Web of Deceit: Britain's Real Role in the World

Curtis, Mark (2003) Web of Deceit: Britain's Real Role in the World. Vintage, London, UK. ISBN 0099448394

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Abstract

Mark Curtis reasons that Britain is a 'rogue state', often a violator of international law and a systematic condoner of human rights abuses, as well as a key ally of many repressive regimes. Curtis argues that under the Blair government, Britain has become a champion of a form of globalisation that is increasing the takeover of the global economy by big business, and far from changing course post-September 11th, British policies are partly responsible for the continuation - and often deepening - of global poverty and inequality, while its arms exports and nuclear policies are making the world a more dangerous place. The 'Web of Deceit' describes the staggering gulf that has arisen between New Labour's professed commitment to upholding ethical values and the reality of current policies, including British participation in the 'war on terrorism' as a new pretext for global intervention; the immorality of British policy in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq and Indonesia; effective support for repressive state policies of Israel, Russia, Turkey and the Gulf states; acquiescence in the Rwanda genocide; and the deepening of poverty-increasing economic policies through the World Trade Organisation. Drawing on the declassified government files, the book also reveals British complicity in the slaughter of a million people in Indonesia; the depopulation of the island of Diego Garcia; the overthrow of governments in Iran and British Guiana; repressive colonial policies in Kenya and Malaya; and much more. The 'Web of Deceit' reveals a new picture of the reality of Britain's role in the world. It is both a comprehensive critique of the foreign policies of the Blair government, as well as an analysis of British foreign policy since 1945.

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