26 October 2017 A Lens On The Week UK BREXIT: Something somewhere seems to be moving but what it is and in which direction it is really very hard to say. The rumour mill whirls in Brussels. Did Mrs May plead with Juncker for help over the dinner table or didn’t she? If she did,… Continue reading Issue 126:2017 10 26: News Highlights
Tag: Syria
Issue 110: 2017 06 22: After Isis (Neil Tidmarsh)
22 June 2017 After Isis To the victor, the spoils? by Neil Tidmarsh The news this week suggests that the end really is in sight for Isis as a territorial power. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Isis leader who declared its caliphate in 2014, has been killed in an airstrike on the Isis capital Raqqa, according… Continue reading Issue 110: 2017 06 22: After Isis (Neil Tidmarsh)
Issue 107: 2017 06 01: Policies on terrorism (John Watson)
01 June 2017 Policies On Terrorism A still, small voice of calm. By John Watson Election campaigns are dramatic events. The accusations, self-justification and traducing of the other candidates are the political equivalent of the earthquake, wind and fire which surrounded Elijah on Mount Horeb in chapter 19 of the first book of Kings. But… Continue reading Issue 107: 2017 06 01: Policies on terrorism (John Watson)
Issue 101: 2017 04 20: Week in Brief: UK
20 April 2017 Week in Brief: UK Government GENERAL ELECTION: The government has called a general election on 8 June. Under the Fixed Term Parliament Act that had to be endorsed by a two thirds majority of the House of Commons but, since Mr Corbyn has already said that he would back an early election,… Continue reading Issue 101: 2017 04 20: Week in Brief: UK
Issue 100: 2017 04 17 Bojo Misses the Party (John Watson)
13 April 2017 Bojo misses the party He is right not to go to Moscow. by John Watson It is always wise to be careful what you wish for and the reason normally given is that you might just get it. In the bowels of the Kremlin they must be pondering that at the moment… Continue reading Issue 100: 2017 04 17 Bojo Misses the Party (John Watson)
Issue76:2016 10 20:A tale of two cities (Neil Tidmarsh)
20 October 2016 A Tale Of Two Cities The battle for Aleppo and the battle for Mosul; significant differences. By Neil Tidmarsh In Syria, the Russian-backed regime is fighting to drive rebels from the city of Aleppo. In Iraq, the US-backed regime is fighting to drive Isis from the city of Mosul. Compare and contrast…… Continue reading Issue76:2016 10 20:A tale of two cities (Neil Tidmarsh)
Issue75:2016 10 13The Land Of Three Governments: (Neil Tidmarsh)
13 October 2016 The Land Of Three Governments. The struggle to establish legitimate authority in Libya. by Neil Tidmarsh Libya; land of chaos, anarchy and misery. Land of people-traffickers, refugees, militants, militias and terrorists. Land of no government, land of three governments. Three governments? How did that happen? It’s exactly five years since Colonel Gaddafi… Continue reading Issue75:2016 10 13The Land Of Three Governments: (Neil Tidmarsh)
Issue 68: 2016 08 25: Week in Brief: UK
25 August 2016 Week In Brief: UK Government FREE SPEECH: Concerns over the impact on free speech are leading to delays in laws to silence hate preachers such as Anjem Choudary. Despite his conviction, hate videos, spread by his acolytes, are still being found on YouTube. As many as 5 associates of Mr Choudary have been placed… Continue reading Issue 68: 2016 08 25: Week in Brief: UK
Issue 46:2016 03 24:Exit from Syria, Exit From Yemen (Neil Tidmarsh)
24 March 2016 Exit From Syria, Exit From Yemen Saudi Arabia and Russia look at each other in the mirror of the Middle East’s conflicts. by Neil Tidmarsh Last week, Russia announced its military withdrawal from Syria; this week, Saudi Arabia announced its military withdrawal from Yemen. A curious coincidence, given that the conflict in… Continue reading Issue 46:2016 03 24:Exit from Syria, Exit From Yemen (Neil Tidmarsh)
Issue 45:2016 03 17:A Lenten Change of Heart in the Kremlin (Neil Tidmarsh)
17 March 2016 A Lenten Change of Heart in the Kremlin Does Putin read Shaw Sheet? by Neil Tidmarsh Remember the piece in Shaw Sheet four weeks ago called ‘Maskivrovka’? It concluded by saying; “Perhaps someone ought to tell the Russian leadership that … Lent is now upon us, and Lent is the season for… Continue reading Issue 45:2016 03 17:A Lenten Change of Heart in the Kremlin (Neil Tidmarsh)
Issue 41:2016 02 18:Maskirovka (Neil Tidmarsh)
18 February 2016 Maskirovka In Russia, the season for masks isn’t over yet. by Neil Tidmarsh The Russian leadership has made some fairly confusing statements recently, but the most confusing of all must be prime minister Dmitri Medvedev’s comments this week on Saudi Arabia’s pledge to send war planes and ground troops to help in… Continue reading Issue 41:2016 02 18:Maskirovka (Neil Tidmarsh)
Issue 37: 2016 01 21: Week in Brief: UK
21 January 2016 Week in Brief: UK PENSIONERS’ HEATING: There are concerns that high energy prices are affecting pensioners who are turning down their heating to save money. It is said that the 6 big energy companies have not reduced their rates, despite a fall in wholesale energy costs over the last 2 years. DOCTORS’… Continue reading Issue 37: 2016 01 21: Week in Brief: UK
Issue 36:2016 01 14:On the Wire
14 January 2016 On The Wire One false step… by Neil Tidmarsh The Times published a spectacular photograph this week by film-maker Seb Montaz-Rosset of a man walking a slackline between two hot air balloons high up in the sky. It’s beautiful but disturbing – even downright frightening – full of stress and danger and… Continue reading Issue 36:2016 01 14:On the Wire