many of these states and their governments are openly hostile to communist elements, but a communist party actively opposing their government would risk destabilising it and then playing themselves directly into the hands of the imperialist states. an indefinite “united front” would be desirable, especially in countries like iran, but it seems all leftist organisations in these states have either decided to fully support the government in everything, becoming controlled opposition (KPRF in Russia) or western puppets like (MEK) or whatever the fuck the “leftist opposition” in russia, belarus is.
I think ‘critical’ support means exactly that. Where you can support anti-imperialism as actions in themselves, go for it. But that doesn’t extend to supporting the government in all things they do, and weakening it will often be the correct move. Communist parties should be organising and building support, much like anywhere, really.
If a ‘real’ Russian leftist party found themselves the opportunity to destabilise the Russian government, that’s not inherently a positive thing (like it would be in the USA). But if they had even some meaningful chance of consequently getting in power - Then they should do it.
Opposing capitalist states is slightly preferable to a single hegemonic power, but is so far from the ideal that it’s nothing more than a practical stop-gap, and all practical chances at revolution should be chased.
Leftists cannot afford to cower just because their government might be an extremely limited ally against the US.