I’m sick to bloody death of hearing those three little words ‘the Middle East’. It’s a term that has become synonymous with misery, violence, and corruption.
For decades, if not centuries, the region has been wracked by political instability and religious intolerance, often exacerbated by meddling and interference by one or other of ‘the major powers’ in pursuit of their own interests. Despotic, tin pot regimes abound, propped up by fabulous oil wealth or religious fanaticism, or both.
Wars, civil wars, and insurrections are the order of the day from Iraq to Syria via Yemen and Kurdistan. Israel is locked in a state of perpetual hostility with her ‘neighbours’. All of this has generated a huge ‘refugee’ crisis which has placed a massive burden not just on the likes of Jordan and Lebanon, but which has spilled over into Europe, fuelling tensions here.
Now, with Iran hijacking shipping in the Persian Gulf and (allegedly) attacking Saudi oil installations with drones, we’re told that The Don’s trigger finger is getting itchy, and that the region’s once again ‘near to war’. There’s a surprise.
The Middle East’s a stinking shithouse. What a cunt.
Nominated by Ron Knee



