The Spectator

Double standards

The Spectator reviews David Cameron's early forays on the world stage

issue 07 August 2010

Some prime ministers settle immediately on the international stage, others take their time to adjust to the nuances required in dealing with the assortment of democratically elected politicians, benign dictators and outright rogues who lead the world. David Cameron, so far, has struggled, achieving within three months something that took Blair six years: having his effigy burnt on the streets of a foreign capital, just weeks before a meeting with the president of that country. At least Mr Cameron and Pakistan’s President Zardari should be able to talk convivially about the cricket — unlike the last one, the current England vs Pakistan Test series has not been sullied by accusations of ball-tampering.

The Prime Minister was not wrong to suggest that Pakistan looks both ways on terrorism. No matter how much Pakistan’s government protests, the country’s intelligence agency, the ISI, has long been a law unto itself. It is widely suspected of having links with the Taleban and of aiding military insurgency in Afghanistan.

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