World imperialism has kicked off 2026 with a bang, from a mass protest wave shaking Iran to Trump's attacks on Venezuela - it's more urgent than ever to analyse the world we live in and our place in it. Whether you're new to politics or a seasoned leftist, all welcome for a Victorian Socialists reading group where we'll read and talk through this key question of our time. Readings below:

Longer articles for the bigger-picture:

Trump's Imperial Disorder by Tomáš Tengely-Evans in International Socialism Journal

https://isj.org.uk/new-imperial-disorder/ (30 mins)

A New International Political Situation by Jordan Humphreys in Red Flag

https://redflag.org.au/article/a-new-international-political-situation (15 mins)

Iran - coverage by VS Merri-Bek's very own Bella Beiraghi, a statement by the Iranian Revolutionary Marxist Tendency and. And, some history:

Iran on fire: rebellion returns to the streets - Bella Beiraghi (13 mins)

https://redflag.org.au/article/iran-on-fire-rebellion-returns-to-the-streets

Iran's Uprising Under Fire - IRMT (5 mins)

https://redflag.org.au/article/irans-uprising-under-fire

In solidarity with the popular uprising in Iran - IRMT (3 mins)

https://redflag.org.au/article/in-solidarity-with-the-popular-uprising-in-iran

How Iran became Western enemy number one - Chloe Rafferty (6 mins)

https://redflag.org.au/article/how-iran-became-western-enemy-number-one

Venezuela:

The long and bloody legacy of the US in Latin America by Tom Sullivan (13 mins)

https://redflag.org.au/article/the-long-and-bloody-legacy-of-the-us-in-latin-america

Imperialist sanctions, crony capitalism and Venezuela’s Long Depression: An interview with Malfred Gerig

By Malfred Gerig & Federico Fuentes (30 mins)

https://links.org.au/imperialist-sanctions-crony-capitalism-and-venezuelas-long-depression-interview-malfred-gerig?fbclid=IwY2xjawPUKS5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeiwXK1_cd7pwQ0Rv2FkEDJGPaBKp_XBSStcl6SNgYyvC1eiwyegRe7WMcoos_aem_yMwrRcS--yNNgq1nOpeNyA

On the debates over ‘campism’:

Socialist Party statement: https://victoriansocialists.org.au/news/venezuela-statement

Red Spark response: https://red-spark.org/2026/01/08/the-socialist-party-should-withdraw-its-attack-on-the-venezuelan-leadership-an-open-letter-to-members-of-the-socialist-party-australian-socialists/

Communists must support uprisings everywhere: https://redflag.org.au/node/7351