One thing I sometimes forget is that people born before, say, 1980, didn’t really grow up, like I did, being aware of the constant background noise of the Cold War. That is, even for people in their early thirties, it’s as distant a memory as the Second World War was for my parents’ generation. For… Continue reading The new Cold War warms up in Iran
Category: foreign policy
For your entertainment, an update on the delightful Mr Chávez
I know it’s starting to become a bit of an obsession, but I can’t help myself. Since my letter some time back asking why supposedly respectable trade unionists from the TUC were giving backing to the anti-democratic, constitution-twisting President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, a few more nuggets have surfaced: A few weeks ago, Chávez decided… Continue reading For your entertainment, an update on the delightful Mr Chávez
The week the tectonic plates shifted
Night view from the Peace Hotel, Shanghai Think for a moment, if you can, beyond the riots. Beyond the slow-burning flames engulfing parts of the Murdoch empire. Beyond the British cuts and the British growth problem, to that delicate balancing of immense forces which is global geopolitics. And, last week, amongst the domestic news, you… Continue reading The week the tectonic plates shifted
One last word on Chávez (I promise)
Further to my letter to the TUC, the response to it and my own response to that, I just wanted to add a final thought from Denis MacShane MP, the former Minister of State at the Foreign Office, who you might imagine to be well-informed on such matters (in 2002, he had a long meeting… Continue reading One last word on Chávez (I promise)
An open letter to TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber
Dear Brendan, I am proud of much of the work that the union movement has done in the international sphere over the years, including its support of the anti-apartheid movement and supporting fledgling unions in new democracies. So I write, first of all, to applaud that work. I’m also writing to you to highlight something you… Continue reading An open letter to TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber
Libya: why do we still look at conflicts through 19th Century glasses?
To the intense surprise of everyone, the UN has finally voted for a no-fly zone over Libya. Russia and China were at least convinced not to veto. For the first time since resolution 1441 on Iraq – let’s not forget, unanimous and fairly uncontroversial at the time – the international community has decided to do… Continue reading Libya: why do we still look at conflicts through 19th Century glasses?
Genocide, intervention and defending our indefensible institutions
There’s an odd, and slightly twisted argument doing the rounds at the moment. It goes: it’s perfectly ok to let genocide happen, yes, even on your doorstep. Let’s just restrict the discussion to that. Not regime change, not geopolitical advantage, simply the prevention of genocide. It’s ok. And, don’t worry, you can always find a… Continue reading Genocide, intervention and defending our indefensible institutions