That's how I feel. A bit jumbled. Shocked. Horrified, but sort of hopeful that we can finally detach ourselves from this cringing "special relationship" with a greedy, largely ignorant nation and form closer bonds with Europe. We are more European than we are American. We need to embrace that.
It's going to be hard though. But the US gloves are off. They elected a cruel, manipulative narcissist to the highest post in the land. There is nothing we can do to save them from themselves. We need to look out for us and our neighbours. We need to kick Farage into the sea for a start and then we need to start working together to focus on what needs doing. We had massive midlands based aircraft manufacturing going on in WW2, we need to set that up again. The area is largely filled now with empty ginormous warehouses. Lets kit them out and fit them up to build the stuff we need again. Creating jobs and stability for individuals and the country.
Never forget, these security guarantees Zelenskyy so desperately needs, he needs because the collective "we" promised Ukraine security if they gave up nuclear weapons. It's not a gesture of goodwill, we owe these people their ability to live.
> but sort of hopeful that we can finally detach ourselves from this cringing "special relationship"
Indeed. Whenever a British politician uses that phrase, I wonder "who are you trying to persuade, your audience or yourself?" There is no special relationship, there never has been. It's all cope.
A strange thing about US politics is the lack of a formal opposition. It strikes me that George W is now potentially a central figure. If 4 Presidents - Clinton, Bush, Obama and Biden (although the last matters least) - came out clearly for Ukraine, Republicans would be split. There would also be considerable pressure on the Supreme Court. If Congress takes over, Trump is spent. Vance is now demonstrably an idiot. Impeachment might be in sight. After all, FDR supported Europe because it was in the US’s interests. Europeans paid their bills; Soviets didn’t.
Timothy Snyder has been writing about how the lack of a leader of the opposition and a shadow cabinet is impeding Democrats from mounting an effective response to Trump
Thanks Ian. I'd like to add that in my view we are now in a European war. Britain and France look like they're going to form an axis, hopefully with a nuclear umbrella to stave off further Russian aggression and gain us much needed time. The constant attacks on Starmer are not helping, we need to pull together and he's our leader at this terrible time, he needs and deserves our support for remember who's waiting in the shadows.
I'm fed up of people on TV and radio saying 'I stand with Ukraine ' if they don't then say 'and we'll put a penny on income tax to pay for their war effort'
We’d be pleased to pay more. We are both in our 70s so have watched history through the Cold War and after. Of course we’ve never seen anyone like Trump. Even the presidents we would not support had good points.
Absolutely masterful overview of where we’re at after yesterday’s shameful spectacle. Have you considered going into politics Ian? The UK needs people exactly like you, now more than ever.
I think he's better off doing journalism. We had a hugely charismatic and influential person in Australia called Peter Garrett -- frontman for the band Midnight Oil -- who was enormously effective outside government in organising resistance to uranium mining and promoting awareness of and funding for the environment. He entered politics, became a Cabinet Minister, and eventually approved the opening of a new uranium mine. It was tremendously dispiriting, and a clarifying example of how party machines can grind down even the most committed person.
A small addendum to that White House meeting that I found to be interesting, and perhaps under-priced: someone I follow on bsky pointed out how the concept of "hospitality" is a culturally universal norm that's respected in a way that political viewpoints aren't. This might mean that, even in the case of Asian and "Global South" countries who have so far been ambivalent about the US/Ukraine/Russia political situation, it's hard to stomach from a moral one. No matter what political or diplomatic alliances are playing out in the region where you live, there's now that element of "that guy invited him into his home, and was rude to him? What a dick."
Probably you heard that in Timothy Snyder's first video: Five Failures in the Oval Office? He spoke of the failures of Hospitality - Decency - Democracy - Strategy - Independence.
A cathartic sigh of relief reading that. That spectacle yesterday was beyond belief. Trump was fucking awful, but that empty shell of inhumanity Vance, was openly goading Zelenskyy.
I hope something good comes out of this. Putin must be a happy man right now.
Ian, that was such an inspiring piece. Thank you. I hope people in government are reading this and taking heed of what you said. I generally sympathise with the current government but they need to be bolder. Much bolder.
Thank you, Ian. You found the words today that were somewhere beyond my grasp. After reading this, I believe there’s still a narrow path through all this awfulness.
Great piece and, like others, I found it inspiring on several levels. You're absolutely right that we have to have both diplomacy and realism working in tandem where the current USA government is concerned - the diplomacy to find friends on both sides of the aisle and realism ready for when they don't show up. Outrage (thanks for absorbing mine) is pointless and consumes energy needed for the kind of calm, intelligent, constructive and humane approach Zelensky has demonstrated throughout the war that Russia brought to his country.
In some ways ripping off the bandage is almost a relief in a dark way. We knew this was going to happen and now here we are; no more pretending that if we only deny reality hard enough the mad king will take pity on us.
Europe is more united on this than we are on almost anything and the path is clear no matter how tricky.
Thanks for writing Ian and for the clear note of hope at the end.
Just consider this: “During his first term, Trump had suspicious meetings with Trump. For example, after his first meeting with Putin, Trump took his interpreter’s notes afterward and ordered him not to disclose what he heard to anyone. Later he met with Putin with only Putin's interpreter present, so as to not have any American witnesses whatsoever.
After leaving office Trump continued to stay in contact with
Putin. Bob Woodward's book says that Trump and Putin have talked as many as 7 times after Trump left office. Very unusual and suspicious.
Now Trump is alienating our European allies and wholeheartedly embracing Putin.
And today, it was revealed that Pete Hegseth has told U.S. Cyber Command to stop all planning against Russia, including any digital attacks. As though they are not a foe anymore! Noted infosec expert Brian Krebs responded to this news this way: "How much more proof do we need that this administration is completely compromised?"
Trump is a Russian asset and a traitor to the US. The American people need to act now.
That's how I feel. A bit jumbled. Shocked. Horrified, but sort of hopeful that we can finally detach ourselves from this cringing "special relationship" with a greedy, largely ignorant nation and form closer bonds with Europe. We are more European than we are American. We need to embrace that.
It's going to be hard though. But the US gloves are off. They elected a cruel, manipulative narcissist to the highest post in the land. There is nothing we can do to save them from themselves. We need to look out for us and our neighbours. We need to kick Farage into the sea for a start and then we need to start working together to focus on what needs doing. We had massive midlands based aircraft manufacturing going on in WW2, we need to set that up again. The area is largely filled now with empty ginormous warehouses. Lets kit them out and fit them up to build the stuff we need again. Creating jobs and stability for individuals and the country.
Never forget, these security guarantees Zelenskyy so desperately needs, he needs because the collective "we" promised Ukraine security if they gave up nuclear weapons. It's not a gesture of goodwill, we owe these people their ability to live.
> but sort of hopeful that we can finally detach ourselves from this cringing "special relationship"
Indeed. Whenever a British politician uses that phrase, I wonder "who are you trying to persuade, your audience or yourself?" There is no special relationship, there never has been. It's all cope.
A strange thing about US politics is the lack of a formal opposition. It strikes me that George W is now potentially a central figure. If 4 Presidents - Clinton, Bush, Obama and Biden (although the last matters least) - came out clearly for Ukraine, Republicans would be split. There would also be considerable pressure on the Supreme Court. If Congress takes over, Trump is spent. Vance is now demonstrably an idiot. Impeachment might be in sight. After all, FDR supported Europe because it was in the US’s interests. Europeans paid their bills; Soviets didn’t.
Timothy Snyder has been writing about how the lack of a leader of the opposition and a shadow cabinet is impeding Democrats from mounting an effective response to Trump
Good. Hopefully Adam Tooze will take that up on Chartbrook.
Thanks Ian. I'd like to add that in my view we are now in a European war. Britain and France look like they're going to form an axis, hopefully with a nuclear umbrella to stave off further Russian aggression and gain us much needed time. The constant attacks on Starmer are not helping, we need to pull together and he's our leader at this terrible time, he needs and deserves our support for remember who's waiting in the shadows.
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Hang in there Ian. 👍🏻
Thank you, a perfect summary of the current dystopian nightmare.
That spectacle yesterday was a real rubicon crossed.
> That spectacle yesterday was a real rubicon crossed.
As long as people realise a rubicon has been crossed. The worst thing would be if people, out of wishful thinking, decide nothing needs to be done.
Good stuff
I'm fed up of people on TV and radio saying 'I stand with Ukraine ' if they don't then say 'and we'll put a penny on income tax to pay for their war effort'
Or something similar
We’d be pleased to pay more. We are both in our 70s so have watched history through the Cold War and after. Of course we’ve never seen anyone like Trump. Even the presidents we would not support had good points.
Thank you for being able to think clearly when I can't.
I feel measurably better for having read this: it's given me some structure for getting a grip on the chaos.
Absolutely masterful overview of where we’re at after yesterday’s shameful spectacle. Have you considered going into politics Ian? The UK needs people exactly like you, now more than ever.
I think this after reading every one of Ian’s articles.
I think he's better off doing journalism. We had a hugely charismatic and influential person in Australia called Peter Garrett -- frontman for the band Midnight Oil -- who was enormously effective outside government in organising resistance to uranium mining and promoting awareness of and funding for the environment. He entered politics, became a Cabinet Minister, and eventually approved the opening of a new uranium mine. It was tremendously dispiriting, and a clarifying example of how party machines can grind down even the most committed person.
A small addendum to that White House meeting that I found to be interesting, and perhaps under-priced: someone I follow on bsky pointed out how the concept of "hospitality" is a culturally universal norm that's respected in a way that political viewpoints aren't. This might mean that, even in the case of Asian and "Global South" countries who have so far been ambivalent about the US/Ukraine/Russia political situation, it's hard to stomach from a moral one. No matter what political or diplomatic alliances are playing out in the region where you live, there's now that element of "that guy invited him into his home, and was rude to him? What a dick."
Probably you heard that in Timothy Snyder's first video: Five Failures in the Oval Office? He spoke of the failures of Hospitality - Decency - Democracy - Strategy - Independence.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-158132584
A cathartic sigh of relief reading that. That spectacle yesterday was beyond belief. Trump was fucking awful, but that empty shell of inhumanity Vance, was openly goading Zelenskyy.
I hope something good comes out of this. Putin must be a happy man right now.
Ian, that was such an inspiring piece. Thank you. I hope people in government are reading this and taking heed of what you said. I generally sympathise with the current government but they need to be bolder. Much bolder.
Thank you, Ian. You found the words today that were somewhere beyond my grasp. After reading this, I believe there’s still a narrow path through all this awfulness.
Thanks Ian, this helps me and I hope writing it helped you!
Great piece and, like others, I found it inspiring on several levels. You're absolutely right that we have to have both diplomacy and realism working in tandem where the current USA government is concerned - the diplomacy to find friends on both sides of the aisle and realism ready for when they don't show up. Outrage (thanks for absorbing mine) is pointless and consumes energy needed for the kind of calm, intelligent, constructive and humane approach Zelensky has demonstrated throughout the war that Russia brought to his country.
In some ways ripping off the bandage is almost a relief in a dark way. We knew this was going to happen and now here we are; no more pretending that if we only deny reality hard enough the mad king will take pity on us.
Europe is more united on this than we are on almost anything and the path is clear no matter how tricky.
Thanks for writing Ian and for the clear note of hope at the end.
Just consider this: “During his first term, Trump had suspicious meetings with Trump. For example, after his first meeting with Putin, Trump took his interpreter’s notes afterward and ordered him not to disclose what he heard to anyone. Later he met with Putin with only Putin's interpreter present, so as to not have any American witnesses whatsoever.
After leaving office Trump continued to stay in contact with
Putin. Bob Woodward's book says that Trump and Putin have talked as many as 7 times after Trump left office. Very unusual and suspicious.
Now Trump is alienating our European allies and wholeheartedly embracing Putin.
And today, it was revealed that Pete Hegseth has told U.S. Cyber Command to stop all planning against Russia, including any digital attacks. As though they are not a foe anymore! Noted infosec expert Brian Krebs responded to this news this way: "How much more proof do we need that this administration is completely compromised?"
Trump is a Russian asset and a traitor to the US. The American people need to act now.