The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
I work for Chinese companies, and have for many years on and off, and had a Chinese grandmother.
I flatter myself I know a fair amount about China. I haven't been there but that's because I'd get into trouble by saying things Winnie would disapprove of.
It is instructive, on that point, to note one of my largest clients is a Hong Kong based company industriously purchasing educational institutions in this country to transfer its assets away from Chinese control.
This is because they expect Xi to try and nick their money in the near future and want a large chunk of it beyond his reach.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
I have been to China and my Canadian daughter in law promotes British Columbia with multitudes of promotional trips
However, Canada has only just resolved a long dispute with China over spying and she was forbidden to go there
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
China wouldn't have risen quite so quickly without the short termismin our system. Most the IP was happily gifted by executives looking for a cheaper workforce and lax environmental regulation. China is not something that just happed to the west it was abetted by our greed.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
Roger, you are old enough to have met many of those who used to visit Apartheid SA and be so keen to tell us what a wonderful country it was. If you go into a foreign country, are treated with respect and turn a blind eye as to how it is for those who are not so fortunate it is quite easy to be enthusiastic. But its not right.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
I've just come back from China. I was in and around Shanghai, and I actually went to Wuhan to see the infamous seafood market, and the "Center for Disease Control" (where they kept bats)
In the past I have also been to: Hong Kong, Macao, Guangdong, Shenzen, Kunming, half of Tibet, Chongqing, Chengdu, Beijing, Guilin, Xiengeli-la, Balagezong, and many many more. I am right and you are wrong about everything, and I am also better travelled than your producer
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
China wouldn't have risen quite so quickly without the short termismin our system. Most the IP was happily gifted by executives looking for a cheaper workforce and lax environmental regulation. China is not something that just happed to the west it was abetted by our greed.
Oh, sure. No argument on any of that. We are our own worst enemies most of the time. Doesn't make what they do right though.
One of the less well-known poll findings during the Vietnam War: If asked an open-ended question on American strategy, a fairly large number said we should win, or get out. (It's been a while, but as I recall, something like 20 percent came up with that answer.)
It's pretty easy to define get out. "Win" much less so in the case of Vietnam, if it were even possible (it very likely wasn't).
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
I work for Chinese companies, and have for many years on and off, and had a Chinese grandmother.
I flatter myself I know a fair amount about China. I haven't been there but that's because I'd get into trouble by saying things Winnie would disapprove of.
It is instructive, on that point, to note one of my largest clients is a Hong Kong based company industriously purchasing educational institutions in this country to transfer its assets away from Chinese control.
This is because they expect Xi to try and nick their money in the near future and want a large chunk of it beyond his reach.
Washington DC Sydney Switzerland San Fransisco Saffron Walden Beirut North Norfolk Ashdon, Essex Bad Wildungen, Germany Colorado Israel Budapest Rwanda Rome Dublin St Petersburg Norwich North Devon Ann Arbor, Michigan Key West
ZELENSKYY to BBC: I believe that America is stronger with Europe. I believe that there's no NATO without America, and NATO doesn't exist without Europe.
They should not argue who contributed more. This is not a competition. America and Europe are one civilized world with the same values. Any split in NATO will weaken both sides.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
This is a facile argument. I know lots of English (and one French!) person who have settled in the US, and love it there - by your logic therefore not a threat to us.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
I've been there twice, in 2005 and 2010, and at those times it seemed to be moving in the right direction. Especially 2005.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
I work for Chinese companies, and have for many years on and off, and had a Chinese grandmother.
I flatter myself I know a fair amount about China. I haven't been there but that's because I'd get into trouble by saying things Winnie would disapprove of.
It is instructive, on that point, to note one of my largest clients is a Hong Kong based company industriously purchasing educational institutions in this country to transfer its assets away from Chinese control.
This is because they expect Xi to try and nick their money in the near future and want a large chunk of it beyond his reach.
Odd they haven't bought Chelsea yet.
They seem to be more interested in loss making or barely profitable assets that can be purchased nice and cheaply and may if the school goes belly up become prime real estate.
So you're right, it's very odd they haven't grabbed Chelsea.
Washington DC Sydney Switzerland San Fransisco Saffron Walden Beirut North Norfolk Ashdon, Essex Bad Wildungen, Germany Colorado Israel Budapest Rwanda Rome Dublin St Petersburg Norwich North Devon Ann Arbor, Michigan Key West
That's an utterly fatuous list, strewn with category errors. "Switzerland" is an entire country, "Saffron Walden" is a large village, "North Devon" is half a county, and so on
It's like saying my ten favourite foods are
Pistachio ice cream Heston Blumentahal's snail porridge Vegetables A classic British fry up Noodles My nan's chicken curry Pizza Beef Wellington Meat
ZELENSKYY to BBC: I believe that America is stronger with Europe. I believe that there's no NATO without America, and NATO doesn't exist without Europe.
They should not argue who contributed more. This is not a competition. America and Europe are one civilized world with the same values. Any split in NATO will weaken both sides.
You just have to wonder how Trump has engineered what looks like a win for Iran, especially if the regime stays in place and the Strait remains closed or subject to tariffs
He says the Strait is not his problem, but the rise in US fuel is a direct consequence of the closure of the Strait and until it is resolved the US itself will have high fuel prices
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
We don't need to ally with China, but we do need to trade with them for both imports and exports, so we need civil relations. Not friends, not enemies but trading partners.
Many of our other relationships are with non-democratic states with little respect for human rights such as KSA, UAE, Qatar etc. We should trade with them too
Quite obviously our nearest neighbours are our best friends in terms of trade, culture and military concerns, and it is right to mend our bridges there.
The UK should have nothing to do with China until China honours its agreement with the UK to maintain democracy and civil liberties in Hong Kong.
China can not be trusted. It has demonstrated that with its own actions.
China is at least consistent. Unlike Trump's America.
Consistently criminal scum, in their current incarnation.
At least America is only inconsistently criminal scum.
My yardstick for judging governments is their policy regarding climate change.
China: Building renewables like crazy but also still burning lots of coal: C USA: Building renewable generation but still determined to drill baby drill: D Russia: Couldn't give a toss: F
ZELENSKYY to BBC: I believe that America is stronger with Europe. I believe that there's no NATO without America, and NATO doesn't exist without Europe.
They should not argue who contributed more. This is not a competition. America and Europe are one civilized world with the same values. Any split in NATO will weaken both sides.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
ZELENSKYY to BBC: I believe that America is stronger with Europe. I believe that there's no NATO without America, and NATO doesn't exist without Europe.
They should not argue who contributed more. This is not a competition. America and Europe are one civilized world with the same values. Any split in NATO will weaken both sides.
The UK should have nothing to do with China until China honours its agreement with the UK to maintain democracy and civil liberties in Hong Kong.
China can not be trusted. It has demonstrated that with its own actions.
China is at least consistent. Unlike Trump's America.
What is consistent about China signing up to "one country two systems" and then going back on their word less than thirty years on?
It's comforting to think that we can deal with Trump by swapping a close relationship with one large country for another, but life isn't that simple. We need to distance ourselves from China too, because they are willing to use our trade dependence against us.
It's the same with the EU. I speak with sadness but they're not especially reliable allies and some don't even pay a fair share to NATO. Living without the US alliance may well be necessary but it won't be cheap and we're years from being ready as is most of Europe. It means some seriously hard choices on both tax and welfare for a long time -I doubt very much if the will is there on the part of the politicians or the people
Nobody pays money to NATO. That's not how NATO works.
Since 2014, NATO are supposed to spend a certain portion of their GDP (2%) on defence. Some European countries -like the Baltic States- do, others do not. And some countries -like the US- include healthcare for veterans in their defence spending numbers, making it difficult to compare between countries too.
Nevertheless, thanks to Ukraine, pretty much everyone is on the right path.
Bill Kristol thinks leaving NATO will be announced tonight to distract the media as he also announces TACO and leaving the war in Iran with fuck all to show for it.
I assume that tonight Trump will head for the exits in Iran. He may try to disguise the retreat by announcing the U.S. is leaving NATO, which Trump will present as a liberation from ungrateful allies and a victory for America First.
Constitutionally he doesn’t have the power to withdraw from NATO but he’ll do it via executive order then wait for the Supreme Court to rule in 2028.
Total nightmare for the rest of NATO especially Brits. Do we continue working with US military because the exec order to leave is illegal and not backed by Congress or do we withdraw all co-operation assuming it is valid?
We need to start playing hardball.
With what?????
With that which we have. Bases for starters. And a Royal visit.
Yes the question of the future of US bases is quite a significant lever. How could the US claim to be entitled to maintain bases on European territory if it is not prepared to use those bases to (convincingly) help guarantee European security?
I am not a fan of massive US bases on our soil. However, being familiar with a few places that have lost military bases, I think we should be conscious of what we're wishing for.
A faster Nation Express coach from Cambridge to Norwich
Washington DC Sydney Switzerland San Fransisco Saffron Walden Beirut North Norfolk Ashdon, Essex Bad Wildungen, Germany Colorado Israel Budapest Rwanda Rome Dublin St Petersburg Norwich North Devon Ann Arbor, Michigan Key West
Massive explosion hits 15 Khordad barracks, IRGC missile site in south Isfahan.
Same energy.
Rep. Rich McCormick: "We were horrible in Vietnam until we did Rolling Thunder One and Rolling Thunder Two, and then we won. As soon as we do half-measures, we lose. The faster we get this over the better. If we seize Kharg Island, it's technically boots on the ground. It could be done almost flawlessly. If we have enough firepower, it would be very easy to defend." https://x.com/atrupar/status/2039090265122574644
Not 100%. MAGA are genuinely making plans - though he'll be long gone before any serious work could start, so absent the new dictatorship after 2028, it won't happen.
Stone Mountain would be more suitable.
Isn’t the MAGA aesthetic more Stone Island?
But I've been thinking recently, re MAGA, how Lost Cause ethic animates and underlies it. Two of them actually. The original Civil War and its later refighting in the Civil Rights battles of the 60s and the 70s. Those defeats (for white supremacy and traditional gender roles) have not been come to terms with. Things which many people thought were settled are not. So a third battle looms. Hopefully it will be more like the second one than the first. Fewer casualties and some great music.
Washington DC Sydney Switzerland San Fransisco Saffron Walden Beirut North Norfolk Ashdon, Essex Bad Wildungen, Germany Colorado Israel Budapest Rwanda Rome Dublin St Petersburg Norwich North Devon Ann Arbor, Michigan Key West
The UK should have nothing to do with China until China honours its agreement with the UK to maintain democracy and civil liberties in Hong Kong.
China can not be trusted. It has demonstrated that with its own actions.
China is at least consistent. Unlike Trump's America.
Consistently criminal scum, in their current incarnation.
At least America is only inconsistently criminal scum.
My yardstick for judging governments is their policy regarding climate change.
China: Building renewables like crazy but also still burning lots of coal: C USA: Building renewable generation but still determined to drill baby drill: D Russia: Couldn't give a toss: F
The US is doing nothing different than China would be doing with the same resources.
It's also utterly risible that a supporter of Britain's Net Zero catastrofuck is quite happy to award a pass mark to a country with 4,700 coal mines. Why shouldn't we let rip with coal mines then? Why shouldn't we get awarded your average 'could do better' pass grade? What is peculiar about our country that we should sacrifice our economy and freeze our grannies to get a starred A?
The UK should have nothing to do with China until China honours its agreement with the UK to maintain democracy and civil liberties in Hong Kong.
China can not be trusted. It has demonstrated that with its own actions.
China is at least consistent. Unlike Trump's America.
What is consistent about China signing up to "one country two systems" and then going back on their word less than thirty years on?
It's comforting to think that we can deal with Trump by swapping a close relationship with one large country for another, but life isn't that simple. We need to distance ourselves from China too, because they are willing to use our trade dependence against us.
It's the same with the EU. I speak with sadness but they're not especially reliable allies and some don't even pay a fair share to NATO. Living without the US alliance may well be necessary but it won't be cheap and we're years from being ready as is most of Europe. It means some seriously hard choices on both tax and welfare for a long time -I doubt very much if the will is there on the part of the politicians or the people
Nobody pays money to NATO. That's not how NATO works.
Since 2014, NATO are supposed to spend a certain portion of their GDP (2%) on defence. Some European countries -like the Baltic States- do, others do not. And some countries -like the US- include healthcare for veterans in their defence spending numbers, making it difficult to compare between countries too.
Nevertheless, thanks to Ukraine, pretty much everyone is on the right path.
Speaking to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet on Monday, he said: “According to the defence investigation that was completed last year, I will be ready for war by the end of this decade.”
When asked to clarify if this meant the navy was not “ready for war” now, he confirmed he did not think so...
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
I work for Chinese companies, and have for many years on and off, and had a Chinese grandmother.
I flatter myself I know a fair amount about China. I haven't been there but that's because I'd get into trouble by saying things Winnie would disapprove of.
China is a bit like Dubai - middle class and rich westerners make lots of money.
You just have to ignore politics and morality while you are there. Otherwise you get hit, very fucking hard.
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
Massive explosion hits 15 Khordad barracks, IRGC missile site in south Isfahan.
Same energy.
Rep. Rich McCormick: "We were horrible in Vietnam until we did Rolling Thunder One and Rolling Thunder Two, and then we won. As soon as we do half-measures, we lose. The faster we get this over the better. If we seize Kharg Island, it's technically boots on the ground. It could be done almost flawlessly. If we have enough firepower, it would be very easy to defend." https://x.com/atrupar/status/2039090265122574644
Is it still before noon in the US, or is he just very drunk?
ZELENSKYY to BBC: I believe that America is stronger with Europe. I believe that there's no NATO without America, and NATO doesn't exist without Europe.
They should not argue who contributed more. This is not a competition. America and Europe are one civilized world with the same values. Any split in NATO will weaken both sides.
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
It will also prompt us to answer the hard questions like how we can rebuild our own defence industries, how and where we should spend our defence budgets. Whereas in the current half in half out purgatory those decisions inevitably get hit by paralysis and doubt.
Iranian president to release letter to US people in a few hours time
Putting it in writing is one way to expose the shyster Trump
Nothing exposes him.
90% of the world don't believe a word Trump says anyway. The remaining 10%, including 40% of Americans will believe every word he says regardless of evidence to the contrary.
@dixiedean Independence and working with others is absolutely not oxymoronic and is indeed a very sensible way to operate quite often.
How do independent bars and restaurants get their alcohol? They work with breweries, buying their stock from them, on typically far better commercial terms than tied pubs can. While maintaining their own operational and commercial independence.
Currently the UK is tied to the USA and that is causing problems. We should not aim to switch that to being tied to Europe, or China, or anyone else.
We should be independent. Able to work with others, where we can mutually find it beneficial, but not tied to any one point of failure.
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
This is absolutely right. He's been looking for a pretext and has manufactured one - I guess threatening to invade Greenland still did not persuade enough people - and that is unfortuante, but when 40% of the USA agrees with seeing NATO as tantamount to being an enemy, a break was clearly inevitable, even if Trump were to go tomorrow.
I didn't want a new order, but it has to happen for everyone's sake.
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
This is absolutely right. He's been looking for a pretext and has manufactured one - I guess threatening to invade Greenland still did not persuade enough people - and that is unfortuante, but when 40% of the USA agrees with seeing NATO as tantamount to being an enemy, a break was clearly inevitable, even if Trump were to go tomorrow.
I didn't want a new order, but it has to happen for everyone's sake.
We need to act in the world as it is, not the world we want it to be.
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
This is absolutely right. He's been looking for a pretext and has manufactured one - I guess threatening to invade Greenland still did not persuade enough people - and that is unfortuante, but when 40% of the USA agrees with seeing NATO as tantamount to being an enemy, a break was clearly inevitable, even if Trump were to go tomorrow.
I didn't want a new order, but it has to happen for everyone's sake.
European leaders, including Starmer, have inadvertently proved Trump right about Greenland. Bases are no good if the host country is able to veto what you want to do with them. You need sovereignty, like we have in Cyprus and Gibraltar.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
I work for Chinese companies, and have for many years on and off, and had a Chinese grandmother.
I flatter myself I know a fair amount about China. I haven't been there but that's because I'd get into trouble by saying things Winnie would disapprove of.
China is a bit like Dubai - middle class and rich westerners make lots of money.
You just have to ignore politics and morality while you are there. Otherwise you get hit, very fucking hard.
Not just true of Dubai and China, but true of most of the world. Being rich and having a Western passport is the golden ticket in life.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
This is absolutely right. He's been looking for a pretext and has manufactured one - I guess threatening to invade Greenland still did not persuade enough people - and that is unfortuante, but when 40% of the USA agrees with seeing NATO as tantamount to being an enemy, a break was clearly inevitable, even if Trump were to go tomorrow.
I didn't want a new order, but it has to happen for everyone's sake.
We need to act in the world as it is, not the world we want it to be.
Quite so. The USA doesn't want to help others in NATO (even though ultimately it is to their benefit), and yet wants NATO to do whatever the US President tells it to do - that is not a sustainable position for an organisation, since even if the US was calling the shots, being that blatant makes it politically unfeasible for others to play along.
OT - Just remember that Republicans are about a third of the US electorate. On their own they win nothing even if they are 100% behind their party. They need a large section of the third (and increasing) section of the electorate who are Independents. Approval of Trump among Independents generally and on every suggested policy is almost as low as it is among Democrats.
MAGA will not break with Iran over Trump. They will shift their positions to align with Trump's. However, what is happening is the numbers aligning with the MAGA 'brand' are slowly diminishing and those Republicans who are non-MAGA are slowly edging away from the admin due to its manifest near-universal incompetence
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
This is absolutely right. He's been looking for a pretext and has manufactured one - I guess threatening to invade Greenland still did not persuade enough people - and that is unfortuante, but when 40% of the USA agrees with seeing NATO as tantamount to being an enemy, a break was clearly inevitable, even if Trump were to go tomorrow.
I didn't want a new order, but it has to happen for everyone's sake.
European leaders, including Starmer, have inadvertently proved Trump right about Greenland. Bases are no good if the host country is able to veto what you want to do with them. You need sovereignty, like we have in Cyprus and Gibraltar.
That's almost as stupid as the Congressman upthread.
The UK should have nothing to do with China until China honours its agreement with the UK to maintain democracy and civil liberties in Hong Kong.
China can not be trusted. It has demonstrated that with its own actions.
China is at least consistent. Unlike Trump's America.
What is consistent about China signing up to "one country two systems" and then going back on their word less than thirty years on?
It's comforting to think that we can deal with Trump by swapping a close relationship with one large country for another, but life isn't that simple. We need to distance ourselves from China too, because they are willing to use our trade dependence against us.
It's the same with the EU. I speak with sadness but they're not especially reliable allies and some don't even pay a fair share to NATO. Living without the US alliance may well be necessary but it won't be cheap and we're years from being ready as is most of Europe. It means some seriously hard choices on both tax and welfare for a long time -I doubt very much if the will is there on the part of the politicians or the people
Nobody pays money to NATO. That's not how NATO works.
Since 2014, NATO are supposed to spend a certain portion of their GDP (2%) on defence. Some European countries -like the Baltic States- do, others do not. And some countries -like the US- include healthcare for veterans in their defence spending numbers, making it difficult to compare between countries too.
Nevertheless, thanks to Ukraine, pretty much everyone is on the right path.
You misunderstood my point which was the cost replace an absent US A from NATO and defend ourselves effectively. To do that we'd need around 5% from each country and we're nowhere close. Without the US we're screwed in the short and probably medium term. Either way the full cost of an effective defence means lots of tax and cuts elsewhere. There's a reason why Starmer has sought to avoid a break with Trump. And he's still trying. And you know it.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
This is absolutely right. He's been looking for a pretext and has manufactured one - I guess threatening to invade Greenland still did not persuade enough people - and that is unfortuante, but when 40% of the USA agrees with seeing NATO as tantamount to being an enemy, a break was clearly inevitable, even if Trump were to go tomorrow.
I didn't want a new order, but it has to happen for everyone's sake.
European leaders, including Starmer, have inadvertently proved Trump right about Greenland. Bases are no good if the host country is able to veto what you want to do with them. You need sovereignty, like we have in Cyprus and Gibraltar.
It doesn't prove he was right, it proves when you work with allies you can do pretty much what you like (when you're as powerful as the USA), when if you treat them like pieces of shit and lambast them all the time they will find small ways to frustrate you (even if you're as powerful as the USA). In part because your actions make it politically difficult for them not to do so.
You only need what Trump claims he needs if you don't care about alliances, solving a problem you created.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
I'm often partisan
I genuinely see China as a potential ally
May I recommend Barnard Castle as a place that would be worthy of a visit?
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
I'm often partisan
I genuinely see China as a potential ally
May I recommend Barnard Castle as a place that would be worthy of a visit?
Bill Kristol thinks leaving NATO will be announced tonight to distract the media as he also announces TACO and leaving the war in Iran with fuck all to show for it.
I assume that tonight Trump will head for the exits in Iran. He may try to disguise the retreat by announcing the U.S. is leaving NATO, which Trump will present as a liberation from ungrateful allies and a victory for America First.
Constitutionally he doesn’t have the power to withdraw from NATO but he’ll do it via executive order then wait for the Supreme Court to rule in 2028.
Can't the SC order a stay in the interim?
The notion (still posited by some) that Trump is putting it all on with his craziness and actually knows exactly what he's doing has surely taken a further hit with the NATO thing. This is in a different class from his promoting himself in jest as a candidate for the papacy, or saying he'll be re-elected in 2028, 2032, 2036, etc.
FeersumEnjineeya said: "USA: Building renewable generation but still determined to drill baby drill: D"
Energy consumption in the United States produced 4.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) in 2024 - a decrease of 0.4 percent from the previous year. U.S. CO₂ emissions from energy consumption have fallen by approximately 20 percent since 2005.
(For the record: Recently, my drafty sliding door was replaced by a much better one -- probably paid for by the local utility, PSE, and I can already see benefits from that. Soon I will be going to a presentation on TerraPower's new reactor: https://www.terrapower.com/
For years I have been saying that, if you believe global warming is a serious problem -- and can do arithmetic -- you will favor more nuclear power. But that doesn't mean I don't favor more power from renewables, too. Power to the people, I say!)
Single sentence summary: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine inspired almost all NATO nations to increase defense spending; most are now above the 2 percent target.
Bill Kristol thinks leaving NATO will be announced tonight to distract the media as he also announces TACO and leaving the war in Iran with fuck all to show for it.
I assume that tonight Trump will head for the exits in Iran. He may try to disguise the retreat by announcing the U.S. is leaving NATO, which Trump will present as a liberation from ungrateful allies and a victory for America First.
Constitutionally he doesn’t have the power to withdraw from NATO but he’ll do it via executive order then wait for the Supreme Court to rule in 2028.
Can't the SC order a stay in the interim?
The notion (still posited by some) that Trump is putting it all on with his craziness and actually knows exactly what he's doing has surely taken a further hit with the NATO thing. This is in a different class from his promoting himself in jest as a candidate for the papacy, or saying he'll be re-elected in 2028, 2032, 2036, etc.
Withdrawing from NATO is not just a Trump thing, it is increasingly a GOP thing (thought it didn't used to be). Which means the SC slow walking it would become more of a possibility.
But I imagine the plan would be to take various actions which hobble NATO in practice, even if he does not leave officially - like how he might not be able to shut down USAID, as it was set up by Act of Congress, but has effectively shut it down by removing all its budget?
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
I'm often partisan
I genuinely see China as a potential ally
China is as dangerous as Russia and other malign actors
Our Canadian daughter in law was banned from her work in China by the Chinese when they fell out over spying
NATO including Canada and adding Australia and Japan is the way forward, as is maintaining a relationship with the US no matter how hard it is over the next couple of years even with the idiotic Trump
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
The Chinese regime are genocidal, big brother maniacs who have destroyed our industrial base by stealing IP and undercutting our producers, who have no interest whatsoever in any of the principles that we stand for and, for good measure, have the biggest bubble in the history of the world.
I will give you that they are pretty consistent in all of these points but consistency can be overrated, even in the time of the Donald.
I wonder how many of the six people who liked David's post have even been to China let alone have spent a serious amount of time there. One of the three I know was my producer and I know no one who is better travelled than him and he likes everything about it
Roger, you are old enough to have met many of those who used to visit Apartheid SA and be so keen to tell us what a wonderful country it was. If you go into a foreign country, are treated with respect and turn a blind eye as to how it is for those who are not so fortunate it is quite easy to be enthusiastic. But its not right.
Didn't some people even try to go to Kampuchea to talk about it was good actually? Didn't work out in that case though.
Call it delusion or denial Europe needs to wake up and get its own house in order . There’s no excuse . The public also need to wake up to the reality .
Seeing European politicians stand there pretending NATO still exists is now just embarrassing.
Does anyone seriously think the US would honour Article 5 ?
And it’s also tragic seeing European politicians making themselves look pathetically weak by suggesting we’re all fxcked if the US pulls out of NATO.
Europe is not some third world poverty sticken place . If Europe wants to it can act and can find the resources to do so.
Single sentence summary: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine inspired almost all NATO nations to increase defense spending; most are now above the 2 percent target.
Still pathetic. It needs to be stuffed least 3pc excluding pensions
Call it delusion or denial Europe needs to wake up and get its own house in order . There’s no excuse . The public also need to wake up to the reality .
Seeing European politicians stand there pretending NATO still exists is now just embarrassing.
Does anyone seriously think the US would honour Article 5 ?
And it’s also tragic seeing European politicians making themselves look pathetically weak by suggesting we’re all fxcked if the US pulls out of NATO.
Europe is not some third world poverty sticken place . If Europe wants to it can act and can find the resources to do so.
It - we - are not prepared for the budgetary choices that would require, not with the anemic at best growth of most of the continent. Many are even giving up on the idea of economic growth at all.
The end of NATO will not result in Europe and the UK stepping up, which is a shame because it is coming. Maybe not officially for some time, but even with a few tricky members already, too many cannot trust each other now.
Interesting really, as initially Ukraine saw NATO gain new relevance.
Call it delusion or denial Europe needs to wake up and get its own house in order . There’s no excuse . The public also need to wake up to the reality .
Seeing European politicians stand there pretending NATO still exists is now just embarrassing.
Does anyone seriously think the US would honour Article 5 ?
And it’s also tragic seeing European politicians making themselves look pathetically weak by suggesting we’re all fxcked if the US pulls out of NATO.
Europe is not some third world poverty sticken place . If Europe wants to it can act and can find the resources to do so.
With respect that is delusional
US military arms and aircraft are intrinsically tied into European defence and it would take decades to change that
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
This is absolutely right. He's been looking for a pretext and has manufactured one - I guess threatening to invade Greenland still did not persuade enough people - and that is unfortuante, but when 40% of the USA agrees with seeing NATO as tantamount to being an enemy, a break was clearly inevitable, even if Trump were to go tomorrow.
I didn't want a new order, but it has to happen for everyone's sake.
European leaders, including Starmer, have inadvertently proved Trump right about Greenland. Bases are no good if the host country is able to veto what you want to do with them. You need sovereignty, like we have in Cyprus and Gibraltar.
It doesn't prove he was right, it proves when you work with allies you can do pretty much what you like (when you're as powerful as the USA), when if you treat them like pieces of shit and lambast them all the time they will find small ways to frustrate you (even if you're as powerful as the USA). In part because your actions make it politically difficult for them not to do so.
You only need what Trump claims he needs if you don't care about alliances, solving a problem you created.
Much like the opening of the strait I guess.
Trump could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue, shoot someone, and our william would try and sanewash it.
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
The UK need to get close to China. They value stability above all else. Hopefully from a leading position in the EU. The US are a pirate state and we must cut ties.
That is offensive to pirates.
Spot on Roger
Who fears China the most?
Trump Putin Netanyahu
We have nothing to fear from China, everything to gain.
Brixian has posted some partisan claptrap (and plenty of non-claptrap!) but never anything acitvely dangerous - until now.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
I do not believe that Starmer and the labour party would see his contributions as helpful
I'm often partisan
I genuinely see China as a potential ally
China is as dangerous as Russia and other malign actors
Our Canadian daughter in law was banned from her work in China by the Chinese when they fell out over spying
NATO including Canada and adding Australia and Japan is the way forward, as is maintaining a relationship with the US no matter how hard it is over the next couple of years even with the idiotic Trump
Just to qualify that
Canada fell out with China not our daughter in law, but her role in China ceased
Call it delusion or denial Europe needs to wake up and get its own house in order . There’s no excuse . The public also need to wake up to the reality .
Seeing European politicians stand there pretending NATO still exists is now just embarrassing.
Does anyone seriously think the US would honour Article 5 ?
And it’s also tragic seeing European politicians making themselves look pathetically weak by suggesting we’re all fxcked if the US pulls out of NATO.
Europe is not some third world poverty sticken place . If Europe wants to it can act and can find the resources to do so.
With respect that is delusional
US military arms and aircraft are intrinsically tied into European defence and it would take decades to change that
If there’s the will it can be done much more quickly .The delusion is the attitude of European leaders who think just playing for time might see a more pro NATO administration.
As a French politician suggested European defence can’t be determined by swing voters in Wisconsin every 4 years .
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
This is absolutely right. He's been looking for a pretext and has manufactured one - I guess threatening to invade Greenland still did not persuade enough people - and that is unfortuante, but when 40% of the USA agrees with seeing NATO as tantamount to being an enemy, a break was clearly inevitable, even if Trump were to go tomorrow.
I didn't want a new order, but it has to happen for everyone's sake.
European leaders, including Starmer, have inadvertently proved Trump right about Greenland. Bases are no good if the host country is able to veto what you want to do with them. You need sovereignty, like we have in Cyprus and Gibraltar.
It doesn't prove he was right, it proves when you work with allies you can do pretty much what you like (when you're as powerful as the USA), when if you treat them like pieces of shit and lambast them all the time they will find small ways to frustrate you (even if you're as powerful as the USA). In part because your actions make it politically difficult for them not to do so.
You only need what Trump claims he needs if you don't care about alliances, solving a problem you created.
Much like the opening of the strait I guess.
Trump could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue, shoot someone, and our william would try and sanewash it.
Single sentence summary: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine inspired almost all NATO nations to increase defense spending; most are now above the 2 percent target.
Still pathetic. It needs to be stuffed least 3pc excluding pensions
Comments
This is because they expect Xi to try and nick their money in the near future and want a large chunk of it beyond his reach.
If you think China isn't by far the biggest long term threat to the European way of life you need to wake up now. The prospect of a world in which China provides the security guarantees in the Middle East should scare the life out of you.
If Brixian is representative of the Labour Party more generally then quite frankly god help us all.
However, Canada has only just resolved a long dispute with China over spying and she was forbidden to go there
Anyone who trusts China is foolish in the extreme
In the past I have also been to: Hong Kong, Macao, Guangdong, Shenzen, Kunming, half of Tibet, Chongqing, Chengdu, Beijing, Guilin, Xiengeli-la, Balagezong, and many many more. I am right and you are wrong about everything, and I am also better travelled than your producer
What was the argument about?
"Win" much less so in the case of Vietnam, if it were even possible (it very likely wasn't).
He's not pulling out.
In an interview with Reuters, Trump says: Will express 'my disgust' with NATO in his speech; says he is 'absolutely' considering withdrawing U.S. from NATO.
https://x.com/idreesali114/status/2039332260030173323
Washington DC
Sydney
Switzerland
San Fransisco
Saffron Walden
Beirut
North Norfolk
Ashdon, Essex
Bad Wildungen, Germany
Colorado
Israel
Budapest
Rwanda
Rome
Dublin
St Petersburg
Norwich
North Devon
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Key West
http://iaindale.com/articles/20-of-my-favourite-places-in-the-whole-wide-world
We’re not left with many moral options . It’s a sad state of affairs .
They should not argue who contributed more. This is not a competition. America and Europe are one civilized world with the same values. Any split in NATO will weaken both sides.
We want to be allies with a strong NATO, where everyone respects one another and is ready to defend.
https://x.com/BohuslavskaKate/status/2039337894632906819
So you're right, it's very odd they haven't grabbed Chelsea.
It's like saying my ten favourite foods are
Pistachio ice cream
Heston Blumentahal's snail porridge
Vegetables
A classic British fry up
Noodles
My nan's chicken curry
Pizza
Beef Wellington
Meat
etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
Five hours to go! 80% weather will be ok to go apparently
He says the Strait is not his problem, but the rise in US fuel is a direct consequence of the closure of the Strait and until it is resolved the US itself will have high fuel prices
He is insane and dangerous
Many of our other relationships are with non-democratic states with little respect for human rights such as KSA, UAE, Qatar etc. We should trade with them too
Quite obviously our nearest neighbours are our best friends in terms of trade, culture and military concerns, and it is right to mend our bridges there.
A Strait which wouldn't be closed but for the War.
China: Building renewables like crazy but also still burning lots of coal: C
USA: Building renewable generation but still determined to drill baby drill: D
Russia: Couldn't give a toss: F
https://x.com/osint613/status/2039371881707434024
Massive explosion hits 15 Khordad barracks, IRGC missile site in south Isfahan.
He's engaging in diplomacy.
Sad.
Not dependently with one.
Having a single point of failure is never smart risk management.
Serves Europe right for starting the whole thing in thd first place.
US winning tactically militarily but to what purpose?
Since 2014, NATO are supposed to spend a certain portion of their GDP (2%) on defence. Some European countries -like the Baltic States- do, others do not. And some countries -like the US- include healthcare for veterans in their defence spending numbers, making it difficult to compare between countries too.
Nevertheless, thanks to Ukraine, pretty much everyone is on the right path.
https://youtu.be/3tmd-ClpJxA
Rep. Rich McCormick: "We were horrible in Vietnam until we did Rolling Thunder One and Rolling Thunder Two, and then we won. As soon as we do half-measures, we lose. The faster we get this over the better. If we seize Kharg Island, it's technically boots on the ground. It could be done almost flawlessly. If we have enough firepower, it would be very easy to defend."
https://x.com/atrupar/status/2039090265122574644
He’s a fatuous prick.
It's also utterly risible that a supporter of Britain's Net Zero catastrofuck is quite happy to award a pass mark to a country with 4,700 coal mines. Why shouldn't we let rip with coal mines then? Why shouldn't we get awarded your average 'could do better' pass grade? What is peculiar about our country that we should sacrifice our economy and freeze our grannies to get a starred A?
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/01/us-royal-navy-jibes-are-uncomfortable-because-they-have-substance-pete-hegseth
...perhaps the most serious intervention has come from Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord, who has admitted the navy is not ready for war.
Speaking to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet on Monday, he said: “According to the defence investigation that was completed last year, I will be ready for war by the end of this decade.”
When asked to clarify if this meant the navy was not “ready for war” now, he confirmed he did not think so...
You just have to ignore politics and morality while you are there. Otherwise you get hit, very fucking hard.
@PhillipsPOBrien
People need to understand that it is a good thing if Trump threatens to leave NATO and says the US will not fight for Europe. The truth was the alliance was dead the moment he became president again. The US under him would never fight to defend Europe from Russia. Pretending otherwise was dangerous.
https://x.com/PhillipsPOBrien/status/2039387680400638301
Putting it in writing is one way to expose the shyster Trump
90% of the world don't believe a word Trump says anyway. The remaining 10%, including 40% of Americans will believe every word he says regardless of evidence to the contrary.
How do independent bars and restaurants get their alcohol? They work with breweries, buying their stock from them, on typically far better commercial terms than tied pubs can. While maintaining their own operational and commercial independence.
Currently the UK is tied to the USA and that is causing problems. We should not aim to switch that to being tied to Europe, or China, or anyone else.
We should be independent. Able to work with others, where we can mutually find it beneficial, but not tied to any one point of failure.
Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that's presented by Michael McIntyre.
https://x.com/CryptoCyberia/status/2039350785402675216
Insider wallet on Polymarket that bet 500k predicting the exact time we first struck Iran just bet 800k on ground invasion of Iran.
I didn't want a new order, but it has to happen for everyone's sake.
NASA have their own YouTube channel and there are a bunch of others who will be showing it with their own commentary.
I genuinely see China as a potential ally
"Why has goblin porn eclipsed literary writing? By Candida Crewe"
https://www.theoldie.co.uk/blog/why-has-goblin-porn-eclipsed-literary-writing-by-candida-crewe
Needs to make a very short Fox News type video.
If you want details read nasaspaceflight.com on the side - you’ll have industry insiders live commenting.
Not exactly James Burke is he.
https://x.com/cathynewman/status/2039392607302713795?s=61
MAGA will not break with Iran over Trump. They will shift their positions to align with Trump's. However, what is happening is the numbers aligning with the MAGA 'brand' are slowly diminishing and those Republicans who are non-MAGA are slowly edging away from the admin due to its manifest near-universal incompetence
89 apparently.
Major figure in my childhood obsession with all things space.
I’m sure you’ll also journey on.
You only need what Trump claims he needs if you don't care about alliances, solving a problem you created.
Much like the opening of the strait I guess.
Could make all the difference.
The notion (still posited by some) that Trump is putting it all on with his craziness and actually knows exactly what he's doing has surely taken a further hit with the NATO thing. This is in a different class from his promoting himself in jest as a candidate for the papacy, or saying he'll be re-elected in 2028, 2032, 2036, etc.
NEW: Donald Trump suggests the King would have stood by him on the Iran war
"He would have taken a very different stand [to Keir Starmer] but he doesn’t do that"
And we are finally getting serious about a nuclear revival. for example: https://www.terrapower.com/
(For the record: Recently, my drafty sliding door was replaced by a much better one -- probably paid for by the local utility, PSE, and I can already see benefits from that. Soon I will be going to a presentation on TerraPower's new reactor:
https://www.terrapower.com/
For years I have been saying that, if you believe global warming is a serious problem -- and can do arithmetic -- you will favor more nuclear power. But that doesn't mean I don't favor more power from renewables, too. Power to the people, I say!)
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/econographics/whos-at-2-percent-look-how-nato-allies-have-increased-their-defense-spending-since-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/
https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/finance/def-exp-2025-en.pdf
Single sentence summary: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine inspired almost all NATO nations to increase defense spending; most are now above the 2 percent target.
But I imagine the plan would be to take various actions which hobble NATO in practice, even if he does not leave officially - like how he might not be able to shut down USAID, as it was set up by Act of Congress, but has effectively shut it down by removing all its budget?
Our Canadian daughter in law was banned from her work in China by the Chinese when they fell out over spying
NATO including Canada and adding Australia and Japan is the way forward, as is maintaining a relationship with the US no matter how hard it is over the next couple of years even with the idiotic Trump
Call it delusion or denial Europe needs to wake up and get its own house in order . There’s no excuse . The public also need to wake up to the reality .
Seeing European politicians stand there pretending NATO still exists is now just embarrassing.
Does anyone seriously think the US would honour Article 5 ?
And it’s also tragic seeing European politicians making themselves look pathetically weak by suggesting we’re all fxcked if the US pulls out of NATO.
Europe is not some third world poverty sticken place . If Europe wants to it can act and can find the resources to do so.
The end of NATO will not result in Europe and the UK stepping up, which is a shame because it is coming. Maybe not officially for some time, but even with a few tricky members already, too many cannot trust each other now.
Interesting really, as initially Ukraine saw NATO gain new relevance.
US military arms and aircraft are intrinsically tied into European defence and it would take decades to change that
If everyone Trump has belittled goes on a boycott of buying US bonds, then America would be dependent upon Israel and Russia saving their sorry ass.
Canada fell out with China not our daughter in law, but her role in China ceased
As a French politician suggested European defence can’t be determined by swing voters in Wisconsin every 4 years .
Italy and Spain differ from Germany and France and others with Ursula von der Leyen marginalised