South of West

• Is Pakistan a State Sponsor of Terrorism?

  Posted: September 27, 2011, 10:25 am by Rob Crilly

  The past fortnight has seen a sharp increase in tension between the US and Pakistan. Relations were already at a low during a year in which a CIA operative shot dead two men in Lahore and US special forces flew … Continue reading →

• Defending Israeli Interests at the United Nations

  Posted: September 21, 2011, 10:38 am by Rob Crilly

  Interesting addition this week of all weeks to the latest, six-monthly edition of Barack Obama’s Fact Sheet: Advancing U.S. Interests at the United Nations. There is a new section entitled “Defending Israel”… When an effort was made to insert the … Continue reading →

• Coltan and Gorillas

  Posted: September 20, 2011, 10:55 am by Rob Crilly

  Thoroughly enjoyed Sam Kean’s The Disappearing Spoon: And Other Tall Tales from the Periodic Table, but the following on how coltan is killing gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo rather pulled me up short In just hours, a farmer … Continue reading →

• The Stuff I Forgot

  Posted: September 10, 2011, 10:16 pm by Rob Crilly

  Above is a pic I did a few months ago of the kit I was taking on the road for a particular trip. This time I forgot a load of things: Prescription sunglasses – brilliant because it means that you … Continue reading →

• Some More Thoughts on Humanitarian Intervention

  Posted: September 9, 2011, 11:00 am by Rob Crilly

  I was for intervention in Iraq. Opposed to intervening in Darfur. In favour of getting involved in Libya. But Syria doesn’t seem such a good idea. Watching from the ground as Nato has bombed Gaddafi from power has crystallised for … Continue reading →

• Safari Soundtrack: The Road to Sirte

  Posted: September 8, 2011, 2:00 am by Rob Crilly

  Back on the road today. The deadline for negotiations on Sirte is Saturday so it’s time to take a look and gauge the temperature at the front line. That means about a five-hour drive. The only problem is that my … Continue reading →

• Kindle: Great App for Journos on the Road

  Posted: September 7, 2011, 1:11 pm by Rob Crilly

  Four weeks ago I headed off from my base in Islamabad to Turkey on assignment. In my bag was sufficient reading matter for the week or so I thought I’d be away: Ed: The Milibands and the Making of a … Continue reading →

• Timing is Everything: The Opposition’s Move to Tripoli

  Posted: September 6, 2011, 3:10 pm by Rob Crilly

  If there was one lesson to be learned from the Iraq war it is that a political vacuum must be avoided at all costs. Libya’s new leaders know this and have made all the right noises about moving to the … Continue reading →

• Spotted: Stobart Truck in Libya

  Posted: September 3, 2011, 8:40 pm by Rob Crilly

  I wouldn’t say that I’m a petrolhead or a trucking enthusiast. However, I do know that drivers of Eddie Stobart trucks are expected to wear a shirt and tie, and that they are required to return the wave of anyone … Continue reading →

• 10 Top Tips for Libyans at the Fall of Tripoli

  Posted: September 2, 2011, 1:49 pm by Rob Crilly

  The Libya Post published another in its Top Tips series just before the fall of Tripoli: Buy a sheep and get ready for a big BBQ Be sure to stock up on balloons, flares, plastic plates, spoons, knives and forks … Continue reading →

• The Two Sides of Libya’s Rebels

  Posted: September 1, 2011, 3:53 pm by Rob Crilly

  The challenges facing Libya as it tries to build a new government after 42 years of Gaddafi rule were all on display at Benghazi airport last night. A huge RAF jet loomed out of the darkness carrying 40 tonnes of … Continue reading →

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes