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?
should be left on their arses, all bases emptied etc, make them pay for it
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
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 .
So which defence systems and aircraft would be used much more quickly without US supply ?
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
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Gold, although I suspect that's a bit overpriced at the moment.
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Same as our experience and our daughter in law
You miss out however the ordinary people are not responsible for the malign regime, much like Iran
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?
All DJT has to do is...
Stop paying the contributions to the NATO budget. This puts a 15% hole in it that nobody else would be rushing to fill. Remove all US forces from the NATO command structure and bring them back to the US. Reassign all NATO assigned officers. This would cause a bit of a land grab to fill the posts but CMC (currently Italian) would probably take over as SACEUR. It would cripple the AWACS force and CAOC among other things.
That kills NATO without a formal treaty withdrawal.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Gold, although I suspect that's a bit overpriced at the moment.
IIRC Gold has been all over the fucking place in the last couple of years
But maybe that's the case with everything, There are no more safe havens
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 .
So which defence systems and aircraft would be used much more quickly without US supply ?
The European combined military capability without NATO is still far superior to Russia . And do you seriously think the US won’t still be happy to accept arms orders ? Europe needs to stop acting like a poor weak victim.
- Labour candidate dropped b/c of alleged fraud - SNP candidate quit over alleged sexual offences - SNP candidate dropped after defending sex offender - SNP candidate quit over alleged benefit fraud - Reform candidate dropped over Covid loan
- Two Reform candidates quit over anti-Muslim tweets - Two Reform candidates quit after being nominated by mistake - Green candidate blocked over Maggie Chapman complaint - Sarwar stroke comments - Offord George Michael joke‘
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 US spends £570m a year on NATO itself. Not a big ask to replace that.
Are you talking about cutting US defence spending (they've just increase it massively), or them withdrawing troops and equipment from Europe ?
If the latter, that's not a direct threat to NATO, though it decreases its deterrent effect significantly.
OTOH, if Russia invaded a Baltic state, would the US participate in its defence anyway ?
Bottom line is that Trump has done most of the damage he can do to NATO already. What's an open question is the next administration's efforts to repair that.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Gold, although I suspect that's a bit overpriced at the moment.
IIRC Gold has been all over the fucking place in the last couple of years
But maybe that's the case with everything, There are no more safe havens
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 .
So which defence systems and aircraft would be used much more quickly without US supply ?
The European combined military capability without NATO is still far superior to Russia . And do you seriously think the US won’t still be happy to accept arms orders ? Europe needs to stop acting like a poor weak victim.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
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"
That's a hanging consequence clause. I always ask what the condition clause is supposed to be. He would have done that - if what? If he were a dictator? "If he were the leader of the majority party in the Commons" doesn't quite cut it.
Trump will take his acting out to a new level and then leave office one way or another before the end of this year, is my prediction.
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 US spends £570m a year on NATO itself. Not a big ask to replace that.
Are you talking about cutting US defence spending (they've just increase it massively), or them withdrawing troops and equipment from Europe ?
If the latter, that's not a direct threat to NATO, though it decreases its deterrent effect significantly.
OTOH, if Russia invaded a Baltic state, would the US participate in its defence anyway ?
Bottom line is that Trump has done most of the damage he can do to NATO already. What's an open question is the next administration's efforts to repair that.
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.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
If you haven’t used your ISA allowance, can you put some in a Cash ISA, probably with your own bank, before next Monday? Then you can transfer it to a Stocks & Shares ISA after April 6 without jeopardising your 2026/7 ISA allowance. That will also give you more time to decide what you want to do.
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
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
How much, and for how long ? And (trust me it's relevant) do you already have any kind of ISA or SIPP or other share dealing platform account already set up ?
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
should stop buying any new american kit immediately , plenty of cheaper alternatives when you don't need to kiss their butt.
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Same as our experience and our daughter in law
You miss out however the ordinary people are not responsible for the malign regime, much like Iran
People bang on about China the surveillance state and on my recent visit, last month, I was expecting to be searched, grilled, interviewd, harangued and pursued by microdrones infiltrating my Cornish nipples
In truth, it all felt very breezy. Didn't need a visa, passport control took 5 minutes, everywhere was welcoming, no one seemed bothered that I theoretically broke the rules by flying out via a different city - Wuhan. Just a lot of shrugs. I didn't get the sense of a surveilled populace, either. Everyone was affable anid cheerful (by big city standards)
Of course, I am a foreigner,. Of course I was in Shanghai then Wuhan, not Xinjiang or Tibet
Nonetheless, it was a blast and Shanghui is great and the food is now epic and hmmm
Of my recent travels the only place where I have felt watched is Kazakhstan. But that's only because 1, they are hyper vigilant about Islamic terrorism and 2. I was driving myself around and that is unusual and Kazakh traffic cops are as officious as the Swiss
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
You may have already done this, but: your daughter is at uni - you can minimise her debt. That strikes me as a pretty tax efficient investment. Yes, technically, it'll no longer be your money - but it'll all end up going to her in the long run anyway.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Premium bonds.
Endorse this. I require them to send me prizes as cheques, which is a big hassle of course, but it means I actually look forward to opening the mail. Once I have picked up a couple of them, I book a good restaurant for a meal out. I have no idea what's happening to my finances, probably not any worse than my other "investments" but at least I'm getting some good dinners out of premium bonds
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Gold, although I suspect that's a bit overpriced at the moment.
IIRC Gold has been all over the fucking place in the last couple of years
But maybe that's the case with everything, There are no more safe havens
Buy objects that bring beauty in to your life. Paintings, object d'art, first editions, curios. If they are widely acknowledged as amongst the best in their sphere, they will always be in demand - and hence always attract top prices.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Have you funded your ISA for this year ? You've got until tomorrow. Otherwise leave the lot in cash until you know more about the Iran outcome. The possible downside outweighs the potential benefit of diving in now, IMO.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Gold, although I suspect that's a bit overpriced at the moment.
IIRC Gold has been all over the fucking place in the last couple of years
But maybe that's the case with everything, There are no more safe havens
Buy objects that bring beauty in to your life. Paintings, object d'art, first editions, curios. If they are widely acknowledged as amongst the best in their sphere, they will always be in demand - and hence always attract top prices.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
You may have already done this, but: your daughter is at uni - you can minimise her debt. That strikes me as a pretty tax efficient investment. Yes, technically, it'll no longer be your money - but it'll all end up going to her in the long run anyway.
That's a nice idea, and thankyou for taking time t advise me, but I honestly think the global economic system is going to be totally overturned within five-fifteen years because REDACTED REDACTED so long term debt (and pensions and mortgages) really will not matter. We will either be dead, enslaved or living in wild abundance
I want somewhere I can put my money, keep it pretty liquid, get a decent return in the short term. If such a thing is possible. It may not be
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
If you haven’t used your ISA allowance, can you put some in a Cash ISA, probably with your own bank, before next Monday? Then you can transfer it to a Stocks & Shares ISA after April 6 without jeopardising your 2026/7 ISA allowance. That will also give you more time to decide what you want to do.
Thanks, yes, that's probably what I will do, I think
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Same as our experience and our daughter in law
You miss out however the ordinary people are not responsible for the malign regime, much like Iran
People bang on about China the surveillance state and on my recent visit, last month, I was expecting to be searched, grilled, interviewd, harangued and pursued by microdrones infiltrating my Cornish nipples
In truth, it all felt very breezy. Didn't need a visa, passport control took 5 minutes, everywhere was welcoming, no one seemed bothered that I theoretically broke the rules by flying out via a different city - Wuhan. Just a lot of shrugs. I didn't get the sense of a surveilled populace, either. Everyone was affable anid cheerful (by big city standards)
Of course, I am a foreigner,. Of course I was in Shanghai then Wuhan, not Xinjiang or Tibet
Nonetheless, it was a blast and Shanghui is great and the food is now epic and hmmm
Of my recent travels the only place where I have felt watched is Kazakhstan. But that's only because 1, they are hyper vigilant about Islamic terrorism and 2. I was driving myself around and that is unusual and Kazakh traffic cops are as officious as the Swiss
Everyone else in Kazakhstan was lovely
The world is much freer than we realise
Son’s off to Kazakhstan for a couple of months on his gap year travels this weekend.
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?
All DJT has to do is...
Stop paying the contributions to the NATO budget. This puts a 15% hole in it that nobody else would be rushing to fill. Remove all US forces from the NATO command structure and bring them back to the US. Reassign all NATO assigned officers. This would cause a bit of a land grab to fill the posts but CMC (currently Italian) would probably take over as SACEUR. It would cripple the AWACS force and CAOC among other things.
That kills NATO without a formal treaty withdrawal.
No, it doesn't. AWACS consists of 14 E3s globally, now. And Saab has a much cheaper replacement which would be fine for Europe.
It would leave a big gap, but it wouldn't be terminal. And ur would accelerate any preparations for a European alternative.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Royal London Short Term Money Market Y Acc, gives 4-5% annually and you can cash in quickly if you want
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Friendly towards the Muslim Uighurs?
Best not to confuse the regime with the population.
The Chinese regime has acted and continues to act horrendously towards Uighurs. The concentration camps that don't seem to concern other countries' leaders very much are very real indeed. As is an extremely high level of surveillance.
But the Han population are mostly not racist towards Uighurs. This came as a surprise to me when I learnt it. It seems to come from a genuine humanity and not from a desire to avoid causing punchups when there are so many police around. People are probably aware that what's happening to the Uighurs represents the (worldwide) future more generally.
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Friendly towards the Muslim Uighurs?
Best not to confuse the regime with the population.
The Chinese regime has acted and continues to act horrendously towards Uighurs. The concentration camps that don't seem to concern other countries' leaders very much are very real indeed. As is an extremely high level of surveillance outside of the camps, in cities such as Urumqi and Kashgar.
But the Han population are mostly not racist towards Uighurs. This came as a surprise to me when I learnt it. It seems to come from a genuine humanity and not from a desire to avoid causing punchups when there are so many police around (as there are in all Chinese cities.)
As well as being friendly and nice, people are also probably aware that what's happening to the Uighurs represents the (worldwide) future more generally. "First they came for ..."
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Same as our experience and our daughter in law
You miss out however the ordinary people are not responsible for the malign regime, much like Iran
People bang on about China the surveillance state and on my recent visit, last month, I was expecting to be searched, grilled, interviewd, harangued and pursued by microdrones infiltrating my Cornish nipples
In truth, it all felt very breezy. Didn't need a visa, passport control took 5 minutes, everywhere was welcoming, no one seemed bothered that I theoretically broke the rules by flying out via a different city - Wuhan. Just a lot of shrugs. I didn't get the sense of a surveilled populace, either. Everyone was affable anid cheerful (by big city standards)
Of course, I am a foreigner,. Of course I was in Shanghai then Wuhan, not Xinjiang or Tibet
Nonetheless, it was a blast and Shanghui is great and the food is now epic and hmmm
Of my recent travels the only place where I have felt watched is Kazakhstan. But that's only because 1, they are hyper vigilant about Islamic terrorism and 2. I was driving myself around and that is unusual and Kazakh traffic cops are as officious as the Swiss
Everyone else in Kazakhstan was lovely
The world is much freer than we realise
Son’s off to Kazakhstan for a couple of months on his gap year travels this weekend.
Kazakhstan, greatest country in world! All other countries are run by little girls!
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Friendly towards the Muslim Uighurs?
There appears to be a peculiar level of naiveté about China on here tonight. I have argued since DJT's inauguration that China may be the least worst cart to hitch ourselves to in a world where we may end up more concerned about our own defence than that of the Uighur Muslims.
But let's not pretend this is a good option. China is going to upend international norms over the next generation and it is very unlikely to be to our taste.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Depends on lots of things like how long do you want to tie it up for and how risk averse are you, for example.
The degree of hate which the MAGA’s have for long-standing allies, has seemingly come out of nowhere. And, it is so self-defeating. These are a people in decline, lashing out at any target in 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.
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Same as our experience and our daughter in law
You miss out however the ordinary people are not responsible for the malign regime, much like Iran
People bang on about China the surveillance state and on my recent visit, last month, I was expecting to be searched, grilled, interviewd, harangued and pursued by microdrones infiltrating my Cornish nipples
In truth, it all felt very breezy. Didn't need a visa, passport control took 5 minutes, everywhere was welcoming, no one seemed bothered that I theoretically broke the rules by flying out via a different city - Wuhan. Just a lot of shrugs. I didn't get the sense of a surveilled populace, either. Everyone was affable anid cheerful (by big city standards)
Of course, I am a foreigner,. Of course I was in Shanghai then Wuhan, not Xinjiang or Tibet
Nonetheless, it was a blast and Shanghui is great and the food is now epic and hmmm
Of my recent travels the only place where I have felt watched is Kazakhstan. But that's only because 1, they are hyper vigilant about Islamic terrorism and 2. I was driving myself around and that is unusual and Kazakh traffic cops are as officious as the Swiss
Everyone else in Kazakhstan was lovely
The world is much freer than we realise
Son’s off to Kazakhstan for a couple of months on his gap year travels this weekend.
The mountains can be wild (tho Kyrgyzstan is even wilder) the steppes are boring, but should be seen
Almaty is surprisingly chic and agreeable, Astana is totally bonkers, and a must-visit
If your son is single, prepare him. Kazakh women are perhaps the most beautiful on earth (along with Kyrgyzstan). The insane mix of Slavic, Persian and east Asian genes does something incredible. And there's a lot of them, these countries are YOUNG
They are also pretty liberal, for a Muslim country. Hijabs are rare, niqabs and burqas are banned, the women are confident and liberated (the one good inheritance from the USSR) and huzzah for that
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 US spends £570m a year on NATO itself. Not a big ask to replace that.
Are you talking about cutting US defence spending (they've just increase it massively), or them withdrawing troops and equipment from Europe ?
If the latter, that's not a direct threat to NATO, though it decreases its deterrent effect significantly.
OTOH, if Russia invaded a Baltic state, would the US participate in its defence anyway ?
Bottom line is that Trump has done most of the damage he can do to NATO already. What's an open question is the next administration's efforts to repair that.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Royal London Short Term Money Market Y Acc, gives 4-5% annually and you can cash in quickly if you want
Proper finance when you ask, but lets get on with bashing the English. (although that may have changed)
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Same as our experience and our daughter in law
You miss out however the ordinary people are not responsible for the malign regime, much like Iran
People bang on about China the surveillance state and on my recent visit, last month, I was expecting to be searched, grilled, interviewd, harangued and pursued by microdrones infiltrating my Cornish nipples
In truth, it all felt very breezy. Didn't need a visa, passport control took 5 minutes, everywhere was welcoming, no one seemed bothered that I theoretically broke the rules by flying out via a different city - Wuhan. Just a lot of shrugs. I didn't get the sense of a surveilled populace, either. Everyone was affable anid cheerful (by big city standards)
Of course, I am a foreigner,. Of course I was in Shanghai then Wuhan, not Xinjiang or Tibet
Nonetheless, it was a blast and Shanghui is great and the food is now epic and hmmm
Of my recent travels the only place where I have felt watched is Kazakhstan. But that's only because 1, they are hyper vigilant about Islamic terrorism and 2. I was driving myself around and that is unusual and Kazakh traffic cops are as officious as the Swiss
Everyone else in Kazakhstan was lovely
The world is much freer than we realise
Son’s off to Kazakhstan for a couple of months on his gap year travels this weekend.
Big place- Almaty and the mountains are quite pleasant, the steppes... less so.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Royal London Short Term Money Market Y Acc, gives 4-5% annually and you can cash in quickly if you want
That’s part of my II Sipp. Although I have the income one.
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 US spends £570m a year on NATO itself. Not a big ask to replace that.
Are you talking about cutting US defence spending (they've just increase it massively), or them withdrawing troops and equipment from Europe ?
If the latter, that's not a direct threat to NATO, though it decreases its deterrent effect significantly.
OTOH, if Russia invaded a Baltic state, would the US participate in its defence anyway ?
Bottom line is that Trump has done most of the damage he can do to NATO already. What's an open question is the next administration's efforts to repair that.
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 US spends £570m a year on NATO itself. Not a big ask to replace that.
Are you talking about cutting US defence spending (they've just increase it massively), or them withdrawing troops and equipment from Europe ?
If the latter, that's not a direct threat to NATO, though it decreases its deterrent effect significantly.
OTOH, if Russia invaded a Baltic state, would the US participate in its defence anyway ?
Bottom line is that Trump has done most of the damage he can do to NATO already. What's an open question is the next administration's efforts to repair that.
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 .
You're happy as a leftwinger to accept trading welfare for guns. Realistically that's the choice even with tax rises to boot!
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Depends on lots of things like how long do you want to tie it up for and how risk averse are you, for example.
This is the only answer. Also, how much. A 20k strategy is very different from a 2m strategy.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Royal London Short Term Money Market Y Acc, gives 4-5% annually and you can cash in quickly if you want
Proper finance when you ask, but lets get on with bashing the English. (although that may have changed)
LOL, when do I ever bash the English, it is the morons in Westminster I dislike. Scottish are worse being so feeble and dimwitted they are scared to be independent. How pathetic do you need to b eto want someone else to run your country, makes me ashamed.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Royal London Short Term Money Market Y Acc, gives 4-5% annually and you can cash in quickly if you want
That’s part of my II Sipp. Although I have the income one.
The big question in al of this is how far the left (the government) will go to re-arm and reorganise.
We spend lots and lots on defence and have little capability. The RAF seem to have some elite operations (basic flying certificates all round), and there's the shoutiness of the SAS. We also have Mikey on the BBC - my god!
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Royal London Short Term Money Market Y Acc, gives 4-5% annually and you can cash in quickly if you want
Money market funds like this should be more widely used by consumers in the UK:
1) Safer than cash 2) Can get cash in and out just as quickly 3) Returns at or above the prevailing Bank of England base rate without needing to constantly 'shop around' or lock in for a certain term as with cash ISAs
That RLAM one looks perfectly good. There's plenty of others out there equivalently so.
My baseline scenario for this evening: Trump sets timeline on end of war, says he has won, declares that Hormuz is now Europe's problem, and that Europeans are free-loading ingrates. Does not withdraw from NATO, but says he is considering changing the US commitment in some form.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Royal London Short Term Money Market Y Acc, gives 4-5% annually and you can cash in quickly if you want
That’s part of my II Sipp. Although I have the income one.
Good steady income for sure and very low risk.
Which is what I want for a part of my portfolio, with some capital preservation.
The big question in al of this is how far the left (the government) will go to re-arm and reorganise.
We spend lots and lots on defence and have little capability. The RAF seem to have some elite operations (basic flying certificates all round), and there's the shoutiness of the SAS. We also have Mikey on the BBC - my god!
My baseline scenario for this evening: Trump sets timeline on end of war, says he has won, declares that Hormuz is now Europe's problem, and that Europeans are free-loading ingrates. Does not withdraw from NATO, but says he is considering changing the US commitment in some form.
The big question in al of this is how far the left (the government) will go to re-arm and reorganise.
We spend lots and lots on defence and have little capability. The RAF seem to have some elite operations (basic flying certificates all round), and there's the shoutiness of the SAS. We also have Mikey on the BBC - my god!
We need a Pepys.
Lots of Admirals as well
I am a great fan of the novels of Patrick O'Brian. As such I wonder what Aubrey would think.
My baseline scenario for this evening: Trump sets timeline on end of war, says he has won, declares that Hormuz is now Europe's problem, and that Europeans are free-loading ingrates. Does not withdraw from NATO, but says he is considering changing the US commitment in some form.
I just discovered how much panic buying of fuel seems to be getting out of hand in my part of Scotland.
Only one of the four local stations have any petrol left at all. Two stations were completely out of everything and closed, one had only diesel and the final one had diesel and a couple of pumps with E10.
Got to the last station with my scooter's the fuel gauge flashing, which means less than 1 litre in the tank...
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
I have been to China twice
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Same as our experience and our daughter in law
You miss out however the ordinary people are not responsible for the malign regime, much like Iran
People bang on about China the surveillance state and on my recent visit, last month, I was expecting to be searched, grilled, interviewd, harangued and pursued by microdrones infiltrating my Cornish nipples
In truth, it all felt very breezy. Didn't need a visa, passport control took 5 minutes, everywhere was welcoming, no one seemed bothered that I theoretically broke the rules by flying out via a different city - Wuhan. Just a lot of shrugs. I didn't get the sense of a surveilled populace, either. Everyone was affable anid cheerful (by big city standards)
Of course, I am a foreigner,. Of course I was in Shanghai then Wuhan, not Xinjiang or Tibet
Nonetheless, it was a blast and Shanghui is great and the food is now epic and hmmm
Of my recent travels the only place where I have felt watched is Kazakhstan. But that's only because 1, they are hyper vigilant about Islamic terrorism and 2. I was driving myself around and that is unusual and Kazakh traffic cops are as officious as the Swiss
Everyone else in Kazakhstan was lovely
The world is much freer than we realise
Son’s off to Kazakhstan for a couple of months on his gap year travels this weekend.
The mountains can be wild (tho Kyrgyzstan is even wilder) the steppes are boring, but should be seen
Almaty is surprisingly chic and agreeable, Astana is totally bonkers, and a must-visit
If your son is single, prepare him. Kazakh women are perhaps the most beautiful on earth (along with Kyrgyzstan). The insane mix of Slavic, Persian and east Asian genes does something incredible. And there's a lot of them, these countries are YOUNG
They are also pretty liberal, for a Muslim country. Hijabs are rare, niqabs and burqas are banned, the women are confident and liberated (the one good inheritance from the USSR) and huzzah for that
He’s spending the first few weeks volunteering on an agritourism close to Almaty in the foothills. Looks lovely.
Then, being a geographer like his father, he’s going on the long train up to Aral to see the missing sea. Followed by Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
He’s gay so will presumably be unmoved by the charms of the local ladies.
The big question in al of this is how far the left (the government) will go to re-arm and reorganise.
We spend lots and lots on defence and have little capability. The RAF seem to have some elite operations (basic flying certificates all round), and there's the shoutiness of the SAS. We also have Mikey on the BBC - my god!
We need a Pepys.
Lots of Admirals as well
I am a great fan of the novels of Patrick O'Brian. As such I wonder what Aubrey would think.
I just discovered how much panic buying of fuel seems to be getting out of hand in my part of Scotland.
Only one of the four local stations have any petrol left at all. Two stations were completely out of everything and closed, one had only diesel and the final one had diesel and a couple of pumps with E10.
Got to the last station with my scooter's the fuel gauge flashing, which means less than 1 litre in the tank...
Not seen any "panic buying" in the East Midlands, but if I notice toilet rolls disappearing of the shelves, then I'll worry! 😂
My baseline scenario for this evening: Trump sets timeline on end of war, says he has won, declares that Hormuz is now Europe's problem, and that Europeans are free-loading ingrates. Does not withdraw from NATO, but says he is considering changing the US commitment in some form.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Royal London Short Term Money Market Y Acc, gives 4-5% annually and you can cash in quickly if you want
Proper finance when you ask, but lets get on with bashing the English. (although that may have changed)
LOL, when do I ever bash the English, it is the morons in Westminster I dislike. Scottish are worse being so feeble and dimwitted they are scared to be independent. How pathetic do you need to b eto want someone else to run your country, makes me ashamed.
There are plenty of Scottish MPs and even Scottish Cabinet Ministers in the UK government
The degree of hate which the MAGA’s have for long-standing allies, has seemingly come out of nowhere. And, it is so self-defeating. These are a people in decline, lashing out at any target in reach.
The issue is those long standing allies look and sound a bit like Democrats. Similar clothing taste, similar BMI, wore masks during Covid, get vaccinated, walk and cycle around, build wind farms. Their hatred makes sense when you clock that.
I just discovered how much panic buying of fuel seems to be getting out of hand in my part of Scotland.
Only one of the four local stations have any petrol left at all. Two stations were completely out of everything and closed, one had only diesel and the final one had diesel and a couple of pumps with E10.
Got to the last station with my scooter's the fuel gauge flashing, which means less than 1 litre in the tank...
Not seen any "panic buying" in the East Midlands, but if I notice toilet rolls disappearing of the shelves, then I'll worry! 😂
The Texaco where I'm staying in Cornwall is out of fuel. I may make a journey to the local supermarket tomorrow to make sure I have enough to get home - I will have to buy some anyway.
I just discovered how much panic buying of fuel seems to be getting out of hand in my part of Scotland.
Only one of the four local stations have any petrol left at all. Two stations were completely out of everything and closed, one had only diesel and the final one had diesel and a couple of pumps with E10.
Got to the last station with my scooter's the fuel gauge flashing, which means less than 1 litre in the tank...
Not seen any "panic buying" in the East Midlands, but if I notice toilet rolls disappearing of the shelves, then I'll worry! 😂
The Texaco where I'm staying in Cornwall is out of fuel. I may make a journey to the local supermarket tomorrow to make sure I have enough to get home - I will have to buy some anyway.
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 .
You're happy as a leftwinger to accept trading welfare for guns. Realistically that's the choice even with tax rises to boot!
This "rearm in a hurry, whatever it takes, existential war is coming to the UK" risks becoming a groupthink imo. The potential for poor and expensive decisions is huge. I hope we retain a degree of composure about it all.
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
etc
Saffron Walden is a market town of 17,000 people not a village
J.D. Vance in April 2025: “I think a lot of European nations were right about our invasion of Iraq. Frankly, if the Europeans had been a little more independent, and a little more willing to stand up, then maybe we could have saved the entire world from the strategic disaster that was the American-led invasion of Iraq…I don’t want the Europeans to just do whatever the Americans tell them to do. I don’t think it’s in their interest, and I don’t think it’s in our interests, either.” https://x.com/thomaswright08/status/2039322811768905757
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 .
You're happy as a leftwinger to accept trading welfare for guns. Realistically that's the choice even with tax rises to boot!
This "rearm in a hurry, whatever it takes, existential war is coming to the UK" risks becoming a groupthink imo. The potential for poor and expensive decisions is huge. I hope we retain a degree of composure about it all.
It may be that, but the chances of any government actually doing anything to make our defences stronger is pretty much zero.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
You may have already done this, but: your daughter is at uni - you can minimise her debt. That strikes me as a pretty tax efficient investment. Yes, technically, it'll no longer be your money - but it'll all end up going to her in the long run anyway.
That's a nice idea, and thankyou for taking time t advise me, but I honestly think the global economic system is going to be totally overturned within five-fifteen years because REDACTED REDACTED so long term debt (and pensions and mortgages) really will not matter. We will either be dead, enslaved or living in wild abundance
I want somewhere I can put my money, keep it pretty liquid, get a decent return in the short term. If such a thing is possible. It may not be
The best of humanity as Artemis heads to the moon and our exploration of our near neighbours finally continues.
And the absolute worst as Donald Trump delivers a talk from the White House on the joys of ego inflating wars.
Is it just me or is it not weird that Artemis hasn't had more...hype...around it? I know they're not landing on the moon, but it feels like the whole thing has gone under the radar quite a bit for what will (with luck) be the most significant spaceflight for half a century.
The UK and France sign deal to study a next-generation air-to-air missile to succeed the Meteor, aiming to keep Europe at the forefront of beyond-visual-range weapons. https://x.com/Defence_Index/status/2039316049917813036
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 .
You're happy as a leftwinger to accept trading welfare for guns. Realistically that's the choice even with tax rises to boot!
This "rearm in a hurry, whatever it takes, existential war is coming to the UK" risks becoming a groupthink imo. The potential for poor and expensive decisions is huge. I hope we retain a degree of composure about it all.
It may be that, but the chances of any government actually doing anything to make our defences stronger is pretty much zero.
Defence spending will be increasing but I hope it's properly considered, ie matched to actual risk and threat.
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 .
You're happy as a leftwinger to accept trading welfare for guns. Realistically that's the choice even with tax rises to boot!
This "rearm in a hurry, whatever it takes, existential war is coming to the UK" risks becoming a groupthink imo. The potential for poor and expensive decisions is huge. I hope we retain a degree of composure about it all.
It may be that, but the chances of any government actually doing anything to make our defences stronger is pretty much zero.
Defence spending will be increasing but I hope it's properly considered, ie matched to actual risk and threat.
It's the actual effectiveness of our spend that is most of concern. We have no Navy, and yet we spend billions.
It is rather telling that in all this talk of closer ties with Europe, it is individual European leaders who are acting arbitrarily and not as the EU
Italy and Spain differ from Germany and France and others with Ursula von der Leyen marginalised
We'll make a Brexiteer out of you yet, Big-G
Hope you and Mrs G are doing well? 🙏
Thank you
I voted remain but, like I once smoked, I do not want to start again
We are struggling rather, but we support each other and are grateful we have so many blessings
It is 50 years ago today that we moved into our home with our three children and we still hear laughter from those days added to by our precious grandchildren
It is the family home and we will only leave it to go into care or meet our creator
I just discovered how much panic buying of fuel seems to be getting out of hand in my part of Scotland.
Only one of the four local stations have any petrol left at all. Two stations were completely out of everything and closed, one had only diesel and the final one had diesel and a couple of pumps with E10.
Got to the last station with my scooter's the fuel gauge flashing, which means less than 1 litre in the tank...
Not seen any "panic buying" in the East Midlands, but if I notice toilet rolls disappearing of the shelves, then I'll worry! 😂
The Texaco where I'm staying in Cornwall is out of fuel. I may make a journey to the local supermarket tomorrow to make sure I have enough to get home - I will have to buy some anyway.
I filled up in Cornwall today and it was fine. I've only seen the diesel being unavailable so far.
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
etc
Saffron Walden is a market town of 17,000 people not a village
Just love the literalism.
Unless it's a bit of sly self-satire?
Whatever, keep it up!
@HYUFD is one of the undoubted satisfactions of PB.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Royal London Short Term Money Market Y Acc, gives 4-5% annually and you can cash in quickly if you want
Proper finance when you ask, but lets get on with bashing the English. (although that may have changed)
LOL, when do I ever bash the English, it is the morons in Westminster I dislike. Scottish are worse being so feeble and dimwitted they are scared to be independent. How pathetic do you need to b eto want someone else to run your country, makes me ashamed.
There are plenty of Scottish MPs and even Scottish Cabinet Ministers in the UK government
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 .
You're happy as a leftwinger to accept trading welfare for guns. Realistically that's the choice even with tax rises to boot!
This "rearm in a hurry, whatever it takes, existential war is coming to the UK" risks becoming a groupthink imo. The potential for poor and expensive decisions is huge. I hope we retain a degree of composure about it all.
It may be that, but the chances of any government actually doing anything to make our defences stronger is pretty much zero.
Defence spending will be increasing but I hope it's properly considered, ie matched to actual risk and threat.
It's the actual effectiveness of our spend that is most of concern. We have no Navy, and yet we spend billions.
In particular we have little capability either with drones or with anti-drone systems.
Our brass hats prefer pointy nosed jets, large ships and tanks.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Stocks and shares is usually best, with assistance from an expert financial advisor.
The best of humanity as Artemis heads to the moon and our exploration of our near neighbours finally continues.
And the absolute worst as Donald Trump delivers a talk from the White House on the joys of ego inflating wars.
Is it just me or is it not weird that Artemis hasn't had more...hype...around it? I know they're not landing on the moon, but it feels like the whole thing has gone under the radar quite a bit for what will (with luck) be the most significant spaceflight for half a century.
I’d agree. It’s a subject I’ve more than a passing interest in. I’ll regularly watch YouTube videos about the stars, galaxy and the universe yet first I heard was today.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Stocks and shares is usually best, with assistance from an expert financial advisor.
Both are more long term, and look rather peaky at present. A bear market is quite likely in the next year or two.
Is it not evident that Israel now aims to fight Iran to the last American soldier and the last American taxpayer dollar
"The Iranian people harbor no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America"
Erm... isn't their brand strap - death to america???
The letter is clear that Iranians make a distinction between governments (which may be their enemies) and their peoples (who are not enemies).
Fine words and it would be good if it was honoured, and also honoured by other governments too.
It is pretty disingenuous in other ways. Iran certainly does wish ill on the ordinary non-Shia people of the Middle East, and has been aggressive towards others - invading Iraq after thwarting their invasion, or their innumerable proxy wars and revolutions (the Houthis, the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Hizbollah).
It just so happens that because Trump and Netanyahu have launched a totally unprovoked attack backed by manifestly spurious justifications they see an opportunity to seize the moral high ground. I suppose Pezeshkian can't be blamed for taking it (de Valera did the same in his radio debate against Churchill in 1945).
Ultimately, however, if he was serious about goodwill towards others he would have said Hormuz will reopen the instant the bombing stops. As far as I can see he hasn't (although that's probably not within his gift).
It is rather telling that in all this talk of closer ties with Europe, it is individual European leaders who are acting arbitrarily and not as the EU
Italy and Spain differ from Germany and France and others with Ursula von der Leyen marginalised
We'll make a Brexiteer out of you yet, Big-G
Hope you and Mrs G are doing well? 🙏
Thank you
I voted remain but, like I once smoked, I do not want to start again
We are struggling rather, but we support each other and are grateful we have so many blessings
It is 50 years ago today that we moved into our home with our three children and we still hear laughter from those days added to by our precious grandchildren
It is the family home and we will only leave it to go into care or meet our creator
I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling, Big G.
I lost my lovely mum in 2022 but still live in the family home (at one time there was seven people here but one by one they've all gone away and I'm the last one left) I still hear the good times and they are indeed precious memories.
I wish for nothing but the very best for you and Mrs G, long into the future.
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 .
You're happy as a leftwinger to accept trading welfare for guns. Realistically that's the choice even with tax rises to boot!
This "rearm in a hurry, whatever it takes, existential war is coming to the UK" risks becoming a groupthink imo. The potential for poor and expensive decisions is huge. I hope we retain a degree of composure about it all.
It may be that, but the chances of any government actually doing anything to make our defences stronger is pretty much zero.
Defence spending will be increasing but I hope it's properly considered, ie matched to actual risk and threat.
It's the actual effectiveness of our spend that is most of concern. We have no Navy, and yet we spend billions.
In particular we have little capability either with drones or with anti-drone systems.
Our brass hats prefer pointy nosed jets, large ships and tanks.
Drones launched from a nondescript cargo vessel off the IoW could demolish Fawley in ten minutes. ICBMs are so last-century.
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Stocks and shares is usually best, with assistance from an expert financial advisor.
Depends how much you like paying a percentage to someone to do F.A.
Allocate a % to gld + btc (20%, split as you prefer), the other 80% should go towards a stake in a productive asset generating a return. If you have 20k buy 1/5th of a cafe. If you have 200k, buy 2 flats oop north. If you have 2m, buy a turnkey business with minimal labour costs/human capital and fairly stable rates of return (anything from scaffolding to renting out diggers to doing bridging loans).
Comments
If one has some spare cash, where does one put it? I find myself slightly unexpectedly flush, but with the world in turmoil, shares seem risky, bonds are also maybe risky (who knows?), gold is crazy, Bitcoin is even crazier. So, where?!
Fascinating place, friendly people, great food.
Speak as I find.
Tying ourselves to one individual in Brussels would be every bit as insane as tying ourselves to one individual in Washington.
You miss out however the ordinary people are not responsible for the malign regime, much like Iran
Stop paying the contributions to the NATO budget. This puts a 15% hole in it that nobody else would be rushing to fill.
Remove all US forces from the NATO command structure and bring them back to the US.
Reassign all NATO assigned officers. This would cause a bit of a land grab to fill the posts but CMC (currently Italian) would probably take over as SACEUR. It would cripple the AWACS force and CAOC among other things.
That kills NATO without a formal treaty withdrawal.
But maybe that's the case with everything, There are no more safe havens
Are you talking about cutting US defence spending (they've just increase it massively), or them withdrawing troops and equipment from Europe ?
If the latter, that's not a direct threat to NATO, though it decreases its deterrent effect significantly.
OTOH, if Russia invaded a Baltic state, would the US participate in its defence anyway ?
Bottom line is that Trump has done most of the damage he can do to NATO already.
What's an open question is the next administration's efforts to repair that.
https://www.fidelity.co.uk/markets-insights/investing-ideas/funds/the-sleep-at-night-investment-funds/
Trump will take his acting out to a new level and then leave office one way or another before the end of this year, is my prediction.
In truth, it all felt very breezy. Didn't need a visa, passport control took 5 minutes, everywhere was welcoming, no one seemed bothered that I theoretically broke the rules by flying out via a different city - Wuhan. Just a lot of shrugs. I didn't get the sense of a surveilled populace, either. Everyone was affable anid cheerful (by big city standards)
Of course, I am a foreigner,. Of course I was in Shanghai then Wuhan, not Xinjiang or Tibet
Nonetheless, it was a blast and Shanghui is great and the food is now epic and hmmm
Of my recent travels the only place where I have felt watched is Kazakhstan. But that's only because 1, they are hyper vigilant about Islamic terrorism and 2. I was driving myself around and that is unusual and Kazakh traffic cops are as officious as the Swiss
Everyone else in Kazakhstan was lovely
The world is much freer than we realise
You've got until tomorrow.
Otherwise leave the lot in cash until you know more about the Iran outcome. The possible downside outweighs the potential benefit of diving in now, IMO.
A bit of decent advice here.
https://x.com/nakul_sarda/status/2038921305177935927
I want somewhere I can put my money, keep it pretty liquid, get a decent return in the short term. If such a thing is possible. It may not be
Thanks, yes, that's probably what I will do, I think
AWACS consists of 14 E3s globally, now. And Saab has a much cheaper replacement which would be fine for Europe.
It would leave a big gap, but it wouldn't be terminal.
And ur would accelerate any preparations for a European alternative.
The Chinese regime has acted and continues to act horrendously towards Uighurs. The concentration camps that don't seem to concern other countries' leaders very much are very real indeed. As is an extremely high level of surveillance.
But the Han population are mostly not racist towards Uighurs. This came as a surprise to me when I learnt it. It seems to come from a genuine humanity and not from a desire to avoid causing punchups when there are so many police around. People are probably aware that what's happening to the Uighurs represents the (worldwide) future more generally.
The Chinese regime has acted and continues to act horrendously towards Uighurs. The concentration camps that don't seem to concern other countries' leaders very much are very real indeed. As is an extremely high level of surveillance outside of the camps, in cities such as Urumqi and Kashgar.
But the Han population are mostly not racist towards Uighurs. This came as a surprise to me when I learnt it. It seems to come from a genuine humanity and not from a desire to avoid causing punchups when there are so many police around (as there are in all Chinese cities.)
As well as being friendly and nice, people are also probably aware that what's happening to the Uighurs represents the (worldwide) future more generally. "First they came for ..."
All other countries are run by little girls!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxwylahBfp4
But let's not pretend this is a good option. China is going to upend international norms over the next generation and it is very unlikely to be to our taste.
Almaty is surprisingly chic and agreeable, Astana is totally bonkers, and a must-visit
If your son is single, prepare him. Kazakh women are perhaps the most beautiful on earth (along with Kyrgyzstan). The insane mix of Slavic, Persian and east Asian genes does something incredible. And there's a lot of them, these countries are YOUNG
They are also pretty liberal, for a Muslim country. Hijabs are rare, niqabs and burqas are banned, the women are confident and liberated (the one good inheritance from the USSR) and huzzah for that
It’s rather long. Too long for here
https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2039416198266307044?s=61
Is it not evident that Israel now aims to fight Iran to the last American soldier and the last American taxpayer dollar
The best of humanity as Artemis heads to the moon and our exploration of our near neighbours finally continues.
And the absolute worst as Donald Trump delivers a talk from the White House on the joys of ego inflating wars.
We spend lots and lots on defence and have little capability. The RAF seem to have some elite operations (basic flying certificates all round), and there's the shoutiness of the SAS. We also have Mikey on the BBC - my god!
We need a Pepys.
1) Safer than cash
2) Can get cash in and out just as quickly
3) Returns at or above the prevailing Bank of England base rate without needing to constantly 'shop around' or lock in for a certain term as with cash ISAs
That RLAM one looks perfectly good. There's plenty of others out there equivalently so.
@shashj
My baseline scenario for this evening: Trump sets timeline on end of war, says he has won, declares that Hormuz is now Europe's problem, and that Europeans are free-loading ingrates. Does not withdraw from NATO, but says he is considering changing the US commitment in some form.
https://x.com/shashj/status/2039400467361337531
I’ll be honest, it lost me early on when I saw how long it was.
MSCI reclassifies #Greece to Developed Market from Emerging Market.
https://x.com/Schuldensuehner/status/2039092454176006382
Only one of the four local stations have any petrol left at all. Two stations were completely out of everything and closed, one had only diesel and the final one had diesel and a couple of pumps with E10.
Got to the last station with my scooter's the fuel gauge flashing, which means less than 1 litre in the tank...
Then, being a geographer like his father, he’s going on the long train up to Aral to see the missing sea. Followed by Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
He’s gay so will presumably be unmoved by the charms of the local ladies.
Hope you and Mrs G are doing well? 🙏
Erm... isn't their brand strap - death to america???
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2026/04/01/766191/pezeshkian-letter-American-people
https://x.com/thomaswright08/status/2039322811768905757
https://x.com/Defence_Index/status/2039316049917813036
I voted remain but, like I once smoked, I do not want to start again
We are struggling rather, but we support each other and are grateful we have so many blessings
It is 50 years ago today that we moved into our home with our three children and we still hear laughter from those days added to by our precious grandchildren
It is the family home and we will only leave it to go into care or meet our creator
Unless it's a bit of sly self-satire?
Whatever, keep it up!
@HYUFD is one of the undoubted satisfactions of PB.
Fine words and it would be good if it was honoured, and also honoured by other governments too.
Our brass hats prefer pointy nosed jets, large ships and tanks.
It just so happens that because Trump and Netanyahu have launched a totally unprovoked attack backed by manifestly spurious justifications they see an opportunity to seize the moral high ground. I suppose Pezeshkian can't be blamed for taking it (de Valera did the same in his radio debate against Churchill in 1945).
Ultimately, however, if he was serious about goodwill towards others he would have said Hormuz will reopen the instant the bombing stops. As far as I can see he hasn't (although that's probably not within his gift).
I lost my lovely mum in 2022 but still live in the family home (at one time there was seven people here but one by one they've all gone away and I'm the last one left) I still hear the good times and they are indeed precious memories.
I wish for nothing but the very best for you and Mrs G, long into the future.
Allocate a % to gld + btc (20%, split as you prefer), the other 80% should go towards a stake in a productive asset generating a return. If you have 20k buy 1/5th of a cafe. If you have 200k, buy 2 flats oop north. If you have 2m, buy a turnkey business with minimal labour costs/human capital and fairly stable rates of return (anything from scaffolding to renting out diggers to doing bridging loans).