No one would benefit from an Iranian - Israeli war.

No one would  benefit from a war between Israel and Iran.


Not the Iranian people, not the Jewish Israeli citizens of Israel, nor the Palestinian people, neither any of the surrounding nations, or the world powers.

No nuclear attack on Israel would not also in the same strike severely harm Palestinians due to the close regional proximities.  No strike on Iran would not also harm civilians that had no say in their country's hard-line. The majority of Iranians are civilians, many of whom stand fully or in part opposed to their government.

None of the faiths, Muslim,  Jewish or Christian would be able to morally justify the human costs of such a war.

A Middle East arms-race and huge war spending would be detrimental to the  already battered global  economy and would ultimately hit hardest those without the least, by divesting resources from where they can save people from starvation, diseases and natural catastrophes.

Of course there is an imbalance in access to nuclear power here.  One country's nuclear plans  being under immense scrutiny, the other evading such scrutiny for decades.  Israel would do well in allowing full insight into its alleged nuclear power  in exchange for likewise concessions from Iran both in terms of its nuclear ambitions and its place in a democratic world-order.  Both sides ought to invest instead into alternative sources of power, such as solar heat and ought to recognise that nuclear energy production as well as nuclear defence strategies run contrary to the interests of the global human community.

What we need is leadership to help end the Israeli - Palestinian dilemma, and this through other means than blind and rhetorical promises of a solution through violent and destructive intervention.  At the same time the spirit of democratic self-determination and rule must be equally accessible to Shiite Muslims, be they Syrians or Iranians.








  This work by Daniel Zylbersztajn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 UK: England & Wales License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://daniel-zylbersztajn.blogspot.com/.

Bloomsbury cappuccino on suburban rate!

With an avalange of coffee chains paying high market rents in London Bloomsbury, there is little chance for an affordable cuppa or cappocino left it seems.  Even many of the private coffee shops have raised their prices  above or near the £2 Pound mark. But amongst the jungle of Costa's, Starbuck's, Nero's and Carluccio's between Brunswick Centre and Lamb Condnuit Street, there remains one little oasis that wishes to keep coffee and meals affordable.  Down at Romano's in the little side street next to Brunswick Square, Greenville Street, the owner is still pleased to rescue tiredness with a decent price.  His cappuccino, which is of acceptable quality (strong without bitterness) sells over the counter for but £1.20!  

Cafe Romano, Greenville St, WC1, Picture: Daniel Zylbersztajn

For sure it isn't art deco sofas you will drink the coffee on, neither am I sure if the coffee is fair-trade in its sourcing.   But at least you are supporting an independent cafe in a national and global chain area.  Romano also does breakfasts, sandwiches and lunches, all in a more traditional English "caf" style.   Given that it is right next to Brunswick Centre, it seems silly and wasteful to pay double or even more elsewhere for the same product and not taking the one minute deviation to Greenville Street. This is quite remarkable, because to get the same rate you would otherwise have to travel on the Piccadilly Line from nearby Russel Square to some sub-urban coffee shop in Enfield or Osterly.

 Tags: Insert This work by Daniel Zylbersztajn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 UK: England & Wales License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://daniel-zylbersztajn.blogspot.com/.