At the time of writing, the United States and Iran have just reached a ceasefire agreement. Simultaneously, Cosmonaut Magazine has already published two letters from DSA members regarding their views on AOC—one framed through the lens of restorative justice, the other focused on the attitude of the rank-and-file toward her within the organization. Yet, neither seems to have provided a definitive characterization of her role; it is as if AOC remains the most "trustworthy" spokesperson for us socialists.

In a post on April 8, Trump wrote:

After speaking with Pakistan, I have agreed to pause attacks on Iran for two weeks. The condition is that Iran must fully, immediately, and safely reopen the Strait of Hormuz. We have exceeded all military objectives; Iran can begin rebuilding, and we will help manage shipping congestion to create massive wealth.

While many on the Left currently seem content to mock Trump’s bluster, we cannot rule out the possibility that this is a compromise born of pressure from major powers (such as Europe and East Asia) to restore oil routes severed for weeks, as well as a period of recuperation for both the U.S. and Iran following a month of military confrontation. Consequently, it is highly probable that after a period of recovery, the United States will resume its imperialist military operations—whether next week or in May, whether in the Middle East or Latin America. It is perfectly natural to rejoice in the victory of Iran's anti-imperialist struggle, but what can we actually do to counter the actions that will follow? This is a question that comrades must confront.

This translation captures the polemical and biting tone of the original, utilizing the political terminology common in radical leftist discourse

Thus, the focus today falls upon the so-called "compromise" regarding AOC’s endorsement by the DSA. Her post on X stated:

The Israeli government is well able to fund the Iron Dome system, which has proven critical to keep innocent civilians safe from rocket attacks and bombardment. Consistent with my voting record to date, I will not support Congress sending more taxpayer dollars and military aid to a government that consistently ignores international law and U.S. law. Netanyahu’s allies in the Knesset just approved a $45 billion defense budget, and the Prime Minister himself also asserted his interest in withdrawing from the MOU with the United States in January. It is fully within their ability to fund Iron Dome and other defensive systems. Our allies who need our military aid must understand that we will provide it consistent with the Leahy amendment and the foreign assistance act.

What a laughable statement. This Congresswoman, AOC—whom our dear DSA endorsed simply to maintain a shred of political relevance—spent years remaining silent, providing so-called "defensive weapons" to America’s "dear Middle Eastern ally" in exchange for establishment support, all while ignoring Israel’s genocidal actions in Palestine. Indeed—as if the Palestinian resistance could ever rain down missiles on Israel to such an extent; aren’t these "defensive systems" actually designed to ward off other regional states? As long as Israel is shielded from missile threats, they can focus entirely on "stabilizing" their occupation of Palestine.

Yet, as the situation in Iran reversed, domestic pressure from the DSA finally reached our Congresswoman. Is this rhetoric of "letting Israel pay for it themselves" not merely another way to fill the coffers for imperialist war? Does the American homeland truly need so many air defense systems to guard against Iranian missiles? This seemingly "tough" refusal of aid is, in fact, nothing more than a thinly veiled complicity with imperialist warmongering; they will likely continue to produce even more weapons to sell to Israel or to fuel the U.S. military’s own operations in the Middle East.

When Khamenei was first decapitated and the world stood in shock, it seemed the U.S. held the winning hand. At that time, the DSA offered only lukewarm protests, remaining silent or even tacitly supporting the imperialist actions of their "free and great American fatherland" while things were going smoothly. It is only now, when Iran has truly left the U.S. in a state of frantic disarray and imperialism seems to be buckling, that our so-called "revolutionaries" have collectively found their voices, orcestrating pressure on our Representative to stop providing weapons.

How utterly ridiculous. Are you merely opportunists, riding the wave of public fury—taxpayers who can no longer stomach seeing their money burned in a war-torn quagmire—to gain political capital? Or do you truly support anti-imperialist action? If it is the latter, why didn't we see a collective outcry against AOC’s "Present" votes (which served as a de facto support for imperialism) during the genocide in Palestine? Why didn't you step up to pressure AOC to refuse military aid to Israel when Iran was suffering early setbacks, in order to support an anti-imperialist ally? Why is it only now—when Iran has fought its way from an early disadvantage to a position of strength, leaving the U.S. reeling—that you jump out to pressure AOC to reject all aid? Is this not the same chauvinistic face of the Social Democrats of the Second International?

One cannot help but ask: is the majority within the DSA actually composed of socialists, or are they merely opportunistic politicians operating under a leftist banner? When the masses were riding the wave of chauvinistic "MAGA" euphoria as imperialist operations went smoothly, you tacitly allowed your Representative to merely vote "Present" on weapon aid bills, maintaining a hollow "moral image" for the Left. Now, as U.S. imperialism falters and domestic swing-voters realize their own interests are being harmed, you pivot to ride their anger, pressuring the Representative to "reject all forms of military aid" just to further polish your moral standing.

Pathetic opportunists. In your eyes, whether it is a naked proxy war or direct imperialist intervention, it is nothing more than a stage for your performance. You are no different from the opportunistic Right: when things are going well, you acquiesce to the arrogance of the establishment; when things fall apart, you jump out and shout—one side calling for an end to imperialist war, the other screaming "America First" against "funding foreign wars." What a laughable two-sided coin you are.

If this is the state of a so-called party organization, then our "dear Democratic Socialists" will only ever continue down their "democratic socialist" path. The strategy of having socialists enter the system to alter the trajectory of capitalism toward socialism is, ironically, being led by a pack of fair-weather opportunists. These cowardly, speculative, and double-dealing politicians have become the backbone of a "socialist" party, treating both imperialism and internationalism as nothing more than tools for their own profit.

Therefore, whether viewed through the lens of history or the reality of the present, the DSA—currently the most powerful leftist force in the U.S.—seems to be facing an inevitable internal struggle over its political line as imperialist war resurges. Allowing opportunists to lead only ensures that socialism exists as a mere "political patch," dependent upon the establishment elite. To put it bluntly: either the organization undergoes a self-revolution to achieve total structural renewal, or it will continue to serve as a breeding ground for social-chauvinism, waiting for a future war to nail us to the pillar of historical shame.

In Solidarity,

Benjamin Marshall