Blog 2023 Malcolm Blair-Robinson

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Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy and right hand man, flew to Scotland on a mysterious peace mission in 1941, which has never been convincingly explained, to meet unidentified politicians who wanted to end the war. The truth has been covered up for generations because to reveal it would somehow undermine the honour and constitutional fabric of the United Kingdom. Who was plotting against Churchill? What were the peace terms on offer? What happened to Hess? Was he killed in the War? Was the prisoner in Spandau a double?
There are many questions to which in the modern day one man, Saul Benedict has all the answers, because his parents were players in the drama involving Churchill, Hitler, leading politicians and an important Royal. Saul is an author and declares his intention to write a book to reveal all, but he is shot dead, apparently accidentally by a poacher. But was it an accident? Rick Coleman an investigative journalist determines to find out and in doing so to uncover the mystery.
Taking place in the modern day but with flashback chapters which gradually unfold the hidden secrets, the novel is a fast moving and compelling read based on the family knowledge of the author whose parents had connections to both Hess and Hitler and to British Intelligence.  

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Long ago this blog said there could be no peace in Syria without engaging Russia and Iran. At last this is now happening. Unfortunately there remains a gap between the two sides (who agree in principle on a good deal and enough to build a political settlement) over the future of Assad. The West supports the tribal view held by many Arab states that his departure is a condition of progress. Russia and Iran have a more pragmatic approach driven by the priority of not allowing the State of Syria to collapse. They see too many failed states in chaos for that to be allowed. Assad must therefore remain until political negotiation brings a settlement. Then he can go.

It should be possible to bridge this gap somehow. It is not a question of Assad staying on; rather for how long he remains the titular head of the country. In practical terms much of his authority is now with Russia and Iran.  The West and its Arab allies may choose to disagree with both, but Assad is in no position to disagree with either.