A US government department posting like an angry teenager from his mom's basement. How the mighty have fallen.

LOL, really? -- Donald Trump unsure whether Tony Blair would be ‘popular’ choice for Gaza role www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

People are getting a bit ahead of themselves regarding the Middle East. Yes, an important moment. But no, not the miraculous solution to the many outstanding fundamental issues.

It will be quite difficult for some Western civilisational supremacists to reconcile themselves with the fact that no hegemony is God-given or eternal without falling into outright hysteria.

Finally. Thank God. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx...

Pleasantly surprised that #Ukraine has withstood the summer offensive rather well; they may yet succeed in holding the line and focusing minds in Moscow on a negotiated ceasefire. Until then, expect another winter of Russia targeting energy infrastructure and testing NATO.

Really thoughtful treatment of a very complex and fraught issue, by @stephenkb.bsky.social.

Too many think tanks have a major groupthink problem. Perhaps rename them Groupthink Tanks?

'The year is 2040 and Vladimir Putin is appointed governor of Moldova's restive Transniestria region. Along with his peace expertise born from pacifying Ukraine, his tormented soul brings along some baggage'.

Whatever they're smoking in the NYT editorial offices, it must be strong stuff.

Russia isn't preparing to 'attack' NATO. What it wants is to accentuate Trump's abandonment of the continent which it, in turn, hopes will lead to Europe's abandonment of Ukraine.

Most middle-class British headline of the year.

No doubt Russia is testing NATO's boundaries, applying pinpricks to probe and irritate. But it would be surprising if it turned to direct conflict with the alliance before the fighting in Ukraine somehow comes to a halt, even if it were to 'win'. (1/3)

Smells like Internet Bubble spirit.

Anyone in America think elections in 2026 and 2028 will be played by the book? Perhaps time to wake up and smell the coffee.

Downright sinister.

Brits being contrarian (again). Norway has had this for years and I can tell you 1) it simplifies everything from online banking to gov services enormously & 2) it is less of a threat to privacy because data are kept properly in one place instead of in tens of different places with varying security

Don't impose sanctions, and you provide Trump with an excuse to bail out. (Incidentally, Trump referred to NATO, not the EU, and there is a snowball's chance in hell that Turkey would comply.) Impose sanctions, and Europe is driven into even greater dependence on the United States.

Gimmick” is probably the most overused word in British politics nowadays.

The states recognising Palestine should give Netanyahu’s words exactly as much weight as to those of an indicted war criminal.

Where’s the vision?

Few people embody the neoliberal politician’s complete lack of self-awareness as perfectly as Tony Blair.

Live scenes from Washington DC. youtu.be/vJJT7G4CRPg?...

Starmer: "Labour made mistakes on immigration". Voters: "OK, so we'll vote for the people who didn't make those mistakes". It's not rocket science.

That's it? ID cards and self-flagellation? Starmer is, basically, a younger English version of Biden.

You do find wisdom in crowds…sometimes.

The Nigel Front (NF). I like it.

He knows perfectly well Erdogan will refuse - and that’s the point. Turkey and Russia are too tightly bound when it comes to energy.

We have to ask ourselves what the point of NATO really is if they can’t even agree on what to do at the bottom rungs of the escalation ladder.

Quite relaxed about national IDs 🪪 as someone who has seen their practical side. No more 'utility bill' nonsense; far less identity theft.

For once, I agree with the Atlanticists: if the Russians try their luck by violating NATO airspace again, shooting down the intruding aircraft - after due warning - should be an option. If you don't call their bluff now, you might have to when things have progressed too far.

I admit it. As an immigrant, I eat swan roast every Sunday. Fresh from St. James' Park. You should try it too. Farage falsely accuses eastern European migrants of eating swans from London parks. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

I admit it. As an immigrant, I eat swan roast every Sunday. Fresh from St. James' Park. You should try it too. Farage falsely accuses eastern European migrants of eating swans from London parks. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

The same people who called Trump 'brilliant', 'a genius' (etc...) when he said Zelensky was provoking World War Three will now sing his praises when he says Ukraine could take back all of its territories. Not policymakers or commentators, but lackeys.(1/2)

Cut these multi-billionaires down to size, or they'll cut your Republic down to size.

Yes indeed, quite incredible.

You have to respectfully analyse whatever Trump says; he is the most powerful moron on the planet, after all.

Any news from Milei's neoliberal fanboys?

My latest from @foreignpolicy.com "Just recently, Turkey stood out for its repeated assaults on international norms. Now, those norms have been shattered by a host of bigger and more aggressive actors, and Turkey looks almost calm in comparison. foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/t...

Europe's elites surrendered IT to the United States because of a dogmatic belief in the free market, and their rejection of pro-active industrial policies. 1/6

We'll now see America's status as the 'land of the free and home of the brave' tested. Many will discover that resisting authoritarianism and saying 'four fingers' comes at a personal price. Are they willing to pay it?

OK, I want to see @vonderleyen follow JD Vance’s example and visit Washington DC to preach about the decline of freedom of speech in the US. 🧐 #JimmyKimmel #JimmyKimmelLive

7000 jobs out of 150 billion in investment: is there a better way to illustrate the imbalance between labour and capital in the AI-age? 1/3

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Ah yes, the English civil war - a high point in the history of these Isles.

High time to abolish the 'triple lock'. Enough already.

You've got to hand it to X, it can be an entertaining place at times.

No Nazism detected.