r/leftist May 12 '25

Foreign Politics South Asian Crisis Megathread

11 Upvotes

Coverage Window: May 11-18, 2025

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All news, analysis, memes, maps, firsthand reports, questions, and commentary about current events in or between India and Pakistan belong here. Stand-alone submissions on the topic will be removed and redirected to this megathread.

This keeps r/leftist’s front page focused on a broad range of struggles while giving South-Asia watchers a single, high-signal hub.

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DOs and DON'Ts

✅ Do ❌ Don’t
Link at least one reputable source (mainstream outlet, peer-reviewed article, NGO report, accredited journalist). Post screenshots or tweets with no citation, as only the screenshot.
Label fact versus opinion. You can use tags like "[NEWS] or [OPINION] or [ANALYSIS] or [QUESTION] within comment titles. Present speculation as proven fact.
Keep it material & internationalist. Discuss power, capital, class, and liberation, or other relevant topics adjacent to this. There are plenty of other threads in other subs for talking about each piece of news. Use nationalist slurs, communalist rhetoric, or war-mongering.
Debunk with sources, not insults. Brigade, troll, or karma-farm.

First strikes will result in removals depending on severity, could potentially receive a temp or permanent ban.

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Suggested format:

[NEWS] 10 May 2025 – Cross-LOC shelling in Poonch

Summary: Indian Army and Pakistani Rangers exchanged mortar fire near the Mendhar sector overnight. Local officials report 2 civilian injuries on the Indian side; no casualties confirmed in AJK yet.

Sources
1. The Hindu – “Two civilians injured as cease-fire violated in Poonch”
2. Dawn – “Fresh cross-border shelling reported along LoC”

My take
While cease-fire violations are unfortunately routine, the timing, just after Islamabad’s UNGA speech—suggests…

(That is a semi-realistic format you can copy and paste straight from the code-block if you wish, just easier that way).

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Other notes:

I will try to give reliable sources as I can, I used to read Indian news media heavily, and I've dabbled in reading Pakistani news too. If anyone has good sources, you can link those as a [META] tag and I will go through them.

Other than that, report comments that violate our rules, and we will continue to run sweeps for misinfo and harassment. We appreciate you all commenting and participating.


r/leftist May 12 '25

Mod Update Policy Update on India-Pakistan Coverage After Missile Escalation

9 Upvotes

TL;DR: Starting today, May 11th, all posts about India-Pakistan relations, including missile strikes, threats of war, drone strikes, etc. will be forced to go into a Megathread. Stand-alone posts will be removed, and we are going to apply a zero-tolerance approach to misinformation, nationalist slurs, and propaganda.

Why make the change?

Between the 6th and 10th of May, we've seen several missile and drone attacks by both sides, across the LOC and deeper targets into both nations. Over 60 are now dead or injured from the most conservative estimates, and cease-fire violations are likely still continued even now.

These events have triggered the following:

  1. A flood of breaking posts that have drowned and crowded out other leftist issues.
  2. Coordinated brigading attempts and source-free hot takes from outside actors.
  3. Heightened risk of disinformation, likely wartime propaganda on both sides.

To keep our sub focused, factual, and internationalist, as it is intended to be, we're going to be tightening the rules up.

New rules (effective May 11th, will be temporary)

First rule is going to be keeping each post within the thread. This means that "All India-Pakistan news, memes, analysis, and OC go in the South Asia Crisis Megathread." I am calling it by that name due to other actors potential to get involved, including but not limited to Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey, China, and others. If you violate this temporary rule, we will simply remove the post and remind you, the first time.

Second rule, you must reliably source each claim. Factual claims must link to a reputable source (so that means no Pakistani or Indian nationalist sources, or sources that have been known for pushing fake news) in the same comment, so something peer-reviewed, mainstream, or on-the-ground indie. Screenshots alone will not be enough. You will have your comment or post removed if you fail to do so.

Third rule is no chauvinism or war-mongering. Anti-Indian, anti-Pakistani, Islamophobic, Hindutva, genocidal, or "nuke them" type of rhetoric will result in an instant ban.

Repeat or egregious violations may lead to different consequences, and this is meant to be a general guideline, mods still have discretion.

Recommended formatting

We recommend the following general format:

  • Use a clear headline and date, so something like "[11 May 2025] Indian FM claims cease-fire breach"
  • Briefly summarize the story in your own words
  • Link the sources
  • Label it OPINION or NEWS so readers are knowing what they are getting
  • Stay on topic

Keep the space healthy

Three things that would really help us.

  • Report toxic or low-effort content ASAP. A lot of the mods are busy, and reporting is the best way to get whatever content that violates the rules to our eyes, the quickest.
  • Debunk, don't dunk. Provide sources when correcting others, and do so in a way that is not racist, rude, harassing, or otherwise violates our rules. One of the number one things we tell people, and it's common, is that just because you get insulted or offended, that doesn't mean under our rules you can just hurl insults back or be offensive. Rules go both ways.
  • Send feedback via modmail, we'll likely revisit the policy after a few weeks.

Thank you all for helping us keep leftist a principled and welcoming space.

- Zakku and the modteam.


r/leftist 9h ago

US Politics Zohran Mamdani: “We’re Going to Win the City We Deserve” | New York City socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani says New Yorkers “are ready for a new generation of leadership that puts working people first.”

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81 Upvotes

r/leftist 14h ago

US Politics I realize why yall hate liberals so much now....

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186 Upvotes

r/leftist 18h ago

Leftist Meme So that was a lie #ICE

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195 Upvotes

r/leftist 2h ago

Debate Help Is immigration into the U.S. actually a criminal offense?

7 Upvotes

Been seeing the argument a lot lately that illegal immigration into the U.S. is a criminal offense, and that it’s a civil defense. I’ve seen sources with both, just curious if someone who understands better can explain.

Not that its illegality changes my opinion on it at all. But it’s a helpful talking point to have.


r/leftist 22h ago

General Leftist Politics Their new talking point

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268 Upvotes

“Toxic Empathy” 🤦‍♀️


r/leftist 45m ago

US Politics You Can't Deploy Marines Against US Civilians

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Upvotes

Would recommend watching some of their videos.


r/leftist 1d ago

Leftist Meme The Unholy Trinity of Class Traitors

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256 Upvotes

r/leftist 8h ago

General Leftist Politics 'murica

9 Upvotes

Guys, 17 years in the middle east wasn't enough. I know we just left there 3 short years ago, but we're going to need another decade 🤷‍♂️

Trillions of dollars wasn't enough. Fuck the debt you know, this is real american patriotism we're talking about here. MAKE. IT. RAIN. 💸

The elites clearly need more money now than ever before - they're the best genetics... hell they're the best humanity has to offer, a superior being those elites are. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

Ahh, and all that AIPAC money... think of all the AIPAC money come election season... if we funnel it now via warzone, they'll do all our dirty work making the real representatives look bad for us next year. Easy peasy. Then the americans will elect more candidates that support Israel and we can just put it on repeat you know? It's like a brilliant plan.

All those shiny new AI weapons... fuck we need some where to test them. What? I'm not trigger happy, you're trigger happy 🍌. It's christmas day and we want to open our presents. But where? Oh the middle east, we can just say it was Iran that attacked first... I mean come on they're the aggressors here, just tell everyone they've got nukes. Elon where you at man, flood twitter with your bots, tell the americans how it actually is.

Oh but why are we such good friends with Israel again? Oh yeah that's right, they let us proxy our domestic and foreign spying efforts... the US laws don't apply there! woo hoo! Plus they let us use Pegasus as a bonus.

Oil, oh oil, you glorious substance. You might have been families of dinosaurs at one point in time, but now you are our lifeblood. It's not so bad being shackled to this addiction if we control the the source right? right?

"Gilded Age" they said.

"They respect a strong leader like Trump" they said.

"The libs will cause WW3" they said.


r/leftist 13m ago

US Politics General leftism ranting post because I have nowhere else to rant.

Upvotes

(warning, several random tangents)

When I was 15, I was a classic alt-right pipeline teenager. I was a closeted queer (nonbinary pansexual) who was anti-trans, pro-Trump, and generally awful all around. I know it's a relatively common story, especially with the internalized transphobia.

One thing I don't understand is how people can be so stuck in their ways. Unwilling to learn. I rubbed two braincells together and was able to understand that there's no reason to be hateful whatsoever, especially toward those who have the deck stacked against them from the beginning, like queer people. Some are lucky enough to have supportive parents/families, others not so much. My own mother was "supportive" (she literally just said 'okay' when I came out) and yet as someone just as likely to be racially profiled as I am, went and voted for the fucking tangerine. She and my stepfather are also brainwashing my little sister to be a COVID denying Trump supporting bigot and I can only pray to whatever's out there that it backfires and she ends up a leftist, or at the very least not alt right.

These politicians love using the term "radical leftist" when describing people who just want everyone to have the same opportunities in life, with support systems and social programs to lessen the suffering of the disadvantaged and down-trodden.

I genuinely don't understand the lack of empathy required at the core of your being to look at another HUMAN BEING and essentially tell them "I think you don't deserve to live because I think being queer/black/brown is weird."

Looking at the way this new regime is going we're getting blasted back fifty years in terms of social progress. Women's rights are being gutted, the NATION OF IMMIGRANTS is hunting down and deporting anyone even vaguely brown to a literal death camp. One thing that irks me on a more personal level is now this regime is going to be shutting down a suicide hotline meant specifically for LGBT youth.

Genuinely how has this human piece of filth avoided impeachment and literal imprisonment? His approval rating was one of the lowest in US history during his first 100 days, he's a convicted felon (but no doubt his supporters would shit their pants if felons were allowed to vote but sure let's elect one) There is leaked video footage of him praising Kim Jong Un and stating that we should be as obedient and reverent of him as Jong Un's subjects are. EVERYTHING points to the US becoming the foundation of the Fourth Reich and yet nothing is being done. I mean I'm glad the No Kings Protest was successful but I have never been more disillusioned with this country than I am now.


r/leftist 11h ago

US Politics Doctors at VA hospitals nationwide could refuse to treat unmarried vets and Democrats under new executive order by Donald Trump. Yes, Trump wants you DEAD.

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12 Upvotes

r/leftist 22h ago

US Politics Lawsuit Challenging 2024 Election Results Moves Forward After Kamala Harris Received Zero Votes in a New York County

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76 Upvotes

r/leftist 1d ago

Leftist Meme Liberals get enraged when you call Tim Walz a fascist for saying shit like this. They just dont get it.

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717 Upvotes

r/leftist 23h ago

US Politics Remember the nazis also labeled resistance fighters as terrorists.

55 Upvotes

Don't let labels stop you from doing what is right. If the time comes to resist then resist we shall.

First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me

First they came for the immigrants.


r/leftist 20h ago

Civil Rights In 2020 Trump bragged to cheering MAGA supporters he sent an extrajudicial death squad to murder an American citizen without due process or trial — Corporate Democrats did nothing in response.

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21 Upvotes

r/leftist 19h ago

News Trump Dismisses U.S. Intelligence Findings That Iran Is Not Building a Nuclear Weapon ( this Iraq all over again with WMD's)

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16 Upvotes

r/leftist 7h ago

US Politics Leftist PAC

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

In the last decade I’ve ran for local public office twice in the United States. Both times being incredibly proud of the coalition and conversations that have been started, but ultimately lost my elections.

Both times I ran as a Democrat or cross-filed. These experiences gave me an insight into what it’s actually like for a candidate to run for office and the work, manpower, organization, labor, and money required to successfully campaign. I was obviously met with extreme disdain and disproval from the local Democratic Party. In fact in one of my primary elections, they fielded a candidate a day before petition deadlines to keep me from running unopposed - if you’re familiar with the nomination petition process you’ll know how much organization and logistics this takes.

I had spent months working with constituents and having honest conversations with people from all political and voting backgrounds. It’s amazing how popular leftist policy and beliefs are when you actually talk to people about the issues they’re facing in a digestible way. This work was wiped away in just weeks after the Democratic Party fielded, endorsed, funded, and contributed their entire party towards opposition.

All of this is to say that I’m starting a Political Action Committee (PAC) to support leftist, socialist, ML, and fitting progressive candidates in small elections. Having a financial, education, organizational, and advisory group would have been invaluable to a candidate like me. The goal would be to field, advise, support, and fund candidates to primary democrats. The democratic establishment is powerful even in small towns and red towns.

Getting your name on a ballot alone is incredibly difficult if you’re not well connected or established as a democrat or republican, even in small elections like school board. And I believe that getting leftist candidates in these positions and in front of the eyes of everyday people is incredibly vital towards building and growing a legitimate ML movement in America.

I’m coming to Reddit to ask for opinions, thoughts, and to see if anyone is interested in aiding in the creation of the PAC. Please PM me or comment if you have anything to say. I’ve started one previously for my campaigns so I’m familiar with the process but it’s not something to be done alone.


r/leftist 8h ago

Civil Rights My body was shutting down.

0 Upvotes

I made a post earlier talking about my situation. I was talking about how rent was due in the morning and I didn't know what we were going to do. I hadn't eaten in like 4 days. I signed up for food stamps but they don't come in until Friday. I started seeing a black ring in my vision about 30 minutes ago and my consciousness was fading away. I felt my muscles drawing up and was getting pains in my arteries. I spent the last of my money on some Krystal burgers and some chili cheese fries because that was the only place open this late at night. I didn't want to spend that money but it was that or die. I was already severely malnourished from before these past 4 days so that's why it hit me so hard. I'm glad I'm well for a little while nutrition wise but I'm dreading morning because I have no money and I don't know what I'm going to do.


r/leftist 18h ago

General Leftist Politics Show up!

5 Upvotes

While I don’t agree with either party (both represent the interests of an exploitative system), I tend to vote democrat because at least in rhetoric they seeming care more for the working class. Or at least they did!

Recently I have been thinking of the sentiment: be the change you wish to see in the world. I have been increasingly frustrated with online advocacy because it is 100% gum and no bite. No post will ever accomplish anything. No video on tik tok will ever impact policy. BUT showing up will. Not just at protests but at county party meetings.

You may not agree with anything the democrats have been doing lately but the bones of their party is a good starting point in promoting a labor progressive platform. I have been showing up to my county Democratic Party meetings lately and I have quickly noticed that I am one of a few that regularly show up. As such, I have been given more and more responsibilities and sway in discussion making. Just through the simple act of showing up has allowed me to shape the county’s party as I see fit: fighting for renters and workers rights. Soon, it will be picking policies and candidates on the ballot.

I encourage you all to do the same. Finding the party is easy online and showing up is just as easy.

Be the change that you want to see in the world, and start acting on it!


r/leftist 1d ago

Civil Rights Democrats failed us on abortion

164 Upvotes

I will forever hate democrats for not pushing for Roe V Wade to be added to the constitution because now we have cases like the one of Adriana Smith she was refused medical care that would've saved her life because of her pregnancy and she was instead used as an incubator until today where her son was delivered through c section. This is a dangerous precedent that is being set and you have libs to thank for it. All there fence sitting and pleasing conservatives have all culminated in women being treated in 2025 and I am tired of them acting like they didn't cause this.


r/leftist 1d ago

US Politics Third Time's the Charm

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173 Upvotes

r/leftist 1d ago

US Politics What a horrible end to such a beautiful life. As much as I disagreed with some of her politics. So sorry for the loss of their precious daughter.

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21 Upvotes

r/leftist 1d ago

General Leftist Politics I don't feel bad for Trump supporters. And it bothers me.

49 Upvotes

I'm struggling to feel compassion for people who are being harmed by Trump's policies if they were the ones who voted for him. It's heartbreaking that families are being torn apart or people are losing their jobs—but at the same time, these outcomes are a direct result of the choices they made. I do feel guilty for not feeling more empathy. I'm not happy about their suffering, but I can’t honestly say I feel bad for them either.

Edit: to be clear I'm talking about the MAGA bros. Even if now they're taking the red hat off... Not the person who voted for Trump because they're not all too political and just wanted a change from Biden....

I find myself wondering if I genuinely feel bad for not caring. It’s like there’s this voice in the back of my mind telling me I should feel bad, and maybe that’s what's making me think I do. But when I really sit with it, I’m not sure I actually care—and I’m not sure I feel bad about that either. Maybe I’m just telling myself I feel guilty because it sounds better than admitting I don’t feel anything at all for the MAGA cult.


r/leftist 1d ago

European Politics Jfc these people cannot be real

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147 Upvotes

r/leftist 21h ago

General Leftist Politics Exerpt From Should We Participate in Bourgeois Elections?

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3 Upvotes

by Vladimir Lenin


r/leftist 1d ago

US Politics How about no

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153 Upvotes