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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Tag Archives: Houses of Parliament
Christians in the Middle East
Later next month, on the 9th December, the Archbishop of Canterbury will be leading a debate in the House of Lords to call attention to the situation of Christians in the Middle East. The debate will provide an opportunity for Peers … Continue reading
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
Bishop Packs a Punch on Libya and the Arab Spring
The Rt Revd John Packer, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, made a useful intervention in today’s debate in the House of Lords on Libya and wider developments in the Middle East The debate is still on going but you … Continue reading
Posted in Libya, Middle East
Tagged Arab Democracy, Houses of Parliament, John Packer, Libya, Middle East
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Brief a Bishop: Making Sense of Libya and The Arab Spring
This week I posted a series of blogs in advance of a briefing I’m writing for bishops taking part in tomorrow’s House of Lords debate. The final briefing encompasses recent developments in Libya, the process of political change in Egypt … Continue reading
Posted in Libya, Middle East
Tagged Houses of Parliament, Libya, Middle East, Middle East Peace Process
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Brief a Bishop: The Middle East Peace Process
Next Friday, 1 April, Peers will spend the whole day debating recent events in Libya and the wider Middle East. It is my job to ensure that those bishops taking part in this debate are properly briefed. Whether they use … Continue reading
Brief a Bishop: Egypt
Next Friday, 1 April, Peers will spend the whole day debating recent events in Libya and the wider Middle East. It is my job to ensure that those bishops taking part in this debate are properly briefed. Whether they use that briefing … Continue reading
Brief A Bishop – Libya and Operation Odyssey
Next Friday, 1 April, Peers will spend the whole day debating recent events in Libya and the wider Middle East. It is my job to ensure that those bishops taking part in this debate are properly briefed. Whether they use that briefing is … Continue reading
Posted in British Foreign Policy, Libya
Tagged Houses of Parliament, Lords Spiritual, Operation Odyssey
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A Lord Spiritual take on the European Union Bill
Yesterday in a long and lengthy Parliamentary debate that was lacking neither passion nor vigour, Peers considered the European Union Bill. The debate makes interesting reading and reveals much about Britain’s schizophrenic relationship with Europe. It was good to see … Continue reading
Operation Odyssey: Parliament and the Unanswered Questions
After reading through nearly seven hours of Parliamentary debate yesterday on Operation Odyssey, I now realise that I’m not the only one at a loss to know how this is all going to end and how long it might all … Continue reading
The European Union Bill and the Limits to Parliamentary Sovereignty
With Operation Odyssey dominating the news it is easy to overlook other issues that need our critical attention. I know that Europe is not everyone’s cup of tea, but the European Union Bill has its second reading in the House … Continue reading
