I don’t agree with everything Thomas Friedman says, but this column provides some depth and context. As he states, in the Middle East, the opposite of autocracy is not always democracy. Further, focussing exclusively on the disintegration of human rights in Iran should not distract us from similar processes in other countries.

For me personally, I will mourn the violence and mourn the suffering, in the lead-up to the war and in the war itself. And I will continue to be saddened that we live in a world where the pain and suffering of the many creates prosperity for some. All across the globe, people behind closed doors are feverishly calculating how this pain and suffering will improve their bottom line.

Let’s work together for a better world.

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”

John Muir

“Keep on fighting” means “I’m gone in six months”.

“Must be a wake-up call” means “I’m launching my leadership campaign”.

“Cheating” means we’re so ego-centric and self important we will never understand why everyone doesn’t love us.

The great Fintan O’Toole has some wise words on the monarchy and this week’s differing responses to crisis in the UK vs. the US.

The beginning of the end for the current UK Labour Prime Minister. Starmer won’t be far behind.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/08/morgan-mcsweeney-resigns-as-keir-starmer-chief-of-staff

The latest chapter in the long history of staffers taking it in the neck in an attempt to save the elected.

It won’t work. It never does.

Too many questions — too few answers.