History, egos, ambition and hubris have entangled the Middle East into a political and security Gordian knot. Mythology has it that the ends of impossibly complex tangle were hidden, and it could only be undone by the future conqueror of all Asia.… Read the rest
In the unlikely event the optimistically-designated “Cessation of Hostilities and Related Commitments on Enhanced Security Arrangements…” between Israel and Lebanon ever becomes an actual peace treaty, the preamble should include19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s admonition: “Beware of all those in whom the urge to punish is strong.”… Read the rest
Whenever the world took a turn of which he did not approve, my late father used to mutter that it was “spawning a generation of vipers and nitwits.” It’s taken more than a generation, but we’ve reached the point where the perilously poisonous and the deadly dumb prevail.… Read the rest
After months of paying undue attention to political pomposity calculated to intimidate the indecisive, flatter the fools and fool the feckless, a break is in order. Ergo, I resolved to record one thing that made me smile each day between my last perch post and this one.… Read the rest
Despite the inevitable knock on repercussions, as a non-American it’s not really my place to pass judgement on the presidential election. But in the spirit of “share your pain”, herewith some wisdom (none original), as comfort for my American friends who may be distraught, grieving, perplexed, disbelieving, incensed, depressed…etc.… Read the rest
Like everyone else I know in the tribe of working journalists, I think being sceptical is a useful, if not indispensable tool of the trade, and tend to dispute being a cynic. But I’m beginning to think both journalists and news consumers have reason and need to embrace the two philosophies.… Read the rest
Approaching the end of my annual sojourn of immersing myself more in Nature than the “real world”, I thought I’d learned quite a lot about both. An encounter with a loon, an advert, a gadget and bedroom slippers put a kink in my confidence-cum-conceit.… Read the rest
Autumn this year isn’t exactly what the poet John Keats described as : “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,/Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun . . “. But it does, I think, provide a good metaphor for looking at the world in what one global affairs writer characterised as “the most dangerous period internationally since the end of the Cold War.”.… Read the rest
To safeguard his job, the foreign editor in Evelyn Waugh’s “Scoop” parries his proprietor’s patently idiotic ideas by replying: “Up to a point, Lord Copper.”… Read the rest
In keeping with website’s claim of “Welcome to an Atypical Perspective”, I’m requesting a favour from readers.
Larry Doyle, a friend, former colleague and avid “Perch” reader is a member of a discussion group that encompasses the spectrum of American political opinions, persuasions and arguments.
He’s seeking insight from “perch” readers outside the U.S.… Read the rest