About this blog
Welcome to my blog - I'm Charles Reed and I advise the Church of England on foreign policy issues.
This blog covers a variety of topics from US foreign policy to European politics and the Middle East - and whatever else happens to be in the news or catch my attention.
This is a conversational blog so please join in as your comments are an essential part of making the whole thing work.
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Monthly Archives: September 2011
The Anglican Alliance, Brazil and Climate Change
I’m flying to Sao Paulo, Brazil, later today for a week-long regional consultation on climate change organised by the Anglican Alliance for Relief, Development and Advocacy. Having helped to set up the Alliance I’m looking forward to seeing the Alliance in … Continue reading
Posted in Latin America
Tagged Anglican Alliance, Brazil, Climate Change, Sally Keeble, Sao Paulo
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Prague Reflections on The Future of European Ecumenism
For the last two days I’ve been in Prague helping to deliver an interim report to the Conference of European Churches’ Central Committee on the work of the Revision Working Group (RWG). Try and stay awake now. For those who … Continue reading
Seeking a Compromise on the Armed Forces Bill
With the Conference season in full swing Parliament is enjoying the Autumn recess. This does not mean that the Parliamentary work stops – most of last week was taken up meeting with Peers of various political persuasions who are concerned … Continue reading
Christianity, Diplomacy and War – Talking to The Taliban
By some strange coincidence, which I won’t bore you with, the decision to re-read some of the documents produced by the Church in response to 9/11 has led me to revisit Herbert Butterfield’s 1953 essay Christianity, Diplomacy and War. For … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan
Tagged 9/11, Afghanistan, Herbert Butterfield, James Dobbins, James Shinn, post 9/11, President George Bush, Rand Corporation, Taliban
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Avoiding a Diplomatic Train Wreck in New York.
Earlier this year, June 26th, President Abbas announced his decision to seek recognition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations along the 1967 borders with a right of return for refugees. There is intense diplomatic uncertainty, not to say anxiety, as to … Continue reading
Reflecting on the economics of the Arab Spring
Yesterday, I escaped the usual Monday morning rigours to attend a one day conference at Chatham House on the economics of the Arab Spring. Core to the conference was the thesis that despite the region’s political transformations addressing political grievances … Continue reading
What if I take my problems to the United Nations?
When G. W. Bush beat Al Gore in the race to the White House, few questioned the idea that the world was unipolar or that the US would remain dominant for decades to come. Ten years on the situation looks … Continue reading
Love Food – Hate Waste: A farewell to my crusty friend the sausage baguette
They say that when it comes to attitudes about smoking the most intolerant people are ex-smokers. One week on from starting my Love Food-Hate Waste craze I’m beginning to wonder whether I’m developing a similar intolerance to those who abuse food. … Continue reading
Posted in Food Security
Tagged DEFRA, Environmental sustainability, FAO, Food, Food Industry, Food Security, food waste, Goldman Sachs, Time for Creation, Vegetarian
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The Cost of Honouring the Military Covenant
Yesterday in Parliament Peers considered in Grand Committee the Armed Forces Bill. Most of the amendments under consideration, including that by the Bishop of Wakefield, related to Clause 2 and how the Bill’s provisions regarding the Military Covenant might best … Continue reading
Is it time to take responsibility for our past collusion in Libya?
The British government once again finds itself at the centre of a political storm regarding its past collusion with a very unpleasant regime. In a statement in the House of Commons yesterday the Prime Minister stated that “our relationship with … Continue reading
