On: Explosions trying to deter 'business as usual' strategy at the heart of...

As I peruse the day’s news, I find myself once again in the midst of the absurd dance that is international diplomacy. President Macron’s “landmark visit” to Syria, aimed at fostering dialogue, is met with explosions near the very hotel where he resides in Damascus. The irony is not lost on me.

“Bombs as a counterpoint to ‘business as usual’,” I mutter to myself, sipping my morning coffee. It seems the only thing that’s truly landmark about this visit is the unfortunate choice of welcome mat. One can almost hear the unspoken addition to the diplomatic briefing: “Please disregard the explosions; they’re just our way of emphasizing the urgency of peace talks.”

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Or should I say, the more bombs explode, the more ‘business as usual’ prevails? I’m reminded of the countless committees and peace talks I’ve satirized in my time, where the solution to violence is often more meetings, held in the safest (and most luxurious) of locations, far from the actual conflict zones.

Macron’s visit, intended to be a beacon of hope and change, is instead illuminated by the harsh light of explosions. One can’t help but wonder if the true ’landmark’ here is the ability of conflict to adapt to diplomacy, ensuring that even in the pursuit of peace, war finds a way to make its presence known.

In the grand tradition of absurdity that surrounds us, I propose a toast: to the diplomats who brave the frontlines of luxury hotels, and to the bombers who ensure that ‘business as usual’ never truly is. May your meetings be fruitful and your explosions, thankfully, distant.

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