Analysis
— The UK faces a diplomatic dilemma as Lord Peter Mandelson’s controversial appointment as ambassador to the US clashes with Trump-era tensions. His credentials impress, but political baggage risks rejection.
Donald Trump
An American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and was re-elected on 5 November 2024 to serve as the 47th president of the United States from 2025 to 2029.
COMMENT
— Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration sparks unsettling parallels to dystopian fiction, with his “manifest destiny” rhetoric, Mars ambitions, and frontier ideals raising troubling questions about America’s expansionist and divisive past.
OPINION
— Elon Musk’s controversial gesture at Trump’s inauguration sparked accusations of Nazi symbolism, while Trump’s extremist policies and global provocations highlight an alarming shift towards far-right authoritarianism. The world watches anxiously.
OPINION
— On his first day, Donald Trump pardoned January 6 rioters, emboldened extremists, and signed a vague economic order, raising deep concerns about his emboldened presidency and unpredictable future actions.
The Inauguration of Donald Trump
— Donald Trump’s second inaugural speech showcased an authoritarian manifesto, blending messianic self-aggrandisement, disdain for democratic norms, and admiration for dictators, marking a profound shift toward personality-driven, divisive governance.
The Inauguration of Donald Trump
— In his fiery address, Donald Trump pledged bold, contentious reforms prioritising immigration, energy, and national sovereignty, reigniting “America First” rhetoric.
Politics
— Ambition, a powerful force, drives Donald Trump’s controversial return and Liz Truss’s misjudged rise. It highlights the need for a balanced ambition that prioritises purpose and the common good over reckless self-interest.
Donald Trump
— After two years investigating Donald Trump, special counsel Jack Smith’s work ended with a scathing but legally impotent report, highlighting alleged election lies, pressures, and violence-linked rhetoric.
United States
— Donald Trump’s return heralds dramatic shifts in US foreign policy, blending bluster, deal-making, and strategic disengagement from Europe and the Middle East, while intensifying Western Hemisphere dominance and China confrontation.
Long-Read
— Donald Trump’s second presidency heralds a transformative right-wing revolution, threatening US democratic institutions and global stability. Rising inequality, populism, and mistrust in government magnify economic and political challenges worldwide.
COMMENT
— South Korea’s decisive handling of its impeached president contrasts sharply with the US’s failure to hold Trump accountable for the Capitol insurrection, exposing Biden’s Justice Department’s lack of urgency.
OPINION
— Democrats’ 2024 loss highlights their failure to embrace the “MAGA lesson”: unwavering loyalty to leadership. By abandoning Joe Biden and over-relying on Kamala Harris, they handed Donald Trump a decisive victory.
Long-Read
— National populism, fuelled by media-backed disinformation, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and libertarian ideologies, threatens democracies globally by eroding institutions, fostering fear, and exploiting divisions.
Immigration
— Efforts to justify mass deportations using pseudo-scientific claims of genetic differences perpetuate racism and social inequities. Scientific evidence discredits genetic essentialism, showing no basis for claims linking genetics to violence, intelligence, or worth.
US Politics
— Donald Trump’s unpredictability, as demonstrated during his first presidency, leaves global leaders uncertain about his potential actions in his second mandate. His approach mirrors game theory’s “chicken game,” where risk-taking can deter adversaries.
US Immigration
— President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to accelerate the pace of U.S. military shipbuilding. However, his commitment to tightening immigration controls could exacerbate the labour shortages already plaguing the U.S. shipbuilding industry, potentially jeopardising production schedules.
