Iran
How to deal with Bahrain
If you find yourself on the same side of an issue as Iran, it is wise to think carefully what path you have chosen to walk. Today, an Iranian Foreign… Continue reading
15 CommentsA reminder that the Iranian threat hasn’t gone away
Today’s news that Nato has intercepted an Iranian weapons shipment to the Taliban shows the threat Iran poses to international order and just how dangerous it would be for this… Continue reading
27 CommentsIranian regime moves against opposition leaders
There are two significant developments in the Middle East to reflect on tonight. The New York Times is reporting that two Libyan air force jets conducted bombing raids on Monday.… Continue reading
4 CommentsTehran’s latest provocation
The people of Egypt and Libya may have swung the spotlight onto their respective countries – but it is a spotlight that Iran is keen to exploit. Two of their… Continue reading
17 CommentsIran’s turn
Revolutions are exciting when they happen to other leaders. When they target the government you lead, then they become decidedly less appealing. That seems to be Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s view. Only… Continue reading
15 CommentsWhere does it leave Israel?
Israel is in a right state over Egypt’s incipient revolution. Israeli politicians talk openly about the threat from an Islamist takeover, the greatness of Hosni Mubarak, and have even taken… Continue reading
28 CommentsThe Failure of Realism: Diagnosis Without Any Prescription
These two posts by Melanie Phillips on the situation in Egypt are very useful. Clarifying, even. They merit a response not because it’s Melanie and she’s a neighbour but because… Continue reading
20 CommentsFox: Iran could have a nuclear weapon by 2012
As Cairo smoulders, it’s easy to forget about one of the most combustible ingredients in the Middle Eastern cocktail – Iran. Yet the threat still exists, as Tony Blair and… Continue reading
23 CommentsDéjà vu
Tony Blair is beguiling the Chilcot Inquiry once again. He was majestic last time – quick witted, sincere and convinced. There was nothing in that benign hearing room to alter,… Continue reading
29 CommentsHow Iran’s nuclear programme was delayed
Iran’s nuclear programme is the most likely source of a major global conflict. So it is highly significant that the outgoing head of Mossad recently told the Israeli parliament that… Continue reading
8 CommentsLaughing Mohammad Larijani, the Comical Ali of Iran
In the week when the Iranian regime forced Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani to goulishly re-enact the murder of her husband on TV, it is worth reading Newsweek’s interview with Mohammad Javad… Continue reading
4 CommentsChinese burns
The latest cache of Wikileaks has done America no end of good. The Saudis urged the US to bomb Iran – a sign that the Arab world can make common… Continue reading
17 CommentsThe Wikileaks Cables
So, the latest Wikileaks docu-dump is out. Full details here. Among the highlights from the initial reports: Bargaining to empty the Guantánamo Bay prison: When American diplomats pressed other countries… Continue reading
5 CommentsStop blaming Israel alone
Reading the British press – or even listening to some ministers – you would be forgiven for thinking that the only obstacle preventing Middle East peace is Israeli obstinacy and… Continue reading
31 CommentsNeo-isolationism is NATO’s greatest enemy
As NATO leaders gather for a key summit in Lisbon, expect the newspapers to be full of the usual “why bother” commentary. NATO, they will argue, was founded for a… Continue reading
14 CommentsSir Christopher Meyer reviews George Bush’s memoirs
Sir Christopher Meyer, the former British Ambassador to the United States, has reviewed George Bush’s biography for the latest issue of The Spectator. We’ve pasted his entire review below, for… Continue reading
22 CommentsIn international politics, the pursuit of stability is not enough
One of the biggest challenges facing the post-Iraq generation of foreign policy decision-makers, like William Hague and Hillary Clinton, is to balance the pursuit of overseas stability with promotion of… Continue reading
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