In Defense of Boycotting Israeli Universities
Not only do Israel’s universities help to develop weapons used against Palestinians, they also legitimize the actions of a nation that has become an international pariah. They deserve to be boycotted.
19112 Articles by: Tanner Howard
Tanner Howard is a freelance journalist and In These Times editorial intern. They’re also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Loblaw’s Great Canadian Grocery Gouge
Loblaw’s shareholders are laughing all the way to the bank while Canadians struggle to put food on the table. A recent consumer boycott of the grocery giant has sparked a national debate on food affordability and corporate profits.
Red Lobster Had to Close So That Rich People Could Get Paid
Red Lobster’s bankruptcy isn’t a story about the recklessness of having endless shrimp on offer — it’s a story of how private equity firms bled a restaurant chain dry, leaving workers and diners adrift.
Proportional Representation Would Be a Boon for Labor
The US electoral system distorts the translation of political preferences into votes, diminishing the influence of working-class voters and labor unions. To build their political power, unions should support proportional representation.
Keir Starmer’s Election Pitch: Change You Can’t Believe In
The British Labour Party will probably cruise to victory in July’s election after more than a decade of social vandalism by the Conservatives. But there is little popular enthusiasm for a party determined to promise as little change as possible.
The US Military Refuses to Own Up to Killing Civilians
Each year, Congress mandates the US military disclose how many civilian deaths it was responsible for globally. In its latest report, the Pentagon refused to acknowledge any — following a long history of failures to own up to documented killings of civilians.
Companies Are Using the First Amendment to Dodge Regulations
Corporations have pioneered a new legal strategy that exploits the First Amendment to fight regulatory measures and consumer protections, taking aim at everything from emissions disclosures to drug price caps to social media reforms.
For a Green Transition, Decommodify Electricity
Despite the plummeting costs of solar and wind power, renewables have not been profitable enough to attract adequate private investment. To decarbonize, public investment in clean power and reclaiming electricity as a public utility are essential.
How US Labor Law Constrains Unions’ Political Activity
A growing number of unions have taken a stand against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Yet US labor law throws up major obstacles to unions using their leverage to press political demands, including the demand for a cease-fire.
Assange Won a Victory, but the Fight Isn’t Over
The imprisoned journalist received a rare legal win when the UK High Court ruled he can appeal his extradition to the US. Yet the fight for Assange’s freedom — and the future of global press freedom — is far from over.
US Reps Want Defense Companies to Rip Off the Government
After receiving millions in campaign donations from the defense industry, members of the House committee overseeing Pentagon spending added provisions to an upcoming bill that would allow contractors more leeway in charging the Defense Department.
CUNY Workers Against Austerity
At the City University of New York, academic workers have been fighting for a new union contract for over a year. They are resisting austerity and further corporatization of the university, pushed by politicians and university administrators alike.
Lessons From the UAW’s Alabama Mercedes Loss
Last week, the United Auto Workers faced a setback in its organizing drive with a union election loss at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama. An autoworker at the factory reflects on why the union lost and what it might do differently next time.
Ireland’s Tax Haven Economy Isn’t Delivering for Its People
The Irish establishment has built one of the world’s most successful tax havens. This economic model has produced spectacular headline figures for GDP growth, but most Irish workers aren’t seeing the benefits in terms of wages and living standards.
Biden Should Stop Attacking the International Criminal Court
The ICC seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders is a major step forward for international law. US officials’ attacks on the ICC are a major step backward for US global standing.
India’s Neoliberal Crisis Is Fueling Hindu Authoritarianism
As India’s leader, Narendra Modi has deepened the neoliberal framework in place since the early 1990s. The social crisis arising from that model drives Modi’s government to rely more and more on a dangerous, authoritarian discourse of social division.
The Grim High-Tech Dystopia on the US-Mexico Border
To police the US-Mexico border, the US government is implementing an array of ever more sophisticated military tech — now including AI-powered robo-dogs. It promises to worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Israel’s War Is Not About Bringing Down Hamas
Israel clearly has little interest in recovering the hostages taken on October 7. The real objectives: protecting West Bank settlements, further eroding the judiciary, rehabilitating the military’s image, and simple revenge.
Attacks on German Campus Protests Fuel Authoritarian Turn
As Israel destroyed Gaza’s universities, German academic leaders condemned students who protested against it. Now, as Israel invades Rafah, they’re stepping up their repressive effort — using police to make sure US-style campus occupations never take root.
Unions Need to Lose More If They Want to Win More
The UAW’s defeat at a Mercedes plant in Alabama was crushing. It’s also the cost of waging risky, potentially transformative fights. If labor wants to win big, it can’t be afraid to lose big.