All materials from the Oxford Research Group are well worth reading, and I regard the monthly briefings from professor Paul Rogers (Bradford University chair of Peace Studies) as an essential. This particular month's briefing, A Suez moment? , effectively crystallises the current position of US-centred power dynamics on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion which has so pointedly revealed the cracks in the foundations.
To quote the final paragraph of the briefing:
"...another outcome is that a ‘Suez moment’ for the United States has yet to happen and a long-term continuation of occupation and conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan is an inevitable consequence. That will be an issue of great satisfaction to the wider al-Qaida movement, leaving us with the bitter irony that a military operation that has curbed some violence is likely to mean a much longer war."
- Paul Rogers. A Suez moment? International Security Monthly Briefing – February 2008. 2008: Oxford: Oxford Research Group. http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/monthly_briefings/pdf/Feb08En.pdf [accessed 17/03/2008]
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