Britain as a force for uber good?
by Rashmee
Posted on March 22, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY I seem to remember Tony Blair popularising the use of the phrase “Britain as a force for good”. As prime minister, Mr Blair repeated it so often, the phrase became almost meaningless, just the usual twaddle of politicians and other snake oil salesmen. It was hard to believe at the time, anyway. … Continue reading “Britain as a force for uber good?”
Read MoreIf China were sued over the pandemic, the US should be over Iraq
by Rashmee
Posted on April 5, 2020 / The Arab Weekly
The pandemic is something that is referred to in law as an act of God. War is an act of man. News of a US intelligence report alleging Chinese fabrications about the coronavirus outbreak came in, coincidentally, the very week that marked the 17th anniversary of the American seizure of Baghdad International Airport. The intelligence … Continue reading “If China were sued over the pandemic, the US should be over Iraq”
Read MoreHow much does Donald Trump really matter to the world?
by Rashmee
Posted on September 18, 2017
How much does Donald Trump really matter to the world? Harvard professor and former US assistant secretary of defense Joseph Nye recently asked the question and came up with an interesting answer. Leadership does matter, he says, but no one knows how much exactly. “Scholars who have tried to measure the effects of leadership in … Continue reading “How much does Donald Trump really matter to the world?”
Read MoreSixteen years after 9/11, how does America see the world?
by Rashmee
Posted on September 11, 2017 / The National
The “war on terrorism” may have been a misnomer, for how do you fight a noun that describes a methodology, but it has been moderately successful in real terms. That’s if you measure success for the United States domestically. It hasn’t suffered a successful attack by a foreign terrorist organisation since 9/11 on its territory. … Continue reading “Sixteen years after 9/11, how does America see the world?”
Read MoreCondoleezza Rice has news about democracy in the MENA region
by Rashmee
Posted on September 10, 2017 / The Arab Weekly
For all those who despair of the patchy and imperfect delivery of democracy after the Arab uprisings that started seven years ago, Condoleezza Rice has news. Democracy is in fine fettle, she says, or words to that effect. Occasional hiccups matter little in the long term. Just look at the American experience and all will … Continue reading “Condoleezza Rice has news about democracy in the MENA region”
Read MoreThe so-called ‘democracy recession’ doesn’t mean that system is dying
by Rashmee
Posted on August 28, 2017
For those like me who occasionally despair about the state of democracy, Condoleeza Rice has news. Democracy is in fine fettle, she says, or words to that effect. Occasional hiccups matter little in the long term. Just look at the American experience and all will be clear. Ms Rice makes these assertions in her new … Continue reading “The so-called ‘democracy recession’ doesn’t mean that system is dying”
Read MoreSearch for justice in Iraq may not be totally futile
by Rashmee
Posted on August 6, 2017 / The Arab Weekly
Realism, rather than cynicism, is the most appropriate response to the British High Court ruling that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair should not face prosecution for his role in the 2003 Iraq war. First, there is no crime of aggression in English law under which the former prime minister could be charged. The British … Continue reading “Search for justice in Iraq may not be totally futile”
Read MoreCorbyn-truths: We don’t have to wait for Chilcot to know Iraq was a mistake
by Rashmee
Posted on August 23, 2015
You have to admire a man who doesn’t change his mind. Or, at least, you should. Admire him and support him. Will enough people admire the clarity and honesty with which Jeremy Corbyn, Labour leadership frontrunner, described the great wrong that was the Iraq war? On Friday (August 21), Mr Corbyn didn’t look for weasel … Continue reading “Corbyn-truths: We don’t have to wait for Chilcot to know Iraq was a mistake”
Read MoreUnknown unknowns: Rumsfeld is still talking but what’s he saying?
by Rashmee
Posted on June 12, 2015
So last week, came a real unknown unknown, to use terminology made famous by George W. Bush’s defence secretary. Donald Rumsfeld appeared to have a heart and a conscience and, surprise, surprise, both were linked to his brain. For, The Times of London carried a piece with the headline: “Bush was wrong on Iraq, Rumsfeld … Continue reading “Unknown unknowns: Rumsfeld is still talking but what’s he saying?”
Read MoreJeb Bush and the kin’s speech: Language fight over Dubya’s Iraq invasion
by Rashmee
Posted on May 31, 2015
Jeb Bush deserves everyone’s sympathy (but not necessarily their vote) because one can’t choose one’s blood family but one can pick one’s words carefully. But every linguistic formulation can’t change the fact that Jeb has an older brother named George ‘Dubya’. Who happened to be US president. And launched the Iraq war. With all the … Continue reading “Jeb Bush and the kin’s speech: Language fight over Dubya’s Iraq invasion”
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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