‘National security’ Afghan justification doesn’t hold Our involvement in Afghanistan has galvanised radicals – it’s time politicians took account of widely acknowledged realities Ivo Petkovski guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 11.30 BST Article history Liam Fox is sticking with the argument that involvement in Afghanistan is ‘a national security imperative’. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/ReutersThree words you’re unlikely to hear from a UK or US politician these days are “war on terror”, but undeniably the phrase has taken its place just behind “yes we can” and “I agree with Nick” in the roll-call of classic political soundbites. The latest instalment of this … Continue reading Afghanistan has galvanised radicals– it’s time politicians acknowledged realities

Buddhism in education Buddhist meditation is justified in schools by its practical benefits. But there’s more to it than that Ed Halliwell guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 14.00 BST Article history As faith schooling from various traditions continues to grab headlines, the prospect of a specifically Buddhist education hasn’t been much mooted. School-based practices inspired by Buddhism, on the other hand, are starting to gain momentum. Last weekend, Goldie Hawn was enthusing about the British launch of her meditation in schools programme, while, on a slightly lower key note, mindfulness teaching has already been introduced in several private institutions – … Continue reading Buddhist meditation is justified in schools by its practical benefits

Mel Gibson’s onscreen charisma has become off-screen unpleasantness In 13th-century Scotland, Gibson’s persona has box office appeal. But in a private domestic row, Braveheart is a monster Marina Hyde guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 20.00 BST Article history ‘He wasn’t as nice as he was on film,” Mel Gibson once conceded of William Wallace. “We romanticised it a bit, but that’s the language of film – you have to make it cinematically acceptable. Actually, he was a monster …” And so to the latest episode in the life of Mel, whose hugely successful stock in trade is playing wild-eyed characters … Continue reading Mel Gibson – Let him be!

Our band of brothers War veterans need an army of support to help them cope with life after returning from conflict Anthony Wright guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 20.30 BST Article history This week, the case of John Dale, who served 20 years in the military but whose return to civilian life was beset by mental health problems, drinking, relationship difficulties and abiding guilt about his time in the forces, was reported in this paper. He has spent time in prison and is currently homeless. Dale’s experience is not uncommon. I have helped several veterans who’ve ended up in jail. Some … Continue reading War veterans need an army of support to help them cope with life after returning from conflict

Hague censors Foreign Office blog praising dead Hezbollah mentor Ambassador to Lebanon called Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah a ‘decent’ man and said world needed more like him Ian Black Middle East editor guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 16.26 BST Article history Britain downgraded its diplomatic representation at the funeral of Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlalla. Photograph: Hussein Malla/APBritain has moved to quash a row over its Middle East policy by taking down a controversial blog post by its ambassador in Beirut praising the late Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, a staunchly anti-American cleric who was a mentor for Lebanon‘s militant Hezbollah movement. … Continue reading Frances Guy – Honorable, Decent and Honest

Britain and US have better deal as men released by Moscow were more serious agents than Russians in America Richard Norton-Taylor guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 14.30 BST Article history A US plane, believed to be involved in the spy swap, at Vienna’s Schwechat airport. Photograph: Matthias Schrader/APBritain and the US got much more from the spy swap than the Russians, intelligence analysts say, since the four men released by Moscow were more serious individuals than the 10 agents handed over by the Americans. The four men, Alexander Zaporozhsky, Gennady Vasilenko, Sergei Skripal and Igor Sutyagin, had been in jail … Continue reading Russian spy swap: who gained most?

Coalitions are here to stay, says Nick Clegg Deputy PM claims Lib-Con government marks end of tribal politics and shift to more complex relationships between parties Patrick Wintour and Nicholas Watt guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 21.45 BST Article history Nick Clegg: ‘What we are entering into is a permanent move to greater pluralism, diversity and fluidity in politics.’ Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Liberal-Conservative coalition government is not a one-off but marks “a permanent move that breaks the duopoly of the old parties for good”, Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, says in a Guardian interview today that marks his … Continue reading Coalition here to stay – Clegg