Why? Is Tariq Ali beyond criticism? I read his "Clash" book, and apart from some interesting bits about the history of Ba'athism, I didn't think it was all that great (and inferior to "Taliban" by Ahmed Rashid, against whom Ali seems to have a grudge). His appearances on Canadian TV and public radio reveal a guy who is quite full of himself, convinced of his superiority, much like Hitchens himself. They do mirror one another, and I await their Fox show should "Hannity & Colmes" drop in the ratings.
DP