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Ian Birrell

Ian Birrell writes a weekly column for i. He is a former deputy editor of the Independent and an award-winning foreign correspondent. He was awarded Health Journalist of the year in the 2018 Press Awards and was highly commended in the feature writing category.

Article thumbnail: A serviceman mourns next to a Ukrainian flag at a makeshift memorial for fallen soldiers at Independence Square in Kyiv, on November 10 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Ian Birrell

Joe Biden has failed to grasp the difference between the wars in Ukraine and Gaza

Binding these two wars into a single narrative is disingenuous

Ian Birrell

I worked for Cameron and he is a clever politician - but this is a desperate move

Ian Birrell

If an MP 'celebrates' blocking homes for those with learning disabilities what hope do we have?

Article thumbnail: These issues of arrogance, ineptitude, selfishness, shallowness and tribalism go beyond Boris Johnson and his toxic team (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Ian Birrell

Margaret Thatcher can teach Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak how to deal with a crisis in Israel

Ian Birrell

Israel's fury is justified, but peace-loving Palestinians deserve safety too

Article thumbnail: For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly appearing on the BBC 1 current affairs programme, Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg. Picture date: Sunday October 15, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Israel. Photo credit should read: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
Article thumbnail: For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly appearing on the BBC 1 current affairs programme, Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg. Picture date: Sunday October 15, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Israel. Photo credit should read: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
Article thumbnail: Smoke billows during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)
Article thumbnail: Smoke billows during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)
Article thumbnail: EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / A plume of smoke rises above the port in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli air strike, on October 8, 2023. The death toll surged to almost 1,000 since Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its massive surprise attack on Israel with a barrage of rockets and a massive ground assault, officials on both sides said on October 8. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)
Article thumbnail: EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / A plume of smoke rises above the port in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli air strike, on October 8, 2023. The death toll surged to almost 1,000 since Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its massive surprise attack on Israel with a barrage of rockets and a massive ground assault, officials on both sides said on October 8. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)
Article thumbnail: Rishi Sunak pretends to be the candidate of change against a Labour party that seems to be plodding its way to power (Photo by Jeff OVERS / BBC / AFP)
Article thumbnail: Rishi Sunak pretends to be the candidate of change against a Labour party that seems to be plodding its way to power (Photo by Jeff OVERS / BBC / AFP)