In early 2026, the world is witnessing something unprecedented. From the massive port strikes in the United States to the factory floor resistance in the Global South, a "Global Labor Revolt" is brewing. As a veteran who has spent decades navigating the storms of activism—a journey I detailed in My Whirlwind Lives—I can tell you that this is the most significant challenge to the military-industrial complex since the Vietnam War.
The connection is simple but profound: the same billionaire class that profits from sending missiles to Gaza and warships to the South China Sea is the same class that suppresses wages and destroys unions at home. The war machine doesn't just kill abroad; it impoverishes at home.
1. The Economy of Death vs. The Economy of Life
In my book A Realistic Path to Peace, I argue that the US economy has become a "vampire" that survives on conflict. In 2026, the US military budget has crossed trillions of dollars, while infrastructure in American cities is crumbling.
When we see the "Donroe Doctrine" being used to justify the intervention in Venezuela, it’s not about democracy—it’s about oil and profit. The workers are starting to realize that the "Big Lie" of national security is just a cover for corporate greed. A Realistic Path to Peace is only possible if we divert those trillions of dollars from the "Economy of Death" to an "Economy of Life"—healthcare, education, and green energy.
2. "Befriending China" Through Worker Solidarity
One of the greatest successes of the imperialist narrative is making American workers fear Chinese workers. In Befriending China, I challenge this manufactured fear. During my visits to China, I saw that the Chinese working class is not the enemy; they are our natural allies in the struggle for a better world.
The US-China conflict 2026 is being framed as a "clash of civilizations," but it is actually a clash between a multipolar world and an aging hegemon. If we embrace the message of Befriending China, we move away from naval brinkmanship and toward a global labor strategy where workers in both nations demand fair trade and peace instead of high-tech warfare.
3. Gaza and the Power of the "Anti-War Strike"
The ongoing crisis in Gaza has sparked a new phenomenon: the "Political Strike." In 2026, we are seeing dockworkers in Europe and America refusing to load weapons destined for conflict zones. This is the anti-imperialist resistance in its most potent form.
My history in My Whirlwind Lives as a draft resister taught me that the state's greatest fear is the "Great Refusal." When the people who build the machines and move the goods say "No," the war machine grinds to a halt. This is the bridge between the local struggle and international solidarity.
4. Why 2026 is Different: The Multipolar Labor Front
Unlike the Cold War of the 20th century, the 2026 landscape is multipolar. The Global South is no longer waiting for permission from Washington. Nations are trading in their own currencies and building their own alliances.
This shift provides a unique opportunity for the peace and justice movement. We can now build a "Multipolar Labor Front" where workers in the US, Venezuela, China, and Palestine coordinate their struggles. The US war machine is powerful, but it cannot survive if it is isolated from the global supply chain.
5. Conclusion: Reclaiming Our Power
The message of my life’s work—from resisting the Vietnam draft to advocating for peace with China—is that we are not helpless. Whether it is through the pages of A Realistic Path to Peace or the stories in My Whirlwind Lives, the goal remains the same: to empower the working class to take control of history.
The Global Labor Revolt 2026 is our best chance to dismantle the war machine. It is time to stop fighting the wars of the elite and start fighting the class war for our own future.
