Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
For the best view over Damascus, you catch a cab outside the Old Town, near the stunning Umayyad Mosque, and ask the driver to go up Mount Qasioun, just outside the city. There, at a roadside cafe, he will leave you in the care of one of his cousins, who, while separating you from your remaining Syrian pounds in exchange for a cup of tea and plate of baklava, will point out the highlights: see, the President’s Palace (he points to a concrete monstrosity below). There will perhaps be nowhere closer to see Barack’s fire-and-light show, when it arrives, although the cabbie may not stick around for the tip.
For David Cameron, the grandstanding is over. If the Assad regime used chemical weapons on civilians, then the Prime Minister has been right to seek a “robust” response. But his failure was one of basic politics, of consensus building; he did not make his case and bring people with him. The critical moment was his acknowledgement he could not be “100 per cent” sure the Assad government was culpable – no basis to expect Parliament to endorse air strikes. By contrast, the US Secretary of State offered more specifics: a precise number of deaths (certain to change, but sounds authoritative) and a narrative about the attack (the regime was preparing it three days beforehand, he claimed).
Mr Cameron wrote a cheque he could not cash, making himself look daft abroad and at home. But this is not the end for him or Assad.
****
I’m off on holiday for the next fortnight; Rhodri will oversee a dramatic surge in quality. It’s one last chance to mention a job opening for students: the closing date for i’s student brand ambassadors is this weekend. Second-year undergraduates interested in the media or marketing can find more details at independent.co.uk/istudents.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments