Recent Writing

Published: Thursday, February 25, 2010

"Healthcare: Cutting-edge with blunted instruments"

TODAY’S PRE-SCRIPTED WHITE HOUSE event, just across Pennsylvania Avenue in Blair House (pictured left), has repeatedly been labeled, in quaint old-media terms, the “televised healthcare summit”. more >>

Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010

"Unanswered, as ever: How long a war?"

A FAMILIAR FRISSON has thrilled through the nerves of America’s media since Operation Mashtarak (meaning “together”) opened up – the by now long–awaited offensive against southern Afghanistan's Taliban. more >>

Published: Thursday, February 11, 2010

"Media moment to marvel at - and now?"

THIS VERY MORNING TWENTY years ago a crescendo of media speculation climaxed in a media spectacle of historic significance. more >>

Published: Thursday, February 4, 2010

"Contrasting takes on a culture controversy "

I WAS LONG AGO INITIATED into membership of my tribe, a band that's ragged and leaderless, but often gung-ho. That would be the clan of Western journalists who were captured early in our careers by Africa - and our fascination with the continent remains enthusiastic, even obsessive. That much is often very clear in these columns of mine. more >>

Published: Thursday, January 28, 2010

"National accounting, overseas outlay"

FOR A SELF PROCLAIMED agent of change, Barack Obama sure handles the media in a same old, same old fashion. more >>