A Bridge to Nowhere: The Futility and Peril of the American approach to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
If the U.S. genuinely cares for Israel, which I believe it really does, it should force it to decolonize now. It would be a paternal act of love. Just do it now, President Obama. And then, truly, you would deserve the Nobel Peace Prize you were awarded in Oslo.
Rupert, Rebekah and the Search for Media Ethics
The prospect of a responsible press is too horrible to contemplate. The Parliamentary expenses scandal was a classic bit of press irresponsibility: it invaded MPs privacy, it was probably based on an unlawful act and did an enormous service to democracy, accountability and the UK public interest. A press too responsible to do such a thing is a press that is excessively and unwelcomely responsible.
Understanding the Implications of South Sudan’s Independence
Doubt and bitterness prevail amongst many non-Southern Sudanese on the eve of independence, but history is not destiny. The question is no longer whether secession should have happened or not; it is how the marginalised people of North and South can finally get on with their lives, instead of being sucked into open wars and micro-conflicts.
The US Space Shuttle Legacy and IR: A Realist Perspective
The apparent US retrenchment from space in recent years shows some courage and wisdom. It is now time to focus on the future in a more sustainable way, and win back the command of the edge of space. That is the path chosen by President Obama, though, one must not forget the legacy of the Space Shuttle and the era it represented.
After Osama bin Laden: Is there a Future for Al Qaeda?
Those that believe that the popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East and bin Laden’s death have weakened Al Qaeda’s grip on the Arab psyche presuppose that it exercised such a grip in the first place. What seems to be most clear is that Osama bin Laden and his legacy will continue to haunt us from beyond the grave for some time yet.
Greece and the EU: United in Diversity
The European community cannot stand idly by when one of its own members faces disintegration. The Union’s motto is: “United in diversity”. Now, more than ever, the EU must live up to this ideal.
Gates’ Parting Shot
What NATO has demonstrated in the past 20 years is its utility as facilitator of action by its members, deployed on the basis of what are seen as the compelling strategic and political judgements of the time. Despite this, US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, has recently warned of a dismal future for the transatlantic alliance. Yet we should not assume that the Alliance is condemned to possible irrelevance.
Bin Laden, Assassination and Democracy
Bin Laden was a cutting-edge public figure of the 21st century, a world citizen of our age, a militant who happened to think, with some justification, that the USA has militarily become much too big for its boots. And that’s why, figuratively speaking, his assassination is an attempted assassination of our inner democratic spirit.
An East Asian Development Fund for North Korea?
The United States is short of good ideas on dealing with Pyongyang. One policy that is sometimes advocated is a ‘wait and see’ approach. But those holding their breath waiting for North Korea’s government to collapse should try not to suffocate. Even the 1994 famine that killed an estimated 500,000 to 3 million people did not trigger regime collapse.
Making it Political: the Challenge to the Monarchy
The recent royal wedding was marketed as a charming British romance. Next year will be the diamond jubilee when citizens of the Commonwealth will be asked to ‘celebrate’ the fact that the Queen has been an unelected Head of State for 60 years. Republicans should seize this chance to challenge the dominant narrative of the monarchy.
