False Dichotomies

It is a popular myth that Galileo, under pressure from the Inquisition, actually recanted for claiming the world was round. In reality, he backtracked in order to save his life:
“Apostolic Church…Therefore, desiring to remove form the minds of your Eminences and of all faithful Christians, this strong suspicion reasonably conceived against me, with sincere heart and unfeigned faith, I abjure, curse and detest the aforesaid errors and heresies, and I swear that in future I will never again say or assert anything that might furnish occasion for a similar suspicion regarding me.”
Today, David Irving joined this illustrious company. In a desperate attempt to stave off a severe sentence (he could have been jailed for up to ten years), he acknowledged that “The Nazis did murder millions of Jews.” Despite this, the Austrian court jailed him for three years, based on a speech and interview he gave in 1989. Continue Reading »

It is becoming increasingly obvious that the Israeli government does not want Hamas to recognise it. If it did want recognition, it could use the stick of refusing to deal with a Hamas led government until it recognised Israel, while deploying the carrot of negotiations if such recognition was forthcoming. Turning the screw on the Palestinians, however, is not legitimate, although it is clear how it fits into the Israeli government’s current strategic thinking. Continue Reading »

I believe in the absolute necessity of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces). Without it, the state in which I plan to spend my life would not exist. I also believe that its activities should be limited to what is necessary to guarantee the continuing security and stability of the state. Anything which extends this remit must be opposed using all legal means. Continue Reading »

In an article syndicated around the world, the exiled Hamas leader Khalid Mish’al tentatively began to lay out an agenda for his victorious movement. He concluded by saying “if you are willing to accept the principle of a long-term truce, we are prepared to negotiate the terms.” This came in response to Hamas’ post-election dilemma of determining how to remain a part of the political process while still calling for Israel’s destruction. The long-term truce is their way of extricating themselves from it. Continue Reading »

To defeat something, you have to know what it is. This extends to describing it in the most accurate terms possible. Any inaccuracy in your description will lead to strategic errors. Your foes will be able to deflect criticism with ease. If you are using terminology that does not apply to the situation you are facing, plausible denial can be maintained. Continue Reading »