Category Archives: Politics

Mr Trump Goes to Washington-And Takes It Out To The Woodshed.

By Kate Burrows-Jones, North America Editor

Sworn into office, the keys to power transferred, former President Obama thanked and acknowledged for a ‘magnificent’ transition, President Donald J. Trump brandished a rhetorical cane and set about delivering a verbal spanking to the Washington, DC establishment — much of which was arrayed on the stage behind him, including four of the five living former presidents.

The United States is in an unusual position having so many living former presidents that the booming smack was louder than it might have been. Powerful presidents and leaders who shaped generations sat behind him. President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Clinton, President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush (President George H W Bush was ill and could not attend) Their expressions could not be held back for all the years of practice and became a news topic. Michelle Obama’s shocked look was most prominent.

Continue reading

Syria Peace Talks Start in Astana Next week: Minefields Ahead?

 Adel Darwish

Talks due to start 23 January  in  the Kazan capital Astana between Syrian government and many opposition, armed and civilian groups, and their backers in a settlement process sponsored by Russia  and participation  of Turkey, Iran and possible  Gulf Arab states raising  hopes to end to a  five year blood civil war; but there are several dangerous mines on the road The talks were part of a comprehensive plan  started with a Russian Turkish imposed  ceasefire on December 30.

Continue reading

Prospect for US Trade Deal Gives May Timely Brexit Leverage.

In about 11 hours Prime Minister Theresa May will give a speech at Lancaster House, London to outline her strategy for leaving the European Union 

by Kate Burrows-Jones
WorldMedia North America Editor
.
In a keenly anticipated speech this morning, Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to formally announce that the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union and will present a strategy to do so. May will respond to critics, who have accused her of lacking a clear strategy for Brexit, by providing more detail than ever before regarding the Government’s plan. This comes as the Chancellor of the Exchequer , Philip Hammond, pledged that the country would do whatever it has to do if the EU attempts to impose tariffs and trade restrictions on the UK when it has left the EU.

Continue reading

DEFID Secretary Patel Should be Supported for Using Aid to Promote UK Interest

Now we hear that Department for  International Development DEFID  will “leverage” its £11 billion foreign aid budget to build a series of new trade deals as it leaves the European Union.  Priti Patel, Secretary of State for DEFID efforts should be applauded and supported not sneered at as the British left is trying to do

Continue reading

Understanding the Escalating Saudi Iranian Row

Our media led by BBC try to simplify the latest diplomatic crisis in the Middle East – which led to severing of diplomatic relations between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran ( with two other countries following the Saudis action)- into Shia-Sunni sectarian rivalry resulting from the execution of Iran backed Shia cleric. This is a load of nonsense which leads to misunderstanding and misleading public opinion. It is far more complicated as many forces who adhere to the Shia faith (Morocco shia sects and those in North Africa nd Sudan) back KSA, while trends and forces who are devote Sunnis are backing Iran against the Saudis (Turkey for example is Sunni, so are Hamas and many Palestinian factions as well as the Muslim Brotherhood are all Sunni hardliners but are against Saudi Arabia especially in Yemen but are also against Assad in Syria.
Continue reading

Turkey shoots down Russian Jet- Putin accuses Ankara of aiding Terrorists

The Turkmen Tribes who captured the two Russian pilots killed them on the spot instead of handing them over to their Turkish backers. They have been aiding ISIL in smuggling supplies. Russian are fighting Islamic State terror group and attacking supply lines managed by the Turkmen in the area of the borders where the SU24 was shot down . Many questions on the Turkish version of events.

Continue reading

Putin Acts, to replace western “ military masturbation” in Syria©

The circle which Our western leaders dont seem to be able to square is: They claim that a US led coalition of 9 nation fighting Islamic State terrorists in Iraq and Syria (without much success) by an air campaign, now Russia is in hitting targets and destroying heavy ISIL weapons, the western leaders are complaining and condemning Russia. In fact Russia has a strategy of preserving Syria geographical integrity as one nation; while western policy ( deliberate or misguided) is tearing Syria apart which Russia sees asagainst its long term interest .  America, EU and  our UK Government, who have no coherent strategy on Syria ( I am being kind here to the west) ; now Russia, which do have a long term strategy and clear tactical objectives in the short term, decided to take action against the most menacing  threat facing civilisation today, namely Islamists terrorism.  The Islamic State terrorism which is not confined to the Levant ( Islamic State in Iraq and Levant ISIL) but is a world threat as this entity is modeled  on ( and seriously emulating) the seventh and eighth centuries Islamic conquests with the aim of  establising a neo-Islamic empire they call a worldwide caliphate, which recognises no national borders  ( only idiots won’t realise those objectives especially when they changed the name from ISIL into just “Islamic Stare” ), a danger of Which President Putin has been aware for over a decade. He banned Muslim Bortherhood and other similar organisations who are a front to terrorist groups long time ago, while here in the west we still deal with such vile Islamo-fascist groups.Now Russia is taking genuine action, USA and UK governments are displaying first class hypocrisy as well as making foolish statements. A coalition led by the United States declaring they are fighting the Islamic state by an air campaign for most of this year; yet they are condemning Russia for taking action targeting those very terrorists… so are USA led coalition fighting the terrorists or not?

Continue reading