“Trump, Rubio, Putin and their fellow travellers in the UK, Europe and across the globe are not the friends of European civilisation. They are the destroyers of freedom. One way to see them defeated is to support writers, artists and performers, whether folk band, local landscape painter, avant garde author, jazz virtuoso or classical orchestra. Free expression in the Arts is freedom for us all.”
International
GERS 25: making Scotland pay for Starmer’s wars
The latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report, GERS, came out this week. Within it lies a fiscal trap that will hit Scotland in future years as the UK ramps up spending on the military.
Why Israel won’t stick to any ceasefire in Gaza/Iran brokered by Trump
“..a core issue for Netanyahu is that his three war aims simply have not been achieved; the theocratic Iranian regime has not collapsed, its nuclear programme can readily be resurrected, and Hamas has survived. All of this means that Israel is likely willing to strike Iran again, already intends to maintain its control of Iranian airspace for months and probably years, and is intensifying its operations in Gaza at a terrible cost to Palestinians.”
Fox News wins it for Trump
“When the Trump era is over, incumbent Democrats are going to have to repair US institutions that this administration has damaged. If they want to do something about the polarisation of US politics, they may also need to restore the fairness doctrine.”
What tighter immigration controls mean for Scotland
“The Scottish Government faces a tight fiscal environment. These reforms may pose additional challenges to the Scottish economy without offering much in the way of solutions.”
What are Labour governments for? The aid issue
“Leading where others follow, Trump has cut US foreign aid. By 83%. It is hard, in the new age of transactional, personalistic, international relations, to discern much a future for development spending. The end of the age of aid – one of the reasons for Labour governments – is upon us. Judith Hart would be broken.”
Irish neutrality comes under question
The Dáil’s failure to establish committees for government scrutiny is alarming amid shifting international relations. The discourse includes critiques on Irish neutrality, urging a reevaluation of policies that hinder military involvement. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, it’s essential for Ireland to adapt for meaningful global participation while addressing local sensitivities.
Trump’s negotiation tactics: a business mindset in a diplomatic world
The confrontation between U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy illustrates the risks of prioritizing immediate national interests over foundational principles in international diplomacy. This transactional approach threatens sovereignty and democratic values, undermining trust and long-term relationships. Sustainable negotiations must balance interests with core principles to foster cooperative global interactions.
Why populists are winning: broken promises of liberal democracy
The article discusses the rise of extreme right populism in Europe, highlighting how dissatisfaction with democracy drives voters towards populist alternatives. It critiques both technocratic and liberal populist responses as ineffective, emphasizing the need for democratic reforms that adapt to the digital age. To combat populism, new forms of e-democracy should be explored.
We’re allowing the Far Right to set the pace
The rise of remigration rhetoric in Europe, notably from figures like Alice Weidel, echoes past atrocities, while mainstream political discourse adopts increasingly extremist views. A surge in racism and antisemitism is reported, reflecting broader societal unrest. The liberal left struggles to counter these trends, facing challenges in forming effective coalitions against the far-right’s rising influence.