Many of the leaders held up as representing the epitome of evil were extraordinarily and spectacularly untalented, incapable and incompetent. With this mediocrity of evil, it is almost a wonder that they managed to rise to the top at all.…
Tag: world war i
The demographic dimension: The role of population growth in the Arab uprisings
By Khaled Diab Decades of unprecedented population growth have played a significant role in Arab regime repression, the two main waves of revolutions that swept the region, and the fierce counterrevolutions that followed. Friday 24 January 2020 Over the past…
Anzac Day: Digging beneath the myth of the unruly Australian digger
Despite their reputation for being undisciplined and insubordinate, Australian soldiers who fought in World War I, known as ‘diggers’, were fiercely courageous and disciplined where it mattered – on the battlefield. These rebels with a cause would play a pivotal role in defining modern Australian identity.
Citizenship is a universal right, even for ISIS members
The death of Shamima Begum’s infant son underscores the injustice of depriving alleged terrorists and jihadis of their citizenship. It also sets a dangerous precedent that can come back to haunt and hurt everyone in society.
Bad blood or blood libel: When is criticism of Israel anti-Semitic?
While critics of Israel can be anti-Semitic, many who criticise Israel harbour a deep respect of and love for Jews. Similarly, supporting the Jewish state is not necessarily a manifestation of philo-Semitism and can stem from anti-Semitic motives.
The road less travelled – part II: Overwhelmed at Overloon
As Christian Nielsen takes the road less travelled this summer, he uncovers the volatile, violent past hidden under the tranquil, peaceful present of the Dutch village of Overloon.
When Mariette met Mary
By Christian Nielsen The Virgin Mary appeared eight times to a child in Belgium and the rest is ‘alternative history’ Thursday 10 May 2018 On the eve of a quiet Sunday in January 1933, the young Mariette Beco saw the…
Alt-jihad – Part I: Dying to kill
In the first of a series of articles exploring the disturbing parallels between radical Islamic and White/Christian extremism, Khaled Diab examines whether far-right suicide attackers could become a phenomenon.
The generous of the earth in the most wretched of places
If you’re feeling dejected by the troubled times we live in, remember that human generosity lives on, even in the most wretched of places.
ISIS and the mash of civilisations
Counterintuitive as it may sound, ISIS is proof that the clash of civilisations is a myth. The reality is that interests clash, while cultures mix.