ALL ARTICLES

A very Arabian Christmas: What the hell was I thinking?

No comments

The Monastery at Petra. I think it is better than the Treasury of Indiana Jones fame [2009 by Author]

Our online editor, Alexandra Marshall, has an excellent piece in the Christmas bumper edition of The Spectator Australia entitled Travels with my Brother. Alexandra’s article reminded me of the rhythm in Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. It also made me think back to two Christmases I spent in the Middle East. I mentioned one New Year’s Eve I spent in a Russian Mafia nightclub in Aqaba, and Alexandra thought it sounded like the start of an interesting article. So here is the result: Part 1 of A Very Arabian Christmas that does for Speccie Christmas articles what Die Hard did for Christmas movies. Part 2 is all downhill from here. But read Alexandra’s article first, it’s brilliant!

I was married in Amman. It’s this whole other story that is no doubt entertaining for others but makes me wonder, ‘What the hell was I thinking?’ Let’s just say I wasn’t. But let us also say that ‘third time lucky’ is an evil lie!

Writing in the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

This morning, when posting the articles for the day, I discovered that fellow writer Michael de Percy has crazier holidays than me. He has penned a travel piece worthy of Netflix – A very Arabian Christmas. ‘What the hell was I thinking?’ he asked. No idea, but it’s an entertaining read.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, A very Arabian Christmas: What the hell was I thinking?

What’s happening in Korea?

No comments

Korea's National Assembly, 28 September 2022 [Source: Author]

On December 3, President Yoon declared martial law, with pundits hinting at a return to Korea’s bad old days of military control before it adopted democracy in 1987. The June Uprising forced the military regime to hold elections and introduce democratic reforms. This led to the creation of the Sixth Republic which still exists today.

The simple fact is that Korea’s democracy is not under threat, but working as it should.

Terry Barnes had this to say in the Morning Double Shot newsletter:
Michael de Percy seeks to explain the strange goings-on in South Korea, with the President calling martial law, the parliament voting it down, the President backing down, and the parliament failing to impeach him as it said it would. All we can add is that the president and a few others made some very poor Korea moves. 

My latest in The Spectator Australia, What’s happening in Korea?

Merry Christmas and the final episode of Spectator Australia TV for 2024

No comments
A Merry Christmas with Donald Trump about to become leader of the Free World (aain)

In the final episode of Spectator Australia TV for 2024, I discuss the downfall of the French and Korean presidents, the restoration and reopening of Notre Dame, and a Merry Christmas with Donald Trump about to become leader of the free world (again) on ADH TV with Alexandra Marshall.

In the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

It’s interesting… In my last Spectator TV for the year, which will come out in a few hours, I asked each of our guests what the big political win of 2024 was and the answer was unanimous – Trump. The leader of the free world is not purely a military figure keeping an eye on global peace, they are a spiritual leader for the West. America sets the mood and the rest of our governments can either do an awkward dad dance or get with the groove. Albanese and Starmer will probably throw a tantrum and pull the plug out like that scene in Strictly Ballroom where Barry Fife goes for the cord.

My commentary in the final episode for 2024 is available below:

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
© 2025 All rights reserved
made with by templateszoo