VIJAY PRASHAD looks at the web of militias and drug-trafficking gangs that emerged in the Sweida region through the Syrian civil war, and how they relate to recent clashes and Israel’s intervention
There’s no reason why we can’t all have proper pensions
Britain is a wealthy nation so the provision of dignity in retirement is not an unaffordable luxury — it should be a basic right for all citizens, says CHRIS WILLIAMSON

THE provision of a decent retirement pension system in Britain has been a bone of contention for many years.
But despite the efforts of high-profile campaigners like former trade union leaders Jack Jones and Rodney Bickerstaffe, the situation has steadily worsened over the last 40 years.
This includes the 13 years that New Labour were in office under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
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