Julie is an adviser on Foreign and Security Policy, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Intervention Centre, fellow at The Institute for Middle Eastern Democracy and current affairs blogger. She holds a BA in European Politics and an MSc in Conflict Studies (Comparative Politics) from the London School of Economics.
Expertise: Foreign Policy (UK, US, Middle East, EU, UN), Defence Policy (UK, US, Middle East, EU, NATO), Transatlantic alliance, Terrorism, Humanitarian Interventionism
Awarded honours:
John Rentoul’s Top 100 Political Tweeters 2012
Top 100 Independent Tweeting Bloggers - by popular demand
Total Politic’s Top 100 non-aligned blogs 2011- #20
According to Nick Cohen, she is not approachable “without a bullet proof vest and air cover” and recently described as a “devastating, high-speed, deadly accurate, relentless, fearless demolisher of pseudo-progressive waffle. But don’t be fooled by that picture – she is much more lethal.”
Dear Julie,
Could I ask if you are a labour party member?
regards,
Isabella McC
Dear Isabella,
No, I am not a Labour Party member.
Best,
J.
As a concilliator of Middle Eastern affairs, do you think Tony Blair understands that as of right now, the Israelis have no partner for Peace amongst the Palestinians? And do you? Do either of you believe it is wise to keep pushing the Israelis to make even more concessions without any serious recognition by the Palestinian leadership to recognize Israel’s right to exist?
It’s Mr Blair’s job as the Quartet’s Representative to try to find common ground. However, he has made repeatedly clear that he doesn’t accept Israel to be pushed around (support for 06 Lebanon war, critical of Palestinian statehood bid, last years AIPAC speech etc.).
As for me, I think we have to do whatever it takes to protect Israel’s right to exists and that includes at the moment preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Thanks for that answer. But what are your views on how you stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons? I am not so sure they would use them to actually bomb Israel, it would destroy their own religious sites and make it impossible for either Palestinians or for that matter Jordanians, Syrians, Lebanese, Iraqis and many Egyptians to ever live safely in the region again. But of course it would destabalize the Middle East even further and empower the Shiite cause in this current Islamic Civil War. But only Israel will dare use force, and that is not a sure-fire way to succeed, and sanctions do not seem to be working while China and Russia avoid using them.
So what is your view (and, if you know, Mr. Blair’s)?
Hi again Stephen,
I’m not Mr Blair’s official spokesperson but he said this about the threat coming from Iran.
“I say this to you with all of the passion I possibly can; at some point the West has to get out of what I think is a wretched policy or posture of apology for believing that we are causing what the Iranians are doing, or what these extremists are doing, that we have to get our head out of the sand. They disagree fundamentally with our way of life and will carry on unless met with determination and, if necessary, force.”
Mr Blair also made his views very clear in his interview with the Times on 9/11 2011.
I agree the question is : Why would Iran make a nuclear war even if it had a dirty bomb? Clearly that would be insane. But insane is exactly what the Iranian regime is. I don’t know how you feel about it but I don’t think the West should tolerate apocalyptic weaponry in the hands of a messianic totalitarian force – even if they use it for blackmail only.
Thanks again. No I agree they should be stopped for the same reason as you. Just not sure how. As I said, China, Russia and now the dictators in South America are all happy to keep trading and even Turkey is cosying up to the Iranian leadership. Sadly the Iranians know Obama will never go to war against them, so what else is possible? The ordinary Iranians don’t deserve to be killed by an Iran/Israeli war, and retributuin on Israel by the Western powers would be brutal, along with likely attacks on Israel by Hezbollah and Hamas in revenge. Just hoped you had a magic solution!
And stay safe!
I love it. Let’s hope Mr. Edd get to see this
Good morning young lady, just a brief note to express my appreciation of your tweets and statements. Whereas I may not agree with all you say, your courage on speaking out so boldly is truly a godsend thank you Julia.
For the record Israel is and always has been the focus of Gods plan for man,to witness the speed at which the scroll is unfolding is the only aspect that causes alarm.Once you garner todays headlines and follow along in His story you gain the vision to see what History future holds.Rocket science it isn’t,the names of the players aren’t as important as the evil behind these derelict people it is the spirit that powers them.There is but one Holy Spirit and both beloved Isreal and the rest of this wicked world will in due course of time have no choice but to acknowledge this truth. Meantime I truly pray that same Spirit fill,teach,and keep you daily.
No offence young lady (you look stunning in red) were we to erect monuments for all of the dead it won’t change the the rise of evil,it’s course is clearly charted through both Testaments.The souls of all the departed are already at their chosen eternal destinations.There are only sinners and saved sinners living on this shrinking blue orb Julia.Jesus made it perfectly clear that you could indeed choose to enter into a relationship unlike any other by learning of Him through His eternal Holy Spirit.When this occurs His Word leaps from the reading to secure the trembling fearful soul.The heart is then at peace regardless the tumult without.Requiring only faith as a mustard seed the soul is assured of Heaven.Was there a day ever you were reborn from above?I truly pray for the inner peace of your heart this New Year but much more than that the security of your soul for yo
Here is some detail on Afghanistan I promised:
Background on the Taliban:
http://www-pub.naz.edu/~aamghar6/History%20of%20the%20Taliban.htm
Bin Laden’s Declaration Jihad 1998:
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/54594/bernard-lewis/license-to-kill-usama-bin-ladins-declaration-of-jihad
http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/980223-fatwa.htm
Afghanistan invasion in response to 9/11 – Articles from Daily Mail – 2001:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-72039/America-declares-war-unknown-enemy.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-72134/A-wickedness-belief–Blair.html
‘Although America has the firepower to launch attacks without outside help, President Bush may decide it is symbolically important to accept help from close allies – sending out a message that the western powers are united.’
Also – it would have been politically impossible even after 9/11 to go it alone.
NATO invoked Article Five to justify attack.
http://www.nato.int/terrorism/five.htm
Bin Laden House Arrest / Taliban:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-72140/Bin-Laden-house-arrest.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-72327/Bush-forges-global-alliance.html
Questions raised:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/columnists/article-117618/The-smokescreen-lies-phoney-war.html
British Commander talking up ferocious retaliation:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-72479/Why-I-believe-ferocious-retaliation-option.html
Just after invasion, backdrop for Blair who was not having a good time at the time:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/columnists/article-301697/Blair-blame-Lock-stock-barrel-fiasco.html
Timeline from 7th October 2001 on:
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/factcheck%2Bwhy%2Bare%2Bwe%2Bin%2Bafghanistan/3413297.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/7843010/Afghanistan-timeline-of-British-involvement.html
Blairs Afghan Speech – 7th October after US / UK Military Strikes started
http://www.putlearningfirst.com/language/20rhet/blair.html
Russia was willing to support:
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/57413/timothy-j-colton-and-michael-mcfaul/americas-real-russian-allies
Now – The Energy aspect:
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/54624/richard-g-lugar-and-r-james-woolsey/the-new-petroleum
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/57244/jan-h-kalicki/caspian-energy-at-the-crossroads
The Trans-Afghan Pipeline:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1626889.stm
(NB: I regard the BBC as anti-thesis when it is making a false claim about something being a conspiracy – a heavily manipulated media outlet)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Afghanistan_Pipeline
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LL16Df01.html
The context of the pipeline from Caspian through Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India is more to do with supplying oil to India than anything else.
The proof of the oil interest is in some of the wiki leak cable items.
—
My summary:
There was an issue with Caspian oil brewing since India / Pakistan did their tests in the late 90′s. The key was to get supply to India, as well as provide a port outside of the Persian Gulf.
However – I do not suggest at all that this was the reason for 9/11, but the rush to invoke Article 5 may have been swayed in favor by this consideration.
Afghanistan lays well outside what is considered NATO’s traditional theater of concern – however NATO’s role itself was in flux at that time.
Strategically, a US alliance with Pakistan or even Iran (who nearly went to war themselves against the Taliban in the late 90s, but were stopped by US / UN) would have met the objective of disrupting terrorist training activity in Afghanistan .
The larger picture of governance of Afghanistan in the longer term though is concerning. My own view is that whilst the Taliban were disrupted there was never any intention to fully remove them.
The reason being is that it would be more desirable to have a regime of their nature running Afghanistan once the pipelines are constructed.
Why such a view ?
The Pipelines should provide Afghanistan a healthy steady revenue over a long period of time. One more desirable than the opium trade upon which they currently rely. (Afghanistan is a narco-state of sorts)
A government which would be interested in developing the country and put the real interests of it’s people first would be an excessive economic burden on that segment, and hence on the price at the end points.
A regime such as the Taliban would clearly profit themselves, but the overall cost would be a lot less compared to what a democratic government of the people would demand.
The recent regressive steps with respect to education of women seem to support this hypothesis.
Good day young lady,for your deepest,thoughts and consideration there is a passage in Revelation chapter 6 beginning with verse 5.Reading from the King James Version you may find a perfect portrayal of the World as it is at this moment.
Surely were you or I to give or sell weaponry to an enemy intent on the destruction of all that is right and Holy,the charge incurred would be nothing short of high treason.
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed and writing about topics that so many fear to talk in depth about. Evil and Wrong-Doing can only flourish in dark and secret places cloaked by veils of silence or camouflaged by propaganda . You and those like you help to bring light and transparency to topics that some of us have trouble making sense of given Headline News agenda, political rhetoric and opinion polls – -
I admire and appreciate your work.