You couldn't make it up dept. no.66: sure, they love him in Peshawar

[fpb]

The context is scary. The situation is potentially deadly, and will inevitably grow worse. But what seems to have led up to it is simply too hysterical for words:
From The Guardian:

The committee that recommended Salman Rushdie for a knighthood did not discuss any possible political ramifications and never imagined that the award would provoke the furious response that it has done in parts of the Muslim world, the Guardian has learnt.

It also emerged yesterday that the writers' organisation that led the lobbying for the author of Midnight's Children and The Satanic Verses to be knighted had originally hoped that the honour would lead to better relations between Britain and Asia...

One of my first pieces when I started this blog four years ago was about the ludicrous incompetence of the British ruling class. It was not welcomed then - http://fpb.livejournal.com/4790.html. I rest my case now.

Comments

[jordan179.livejournal.com]

Reagan's whole Lebanon policy was foolish. First of all, he prevented Israel from crushing the PLO when their leadership was besieged in Beruit, supposedly to prevent civilian casualties. Secondly, he failed to take out, or let the PLO, eliminate this PLO cadre when they were being withdraw by ship (an ideal moment for a capture or drowning of these criminals). Then, as you said, he cut and ran rather than punishing the Terrorist States for the 1983 Embassy Bombing, and left our European allies in the lurch.

He did, right after that, succeed in liberating Grenada. But this victory, in our own hemisphere, at the expense of the Old World, sent a dangerous signal to our enemies.

Fortunately, the strengths of other aspects of our foreign policy prevailed, in the end.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Actually, liberating Granada - even assuming that "liberating" is the right word; I accept it, but a lot of people will be thinking of "invading" - actually diminished Reagan's European reputation further. Coming as it did after the Lebanon debacle, it left the impression of America restoring her pride at the expense of an insignificant enemy after having their tails chased away from a serious conflict; and Margaret Thatcher, America's closest ally, was seriously offended (and let it be known) that the US would take it on themselves to invade a Commonwealth country with strong ties to the UK (this country is full of West Indians, who were at the time one of Mrs.Thatcher's most serious political concerns) without so much as informing Britain first. The relationship was quickly repaired, but, in the eye of British and European public opinion, the reputation of "Ronnie Ray-gun" as irresponsible isolationist, bully, and coward, was as good as established.

[jordan179.livejournal.com]

but, in the eye of British and European public opinion, the reputation of "Ronnie Ray-gun" as irresponsible isolationist, bully, and coward, was as good as established.

Western European public opinion. The liberation of Grenada greatly enhanced Reagan's reputation in Eastern Europe, where "liberation" was exactly what the people were hoping for.