Showing all posts in June 2019

The Independent reports on yet more grim news for the Palestinians: “Millions of pounds donated by British and other European charities to help the Palestinian poor were unwittingly diverted to fund terror and support the families of suicide bombers, Israeli prosecutors claimed yesterday.” Resistance is one thing but outright deception is another.

America’s finest reporter, Seymour Hersh, examines the future of the Iraq conflict and further Bush administration delusions. Hersh paints George Bush as a man led by religious conviction, removed from reality and ignoring the wishes of his military commanders: “A key element of the drawdown plans, not mentioned in the President’s public statements, is that…

– Riverbend explains the brain-drain in Iraq, due to assassinations, random violence and kidnappings: “Whoever is behind the assassinations, Iraq is quickly losing its educated people. More and more doctors and professors are moving to leave the country. “The problem with this situation is not just major brain drain – it’s the fact that this…

Peter Rodgers is a former Australian ambassador to Israel and author of the incisive book, Herzl’s Nightmare. Unlike much of the international media, keen to salivate over Ariel Sharon and his “peace process”, Rodgers rightly issues caution: “And what of Sharon’s political makeover? Has he really accepted that Israel’s best chance for future security lies…

It takes a certain kind of lawyer to be attracted to terror suspects. Sydney attorney Adam Houda is that kind of man. “I didn’t go looking for this work”, he says. “I don’t choose my clients, but I believe every person is entitled to proper legal defence. It is an honour that people think I…

A fascinating list – courtesy of Committee to Protect Bloggers – of bloggers who have run foul of state power. Democratic and autocratic states are increasingly aware, and fearful of, unfiltered and non-corporate information. We should be proud and vigilant.

Ayad Allawi, Iraq’s first Prime Minster after Saddam, has a shady past. He allegedly assassinated prisoners in cold blood and worked for the CIA. His latest comments, however, are startling: “Human rights abuses in Iraq are now as bad as they were under Saddam Hussein and are even in danger of eclipsing his record, according…

Israel claims the British are anti-Israel and “unrelentingly pro-Palestinian”, after this report leaked late last week. I’m surprised the Jewish state didn’t claim the Blair government was anti-Semitic. Seems to be a familiar – yet increasingly futile – tactic.

Rupert Murdoch is concerned that people don’t give him the respect he deserves and the “establishment” is out to get him. It’s hard to feel sorry for a multi-billionaire who represents the very worst excesses of the establishment. As for his contributions to the media industry, we get insights into Rupert’s character by hearing recent…