It must strike progressive atheists as a stroke of bad luck that Christopher Hitchens, leading atheist spokesperson, happens to have hawkish views on foreign policy. After all, with atheists an overwhelmingly left-wing group, what were the chances that the loudest infidel in the western world would happen to be on the right? Actually, the chances were pretty good. When it comes to foreign policy, a right-wing bias afflicts not just Hitchens’s world view, but the whole ideology of “new atheism.”
Posts Tagged ‘Foreign’
Robert Wright: Why the “New Atheists” are Right-Wing on Foreign Policy
July 13th, 2009 |
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UK cuts Israel weapons contracts
July 13th, 2009 |
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The UK has revoked five export licences for equipment to the Israeli navy because of actions during Israel’s Operation Cast Lead in Gaza this year.
The British Foreign office said the exports would now contravene its criteria for arms sales, but denied that it had imposed a partial embargo.
The UK says it does not sell weapons which might be used for internal repression or external aggression.
Israel says its troops complied fully with international law during missions.
The 22-day operation which ended on 18 January has been widely condemned as disproportionate by critics.
UK sued over Israel arms sales Amnesty details Gaza ‘war crimes’ Israelis followed law in Gaza
The British government has been challenged by human rights groups and members of the UK parliament over concerns raised by Amnesty International that British-made equipment was used illegally in Gaza.
Amnesty says both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during the conflict.
In April, the British government issued a statement saying it had not contravened its own guidelines, which it described as "stringent", but said it was was reviewing existing licences.
On Monday, the Foreign Office said in a statement that it had conducted the review, and found "in a small number of cases Israeli action in Cast Lead would result in the export of those goods now contravening the… criteria".
An unnamed Israeli official said five of 35 contracts for naval equipment had been cancelled.
Media reports quoted Israeli officials as saying these all related to the Saar 4.5 gunboat.
‘Not bothered’
In April, the British Foreign Office said there were "credible reports" that the vessels had been used in a "naval fire support role" during Operation Cast Lead.
DIFFERENT DEATH TOLLSPalestinians killed during Israeli military offensive in Gaza, 27 Dec to 18 Jan – Palestinian claims followed by Israelis claims:
- Total dead: 1,434 / 1,166
- Fighters: 235 / 710-870
- Non-combatants: 906 / 295-460
- Women: 121 / 49
- Children under 16: 288 / 89
Sources: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and Israeli Defence Intelligence Research Dept
The British Foreign Office said future decisions would "take into account what has happened in the recent conflict".
"We do not grant export licences where there is a clear risk that arms will be used for external aggression or internal repression," it said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Israeli public radio: "We’ve had many embargoes in the past… We can manage. This shouldn’t bother us."
Palestinian rights groups say about 1,400 Palestinians died during the operation.
Thirteen Israelis died during the conflict, nine of them were soldiers serving in Gaza.
Israel said its operation aimed to reduce rocket fire from Gaza aimed at its southern towns.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Michael Likosky: A Fashion Foreign Policy
July 13th, 2009 |
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On the campaign trail, President Obama made a well-received promise to put more value on American labor when negotiating trade deals. He spoke of revisiting…
British teen dies ‘in Thai pool’
July 13th, 2009 |
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A British schoolboy has died while on holiday in Thailand, after he was reportedly sucked into a swimming pool pumping system.
It is thought the 14-year-old was trying to retrieve his goggles from a vent at the bottom of the pool.
He is believed to have been with his father, brother, stepbrother and stepmother in the resort of Pattaya.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman confirmed a teenager had died and said consular assistance was being offered.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday at a water park in the resort, which is 85 miles (137km) from the Thai capital Bangkok.
The boy is believed to have lifted up a grate to try to retrieve his goggles but was swept into the pool’s pumping system.
His family raised the alarm but his body was found a short while later.
The Foreign Office said: "Our consular people in Thailand are giving assistance at this tragic time for the family."</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Swedish FM on visas, SAA
July 12th, 2009 |
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Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt says he is convinced Serbia will make every effort to fulfill conditions for the abolishment of visas. These conditions were set by the European Commission. Bilt, whose country has recently taken over the rotating EU presidency, told Belgrade daily Blic that Serbia meeting all the conditions would “enable this institution to recommend introduction of a visa-free regime during this year”.
“New conditions for new EU members”
July 10th, 2009 |
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German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier says that the EU must create the conditions in order to be able to accommodate any new members. Asked in an interview with Vienna daily Der Standard whether he agreed with Chancellor Angela Merkel that the EU should suspend further enlargement once Croatia gained membership, he replied that it was true that any further enlargement had to be “well considered and conducted only with solid pre-conditions.“
Dutch FM cancels trip to Belgrade
July 10th, 2009 |
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Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen has informed Belgrade that he has canceled a scheduled visit to Serbia on July 21. Verhagen’s decision to cancel was announced by his spokesman yesterday, who said that “the visit of Minister Verhagen has been postponed. Talks on relations between Serbia and Holland and the EU will be held later.â€