Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Fred Weston
The Transitional Programme: the method of Marxism in a time of crisis
Leon Trotsky's Transitional Programme is a masterpiece of Marxism, the lessons of which have never been more relevant. Written in a turbulent time of capitalist crisis like our own, Trotsky demonstrates the tactics and method of Marxism in connecting with the living class struggle.
Italy: Meloni becomes lame duck premier after referendum defeat
Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, suffered a humiliating defeat in the referendum she had promoted on a constitutional reform held on 22-23 March. The referendum turned into a vote of no confidence in her government, with around 54 percent voting ‘No’ and 46 percent voting ‘Yes’. This has enormously weakened her standing in Italian politics.
Thirty years since the Iranian Revolution
This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution. The media has been highlighting it as an "Islamic revolution", when in actual fact what we witnessed thirty years ago was a genuine workers' revolution that was hijacked by the reactionary Ayatollahs because of the lack of a genuine revolutionary leadership. Thirty years later we must learn the lessons of those tumultuous events and prepare for the next revolutionary upsurge.
The fall of woman: property, oppression and the family
To mark International Working Women’s Day on 8 March, we republish Fred Weston’s Marxist analysis of the origins of women’s oppression, and its roots in the birth of class society. This article was originally published in issue 41 of In Defence of Marxism Magazine – the quarterly theoretical magazine of the Revolutionary Communist International.
Sobre camaleones y reformistas
En la definición de camaleón del diccionario Merriam-Webster, encontramos, entre otras características, su «inusual capacidad para cambiar el color de la piel». También encontramos sinónimos de camaleón, como «oportunista» y «veleta»: «una persona o cosa que cambia fácilmente o con frecuencia», y «una persona que cambia a menudo sus creencias o su comportamiento para complacer a los demás o para tener éxito». Ahora bien, usted se preguntará: ¿qué tiene esto que ver con los reformistas?
On chameleons and reformists
In the definition of chameleon in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, we find, among several characteristics, its “unusual ability to change the colour of the skin”. We also find synonyms for chameleon, such as “opportunist” and “weathercock” – “a person or thing that changes readily or often”, and “a person who often changes their beliefs or behaviour in order to please others or to succeed.” Now, you may ask, what does this have to do with reformists?
Italia: un volcán en las primeras etapas de una erupción
Los expertos vulcanólogos que comentan sobre el Monte Vesubio en Italia han señalado que no se trata de si entrará en erupción, sino de cuándo. Antes de una erupción en toda regla, hay señales reveladoras: el magma comienza a acumularse bajo la superficie, aumentan los temblores y se producen cambios en las emisiones de gas o la actividad del vapor. Antes de una erupción importante pueden producirse pequeños flujos de lava.
Italy: a volcano in the early stages of an eruption
Expert vulcanologists commenting on Italy's Mount Vesuvius have pointed out that it isn't a question of if it will erupt but when. Before an actual full-blown eruption there are the telltale signs: the magma begins to build up beneath the surface, there are increased tremors, and changes in gas emissions or steam activity. Minor lava flows can take place before a major eruption. This description could be applied to the class struggle in Italy over the past decades.
Italy: two million on the streets of 100 cities in support of Palestine
Friday, 3 October 2025, will be remembered as a major turning point in the class struggle in Italy. It is the day Italy saw millions participate in a general strike in support of the Palestinian people. The strike was called jointly by the USB union and the CGIL, the biggest trade union confederation in Italy, with its five million members. Two million people marched for Palestine on the streets of well over 100 cities across Italy.
Italia: dos millones de personas salen a las calles de 100 ciudades en apoyo a Palestina
El viernes 3 de octubre de 2025 será recordado como un punto de inflexión importante en la lucha de clases en Italia. Es el día en que Italia vio a millones de personas participar en una huelga general en apoyo al pueblo palestino. La huelga fue convocada conjuntamente por el sindicato USB y la CGIL, la mayor confederación sindical de Italia, con sus cinco millones de afiliados. Dos millones de personas se manifestaron por Palestina en las calles de más de 100 ciudades de toda Italia.
Trump claims America is now in a “golden age” - but is it?
“I have been right about everything.” Thus spoke Donald Trump very modestly about himself as he addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations on Tuesday 23 September. He also listed what he claims are his achievements. But is there any substance to these claims? Or was it showmanship to cover up for the fact that he has actually achieved very little of what he promised to the American people, the workers in particular? Not everything he said was lies and distortions.
Por qué el nuevo Papa adoptó el nombre de León
En su discurso ante el Conseil d’Etat (Consejo de Estado) el 4 de marzo de 1806, Napoleón dijo la famosa frase: «No veo en [la religión] el misterio de la encarnación, sino el misterio del orden social, la asociación de la religión con el paraíso, una idea de igualdad que impide que los ricos sean masacrados por los pobres...». Más de dos siglos después, ayudar a mantener el orden social sigue siendo la función fundamental de la Iglesia.
Why the new Pope adopted the name Leo
Speaking to the Conseil d’Etat – the State Council – on 4 March 1806, Napoleon famously said: “I do not see in [religion] the mystery of the incarnation, but the mystery of social order, the association of religion with paradise, an idea of equality which keeps the rich from being massacred by the poor….” More than two centuries later, helping to maintain social order remains the fundamental role of the Church.
How the Communist International was built
The First World War brought about the collapse of the Second International at its beginning, and a wave of revolutions towards its end. It was in this context that Lenin successfully built the Third (Communist) International, with powerful sections in many countries, aiming to provide the necessary leadership for the victory of the world revolution.
The essence of revolutionary communism: new introduction to the 'Classics of Marxism'
Wellred Books’ bestselling title The Classics of Marxism: Volume One is available in a brand new edition. Here we publish the introduction by Fred Weston – leading member of the Revolutionary Communist International. Fred highlights how, far from being relics of the past, the writings inside by Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky are the most modern texts you can come across if you want to understand the nature of the capitalist system and how it can be overthrown.
¿Hacia dónde va China?
Durante la última década, China se ha convertido en el principal competidor del capitalismo occidental en el mercado mundial. El imperialismo chino ha extendido su influencia a muchas regiones anteriormente dominadas por Estados Unidos, lo que ha preparado el escenario para una rivalidad cada vez más intensa.
New Chinese translation of ‘China: From Permanent Revolution to Counter-Revolution’ available now!
The following is the new preface to the new Chinese translation of China: From Permanent Revolution to Counter-Revolution released by Wellred Books in 2016. The entirety of the Chinese edition is available for free on marxist.com, which you can access here. [Get your copy of the original English version of China: From Permanent Revolution to Counter-Revolution here] The present work was first published in February 2016.
What the Assad regime was and what it has become
After four years of relative stasis, the Syrian civil war was reignited this week by a sudden rebel offensive on Aleppo. In order to answer the questions this raises from a Marxist perspective, we are republishing this article from 2013 which explains the nature of the Assad regime, and the necessary attitude of Communists towards it. Since the article was written, the conditions of the masses have only worsened. The basis of the regime has been even further undermined.
Lebanon: one step closer to Middle East war
Airstrikes hit more than 1,600 targets inside Lebanon on Monday 23 September, the first day of Israel’s bombing campaign. Around 500 people were killed and over 1,600 were injured, while tens of thousands more fled the southern areas of the country. Israel’s undeclared war against Hezbollah has begun. A prolonged and massive bombardment of southern Lebanon is now taking place in preparation for a subsequent land invasion.
Deslizándose hacia la guerra: ¿se ha vuelto loca la clase dirigente?
Oriente Medio se desliza, inexorablemente al parecer, hacia una guerra regional. ¿A los intereses de quién beneficiaría una guerra así? En un debate que tuvimos en el Secretariado Internacional de la Internacional Comunista Revolucionaria, nos hicimos esta pregunta. Considerada «racionalmente» habría que concluir que sería un desastre para el capitalismo. El imperialismo estadounidense no saldría ileso.
The slide to war: have the ruling class gone mad?
The Middle East is sliding, inexorably it seems, towards regional war. Whose interests would such a war benefit? In a discussion we had in the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International, we asked ourselves this question. Considered ‘rationally’ one would have to conclude that it would be a disaster for capitalism. US imperialism is not the least among those that stand to lose out.
Gaza: un año de infierno en la tierra
Un año después del ataque del 7 de octubre de Hamás contra el sur de Israel, la guerra subsiguiente ha provocado un desastre humanitario sin comparación para los palestinos que viven en la Franja de Gaza. Ahora Líbano se enfrenta a un escenario similar. Netanyahu advirtió a Hezbolá de que Israel podría «convertir Beirut y el sur de Líbano... en Gaza». ¿Qué significa convertir el sur de Líbano en una Gaza?
Gaza: one year of hell on Earth
One year since the 7 October attack by Hamas on southern Israel, the ensuing war has produced an unprecedented humanitarian disaster for the Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. Now Lebanon is facing a similar scenario. Netanyahu warned Hezbollah that Israel could “turn Beirut and southern Lebanon… into Gaza”. What does it mean to turn southern Lebanon into a Gaza?
Gaza: one year of hell on Earth
One year since the 7 October attack by Hamas on southern Israel, the ensuing war has produced an unprecedented humanitarian disaster for the Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. Now Lebanon is facing a similar scenario. Netanyahu warned Hezbollah that Israel could “turn Beirut and southern Lebanon... into Gaza”. What does it mean to turn southern Lebanon into a Gaza?
The killing of Nasrallah: Netanyahu is provoking Iran to enter war
Last Friday, after massive airstrikes on the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, the Israeli military succeeded in assassinating the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, together with other top commanders of the organisation. It seems that the head of Hezbollah’s southern front, Ali Karaki, was also killed in the attack.
El asesinato de Nasrallah: Netanyahu está provocando a Irán entrar en guerra
Tras masivos ataques aéreos contra el distrito Dahiyeh de Beirut, el ejército israelí consiguió asesinar al líder de Hezbolá, Hassan Nasrallah, junto con otros altos mandos de la organización. Al parecer, el jefe del frente sur de Hezbolá, Ali Karaki, también murió en el ataque. Netanyahu ordenó el ataque personalmente y es evidente que está provocando tanto a Hezbolá como a su principal patrocinador, Irán, para que entren en guerra total con Israel. Este peligro está ahora más cerca que nunca.
The killing of Nasrallah: Netanyahu is provoking Iran to enter war
After massive air strikes on the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, the Israeli military succeeded in assassinating the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, together with other top commanders of the organisation. It seems that the head of Hezbollah’s southern front, Ali Karaki, was also killed in the attack. Netanyahu ordered the strike personally and he is clearly provoking both Hezbollah, and its main backer Iran, to enter into all-out war with Israel. This danger is now closer than ever.
Lebanon: one step closer to Middle East war
Details Airstrikes hit more than 1,600 targets inside Lebanon on Monday 23 September, the first day of Israel’s bombing campaign. Around 500 people were killed and over 1,600 were injured, while tens of thousands more fled the southern areas of the country. Israel’s undeclared war against Hezbollah has begun. A prolonged and massive bombardment of southern Lebanon is now taking place in preparation for a subsequent land invasion.
Líbano: un paso más hacia la guerra en Oriente Próximo
El lunes 23 de septiembre, primer día de la campaña de bombardeos de Israel, los ataques aéreos alcanzaron más de 1.600 objetivos en el interior de Líbano, matando . alrededor de 500 personas e hiriendo a más de 1.600, mientras que decenas de miles más huyeron de las zonas del sur del país. La guerra no declarada de Israel contra Hezbolá ha comenzado. Estamos presenciando un bombardeo prolongado y masivo del sur de Líbano como preparación para una posterior invasión terrestre.
Stalin’s responsibility in the creation of Israel and its disastrous consequences
The Palestinian people were forcibly expelled from their homeland by Zionist armed militias in 1948, in an event which remains in their collective historical memory as the Nakba, or the Catastrophe. The Zionist project had always envisaged such a development, and all genuine revolutionary Communists had consistently been opposed to the Zionist ideology.
La responsabilidad de Stalin en la creación de Israel y sus desastrosas consecuencias
Details El pueblo palestino fue expulsado de su patria a la fuerza por las milicias armadas sionistas en 1948, en un acontecimiento que permanece en su memoria histórica colectiva como la Nakba, la Catástrofe. El proyecto sionista siempre había previsto tal desarrollo, y todos los auténticos comunistas revolucionarios se habían opuesto sistemáticamente a la ideología sionista.
Stalin’s responsibility in the creation of Israel and its disastrous consequences
The Palestinian people were forcibly expelled from their homeland by Zionist armed militias in 1948, in an event which remains in their collective historical memory as the Nakba, or the Catastrophe. The Zionist project had always envisaged such a development, and all genuine revolutionary Communists had consistently been opposed to the Zionist ideology.
Starmer and Sunak: Both enemies of the Palestinian people
The death toll in Gaza is approaching 40,000, including more than 15,000 children killed. A further 10,000 are missing, buried in the rubble and unaccounted for. This brings the total number of Gazans killed close to 50,000. On top of this, over 85,000 have been injured. While this butchery continues unabated, on the West Bank a further 549 Palestinians have been killed – 135 of which have been children – and over 5,000 have been injured.
Why half of Romanians hark back to Communism: what I would have said next on GBNews
Details Many readers of this website may have seen my appearance on GBNews debating with a Romanian pianist about communism. The debate was unfortunately cut short and I did not manage to develop my point about why so many people in Romania today actually have a positive view of the old regime that collapsed back in 1989. I started by pointing this fact out, but was not able to elaborate further. Here I want to put in writing what I would have liked to have expanded on.
1976: Italian Communists back austerity for workers
I wrote this article in early 1977, (it was published in the Militant, issue 349, 1 April 1977) when the leaders of the PCI, the Italian Communist Party, were supporting a minority Christian Democrat government, which was carrying out austerity measures. In October 1976, that government announced its programme, immediately unleashing a wave of spontaneous strikes across Italy.
What is the International Marxist Tendency?
All across the world capitalism is in crisis. Climate change, imperialist war and the crushing poverty of the vast majority are exposing millions to the horror of the system and driving them towards revolutionary conclusions. But to bind these class fighters together and channel their anger into the fight for communism, a world party is needed, one that can create, school and orientate a leadership ready to successfully carry through the world socialist revolution. That is what we are building.
Biden sheds crocodile tears while supporting genocide
The term “to shed crocodile tears” derives from the fact that crocodiles have been noted to shed tears as they consume their victims. According to the Collins Dictionary, the meaning of the saying is “to pretend to be sad or to sympathise with someone without really caring about them”. Crocodiles do indeed produce tears, but they serve to keep the eyes clean and lubricated and are in no way connected to emotions.
Biden derrama lágrimas de cocodrilo mientras apoya el genocidio
El término "derramar lágrimas de cocodrilo" deriva del hecho de que se ha observado que los cocodrilos derraman lágrimas mientras consumen a sus víctimas. Según el Diccionario Collins, el significado del dicho es "fingir tristeza o simpatizar con alguien sin preocuparse realmente por él". En efecto, los cocodrilos producen lágrimas, pero sirven para mantener los ojos limpios y lubricados y no están relacionadas en modo alguno con sus emociones.
Biden sheds crocodile tears while supporting genocide
The term “to shed crocodile tears” derives from the fact that crocodiles have been noted to shed tears as they consume their victims. According to the Collins Dictionary, the meaning of the saying is “to pretend to be sad or to sympathise with someone without really caring about them.” Crocodiles do indeed produce tears, but they serve to keep the eyes clean and lubricated and are in no way connected to emotions.
Por que Israel retardou o seu ataque a Rafah?
O prazo de 10 de Março para o ataque a Rafah já passou e o ataque ainda não aconteceu. Será que Netanyahu está tendo dúvidas? A resposta para isso é claramente não. O governo israelense está manobrando sob pressão externa, em particular da administração dos EUA, ao mesmo tempo em que se encontra internamente dividido. A pressão dos EUA se deve a preocupações humanitárias por parte de Biden? A resposta, novamente, é não.
Why Israel has delayed its attack on Rafah
The 10 March deadline for the attack on Rafah has come and gone, and there is no attack yet. Could it be that Netanyahu is having second thoughts? The answer to that is clearly, no. The Israeli government is manoeuvring under pressure from outside, in particular from the US administration, while at the same time being internally divided. Is the US pressure due to humanitarian concerns on the part of Biden? The answer, again, is no.
Por qué Israel ha atrasado el ataque en Rafah
Details La fecha límite del 10 de marzo para el ataque a Rafah ha pasado y aún no ha ocurrido nada. ¿Será que Netanyahu está dudando? La respuesta es claramente no. El gobierno israelí está maniobrando bajo la presión del exterior, en particular de la administración estadounidense, mientras que al mismo tiempo está dividido internamente. ¿Se debe la presión estadounidense a preocupaciones humanitarias por parte de Biden? La respuesta, una vez más, es no.
Why Israel has delayed its attack on Rafah
The 10 March deadline for the attack on Rafah has come and gone, and there is no attack yet. Could it be that Netanyahu is having second thoughts? The answer to that is clearly, no. The Israeli government is manoeuvring under pressure from outside, in particular from the US administration, while at the same time being internally divided. Is the US pressure due to humanitarian concerns on the part of Biden? The answer, again, is no.
O estrangulamento econômico do povo Palestino
Embora todos os principais líderes das potências imperialistas, de Biden a Scholz e Macron, entre muitos outros, tenham derramado lágrimas de crocodilo sobre o “excessivo número de mortes civis” em Gaza, na prática, todos eles estão colaborando com o governo israelense. Não só com ajuda militar, mas também por meio do estrangulamento econômico e social do povo palestino. Todos eles ajudaram a criar as condições materiais sob as quais a autoadministração palestina é inviável.
The economic strangulation of the Palestinian people
While all the main leaders of the imperialist powers – from Biden to Scholz, Macron, and many others – have been shedding crocodile tears about the “excessive civilian death toll” in Gaza, in practice they have all been collaborating with the Israeli government. Not only with military aid but also in strangling the Palestinian people economically and socially. They have helped create the material conditions upon which no feasible Palestinian self-administration is possible.
El estrangulamiento económico del pueblo palestino
Mientras los principales líderes de las potencias imperialistas, desde Biden hasta Scholz, Macron y muchos otros, han derramado lágrimas de cocodrilo sobre el "excesivo número de civiles muertos" en Gaza, en la práctica todos ellos han estado colaborando con el gobierno israelí. No sólo con ayuda militar, sino también estrangulando económica y socialmente al pueblo palestino, contribuyendo a crear las condiciones materiales sobre las que no es posible una administración propia palestina viable.
The economic strangulation of the Palestinian people
While all the main leaders of the imperialist powers, from Biden to Scholz, Macron and many others, have been shedding crocodile tears about the “excessive civilian death toll” in Gaza, in practice they have all been collaborating with the Israeli government. Not only with military aid but also in strangling the Palestinian people economically and socially. They have helped create the material conditions upon which no feasible Palestinian self-administration is possible.
A ofensiva contra Rafah: a faísca que poderia incendiar o Oriente Médio
Netanyahu está levando sua guerra a um outro nível. Ele está em uma posição na qual sabe que não pode recuar se quiser permanecer no cargo. E, no entanto, as suas ações ameaçam desestabilizar todo o Oriente Médio, com o risco real de generalizar a guerra. A revolução também está espreitando todos os regimes da região à medida que a raiva das massas é levada a níveis cada vez maiores. O próximo ato trágico, o bombardeamento massivo e a invasão terrestre de Rafah, poderá revelar-se o ponto de virada.
Der Angriff auf Rafah: der Funke, der den Nahen Osten in Brand setzen könnte
Der Angriff auf Rafah: der Funke, der den Nahen Osten in Brand setzen könnte Details 19. Februar 2024 Fred Weston Netanjahu hebt seinen Krieg auf eine neue Ebene. Er ist auf einem Weg, auf dem er bleiben muss, wenn er im Amt bleiben will. Und doch droht sein Handeln den gesamten Nahen Osten zu destabilisieren. Die Gefahr eines allgemeinen Krieges wird immer realer. Alle Regimes in der Region sind von Revolutionen bedroht, da die Wut der Massen immer weiter ansteigt.
Rafah onslaught: The spark that could set the Middle East alight
Netanyahu is taking his war to another level. He is on a path he knows he cannot retreat from if he is to remain in office. And yet his actions threaten to destabilise the whole of the Middle East, with the risk of a generalised war becoming ever more real. Revolution is also stalking all the regimes in the region, as the anger of the masses is pushed to ever greater heights. The next tragic act, the massive bombing and land invasion of Rafah, could prove to be the tipping point.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Fred
Contact Fred, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack