Sunday 1st September

The news sometimes does surprise one.  Last night out of the blue, and completely unexpected there has been a hiatus in the mad head-long rush into war.  And I think, and hope, that it is genuine.  Obama, that most thoughtful of Presidents has decided that Syria, and any attack by the U.S. needs to be discussed by both houses of Congress.  But unlike here where Cameron in a PR style and un-thought through move re-called Parliament early, quite a few MPs couldn’t get back, and those that did were surprisingly alarmed at the speed of the call to Arms, and in the end despite even watering down his motion Cameron still lost; Obama has set a timetable of weeks rather than days.  As he says the possible retaliation will be just as effective in a few weeks time as tomorrow.  So, a pause for thought.

And also an amazing precedent.  At last one positive result from the Iraq war is that now it is unthinkable that either a U.S. President, or a British P. M. will be able to go to any war, except a truly defensive one, again without their respective Parliaments having their say.

And also this gives Obama a chance to talk face to face with Putin, the main sponsor of Syria at next week’s G8.  Also hopefully now more evidence might emerge, and even if some sort of punishment is to be handed out it will be very measured and proportionate.

And now that the impetus has been taken out of the whole issue maybe cooler heads will come to the fore and some sense will prevail.  Who knows, maybe even Peace.