It would appear that even smokescreens can't be created with efficiency. From a bellicose situation the nuclear war between North Korea and the US has dissipated leading to face-to-face talks. The time for informal discussions and visits including one that was kept secret beforehand by the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, meant a media distraction was required. Syria proved quite handy. Except that almost a month after a non-UN sanctioned missile attack on alleged chemical weapon installations in Syria, nothing much more has been made public. Given the unlikeliness of Western media not-trumpeting the news, it would seem obvious that inspectors who went in haven't found anything incriminating. Or there's the far-fetched theory of quiet agreements having been reached by the powers that be. Those that died or were close to death by exposure to some noxious matter will be forgotten; so will the one-hundred odd missiles that were fired. It opens up a new diabolical possibility. If evidence is not found, it will be twice that countries have been attacked by superior forces on fictitious pretences.
The famous British back-down on previously proud but naïve terms of exit from the European Union (EU), also needed diversion. The Skripal poisoning provided a much needed interlude. Such meticulous investigation and yet as of now the UK National Security Advisor acknowledges there's no suspect name. Russia has denied any involvement, and its offer to be part of the investigation was soundly rebuffed. After news of Yulia Skripal's recovery and a breaking phone conversation leak, there's no further news of Sergei or his daughter. Apart from identifying the agent used as a strain of Novichek, originally concocted by Russia, the trail either runs cold or has been extinguished. The list of countries that have reportedly tested the same agent, released by Russia includes Slovakia, Czech Republic and Iran. The Czech Prime Minister has confirmed such tests were run but that the agent was then destroyed. Why this admission of guilt was made isn't apparent.
Salisbury residents and businesses are receiving nothing by way of getting on with their lives and livelihood. Residents have been cautioned that spillover is not impossible further dampening the beads of whatever business optimism is left. Perhaps we shall never know, piling more emphasis that black laws and censorship isn't the sole license of emerging economies. It is now known that the British Government has issued a 'D Notice' that is, in effect a ban on revealing facts of Sergei Skripal's handler in 'the interest of national security'. In other words, identifying the person who helped Skripal turn in and be leaned on for support.
Surely, the phrase 'in the interest of…' rings a bell somewhere. Diplomatic norms, as forcefully argued by Russia, have been shattered and are far worse than the Cold War days. Where it heads to from here is anyone's guess. The neutralised North Korean conflagration could be history now that the Iran nuclear deal is sent hurtling. It will be interesting to see if morality is important anymore. One suspects the word has been replaced by might.
Towards the beginning of this millennium wise persons had said the next wars would be waged on the issue of water. Close, quite close. It is liquid but nowhere near as clear or fresh.