Elections in the Middle East do not usually attract too much attention in the international media. Who remembers the recent elections in Iraq or in Syria? And who cares? Exceptions to this rule are Turkey and Israel: both countries are considered democracies, even...
Last Friday [November 8], Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble said in an interview with Le Figaro that he thought Osama bin Laden is not only alive, but also plotting new terrorist attacks: "Something worrying is going on," he said. What's worrying is...
Conservative scribblers across the English speaking world looking for a tired witticism never wait long before moaning about defence – 'why can't we be honest, why can't we call it "Attack"? Why can't we bring back good old-fashioned names for army...
When it comes to foolish actions by nation-states and nascent empires, I'm probably more fatalistic than average. The prudent, cautious rule in such matters is to expect maximum foolishness so you can be modestly grateful on those few occasions when the appalling...
The absolute evil of what passes for today's conservative movement may not shock my more liberal readers, but those of us on the Right who were brought up in a more salubrious time remember when things were quite different. Believe it or not, conservatives didn't...
Although we honor veterans every November, the looming prospect of a second Gulf war makes this year especially meaningful for both our armed forces and those who served in past wars. Not surprisingly, many of the veterans I speak with in Texas urge caution in Iraq....
The flower pots lining the main streets of Chongqing and Chengdu are full of fresh lilys and roses, heralding the 16th National Congress. Most Chinese notice the flowers but ignore the banners flapping above touting the nation’s meeting of the minds. No mater how...
Bush "bestriding the world"! gasped the BBC. "Buoyant Bush Wins Mandate for War"! announced the London Times, in clearly horrified tones. "World Braces for 'Triumphant' Bush" headlined UPI. "Bush's hand on Iraq strengthened by GOP...
If memory is what defines an individual, history is what defines a nation. Just as personal memory is colored by individual perceptions, collective memory – history – tends to be colored by the perceptions of those who record it. However economy of scale,...
Last week we looked at Mr David Frum, and we found him so incredible and fantastic that we felt we'd have to come back and look at him some more this week. Our initial interest in him was excited by this stray Canuck being inflicted on right wing British...
