One frustrated,one abysmally stupid. First, the frustration, from General John Keane, who was key in persuading President Bush to implement the urge strategy: “I think it’s an absolute disaster,” said Gen. Keane, who advised Gen. David H. Petraeus when he was top Iraq commander. “We won the war in Iraq, and we’re now losing the peace.” “Forty-four hundred ...

Nigel Farndale.pays tribute to John Major, and recounts a rather special moment in the special relationship.

Today's sampler and analysis of Mideast media content from my pal Soccer Dad: 1) An ad Thomas Friedman would support. Wouldn't he? Thomas Friedman is forever complaining about America's "addiction" to oil. It's a silly use of the term, though others (including President Bush) have adopted. A new ad promoting the recovery of oil from oil sands "vexes the Saudis." I sure can see ...

Micah Zenko on the burgeoning US assassination programme. Here's the halfway point: However, in mid-2008, President Bush authorized a vast expansion in the scope and intensity of the use of drones in Pakistan. Since then, there have been an additional...

The Barack Obama record is a record of utter economic failure! People will tell you that Barack Obama came into office inheriting a tough situation. That the legacy left by President Bush is the root cause of all of this country's problems. They will say that our current economic crisis is certainly not due to any of the policies of this President. That no mere mortal man could have overcome ...

Obama announces U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan Pandering to your political base during an election cycle is one helluva way to run a war and risk American lives! How Europe and I interpret the President's speech While taking a swipe at former President Bush and the war in Iraq, President Obama announced the politically expedient withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Afghanistan who had bee...

The Chilcot Inquiry is back, and with bang not a whimper. In his opening statement, Sir John said: ‘There is one area where, I am sorry to say, it has not been possible to reach agreement with the government. The papers we hold include the notes which Prime Minister Blair sent to President Bush and the records of their discussions. The Inquiry recognises the privileged nature of those exchan...

It is appropriate that the US president will be in India on the day that President Bush’s memoirs are published. For President Bush transformed the relations between these two countries, making a strategic alliance possible. This will turn out to be one of Bush’s most important legacies. A strong US-India relationship is vital if this century is going to be one that sees democracy adva...

War on Terror: Is the United States under the leadership of President Obama winning or losing? Much has been written about and debated in the media concerning the prosecution of the war on terror by the Obama administration. While many American's did not agree with some of the policies of President Bush, such as the invasion of Iraq, there was no doubt regarding his steadfast commitment to pr...

AS PRESIDENTIAL mishaps go, it became known as the "Tartan Tumble" and was one of many gaffes attributed to George W Bush.