line. The convention is supreme in SA, reflecting its democratic centralist frame-work. Officers and central bodies were elected and we received fraternal greetings from Jeff Mackler of Socialist Action USA and Kshama Sawant of Workers Strike Back USA. We had local area reports and the Treasurer’s Report. Barry Weisleder, outgoing Federal Secretary, presented the Political Resolution (PR) around which there was the predominant discussion of the meeting. The PR analyzes the national and international situations and proposes tasks and perspectives for the coming year. The world situation is alarming, which is demonstrated by the following quote on the environment: “The deterioration of our planet is approaching a catastrophic crisis, due to an economic system that puts private profit above all else.