A European Singapore, if such an entity were even possible, might be hard for the EU to stop
by Rashmee
Posted on February 7, 2020
How will the European Union (EU) stop Britain from diverging from its rules here on in? How can the EU do anything about British competitiveness, if indeed Brexit were to be managed in a way that prioritises the building of an agile regulatory system able to foster innovation and nurture efficiency? There’s not a hope … Continue reading “A European Singapore, if such an entity were even possible, might be hard for the EU to stop”
Read MoreFear of the ‘other’ causes ructions in Britain and Norway
by Rashmee
Posted on January 26, 2020 / The Arab Weekly
Certain groups of people are being dehumanised and cast as the “other” because of fear. Because of that, the crime of hate is being normalised. In December, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson led his Conservative Party to a huge parliamentary majority, which gave him leeway to steer Brexit, controversial trade talks with the United States … Continue reading “Fear of the ‘other’ causes ructions in Britain and Norway”
Read MoreSo long, and thanks for all the ‘princessing’
by Rashmee
Posted on January 11, 2020
Anyone enraged by Harry and Meghan’s stated wish for a partial exit from the British royal family might want to read Monica Hesse’s interesting take on the whole thing. Ms Hesse incidentally, is a Washington Post columnist, who writes about gender and its impact on society. In line with her news beat, she discusses the … Continue reading “So long, and thanks for all the ‘princessing’”
Read MoreBut, of course, the EU Must Recognize Palestine. The alternative is more drastic
by Rashmee
Posted on December 30, 2019
With the US steadily working with Israel to obliterate hopes for a two-state solution, Daoud Kuttab, an award-winning Palestinian journalist, has suggested we are at a fork in the road. Writing in Project Syndicate, Mr Kuttab said, “If European leaders – or, indeed, any others around the world – want to advance a vision of … Continue reading “But, of course, the EU Must Recognize Palestine. The alternative is more drastic”
Read MoreBoris Johnson has written a book; Donald Trump has never read one
by Rashmee
Posted on December 15, 2019
There are many supposed similarities between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump, but let’s start with this joke about their basic difference: Mr Johnson has written a book; Mr Trump has never read one. I share the general scepticism about the British prime minister – newly empowered by a massive mandate – and the doubt … Continue reading “Boris Johnson has written a book; Donald Trump has never read one”
Read MoreSaturday rearview: Reset on capitalism, protests everywhere, the ‘Love Actually’ election
by Rashmee
Posted on December 14, 2019
In a week crammed with a British election and the first round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Paris, here’s what I thought most interesting. ** In The National, I looked at the need for a reset on capitalism. “It has been 130 years since Andrew Carnegie wrote The Gospel of Wealth, an … Continue reading “Saturday rearview: Reset on capitalism, protests everywhere, the ‘Love Actually’ election”
Read MoreBoris Johnson won. Now the Trump comparisons will be put to the test
by Rashmee
Posted on December 14, 2019 / Quartz
Boris Johnson has often been compared to Donald Trump, and for reasons that go beyond their distinctive blonde hairstyles. The UK’s shift to the right—starting with the Brexit referendum in 2016, a few months before Trump’s victory—is said to resemble America’s. Now that Johnson’s Conservative party won a massive parliamentary majority in a general election … Continue reading “Boris Johnson won. Now the Trump comparisons will be put to the test”
Read MoreToday, Britain’s ‘Love Actually’ election happens
by Rashmee
Posted on December 12, 2019
The only reason to describe this bad tempered and polarising contest as a ‘Love Actually’ election is because of Hugh Grant. The actor, who famously played a prime minister going door to door in ‘Love Actually’, has campaigned hard for Remain candidates in at least four different London-area constituencies. Mr Grant has been unusual in not campaigning … Continue reading “Today, Britain’s ‘Love Actually’ election happens”
Read MoreBrexit Britain probably won’t be a Singapore-on-Thames
by Rashmee
Posted on December 11, 2019
The UK general election is, by some accounts, a referendum on leaving the EU and I’ve been thinking a lot about Britain as a Singapore-on-Thames. The idea has been floating around for a while, with ardent Breiteers suggesting that it’s Europe that has held back Britain’s buccaneering boldness. Unsurprisingly, even Anglophile countries — Germany, the Netherlands and … Continue reading “Brexit Britain probably won’t be a Singapore-on-Thames”
Read MoreDoes Britain believe in deradicalisation anymore?
by Rashmee
Posted on December 9, 2019 / The Arab Weekly
The real question should be the effectiveness of the British model of deradicalisation. Thus far, it has largely revolved around challenging extremists’ religious ideology. The truly tragic fallout of the November 29 London Bridge knife attack by Usman Khan, a man who had served time in prison for terrorist offences, must be considered in two … Continue reading “Does Britain believe in deradicalisation anymore?”
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Rashmee has lived and worked in several countries in the past decade, including Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Tunisia, the UAE, US and UK