As the war in the Middle East (let's just be honest, it is now a war, not a conflict or an "operation") continues to spiral out of control, the world breathed a sigh of relief as 2 of the world's newest "Statesmen" entered the world stage together for the first time. Israel will now surely kowtow to the might of what Britain has to offer in terms of world diplomacy, - David Lanny and Keir Starmer. I am sure Netanyahu and his cabinet must have been quaking in their boots when Lammy addressed the United Nations security council 3 days ago, with one of the limpest statements to the President of the Council that Ive ever heard, full of the usual text book rhetoric and pseudo caring statements. The fact of the natter is, Israel has been waring with its neighbours ever since its creation in 1948 and having spent many years travelling to the region, in particular Israel, it is no surprise to me that here we are again.

​

The culture simply does not lend itself to diplomacy. We may view Israeli and its bordering nations as very generally Jewish and Muslim, which is generally true, but the seed these people came from is the same and they are very similar in their thinking, retaliation and an eye for an eye being a big part of that thinking. If the West really want to stop these wars and have a lasting peace, then they are going to have to do something very drastic. Precisely what that is, I don't know for sure, and the one idea I have I will not air in public, as that is not my job.

​

As you will know if you read this publication often, I am believe that strong leadership is primarily about making tough decisions. Sometimes, REALLY tough decisions involving life and death and even deciding who dies and who doesn't. These decisions have been taken by strong leaders for many millenia - only since the birth of the 20th Century and liberalism and other more humane beliefs, do world leaders (many, not all) seem to have lost this ability. 

​

I am not saying we didn't need to move on from the dark barbaric ages of thousands of years ago and the more recent periods of history, but there comes a point when trying to find solutions that suit everyone become counter-productive. 

​

If Donald Trump wins the US election, then I think you will see a shift to isolationism from him and whilst he might try to broker a deal between Russia and Ukraine, because the benefits are mutual, I am not sure he won't leave Israel to its own devices. Either way, if the USA and other parts of the world really want to start addressing the problem in the Middle East, then one thing they all need to do is start understanding that religions are not nations, or states in their own right. The question of being Israeli and being Jewish seems to be the most misunderstood connection of all "religions associated with nations" question and it is largely driven by the Jewish community outside of Israel, who associate themselves with state that is Israel, 2 very different things. Just because one is Catholic, it does not make you Italian... The power brokers in the most influential parts of the USA have wielded far too much influence on previous US Government administrations and that has fuelled the hatred from the supporters of Gaza, Lebanon and elsewhere, who in turn assimilate themselves with a certain State, based purely on their religion. This is all very divisive and in my opinion really does not help the situation, albeit the people who are actually in power should not let themselves be so influenced by their own compatriots who jump on the band waggon when really it is nothing to do with them, save the very few that may still have relatives in the area of conflict. 

​

So, we need a return to proper Statesmanship, rather than the lame words of some very inexperienced people who have perhaps enough gumption to run the UK but absolutely no place on the world stage. The UK is particularly guilty of not having properly qualified people in these situations, but other nations also need to step up or nothing will get done, other than some limp-wristed statements and speeches in the UN.