PARTLY FACETIOUS: The gap between the leadership’s narrative and reality

“There is one very obvious lesson that should be learnt and yet not being learnt.”

“Hmmmmm.”

“What?”

“Few understand the widening gap between the leadership’s narrative and reality.”

“Well, I will have to challenge you on that. I fully, I repeat fully support the narrative as being the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”

“So help you, Allah.”

“Well, the oath I cited is legally binding in the West…..”

“As it is in Pakistan and, need I add, as it is in Israel.”

“OK, but do you agree that a narrative can adjust to your place of residence at the time.”

“It shouldn’t – I mean, a narrative….”

“Let me explain, would you not have a different perception of what constitutes a crime if say you are in Israel or the US or in Pakistan or….”

“I get it - I guess it also applies to whether you are in a fancy home or in a slum or in jail!”

“Right, right, so my point is you can have a flawed narrative, not based on facts, but surely if you are a leader some element of reality must creep in your decisions or else you can put your country at risk.”

“I see, but you know you could be eating chicken and have an exercise bike but a jail….”

“Stop, that is not who I was talking about when I said there is an obvious lesson that is simply not being learnt.”

“Oh, what were you referring to?”

“I cannot understand the Europeans, who I always regarded as historically and culturally more sensitive than the Americans. I mean, President Trump has openly said he wants Greenland and Putin has said he is not interested in attacking European capitals and yet European leaders are beating the war drums against Russia and not the US.”

“And Europeans are sanctioning voices that are being raised against genocide….”

“I remember the Europeans’ sanctimonious insistence that the cartoons against our Prophet peace be upon him were freedom of speech……”

“A freedom that does not extend to allowing RT, Russia Television, to air in European capitals or any pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel….”

“Time and tide wait for no man.”

“Agreed,but not yet right – maybe another ten to 15 years when the current batch of leaders are gone.”

“Let’s wait and see.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025