This page represents only my own views, and not those of any university or other body.
Posted Wednesday 29th May 2013 at 1.04pm
The Middle East - and us
Here is a thought-provoking article from Simon Jenkins in the Guardian. The key paragraph is this one:
War holds a terrible appeal for democratic leaders. Most of Europe's rulers have other matters on their hands, but Britain and France, two nations whose ancient empires carved up the Levant between them, cannot keep out of it. They see national interest and danger where none exists. They cannot relieve Syria's agony, yet hope some vague belligerence might bring relief.
A gloomy message for sure.
On matters closer to home, the following caught my eye.
America and Britain have portrayed [Al-Qaida] as an all-powerful enemy, apparently lurking in support of every anti-secularist rebellion. Cameron calls it "an existential terrorist threat… to inflict the biggest possible amount of damage to our interests and way of life". Yet stabbings and bombings do not constitute an "existential threat". The UK is a stronger culture than Cameron appears to believe. There is no threat to its existence, while the chief damage being done to its way of life comes from the incompetence of its government.
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