by B. R. GOWANI
August 24, 1814
At the peak of the US and British War of 1812, on August 24, 1814, 4,000 British soldiers entered Washington to retaliate US troops attack on the Canadian city of York, Ontario, by looting valuables from the Capitol (houses US Congress), and putting it, and the Library of Congress on fire. Many precious things went into flame, including 3,000-volume collection. The war lasted until 1815.
The British soldiers’ next stop was the White House. They self-served dinner and wine and set on fire the President’s House (now called the White House). The interior and most of the exterior of the White House was destroyed. It was rebuilt by 1817.
President James Madison and other government officials had left the White House as they were aware of the approaching British troops. First Lady Dolley Madison left a little later. Madison had intentionally got the food prepared for the British because he was very confident that the attackers would be captured as prisoners of war. No such luck.
October 2025
After two hundred and eleven years, the White House was once again attacked — not wholly but partially. The East Wing of the White House, built in 1902 and substantially developed forty years later, was totally destroyed.
Look at the above photo1 you can see East Wing on center right side. Now check out photo2 and you see the East Wing missing.
Of course, the US has been at war since before its birth with the Indigenous people and, after its birth, with many countries of the world.
The Wikipedia has a long list of attacks against the US. But all attacks, except for two were retaliations, including the bombing of federal building in Oklahoma City, there were many weak responses by smaller weaker countries, against US policies where, tragically, many lives were lost.
The two exceptions are:
- The US Civil War (1861 – 1865)
- Intentional Israeli attack on US spy ship USS Liberty killing 34 US sailors and injuring 174. Israel was exonerated in the US. If Israel can get away with murdering US sailors, it is almost impossible to expect them to be held accountable for the genocide of Palestinians.
The third attack on the US happened in October 2025 when the East Wing was absolutely wrecked. But who did it?
I did a thorough research checking out newspapers, magazines, US government sites, general websites, but I failed to find any foreign or domestic involvement. After pondering many hours over this destruction, the conclusion I reached was- or I should say my gut feeling is: “It’s an insider’s job.” That is, someone inside the White House has done it. Who? That I can’t disclose because that will be a breach of confidentiality against my source.
Coincidentally, the reliable eastern diplomatic sources informed me the same thing: no outsiders (individual or country) were involved. To all of them, it seems the work of an insider.
There is a Hindi/Urdu line:
“my house’s heir, burned down my own house”
In the future, given their impeccable record, the Aga Khan Cultural Service should be given the task to restore the White House to its original state — if the new leaders so desire.
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com