Over a hundred are dead and scores more seriously injured after a bomb attack on a peace rally in the Turkish capital, Ankara. We offer our condolences to the family, friends and comrades of those killed, and we stand in solidarity with all those demanding justice.

The rally, called by trade unions, was unarmed and peaceful. It sought to end the Turkish state’s war against the Kurdish people, which resumed in July when Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government ended the peace process.

The rally was joined by many from the Kurdish and Alevi communities, along with left organisations, including DSiP, an affiliate of the International Socialist Tendency, one of whose members was wounded in the attack.

Not only did Turkish police fail to provide security for the rally, once they arrived at the scene of the blast they attacked and gassed those trying to help the wounded.

It can be no coincidence ...

21 September 2015
A research paper by Christine Buchholz (Die Linke member of parliament) and Frank Renken
Translated by Ben Windsor

In recent days three related questions have been sharply posed. Die Linke must find answers to them:

i) The principal cause of the mass exodus of refugees to Europe is the war in Syria and Iraq. How can the wars in the Near and Middle East be stopped?

ii) The aerial bombardment by the US-led forces in Iraq and Syria have lasted one year but there is no end in sight. What is our position in regards to the “war on terror” of the great powers against Islamic State?

iii) The German government is part of the US-led forces. It wants to extend its military engagement in Iraq while simultaneously engaging in diplomatic initiatives. What role is Germany playing in the wars in the Near and Middle East?

1) Bombing won’t stop the ...