Monthly Archives: Mar 2026

Within The Space of One Week

Posted on by
12

Back-tracking; U-Turn; Climb-Down; Change of Heart, just a few out of the political lexicon describing a reversal of policy or release of smoke while re-writing history. It’s nothing unusual, you would be hard put to find any instances where a dogged determination to stand on one line of policy is carried on day in day out. And the means by which what was said is covered up or made irrelevant can be quite an art form.

Breaking news on the 7/8th March 2026
“We don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won”.

Breaking news two days ago
“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint will send ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a nation that has been totally decapitated.”

These remarks were made by a president of the USA.

Who is is now having a tantrum because the nations who looked to the USA to support them in supporting Ukraine are not supporting him. Though I doubt if he will make the connection or the irony.

Sometimes the problem when writing about Trump is finding the appropriate critical comment without resorting to ‘bad words’ or original ones.

Bear his failure to maintain a cohesive and mature foreign policy when you vote in the mid-terms and the next presidential election. The USA cannot live in ‘Splendid Isolation’- Britain tried it in the 19th and early 20th Century….It doesn’t work.

Take care.
And Vote in the Mid-Terms, even if it is for the least worse alternative opposition to Trump

A Sign of The Times

Posted on by
12

Once again, mostly due to another buttressing by Russia of its western borders we see images of nuclear missiles, or images of missiles out of central casting acting the role. And after a couple of decades thinking it couldn’t happen, the idea comes back into the fore. Thus we should not be surprised that those nations with access to such weaponry but not the same resources as USA, Russia or China are starting to make not so polite coughing noises around which the phrase ‘Nuclear Weapons’ is injected.
It was to be expected that France being a nation still prickly about its role and independence would be first out of the blocks:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4zlnezrl7o
(Also thanks in part to the most immature, clumsy fellow ever to be elected to the US presidency- more about that later )
But along comes one headline this morning which will make most UK adults think…. seriously….
Let me gives you a brief outline.
Once there was The Liberal Party a 19th century early 20th century giant fallen on hard times into a very minor party which espoused all elements liberal in society and whose basic ethos in the words of Bill & Ted was ‘to be excellent to each other’
In 1988 they merged with a high profile breakaway Labour party known as the Social Democrat Party and became Liberal Democrats; currently in British parlance referred to as ‘The Lib-Dems’. This grouping continues an ethos of social tolerance and inclusivity casting out anyone who deviates even slightly (Intolerant about Intolerance). It is also a party a Brit would NOT associate with War.
And yet (there is often an ‘And Yet’) here is a headline in which the current leader of the Liberal-Democrats does not just suggest in coded language but outright uses the word ‘must’ in  that the UK must build its own nuclear deterrent and cites France as an example (For  American readers  to gauge the seriousness that last part. It is a convention of the French – British political dynamic that a political party on either side of the Channel very, very, very rarely if ever used to even suggest that the other nation has had a good idea….more than their political life was worth). Read this item yourself if you don’t believe me (fellow Brits especially)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0dz1k0rr4o
Ed Davey the Lib-Dem current leader can be a bit of ‘a character’ and sometimes does like a bit of headline grabbing, particularly during an election season. But venturing into the ‘Military’ policy world – imaging a high profile Republican suggesting that it’s time for the wealthy to pay more taxes for the privilege of being an American, and you are broadly in the same Blink-Jaw Drop reaction.
A sign of the times eh?

While you are pondering on that, reflect upon these words used by Mr Davey:
“When we’ve got presidents in the White House like Donald Trump, totally unreliable, I don’t think we can have our nuclear deterrent dependent on the mood at breakfast of the person in the Oval Office.”  
A refence to a fellow so toxically unreliable and unfocused that even the Moderates’ moderates are talking about independent Nuclear Weaponry.

To my American readers recall this when you next encounter a fellow American who will still be clinging to the tragic naivety that voting does not matter and all  your other arguments have failed. And if they still do shrug or mumble ‘good Europe should stand on its own feet’ remind them that anyone with an independent nuclear weapons system is a potential destabiliser of their own cosy little world, AND that right now Trump is drawing a line between the USA and Europe and that will, down the line not work out well.

Take care everyone.

Iran -The Complexity of The Situation from The British Perspective (One Brit’s View)

Posted on by
8

Churchill’s name still stands out though eighty to eighty-five years have passed since his stamp on World History was imprinted. Therefore it is still a common occurrence that folk with scant knowledge of his role in World War II will invoke his name critically or extol it to suit their own agendas.
The latest being the current president of the USA who has stated in one of his tantrums that the current UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer is no Churchill. Aside from the fact that most Brits know that no British PM is a copy of any other, Trump has demonstrated yet again a crass lack of understanding which leaves him open to criticism from anyone with a working knowledge of History. Churchill was a consummate War Leader mobilising the British Isles onto a Total War footing; however he was also a consummate meddler in strictly military matters, but even he had to often give way to his military commanders; FDR managed them, Stalin listened to his then took the credit; this was why this unlikely trio came out as the winners. Trump however is not dissimilar to Hitler and Mussolini in that respect with grandiose ideas short on long-term strategy or even medium detail. (Why does the war with Iran keep reminding me of the German invasion of Russia in 1941- look how that turned out; unforeseen circumstances and ruination for many)
To illustrate, let me examine the stance being attributed to Kier Starmer, but is likely to have been one with many contributors, he being the one to make the final decision and then sell it. Also bear in mind that Starmer does have a lot more to consider than pandering to Trump’s ego.

It does not get an easier to read. Another day in the world of International Politics…

Starmer’s position- An argument from the perspective a ‘a’ UK PM right here-right now.
19the Feb 2026:The UK government will not allow the US to use UK bases.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj98egkl7l1o
(Trump wery cross)
On the 2nd March 2026 this was reported – an attack on a UK base in Cyprus:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2r0q310e3o
Also  the 2nd March 2026 Starmer says this which is a qualifier allowing USA to use UK bases
Which I should warn you takes a bit of reading and thinking on.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0dnq2v0e2o

Now from the British Viewpoint, looking at these three items
Essentially all action by the US and Israel prior to the events in Cyprus were seen as ‘Offensive Actions’ and could not be supported by the UK. On the basis that Iran had not militarily attacked another nation.
After the ‘Cyprus’ the UK viewing itself as being attacked now gave the US permission to use UK bases on the understanding that the missions were solely directed against Iranian Missile infrastructure , as this would be ‘Defensive’ – stopping a foe attacking you.
Now bearing in mind this with the historical disaster to invade Iraq. Both cases did not have UN backing (as opposed to the Gulf War 1990-91)
This therefore is one of those complex International Diplomatic circumstances which illustrate why should not have an inexperienced egotist involved.
If you want to feel free to use this simple measuring device. If Trump is angry with Starmer then Starmer must have done something right. Or read this
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4wgpdllleo

And so UK Position and UK Politics
This can be divided into Local and Regional
Local
What will hang over every British PM will be Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. Direct intervention in the first two brought a heavy bill in Blood and Treasure, the third was a mess of its own, left to the local folk to sort out. Opinion Polls in the UK indicate the majority of the British public are not with Trump on this one. Since the current government’s standing is very low in public estimation and local government elections are near – that is a big factor (“All politics is local” – Tip O’Neill) in the delicate line being trod. Another strong factor is that majorities in various forms (depending on the poll) shows that UK citizens are not in favour of Trump at all. Another factor a UK government on shaky ground should consider.
Also showing what an ingrate Trump is, he’s got airbases now to conduct strikes against Iranian Missile bases- what more does he want, practically? (LBJ would have been satisfied with one British battalion in Vietnam). A true statesman would have been publicly most gratuitous in their thanks.
What would be confusing to the outsider, but predictable to the UK readers are the responses by opposition parties. The Conservatives wanted more action sooner (never mind what), and Reform essentially wants the UK to be a protectorate of Trump’s administration. The Liberal Democrats and The Greens are naturally against any intervention. Plaid Cymru (Wales) has warned about deeper involvement; the SNP (Scotland) wants to know if Scottish air faculties have been used but have not had an answer. In short no party wants to be seen supporting an unpopular government, whatever it does.  Don’t forget there are elections coming up.

Regional 
Right now Europe sees two threats, on two fronts. One is Russia, obviously. The second, recently isTrump. Starmer’s government is seeking to slowly repair the damage of the Brexit disaster and that means paying much more attention to Europe than to Trump.
Consider the general European response to the current situation:
How every EU country responded to the strikes on Iran – POLITICO
You will notice that not every country is giving out the same message, however direct support if any for the Iranian government is scant. What Trump wants being some Western Crusade is not going to happen. Europe is concerned with Russia and the direct threat it brings. In fact Europe could be asking Trump ‘You want our support in Iran. Why are we not getting yours in Russia?’
As an addition to this aspect it should be noted that European allies are coming to the UK’s aid in Cyprus.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g74npdwnyo
This of course is all beyond Trump’s attention span.

Thus far, therefore, so far considering the fact that the UK only has it heritage as a world power to be going on with, it’s doing the best it can with what it has. There is a long road to go though.

Conclusion
Nothing that takes place in international politics is simple or straightforward, or comes to a neat end. (least of all Wars). Unless at a time when a nation has world wide status or still thinks it should, nations and regions will look after their own turf first. Whereas no European government is going to shed any tears over the deaths of brutal cabal of religious extremists and is not going to listen to internal protests supporting that regime, their attention will be fixed upon Ukraine,  Greenland and the effect this war is having and will have over Trade and Long Term Regional Stability (more trade -OIL).
Meanwhile here is a footnote to show the effects that Russia and Trump are having to the long term face of Europe:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4zlnezrl7o
There. Does that not make you feel better? Europe taking hold of its own responsibility in a Nuclear Family way…… That is directly down to Trump.