Axis of confusion
Monday, March 3rd, 2008
Oh dear, what a difficult place the world is if you are advising the Foreign Secretary.
President Ahmajinedad is feted in Baghdad, although Iran is allegedly supplying men and materiel to attack and undermine the coalition forces in Iraq. The self same gentleman has been an honoured guest in Saudi Arabia. What all of this says is that the regional power influence of Iran is, post Saddam Hussein, now freely understood and acknowledged in Arab capitals. For some the reasoning is that eventually the Americans will depart, but Iran’s influence will remain. Which is likely to be more enduring? Iran’s influence extends to Syria, and of course to Hamas and Hezbollah, the former busily enticing Israel to attack Gaza comprehensively.
Similarly, Dmitri Medvedev’s successful and popular election means that Russian assertiveness will continue. The relationship between Britain and Russia is now at the lowest possible point. Russia dismisses the criticism from Britain with contempt.
So we have a problem. Two very significant countries are being lionised by many for important and obvious reasons.
So far there is little to give us confidence that this Government will successfully negotiate its way through this thicket of energy security and high prices, nuclear enrichment, human rights and growing self confidence. The last two days in Moscow and Baghdad so clearly underline this.