France is yet again in turmoil after last week's vote by a fractious National Assembly to reject an important part of next year's budget. And the country is now in economic recession. Leading analyst Gerald Olivier reckons there can be no credible plan for a way out, so long as there can be no proper government without an effective majority. And yet, when Emmanuel Macron became … [Read more...] about Les enfants de la patrie – but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France
Trump
Demarco’s gauntlet of truth to authoritarianism
In early August, Chris Hermann of the European Council on Foreign Relations wrote about how the Trump administration aims to remodel Europe. He wrote: “In April, Marco Rubio’s state department launched a blog on Substack. In a post called “The Need for Civilizational Allies in Europe” the article saw the Trump administration draw the battle lines of a civilisational conflict … [Read more...] about Demarco’s gauntlet of truth to authoritarianism
Forget Trump: ‘Everybody loves the sunshine’
"Just bees, and things and flowers" Like a lot of formerly news-hungry journalists these days I can hardly bear to open the many journals I subscribe to. But today I read last week's FT Life of a Song. And Roy Ayers Sunshine blew Trump thunderstorms away. At the end of the piece, filled with enticing links and references, the author, Arwa Haider, invites readers to share … [Read more...] about Forget Trump: ‘Everybody loves the sunshine’
Fox News wins it for Trump
Donald Trump’s ratings continue to slide on most issues. Recent Economist/YouGov polling across the US, completed on May 9-12, shows 51% think the country is on the wrong track, while only 45% have a favourable impression of his job as president. On inflation and prices in the shops, only 35% approve of his handling of this policy. Trump seems to be scoring particularly badly … [Read more...] about Fox News wins it for Trump
This is serious: Trump wants Greenland and Panama
Donald Trump's controversial statements this week about the US claiming territories like Greenland and the Panama Canal zone are no doubt absurd. Can Russia now claim to have been conned out of selling Alaska to the US nearly 200 years ago? Can France make a similar claim over the 1803 Louisiana Purchase? Would Mexico like to take California and Texas back? And yet, Trump is … [Read more...] about This is serious: Trump wants Greenland and Panama