Shiny Happy People....

Is it my imagination or is there a bit of tension about?

The Israelis seem (are) bent on destroying Hamas and vice versa - again. This conflict has been going on since I was a kid with no apparent end in sight. Israel's "proportional" response to Hamas's errant rocket fire is to obliterate entire Gazan neighbourhoods from land, sea and air. I am no fan of Hamas, but this could have ramifications far beyond Israel's borders; witness the massive increase in anti-semetic behaviour in Europe.

The Ukranians are trying to root our the
(Russian) separtists/militants/terrorists (depending on your political leaning) that have taken hold of the east of their country while the aforementioned have resorted to firing missiles at anything that moves with devastating results.

Vlad is trying his best to move us all towards the next cold war. I don't understand his massive mistrust of the West. If it makes him feel any better he can also join the EU and Nato if he likes. I am not sure what the benefits are though - maybe it's just the warm and comforting feeling of being in a "club" that matters.

Isis (not the Egyptian Goddess of Magic and Life) has declared a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq and it treasures anything but "magic" and "life". These guys wear black (a logical colour in the desert where it can reach 50 degrees centrigrade) and are generally not massive fans of 21st century living. Crucifixions and other medieval practices are more their thing; which is not especially comforting given that some of these guys hold British passports and no doubt will return home with a slightly different view of Western life.

Libya is descending back into chaos. NATO did a great job of dismantling Gadaffi's odorous regime but didn't exactly leave behind a viable alternative (pretty much par for the course these days). Landing at Tripoli International Airport at the moment is not deemed advisable as various ragtag militias are battling it out with the usual weapon of choice - a missile launcher welded to the back of a Toyota bakkie (not exactly what the Japanese had in mind).

But at least Alistair Cook made some runs against India today, the sun has continued to shine and the UK economy is back at pre recession levels - there's a bit of relief amongst all the madness!

Out :)