20th July 2021 Uncategorised

Remembering Michael

ON THE PHOTO: I snapped this in Belfast in 2019 and I felt it was important to show you all because of how Leila Khaled looms in the background… fitting considering just how much Michael’s words on Palestine captured the public recently. The video, all of 6 minutes, highlighted his huge talent and spirit, explaining

22nd September 2015 Uncategorised

Shared Futures? Lebanon and Northern Ireland ARCHIVE – 29-4-14

So it would seem that with each passing post, I get further and further away from the Levant! Well if you bear with me, there is a point to the western detour. Every year I am lucky enough to organise a half-day conference with a contingent from the Netherlands Defence Academy (NDA). Basically a group

Uncategorised

Has Egypt Crossed the Rubicon? ARCHIVE – 24-3-14

While not Levantine related, the news from Egypt today really does merit a look: 528 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood have been sentenced to death after only two hearings (the first on Saturday). Only 147 of the 528 were in court, the rest were tried in absentia. No doubt an appeal will be lodged (that

Uncategorised

What next for Syria after failed talks? ARCHIVE- 19-2-14

It has long been mooted that a potential resolution to the Syrian conflict could come in the form of something akin to the Ta’if Accord, the agreement that ended the Lebanese Civil War. To think about the possible ‘Taification’ of the Syrian peace process as a solution is one thing, but to attempt to actualise