Thingamabob

Where to start ? Have a look at Stephen Bush's critique of Bower's biography of Boris Johnson which highlights the many dubious ploys Bower uses when compiling his biographies.

You have rather missed the point but never mind.

While some countries are reluctant to become involved in directly attacking the regime in Iran, most would like to see it gone. This has resulted in fence-sitting by many. In the case of the UK, while it's military strength has been drastically reduced by successive governments, it has at least directed it's air force to undertake defensive action against Iranian missile strikes, and is now allowing the use of it's strategic bases. It would have been smarter if Starmer had indicated his willingness to agree such actions immediately rather than initially prevaricating.

For those who have not lived and worked in the Middle East it is hard to grasp the fact that Arab countries generally neither like the current regime in Iran, nor Hamas controlled Gaza. They would not be sorry to see both demolished.

The lady 'asked staff to contact rescue services'. That surely indicates that, come the moment, she didn't want to die.

Interesting, but best to be a bit wary when reading Bower's material. His accuracy is sometimes undermined by his fertile imagination.

The explanation of the timing of the video is not convincing. Proof of life usually involves the individual concerned holding up a current newspaper on which the date is clearly visible

Neither Islam nor Christianity look much beyond the formation and experience of human life on Earth. Many more questions arise when considering the origins of the universe, the multiverse, and beyond.

I did indeed work for an oil major for 40 years.

I just can't see bombing resulting in regime change in Iran. It will take a huge number of boots on the ground to achieve that.

Worth remembering that up to now neither Mandelson nor Mountbatten Windsor have ever faced any charges, and both continue to deny any wrongdoing.

Nonsensj Thanks for this detailed info. My own experience of many years based in Riyadh and working throughout the Middle East has left me very concerned about the intentions of the Islamists. It should be understood that once they are in control in any country moderate Muslims mostly fall in behind and follow the harsh diktats of the Islamic state.

Nonsense.

Semites exist throughout the Middle East, down into the horn of Africa, and beyond. They are not exclusively Jewish.

There are a number of people in my hometown in the UK who are rude and not very smart.