Libya
Lockerbie Novel: It Was Iran, Not Libya - Spectator Blogs
From a very entertaining New York Times profile of Gerard de Villiers, the French novelist who, though little known in this country, is seemingly better connected in the spy world… Continue reading
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Engagement in Libya was and remains the right answer
In 2008, I packed my bags to head off to Tripoli, where I began my current vocation of advocating for Western diplomatic, economic, cultural, and humanitarian engagement in Libya. Ethan Chorin was… Continue reading
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Mali could be the gamble that defines Hollande’s presidency
The crisis in Mali is yet another unintended consequence of the Arab Spring. Specifically, they are a result of the revolution in Libya, where Tuareg rebels who supported Gaddafi were forced… Continue reading
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‘Arab Spring’ is a misnomer
What do you do when confronted with a prejudice so strong it takes your breath away? In my case, I did what was immediately necessary. I took a deep breath… Continue reading
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General Dempsey’s disastrous intervention
When the Danish Cartoons affair broke in 2005-6 there was considerable pressure on the Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, to issue a condemnation and apology. Demonstrating considerable statesmanship he… Continue reading
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Why a rough guide is better than none
Like the most desperate of priests, and the most marginal of activists, Nick Cohen wants us all to be like him. He’s an angry journalist who can’t imagine why everyone… Continue reading
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When spring doesn’t turn into summer
A high-ranking member of Hosni Mubarak’s disgraced government, or someone from the Muslim Brotherhood? It’s hardly an enviable choice — but that is the choice facing Egypt in next month’s… Continue reading
29 CommentsWar Games: Syria & Iran Edition
The past is always a different, better place and never more so than when commentators dip into American history to salvage some justification for their favoured approach to any contemporary… Continue reading
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The Syria delusion
Things certainly seem to be coming to a head in Syria, with today’s news that Assad’s forces have launched a ground assault on Homs, forcing the rebels to withdraw, and… Continue reading
56 CommentsLockerbie: Megrahi Publishes His Defence
The Lockerbie case is back in the news with the publication of Megrahi: You Are My Jury by John Ashton, a member of Abdelbaset ali al-Megrahi’s defence team. That Megrahi… Continue reading
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Making a call on Qatada
The Prime Minister, we are told, has been trying to reach the King of Jordan to see if some kind of arrangement can be made so that Abu Qatada can… Continue reading
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Brits sceptical of Syria intervention
Britain’s response to Syria so far has been uncertain and cautious. A YouGov poll today suggests that the public is keen for this hands-off approach to continue. When presented several… Continue reading
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A Syrian Srebrenica?
Every day things are getting worse in Syria. Today the Syrian regime started what looks like an all-out assault on the key city of Homs, reportedly killing at least 55… Continue reading
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Libya still hasn’t found peace
Guns blazing, Libya’s various militias are showing little sign of laying down their arms and giving authority to the Libyan state. Even Mustafa Abdul Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional… Continue reading
12 CommentsWhat didn’t happen in 2011
In the run-up to every New Year, newspapers and the blogosphere are full of articles about what happened in the year just gone. 2011 was a particularly eventful year so… Continue reading
13 CommentsWoolf tucks into perfidious Albion
Yesterday night’s news that a senior FCO official lobbied Oxford University on behalf of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi adds more ordure to the already fetid story of Britain’s role in Colonel Gaddafi’s… Continue reading
15 CommentsPaying for justice
To British ministers, the role that the International Criminal Court played over Libya was key – it made clear that Colonel Gaddafi’s actions were unacceptable and would be subject to… Continue reading
20 CommentsNow will we learn the truth about Saif’s British ties?
Now that Saif Gaddafi has been captured, the race will be on to interview him from a prison cell and ask what his business was with the various figures of… Continue reading
22 CommentsSaif Gaddafi captured — but what now?
Remember when Saif Gaddafi was the Anointed One of those who wanted a freer, more liberal Libya? Now, he’s at the mercy of militiamen in the city of Zintan, having… Continue reading
24 CommentsGingrich to the fore
Yesterday saw three national polls and three different leaders in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Politico’s Battleground poll (conducted early last week) shows Herman Cain leading Mitt Romney… Continue reading
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