The Periscope Post

The Telegraph The long, hard road to peace in the Middle East

Talks between Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas being held by Barack Obama in Washington opened “auspiciously, with both sides anxious to demonstrate a willingness to negotiate.” However, the Telegraph pointed out that “even if there are some positive early signs in a process that President Obama believes can be completed in 12 months, the path to peace is strewn with obstacles – especially the imminent resumption of building by Jewish settlers on disputed land in the West Bank.” Israel must extend the moratorium on the building of these developments, the paper said. Likewise, “Palestinians need to recognise unequivocally the Israeli desire to live securely within their own borders.” Even if the two sides do manage to agree a solution, the status of Jerusalem will still need to be settled, “the final piece of the jigsaw, and perhaps the hardest to make fit.” Then there’s Iran. The Telegraph said that Obama must work hard: “[I]f the talks are to have any chance of success, he will need to put his shoulder to the wheel. Of course, we have been here before. But if not now, when?”

The Guardian William Hague: Private life, public judgements

Foreign Secretary William Hague has made an “extraordinary” statement about his personal life to quash rumours about his sexuality.  The Guardian noted that while rumours about Hague’s sexual preferences are just gossip, “in a truly tolerant society there would be nothing to gossip about.” The paper then argued that the Hague story was not about possible homosexuality, but bisexuality, and the reaction to the story was not due to homophobia but homophobia on the Right. “While it may indeed be OK to be gay in public life,” commented the paper, “it is not done to be unsure about it. The very possibility of bisexuality can sometimes run into the same disbelief that Queen Victoria is said to have shown towards lesbianism.” The paper then noted that, “Homophobia has touched all wings of politics over the decades, but it is most easy to find on the right. Fusty assumptions that liberals first challenged two generations ago have only faced serious challenge within reactionary circles during the last few years.”

The Times Bad Debts

Kabul Bank is Afghanistan’s largest. Part owned by both President Karzai’s brother Hamid and Vice-President Fahim’s brother Haseen, the bank manages the payroll of soldiers, policemen, teachers and the majority of public servants, but it is facing insolvency. “Afghanistan deserves better,” said the Times, “Afghanistan will never join the family of functioning nations without a credible financial sector.” That the bank is run by members of President Karzai’s inner circle and lends them huge sums of money is “alarming,” the paper noted. Old dreams that Afghanistan could become “a flourishing Switzerland of the Hindu Kush” are naive. “Today, even a Zimbabwean future seems far away.” The paper quoted Hamid Karzai as saying, “America should do something.” And the paper adds: “With American interests in Afghanistan being so keenly tied to the ability of the country to govern itself, General Petraeus had little choice in forcing the Afghan President’s hand. In doing so, his actions have surely thrown Mr Karzai yet another lifeline.”

The Sun Biased Beeb

Mark Thompson the Director-General of the BBC has, according to The Sun, admitted that the BBC is guilty of a “massive” Left-wing bias, thus “confirming” what everyone at The Sun already knew. Thompson said that impartiality is improving and more Right-wing views are being aired, to which the Sun retorted: “Yes, the BBC invites Tory and Lib Dem chiefs on air. But it is the contemptuous way they are treated – and above all the failure to report fairly the reasons for the Government’s cuts policy – that shows the BBC is as Leftie as ever.” The Sun asked why Thompson had suddenly spoken out on the issue, and pondered: “Could it be because the Coalition is looking at the BBC’s bills – including his own salary last year of £834,000?”