Tony Blair may believe that “anti-Americanism” is “madness” and the Iraq war is a noble struggle akin to the fight against the Nazis – who writes such hyperbolic and dishonest nonsense? – but the Iraqi people are struggling to cope with “liberation“: More than 20% of Iraqis live in abject poverty despite the boost in…
Showing all posts in June 2019
News bytes
– “Liberals” used to overlook Israel’s crimes, argues writer Geoffrey Wheatcroft. Not any more. – The New York Times reveals a British memo detailing pre-Iraq war discussions between Blair and Bush. When Blair told the Australian Parliament today that “we need you“, an appropriate response would have been to deport the British Prime Minister and…
Target: Iran
Dear US, France and Germany, Please find attached a detailed plan to isolate and bomb Iran. We have every intention of following a similar path to our successful Iraq mission, so please don’t hesitate in assisting this important goal. Any hesitations will not be appreciated. Yours sincerely, John Sawers, British diplomat
Jail him
Murdoch’s “Editor-at-large”, Paul Kelly, forgets his journalistic role as sceptic towards state power: Blair’s policy is tough on terrorism and tough on its causes. He is a values man. He rejects the realist view that the West should just sit back and contain terrorism. That won’t work in an age of WMDs. “Our ultimate security…
One racist nation
Gideon Levy, Haaretz, March 26: Contrary to appearances, the elections this week are important, because they will expose the true face of Israeli society and its hidden ambitions. More than 100 elected candidates will be sent to the Knesset on the basis of one ticket – the racism ticket. If we used to think that…
Tax-payer funded murder
Just who is behind the majority of killings in Iraq? The US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, claims “terrorists” are not the real problem. Shiite militias, supported and funded, at least partially by the US, are out of control: “More Iraqis are dying from the militia violence than from the terrorists,” Khalilzad said. “The militias…
Che rides again
Nick Miroff, Tom Dispatch, March 25: Has Latin America ever had such a unifying figure? At political rallies, his visage is held aloft as a beacon to regional independence and self-determination. He’s helped forge new trade partnerships to spur economic growth and alleviate poverty. And his leadership has fanned a gale-force electoral trend that’s sweeping…
It’s your fault
Israel more closely resembles apartheid South Africa by the day: The regime of restriction on movement imposed by Israel on the Palestinians has crumbled the West Bank into dozens of closed or partially closed enclaves isolated from each other despite their geographical proximity. Permanent and mobile checkpoints, along with physical barriers of various kinds, fenced-off…