The Comrade Courant

What Is a Tankie—and Why You Don’t Want to Be One On authoritarianism, anti-imperialism, and the absolute betrayal of socialist principles In leftist discourse, few terms carry as much weight as “tankie.” Fewer still are donned as a badge of honor and hurled as a slur. As someone who has donned the 'Comrade' epithet, in Comrade KAS, it’s one I’m no stranger to. It’s hurled in online arguments, whispered in organizing meetings, and increasingly invoked to describe a certain strain of pro-authoritarian “leftism” that defends dictators under the banner of anti-imperialism. In my opinion, it's never not anti-human, and this human of the world is most certainly not, and will not be—like a tank and many tankies on TikTok—an unwitting weapon of the state. I do not have to empower my nation's enemies to oppress their people, yes, even so-called communist states like China and Russia, to address injustice at home. In fact, it makes it harder to do so, no matte...

Solidarity in the Face of Hate: Manchester Attack a Symptom of a Failing System Why socialist solidarity, not empty rhetoric, is the true answer to antisemitic violence Published: October 3, 2025 | Category: Analysis & Commentary The violent attack on a synagogue in the heart of Manchester this past Friday has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving a nation grappling with a familiar and ugly spectre. As socialists, we condemn this act of antisemitic terror in the strongest possible terms. An attack on a house of worship, on people gathered in peace, is an attack on the very notion of community and solidarity we strive to build. According to reports from the scene, a 42-year-old man armed with a makeshift weapon stormed the synagogue during a service, stabbing a man in his seventies and a police officer who responded with immense bravery. The swift intervention of these officers undoubtedly prevented a greater tragedy. The assail...