It appears to me that inter-tribal warfare has broken out throughout the Arab countries, as it did in the Balkans when the lid of the repressive State popped off. The lesson is that tribal/religious grievances can only be kept under control by an iron fist.
Based on our failures in Afghanistan and Iraq, I suggest that the only sensible course is to let the Arab world get on with resolving their differences while very severely punishing any attack on the US. The one exception to that policy is that Iran is clearly intent on building nuclear weapons and, given their arming of terrorist organizations, must be stopped. Given the demonstrated (lack of) commitment by the present administration to “Red Lines”, it’s up to Israel to do the dirty work, and the sooner the better. A surgical strike promptly followed by an expression of full support for Israel from the US is the way to deal with the Iranian nuclear threat. I should perhaps add that I’m a (lapsed) WASP.

Is its me, or is the King putting on a lot of weight? Some people when they’re worried tend to over eat. The picture above suggests to me that the King is really worried.

The photograph that Professor Mead chose, put me in mind of Richard Burton playing King Arthur in Camelot. Especially this lyric:

“I know what my people are thinking tonight
As home through the shadows they wander
Everyone smiling in secret delight
They stare at the castle and ponder
Whenever the wind blows this way
You can almost hear everyone say

I wonder what the king is doing tonight?
What merriment is the king pursuing tonight?
The candles at the court, they never burned as bright
I wonder what the king is up to tonight?

You mean that appalling clamoring
That sounds like a blacksmith hammering
Is merely the banging of his royal knees? Please

You wonder what the king is wishing tonight?
He’s wishing he were in Scotland fishing tonight
What occupies his time while waiting for his bride?
He’s searching high and low for some place to hide.”