Influential on the left, their theoretical tradition is built on lies and bad history. In Stalin’s Shadow, a new book by Marxist historian and regular Firebrand contributor Doug Enaa Greene, confronts the writers who’ve defended their hero’s counterrevolution. As Greene argues, apologetics for Stalinism inevitably lead to idealist distortions and irrational conspiracy theories.

The US’s most recent imperialist exploit in Iran has been as catastrophic as it has been bloody. Trump’s inability to bully, bluster, and bomb Iran into submission, while suffering humiliating military setbacks, has exposed the empire’s vulnerabilities. This is a contradictory new era of imperialism, in which the US and allies including Israel become more dangerous as they lose their grip on soft power.

The Trump regime’s occupation of Minneapolis with thousands of militarized ICE agents has resulted in horrific scenes of state violence and murder — part of a new mask-off authoritarian approach, as the US empire becomes more aggressive and dangerous both at home and abroad. It has also galvanized a courageous, inspiring, and effective grassroots resistance that shows the way forward for the left.