The truth struggles in the Israel-Hamas propaganda wars

The truth struggles in the Israel-Hamas propaganda warsMedia manipulation in the Israel-Hamas conflict poses a challenge for journalists Wars are fought in two domains. First, in the physical domain of armed combat. Secondly, in the ideological-doctrinal domain of propaganda and messaging. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen a vigorous propaganda and messaging war, both between Russia and Ukraine and between…

Dictators are always on the brink of collapse, and inevitably implode

Dictators are always on the brink of collapse, and inevitably implodeDictators like Putin would do well to remember the saying: After Hubris, Nemesis It is axiomatic that a dictatorship will, eventually, implode in a riot of recrimination, mayhem and murder. Consider 20th-century Russia. Having manoeuvred himself into the top job, Joseph Stalin set about rolling back his esteemed predecessor Lenin’s experiments with artistic freedom and…

Are cluster bombs in Ukraine a necessary evil or a step too far?

Are cluster bombs in Ukraine a necessary evil or a step too far?Biden’s decision to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs doesn’t bode well for Ukraine’s 2023 campaign As I observed in my last Troy Media commentary on the Russia-Ukraine War, she who forgets or ignores the past risks having it repeat. Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden authorized the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine. Because of…

Prigozhin’s march on Moscow: The perils of ignoring the lessons of the past

Prigozhin’s march on Moscow: The perils of ignoring the lessons of the pastA striking parallel can be drawn between the Prigozhin rebellion and Caesar’s historic crossing of the Rubicon On June 24, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner private military company (PMC), came close to marching several thousand of his brutish, battle-hardened mercenaries into Moscow, a city defended by Rosgvardia militiamen and police officers. It is…

Western geopolitical failures led directly to Putin’s War

Western geopolitical failures led directly to Putin’s WarEvaluating how policies will be read by third parties will lead to fewer geopolitical failures It is axiomatic that events are interpreted differently by different parties. As the saying goes, one woman’s terrorist is another woman’s freedom fighter. How a person perceives an event will be influenced by their personal history, circumstances, access to objective…

We are in the foothills of a Third World War

We are in the foothills of a Third World WarIf history tells us anything, it is that regional conflicts spread Those of us who believe we are in the foothills of a Third World War despair at western leaders’ complacency. On 13 Mar. 2023, Britain’s Foreign Secretary announced a derisory £5 billion increase to the UK’s defence budget, apparently ignorant of the fact that…

Hybrid warfare and the New Cold War

Hybrid warfare and the New Cold WarThe best defence against hybrid warfare is methodical skepticism It has finally dawned on the West’s leaders that the impetus behind the Cold War – a deep mistrust between East and West – endures and that, rather than ending, the Cold War has evolved into a struggle between totalitarianism and pluralism, oppression and freedom. The…

Putin’s War has dramatically changed the political landscape

Putin’s War has dramatically changed the political landscapeThe world can no longer afford to swim with the green tide In 2008, Britain’s parliamentarians passed the Climate Change Act (CCA), which committed Britain to achieving Net Zero by 2050. As The Economist put it, CCA “would mark the end of Britain’s contribution to global warming, notwithstanding ‘exported’ emissions resulting from products made abroad”.…