Donald Trump came to office wanting peace. He had pressed the Biden team to try to get a cessation of hostilities in Gaza. He thought he could talk to Putin to get a ceasefire in Ukraine. Both have proved too difficult so far. Now as he tries to negotiate a settlement with Iran to stop them acquiring nuclear weapons and stop them backing militant groups in several Middle East hot spots, he sees Israel taking preemptive military action against Iran.
The UK with France tried to put together a coalition of the willing to act as a peacekeeping force in Ukraine There were not many willing and Russia saw such a force as a NATO proxy on the side of Ukraine, not as an independent and neutral peacekeeper. In Gaza the UK speaks as a neutral telling both sides, Hamas and Israel, to calm it.The UK has no plans to intervene militarily in Gaza.
What do you think the US should do next? Is there anything useful the UK could do or say to promote peace in any of these conflict zones?
June 15, 2025
Good morning Sir John, from Rough Common, Canterbury, a place you know well.
I know Inheritance Tax is off this morning’s topic, but I wanted to clarify something that Berkshire Alan wrote yesterday, when he said: [Inheritance] Tax cannot be paid out of the Estate as you cannot liquidate any of the Estate without Probate.
He is correct in saying that IHT must be paid (or begin to be paid) within six months from the date of death, but to reassure those Executors worrying about Probate, it may not be necessary for them to take out a loan.
If, like me, your life savings are spread around numerous banks and building societies, many are willing to advance a reasonable sum before probate has been granted, provided it is paid directly to HMRC to settle IHT. This is under the Direct Payment Scheme, described here:
https://www.gov.uk/paying-inheritance-tax/deceaseds-bank-account (7th bullet point)
While they are not obligated to release funds before probate is granted, even if the amount is small, a recent (2024) item from Daily Telegraph Money listed amounts that some banks have agreed to advance (provided there is a good deal more than these sums on deposit of course). The amounts vary from £50,000 (Lloyds TSB) down to £5,000 (NS&I). I am sorry that there is not space to publish the full list of over 20 banks here.
June 15, 2025
Indeed.
But if the funds are mainly in properties or other things that need to sold it can be a rather serious issue. Best to make sure other signatories on accounts or often better still get all assets out of the UK so then often no need for UK probate!
June 15, 2025
‘What do you think the US should do next?’
The US government has been Israeli-occupied territory since the days Lyndon Johnson. Nixon and Carter were not particularly happy with this, but said nothing during their presidencies.
Nobody knows what will happen next. Trump claims there is no US involvement in the attacks and then claims that he knew all about the attack beforehand and may get more involved. Trump makes it up as he goes along.
Regime change in Israel would be best – but that is unlikely in the near future.
I still believe in karma though. What goes around comes around.
June 15, 2025
Regime change in Iran would be good Peter.
Give people their democratic freedoms especially women.
It is something you totally agree with I presume?
June 15, 2025
RC
From my experience as an Executor for three family members who have passed over the years, not all Banks or Government institutions are as co-operative as you suggest, certainly you can pay funeral expenses out of the Estate, but certainly Banks in more recent years have become far less flexible, even when you are dealing with their Bereaved Departments (who are usually helpful), if your request does not tick one of their boxes, then it simply does not happen.
From life’s experience few people have sufficient cash in accounts to completely fund a substantial inheritance tax bill, should that be necessary or even allowable, HMRC they want their share before anyone else.
A house sale (typically the largest asset) usually takes at least 6 months from any instruction.
I would certainly agree with you that it is important for people to get all of their affairs in order, with details left for whoever is going to need to sort it all out, a Will is also vitally important in this regard.
Hope that helps clarify my original posting.
Reply This site does not give tax or investment advice. Individual circumstances vary and need actions checking with advisers or the authorities.
June 15, 2025
indeed alas so often the financial advisors, accountants or lawyers are looking after their own interests and not yours so pick carefully.
June 15, 2025
Good Morning,
What useful action could we take. Read a bit of history, wind our necks in and keep Lammy, Starmer and all ministers at home and tell them to look to our home defence and troubled population.
The US is going to keep making its own mistakes, but at least they have the resources to absorb the fallout. There will probably be military conflict arising from their errors, we should not assist in making them.
There’s a new group of arrogant ‘strong-men’ leaders running powerful nations, we are not among them. Time to be humble and intelligent and keep out of their way.
June 15, 2025
Correct Peter. We have little real influence in these matters and should stop pretending that we have. Starmer/Lammy bleat on about International Law, whilst the poweful simply ignore it when it suits them. This Gover
nment has enough trouble at home and Starmer should stop posing as a Global Leader and start trying to solve the very real problems at home. Our tanking economy would be a good place to start..
June 15, 2025
Agree, but sadly Starmer wants to be seen as being one of the grown ups by sending “assets” to the area. Why is it that our limited ability politicians want to strut the world stage – I suppose it takes their mind off the real problems at home.
June 15, 2025
+1
June 15, 2025
Sadly the world badly needs regime changes and that implies leader change too.
Starting with Russia, USA, China, N.Korea, Israel, Gaza, UK, France, Hungary, Venezuela etc
June 15, 2025
Everyone but the U.K.? 😂🤣
June 15, 2025
Good morning.
Which both sides happily ignore.
No ! Let us try and stay out of it. Unless you can seriously affect change you just make yourself look stupid. Come to think of it, remind me who is our Foreign Secretary ?
Ukraine needs to admit it has lost and sue for peace.
The Israeli and Palestinian conflict can only ever be resolved one way. Either one or the other is annihilated.
June 15, 2025
They said Ukraine had lost just as the Russian armour rolled in back when the conflict started, but there they are to this day holding the line. Just in the last few days they carried out an attack that destroyed several Russian strategic bombers.
Ukraine can’t sue for peace because the terms from Russia are just unacceptable. Russia will accept nothing short of total surrender, leaving its army free to range all over their country helping themselves to whatever maidens they can find. Understandably they think it worth carrying on resisting.
June 15, 2025
If you think Ukraine is ‘holding the line’, Dave, you obviously haven’t been following. But it’s not new. This is from February: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-moscow-trump-donetsk-kyiv-b2691076.html
And it’s got worse for Ukraine since:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-ap-janet-yellen-germany-kyiv-b2550042.html
June 15, 2025
More than you can say for the U.K., we don’t give a damn about our maidens.
June 15, 2025
Israel is fighting for the survival not only of itself but the West in general. For too long governments have tried appeasement with a culture which hates us.
Presently we are Importing thousands of aliens who when push becomes shove they will fight against us
I fear unless we significantly defeat this cult, we will be overrun within a generation. It’s a pity the politicians of all stripes continue to call us racist for pointing out the obvious.
Britain and the West in general should give Israel all the help it can and stop posturing like peacocks. It’s 1939 all over again only a different enemy.
June 15, 2025
Agreed.
June 15, 2025
@Ian Wragg. I don’t see Israel fighting for “the survival of the West”.
Their PM is embroiled in corruption allegations which arguably mean that fighting wars helps his personal survival more his country’s.
I also see Israel’s foreign policy as expansionist, rather than purely defensive. Ignoring the contentious Palestine, they have occupied a much larger part of Syria recently, and the “Greater Israel” project has influential proponents, such as the finance Minister. Proponents advocate taking land in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. I see these plans as threatening the West, as they would lead to ever more illegal migration from, and instability within, the region.
June 15, 2025
Wanderer,
Correct.
There is moderate opinion within Israel also, but you don’t hear much about it unless you read the Israeli press.
June 15, 2025
Wherever extremists are in power they seek to suppress opposition news, thoughts, proposals….
Yes, even in UK.
June 15, 2025
+1 agreed, Wanderer.
June 15, 2025
It is left wing and islamist propaganda to keep bringing up the lawfare. It has been going on for four years and is crumbling. The left have lost five out of the last five elections. They will not win the next by turning off the public in this fashion. This is how they compensate, because they control all the institutions of the state. In the meantime the public continue to move to the right and to religion. That is the result of continual attacks from the neighbours. One of the absurd charges is that the PM has paid the left wing media for favourable coverage!! As he said in court, all he needed to do was to take two steps to the left.
The problem for the left is that if their country wins the war, they will not win the election. So, unbelievably, they are working to lose the war.
June 15, 2025
They “occupied” parts of Syria near their border Wanderer, because the Golan Heights were being used by terrorists to fire rockets into Israel.
June 15, 2025
In that case Hamas just has to have a ceasefire long enough to allow Israel to hold elections, and they will get rid of Netanyahu themselves.
He may well have corruption charges to deal with, but right now he is doing the right thing in leading the fight against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iranian Mullahs.
June 15, 2025
DA,
Netanyahu has many issues to deal with.
The Haredi are exempt from military call up and want to keep it that way -despite the wishes of certain politicians and IDF folk. Its another issue that could collapse Bibi,s government .
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-06-05/ty-article/.premium/israels-haredi-draft-crisis-why-netanyahus-coalition-is-on-the-brink-of-collapse/00000197-40b9-de48-a1f7-f5bf066e0000
It would be useful for Netanyahu to get Americans to do the fighting for him.
June 15, 2025
There was a vote of confidence in Parliament and guess who won it.
June 15, 2025
Yes Israel is the Hero nation – Islam is the threat to our collective survival. The victims of the ‘rape gangs in Britain know that even if the PM obdurately refuses to see the smouldering of the war in our own land – not a civil war – a war between those whose islands there have long been and the invader.
June 15, 2025
‘Hero nation’ ?
Nonsense. You have been drinking the Kool Aid.
June 15, 2025
Tell us your thoughts on Hamas, Peter.
Do you prefer them to Israel?
June 15, 2025
What other nation is taking on this new Crusade? Where is our Martel?
June 15, 2025
Ian, I totally agree!
June 15, 2025
Agreed.
June 15, 2025
Ian
I agree too!
June 15, 2025
I.W. Agreed.
You declared the obvious.
June 15, 2025
Well the UK could stop caving in to the EU, stop the Chagos lunacy, ditch net zero (it is incompatible with serious defence) reverse the Gibralta cave in. Also reform/replace the incompetents who do our defence procurement. This has been grossly incompetent for all my life but has become even worse. Before any more defence spending fire these goons who have misspent £ trillions over the years. Certainly fire Lammy and Ed Miliband.
EXCLUSIVENew Letby bombshell: Chief prosecution witness’ vile rant at campaigner who questioned his evidence as he claimed ‘You’re TURNED ON by Lucy Letby in her uniform’
No mate we just think all the 15 convictions are unsafe we do not see sufficient evidence to show any murders or attempted murders were committed by anyway let alone lucy. Also our case in enhanced further by your moronic statement above!
And now Streeting we will not stop saying this to stop upsetting the “victims”! What victim would want another person to be wrongly helf in jail. Can we have her appeal now please rather than in 10+ years time.
So a prosecution in the Lucy Letby case think we only think the convictions are unsafe because we like Lucy in he uniform!
June 15, 2025
@LL. +1. But if Lammy and Milliband go, don’t assume we’ll get anyone better in place!
June 15, 2025
So nothing to do with the question. Your usual dump of personal animus. Therefore zero contribution to the debate.
June 15, 2025
Well first paragraph is surely on topic, solid defence is incompatible with net zero and the resulting duff economy.
Though it seems the Red Arrows yesterday had some fuel derived partly for vegetable oil. Doubtless this pathetic virtue signalling is worse for the environment than using normal fuel? Doubtless the same with Charles’s cheese and wine waste Aston Martin!
June 15, 2025
@Lifelogic – the Aston Martin has been swapped for a German BMW EV and an order placed for a Chinese designed and manufactured 4×4 EV.
I am surprised the Red Arrows Hawkes are still in the air they passed there use date many years ago now a heritage plane.
Pathetic virtue signalling. As he will know being the Canadian Head of State his new PM “Mark Carney’s has had a conversion from eco warrior to oil and gas champion, saying for Canada “It means using our oil and gas here in Canada to displace imports wherever possible,” The opposite to what he(Mark Carney) said while part of the UK Establishment
June 15, 2025
LL, ++++
The GB News commentator noted the use of some artificial ‘sustainable’ colourant in the Red Arrows display. I ask you, is David Lammy or Mr. Bean writing all the scripts these days? Such jaw dropping trivia.
June 15, 2025
So we are finally to get an inquiry into the rape gangs and vast establishment cover up says Starmer. I imagine however it will be another sick joke and a gravy train for lefty Lawyers in with Starmer – rather like the appalling joke Covid inquiry.
Perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised, but given Labour and Starmer have so much to hide politically on this topic I very much doubt it!
June 15, 2025
I for one hope the inquiry is carried out thoroughly, it’s long overdue. It should expose those at the very top of the cover-up. Particularly the head of the DPP/CPS at the time.
Two-tier Keir is now two u-turns Keir. One more required. End the ridiculous Chagos sell-out.
June 15, 2025
+1
June 15, 2025
What friend of a friend will be chosen to lead the several years long inquiry?
It might be amusing to discover who gets the cover-up job, which year it will start, my guess is 2029, and how many years to complete, possibly another 4?
June 15, 2025
Morning Sir John,
I think the most useful thing we could do would be stay well away and not get involved.
As a country, we have very limited military capability now.
We lack both hardware and personnel to fight against any other nation.
Our PM was wrong, in my opinion, to sign a hundred year deal to support Ukraine. He was wrong not to rule out getting involved on a military basis in the Iran conflict.
I think we need to concentrate on getting our own country sorted out before we try to be involved in solving world problems.
I think we may well be heading towards a summer of unrest and civil disobedience.
June 15, 2025
@Cliff. +1. More riots heading our way, this summer I think (theyve alreadystarted in NI). Quite what the trigger or target will be for mainland Britain, who knows.
June 15, 2025
Same as in NI.
June 15, 2025
And we have very iffy ‘intelligence’.
June 15, 2025
I hope we don’t have any more 100 years support of countries?
June 15, 2025
Can it really be the case that one can retract the flaps rather than lift the undercarriage on a Boeing 787 at very low altitudes on takeoff simply by pilot error and without any automatic warnings or need to over ride any safety systems? Anyone know? Will they all need alterations?
Reply We do not yet know what happened
June 15, 2025
Not possible without an enormous mistake. I saw a different captain’s video that showed the flaps lever and the landing gear levers are not close, the first near a pilot’s knee, the second higher up on the control panel, both levers having a very different feel and different movement.
The captain I saw on YouTube was jeffostroff. He presents evidence that the Ram Air Turbine was deployed, indicative of electrical failure.
June 15, 2025
No, but we know quite a lot (and speculation is rightly what one would do with such information as we have) from the video etc. Contrary to what the police always say it is never too early to speculate! Just too early to come to final conclusions. The undercarriage was down and it seems flaps were not both wrong at that stage of the takeoff? The one survivor says he heard a bang before the impact – perhaps the flaps being retracted instead of the wheels.
Could well be other power or technical issues but looks odds on to me. But surely something in the design would protect or warn against this pilot error?
June 15, 2025
The flaps wouldn’t make a bang as they are incremental using electric motors
They are a very smooth motion.
June 15, 2025
and surely the pilots listen for landing gear retraction, they do when approaching to land. What did they think then say in the voice recorder I wonder? What exactly triggered the Mayday call?
June 15, 2025
It seems other better footage and sound now shows the RAT ram air turbine has deployed below the wing so mist be other power issues. (Captain Steeve).
June 15, 2025
I’m not sure the RAT could be seen. Maybe the APU on the tail. The RAT is very small and requires airspeed normally to operate whi h the plane clearly didn’t have.
June 15, 2025
Wasn’t there video of unexplained cabin lights going off on an earlier flight?
June 15, 2025
I’m quite sure that whatever happened, the politically acceptable explanation will be the one found.
June 15, 2025
There is a review of the video of the crash indicating that the RAT deployed. This device (a two bladed propeller) deploys below the aircraft automatically when there is an electric or hydraulic failure. I had not heard of it before. The commentator said it is designed to work at altitude if there is engine failure so that control of the aircraft can be restored. Presumably the black box analysis will tell us more.
June 15, 2025
Entirely possible as they are judgement calls. My first thought seeing g the video was why is the landing gear still down
June 15, 2025
The UK needs to keep out of all foreign wars.
We need our service people back here defending our borders and looking after our own security.
June 15, 2025
I agree with you Kenneth, but our politicans just love buying military equipment for foreign wars ie aircraft carries, nuclear weapons and now 12 new submarines ……huge cost, which could be used on defensive equipment
June 15, 2025
g c
Agreed, aircraft carriers are an offensive weapon for when you need a mobile air base in far away lands.
You do not need submarines to stop rubber boats, you simply need willpower and a change of Law and Benefits.
Would happily agree we need to upgrade air, sea, and electronic missile defence systems, with an independent power supply.
June 15, 2025
We can’t keep out of this one, because we have idiotically admitted tens of thousands of Jihadis, including Iranian sleepers. The Israelis have saved many British lives by giving us intelligence on the various plots which are then foiled. Insulting them and trying to criminalise them for self defence with one hand tied behind their backs, is beyond stupid. We should be wanting a quick Israeli victory.
June 15, 2025
🙏🏻 quite right Rose.
Maybe after the rape game report is published next week some people will start getting the real picture.
Russia is no threat, neither is China (apart from economically and digitally).
Islam is occupying and defeating us and we don’t even know it.
June 15, 2025
We also need the contract with armed forces personnel restored. Ensure they are billeted in accommodation fit for purpose and look after veterans, then stop telling everyone being British is something to be ashamed of because of the colonial past, so UK citizens can be proud of joining up.
June 15, 2025
Ferguson’s law (he was an 18thC Scot) states that once an empire spends as much on servicing it’s debt as it spends on its military and defence it is doomed to fail. He demonstrated this with historical examples. His modern namesake, Niall Ferguson, (no relation) has reminded everyone of this when pointing out that the annual cost of servicing the USA’s debt now exceeds the cost of it’s spending on defence. The UK debt service costs are now 2x the cost of it’s spending on defence.
Trump’s policy is to withdraw, over time, to fortress America and pursue his MAGA policy. The post Berlin Wall world order is over. Countries recognise this and are having to make their own arrangements for self defence. Where they perceive threats from others to be existential they will not be constrained by the USA, let alone the UK. The USA has explicitly abandoned it’s role as the world’s policeman. The UK lost that role over 100 years ago. The UK has next to zero influence on the warring parties in the Middle East and should stop pretending it has. It should not even think about boots on the ground in the Ukraine but focus on material support to Ukraine. Putin is open about his objectives (restoration of Soviet/Tsarist spheres of influence) which is why the Baltic states plus Poland, Sweden and Finland are beefing up their defence spending. Historically the UK has effectively used it maritime strength against Russia and that should be it’s focus now.
June 15, 2025
When did Putin say he wanted to expand even into Ukraine. Reference please.
June 15, 2025
See his public statements and actions since his speech at the 2006 Munich Security conference.
June 15, 2025
Not a single word about occupying any other country, not even Fonbas (he wanted them to be independent Republics.
Why don’t you actually read he speeches? I do.
If you can quote an explicit statement – please supply and reference.
June 15, 2025
Actions not words Lynn. What he did say (our words were ‘invasion’ ) was a special military operation’.
June 15, 2025
Ukraine 2014 was a typical US State Department regime change operation. The US has been remorselessly pulling all erstwhile Soviet satellite states into NATO and arming them against Russia. The Baltics were previously neutral but have now been armed and occupied by NATO. Russia now sees the Baltics as a threat and has deployed appropriately.
When the US tried to drag Ukraine into NATO, it initiated a war with Russia that saw this development as a threat to its existence. Russia duly responded and has now defeated NATO despite the huge amounts of war materiel provided by NATO countries, very much including that of the British taxpayer. Unfortunately, without regime change in the US, it will continue to cause trouble everywhere until it causes a world war. The British government should cease being the US’ yapping dog, following it everywhere on its maniacal attempt to become Global hegemon because we have nothing to gain by this and everything to lose.
June 15, 2025
I don’t doubt the hand of the USA in the events of 2014. Today the current US administration wants out. The Baltic states, Poland, Sweden and Finland are not about to roll over and welcome Russia back with open arms.
June 15, 2025
Russia does not want the feral Baltic states or the NAZI problems of the EU, so relax. Unless we actually continue attacking civilian and nuclear sites within Russia, then you might see an Orezic close up.
June 15, 2025
Yes, Old Timer, Putin is open about his objectives. It’s just that they aren’t what you want to talk about. He has said from the beginning he wants a neutral Ukraine, with a much smaller army, and with its neo-nazi elements removed from their influence on power in Kiev. He has since added that he wants the five regions that voted to join Russia in 2022 to be internationally recognised as part of the Russian Republic. You seem to be suggesting that Russia might also have the objective of adding more of Ukraine, or even other countries, to what is already the country with the largest landmass in the world. If that’s what you think is his objective, it’s not what Putin says. Of course, you may be reading his unspoken intentions correctly, but where is your evidence?
June 15, 2025
The West needs to understand that people in the Middle East can think and behave very differently to Westerners. As an example, in 1974 I was being driven over a pass in North Yemen when we encountered a sizable rock in the road – in my view, there was plenty of space to drive between the rock and the rock face, and completely inadequate space between the rock and the precipice – the driver chose the latter option. I asked why he made that choice and I then learned about his religious belief that life after death is much better than life on Earth.
When 9/11 occurred, most Westerners appeared surprised that the pilots were prepared to die – as a result of the above experience, to me it was no surprise. The West needs to a) stop assuming that its ways of thinking/values are necessarily applicable in the in the Middle East, b) recognise that many Middle East countries have been in their current form for relatively short periods of time (much of the change being driven by oil wealth) – North Yemen, for example, only emerged from the Middle Ages in 1969, and c) develop relationships (which takes a long time) and convince people that there are aspects of Western life which could benefit Middle East populations.
June 15, 2025
@Charles Breese. Lovely anecdote.
In my view we mostly don’t understand foreigners, and they don’t understand us. Our cultures are different and I think we should leave them to theirs, as they should leave us to ours.
June 15, 2025
+1
June 15, 2025
If only that were true of the incomers to UK over the last ( we could argue) 75 years.
June 15, 2025
The USA under Biden gave Iran the space to continue with its nuclear ambitions. They promoted war against Israel via their proxy terrorist organisations. The Israelis know what a real genocide is like and they’re not going to let it happen again. They’re doing what needs to be done.
It would be better if Two-Tier and the idiot in the Foreign Office keep their mouths shut and do nothing; since in both cases all they would do is embarrass this Nation.
June 15, 2025
Is there anything useful the UK could do or say to promote peace in any of these conflict zones?
No stay well clear of it, since the end of the Second World War there as been some sort of conflict going on around the world and it’s been about Religion or land grab, and before it kicks off in our land start by rounding up all these illegals of mainly fighting age and ship them to there own country or to the very north of Scotland to some isolated island with a tent before it’s too late
June 15, 2025
Iran is over qualified as a rogue state. It is a danger to Israel, neighbouring arab states, and ultimately world peace. It has an imposed religious regime on what was a previously western oriented society.
It spreads its venom via proxy terrorist bodies to Israel and western trade routes in the area. It cannot be allowed to become an atomic military power with every chance that its medaeval religous leadership would use it. It is essential that its atomic ambitions are halted by whatever means available and that the regime is destroyed collaterally. If it means that the USA, UK, France and sympathetic states assist Israel by delivering bunker busting weaponry to achieve it, do it swiftly with devastating power. Lance the boil and bring Iran back from the brink. There is no halfway house talking shop available for this pariah state. Having done it, support the majority of their people in a return to normality. They too have been victims.
June 15, 2025
At least with Putin he’s not so stupid as to use nuclear weapons. The same can’t be said of the Iranian regime.
June 15, 2025
and USA is tired of the support given by Iran to many terrorist organisations – Hamas in particular.
Putin probably judges just how much control he would keep by significant provision made to other organisations.
June 15, 2025
+1
June 15, 2025
“We give Israel bunker busting weaponry…” And then Iran closes the Straits of Hormuz and the global economy crashes. Brilliant, Agricola.
June 16, 2025
They wouldn’t close the Straits of Hormuz for long Clough because the forces of freedom would attack the agressors and re open it
June 15, 2025
If one looks at the history of British involvement in the Middle-East the UK Govermment is best keeping out of peace keeping anywhere.
Interesting to see how unchecked imigration leads to war a centuary later.
Perhaps UK Government has always been more interested in trying to manage things aboard rather than at home.
June 15, 2025
Yes, and interesting to note that Britain is held responsible by Iran for the very existence of modern Israel
June 15, 2025
Israel is none of Iran’s business.
June 15, 2025
‘held responsible’ by the present regime I think you mean?
June 17, 2025
Yes
June 15, 2025
Israel is not ‘modern’ it’s ancient and it is the land of the Jews, and established and recognized race. There is no race call ‘Palestinians’.
June 15, 2025
We need to spend our money and effort here, not overseas. We’re a bankrupt former power, falling apart, rotten at the core and a laughing stock.
The US is a bankrupt world hegemon, in the last decades of empire. Better that they stayed out of foreign meddling, too.
I would applaud if Trump cleared the CIA and other arms of government of all neocons, and got less donations from the Israel lobby. I guess he would not survive the attempt.
Re:Iran Israel. The CIA’s last regime change op here was Operation Ajax in 1953, installing the Shah. We ended up with the Mullahs. If the CIA must persist in changing regimes, perhaps it could try getting rid of Netanyahu this time, and installing a more moderate government?
June 15, 2025
It would be nice of the UN encouraged Middle East nations to allow democracy and end their stated desire to anhiliate Israel.
If you want peace in the region then start there Wanderer.
June 15, 2025
The Biden regime tried very hard to topple the Netanyahu coalition.
June 15, 2025
We could start by clearly stating who is (wrong ed)and who is (right)
Russia is the aggressor, quite clearly.
Hamas perpetrated an act of medieval barbarity to which Israel responded, quite clearly.
Iran has attempted to destabilise the region by proxy for years, quite clearly.
None of these aggressors should be supported through appeasement. They should be clearly told they are not the aggrieved party.
We need to support our friends and those who share our values. Although the last comment may reflect my values rather than those of the present Prime Minister and that may be part of the problem.
June 15, 2025
@Jaycee. What’s clear to some is not what’s clear to others. Opinions differ. Taking your examples:
I don’t see Russia as “the agressor”: I look to those that provoked it.
Hamas perpetrated an act of medieval brutality…to which Israel responded with an act of 21sr Century brutality.
Iran has sought to destabilise (ie. exert its influence, weaken its rivals) in the region by proxy for years. As has Israel, the US, the Saudis, the UAE, Qatr, Russia, Turkey, etc, even Britain & France…
So, which oppressors you choose to support “through appeasement” depends on your outlook. Even that statement could be rephrased, as “which oppressors you choose to support through military, financial and diplomatic aid depends on your outlook”.
As for me I’d prefer us to keep well out it, yet keep our citizens well appraised about what’s going on.
June 15, 2025
Iran has been the main source of conflict and terrorism in the Middle East ever since the Shah was overthrown by the Ayatollah fanatics in 1979. The regime is loathed by most of the World including the majority of its own people and the Gulf States too. Until now it was on the verge of a nuclear arsenal with the permanent threat that it could be used offensively (via itself or its terrorist network) if we impede its fanatical objectives.
I never agreed with the Iraq war as I never saw Saddam Hussein as a threat to us. I do see a nuclear Iran as a permanent threat to world peace and thus to us too. I believe it is in our interests therefore to stop it permanently while we can and the best way is regime change.
I think the US is poised for regime change too. It is waiting for a casus belli and then it will have its excuse to strike. If the US does strike I believe we have the obligation to support them.
June 15, 2025
I question whether the U.K. is neutral captured by the need to push back against the rise of the pro Palestine vote indeed one can see the day when there is ‘Muslim’ grouping in Parliament.
So lost all respect with Israel who will not listen.
Trump needs to understand he is dealing with religious fanaticism so the normal rules of negotiation do not apply nor again has he any leverage because of his support for Israel.
So as we are seeing the megaphone is being turned down, he cannot let Israel fail so background munitions/logistic support etc bu the key for me is using the gulf states as his proxy.
My knowledge of what power (economic?) would get oil rich Gulf States to support action in favour of a sworn enemy Israel but I suspect the threat Iran poses (nuclear) to the whole region concentrates their mind.
So direct or indirect, remove the theocracy the runs Iran, support the moderate PM and foment change driven by a people’s movement. I believe ordinary people in Iran are ready for it.
June 15, 2025
Indeed. I read that Israel didn’t notify the UK government in advance of their attack because they regard them as “unreliable”. Good call.
June 15, 2025
Indeed.
– The special operation will continue until both parties can negotiate a settlement.
– I dont see Russia wanting or needing East Ukraine , they might want it for a buffer given these long range attacks that i suspect will not change the outcome. As holding the land is the Key.
– Keeping the war going is not in the interests of rump Ukraine which will still be next to Russia.
– Given Israels decapitation strike , it may concentrate certain decision makers to achieve an imperfect peace with an agreement capable partner.
Then maybe abandon the net zero rush ahead of the technology, buy russian gas and build some gas power stations. We need to learn to trade and work through differences. I remember after the USSR fell there was some goodwill high level talk of the Russia joining NATO. What happened ?
The problem is the massive loss now on both sides and less goodwill & no signs of a reality based compromise.
Dont send BoJo . Actually just encourage a settlement.
June 15, 2025
The UK should certainly act to protect its own interests (this could be a novel departure) and aside from keeping well out of present conflicts (so not even more impotent posturing from Starmer) it ought to sign a non-aggression pact with Russia, thereby giving treaty form to current expressions of policy.
As for the USA, I know too little about the reasons Trump has failed but Russia and Ukraine both have much to gain by halting their war so encouragement should be provided. The Middle East will be in conflict long after Trump has moved on.
June 15, 2025
The thing to do next for peace is to be peaceful. Unless nations are in direct conflict or attack, it is more sensible not to cooperate with the belligerent opponent. Boycotts and sanctions are less lethal and may be more effective when applied sensibly.
Leaders depend solely on followers. Keir Starmer goes nowhere sensible. Following him would be daft.
June 15, 2025
Thank God the present state of the U.K. economically and in military terms is much reduced because our political class have never been so bankrupt of education, knowledge, ideas or morality. Any power at all in their hands would be very dangerous.
Until we restore ourselves we don’t deserve any power whatsoever, so we know what the first task is because Britain has always been a power of good to the whole world.
Let’s see if the political class can conduct an honest review of the grooming gangs, apply justice, deport all who effected the terror and those who knew and aided and abetted it – including elected officials and civil servants, and all their families.
If they can do that they are in the starting gates of becoming a moral country. Still a military mile behind Israel and Russia whose President and Prime Minister remain an a different league from ours.
June 15, 2025
Good morning, the UK is a toothless tiger in this war. Keep out, nothing can be done because Trump is subservient to the Israeli lobby. I’m interested to see what position China and Russia take as Iran is a member of BRICS and furthermore China is an importer of Iranian oil. The closure of the oil refineries will be catastrophic. Trump is out of control.
June 15, 2025
Good morning, the UK is a toothless tiger in this war. Keep out,
June 15, 2025
Well as we’ve been repeatedly told that UK is a colonial power and that that is a bad thing then surely we should stay out of conflicts far from home ?
June 15, 2025
Those with the power will always take what they want.
Two Tier Kier wanted a coalition of the willing for no other reason he is desperate, desperate to deflect attention from his failures as a PM, deflection to hide his fight with the people of this fine Nation. Desperation to impose the will of WEF and the Great Reset as if he was running the World – totally lost the plot
June 15, 2025
No one takes any notice of Starmer or Lammy (unless they are giving our £££s) and they have no clout or credibility at home or abroad. This is a scenario where worldwide reality shows how their posturing and posing and U turns prove they are so naive and dangerous already, left behind by real world fast moving events, yet again.
June 15, 2025
These so-called ‘World Leaders’ are huffing and puffing to seem to be strong, strong enough to fight the next election. The only thing needed is a self reliant and resilient ‘Defence Force’. The only reason the UK has to project that force is that as an Island we rely completely on our trade routes. But other peoples wars are other peoples wars.
We are let down by a dumb Parliament, dumb Legislators who as a collective wants the UK to be beholden to any(any) foreign power they can latch onto. These situations go away when you have programmed in self-reliance and resilience. The dumbest thing they talk about is that our safety and security is a question of a percentage of GDP – that is 100% neglect of duty, neglect of the premise of being paid by the Taxpayer for that job.
June 15, 2025
The UK should steer clear of even voicing opinion. The UK’s Leaders, Legislators have not been voted by the people in these flash points.
Gaza, Israel, the Middle East Flash points, Yemen and Houthis are all legacy problems created by dumb getting ahead of themselves as now UK Governments with their Parliaments. They left a mess and administrative mess, a ruling mess – seemingly because as now they don’t like democracy.
Even now 2TK has crippled the UK protecting it sea lane trade routes by giving away UK Territory and giving another unconnected nation the right to veto the UK or the US presence in the Indian Ocean.
June 15, 2025
So did a lot of us in this country.
If Starmer had only kept his nose out of it Ukraine would be at peace now, instead he kept the war going by giving support – the man is not to be trusted in any way to do what is best or logical. He should now withdraw support and allow the Ukraine army to surrender.
He should certainly keep out of Gaza – he certainly has no competence.
Trump should pressure Starmer to get his sticky fingers out of Ukraine so that peace can be resumed.
As for Gaza, Trump seems to have the right ideas – at least he is willing to keep real talks going.
June 15, 2025
Trump is doing more than others would have. If he had been left in power Iran would have been sorted by now as he stopped their flow of money which Biden went back on as soon as in power and gave them money to build nuclear weapons
It would be good if the present government stood up for this country and people living here instead of letting aggression run free by certain elements who have recently come to live here. How can we be an example to the Israelis, who I greatly admire having visited twice in the past, when we allow the country to be mismanaged and criticise and put restrictions on Israeli ministers. We should be joining up with Israel and let them teach us how to protect our own country. I would swop them any day for the lot we have here as they have grown lazy and only interested in themselves. The country and culture mean nothing to the present lot here and it needs to stop.
June 15, 2025
We need to be honest and straightforward about who the enemy is ?
Putin is akin to Hitler and threatens the east Europe; another dictator with imperialistic ambitions.
Iran religious beliefs and parliamentary law (2021) to destroy Israel by 2040 shows their clear intent to war; a war against all infidels
Our woke politicians would treat them and their beliefs as equals and praise their diversity and contribution to multiculturalism
June 15, 2025
John , Many Happy Returns !. Have plenty more !.
Bert Young .
June 15, 2025
Yes Happy birthday SJR!
June 15, 2025
134 criminals were shipped into the UK yesterday; and escorted from the safe country of France…
What about the invasion and war in the english channel ??
June 15, 2025
War requires at least two opponents. The invading illegal migrants have no opponents at all. On the contrary they are welcomed and given preferential treatment and higher priority than native Brits for state services and, most recently, also for private housing. They aren’t even required to abide by British laws and regulations and if they do transgress the courts are required to treat them with the utmost leniency, and if at all possible to let them off scot free.
June 15, 2025
Winning a battle without fighting, as taught by Sun Tzu in The Art of War
This approach, exploiting an opponent’s weaknesses, and securing your objectives through non-violent means
June 15, 2025
All the conflicts are at a sort of stalemate and no protagonist seems to want peace rather than a kind of victory.
Instead of virtue-signalling about peace the U.S.A. and U.K. would be better assisting with better weapons the Western aligned side that ought to succeed, Ukraine against Russia and Israel against Hamas and Iran.
With the West heavily aligned against them Russia, Hamas and Iran would probably then become far more interested in peace.
June 15, 2025
It’s clear what should be done by US and UK. Stop sending weapons to both Ukraine and Israel. Money for humanitarian purposes is certainly a consideration providing it is not going to further fuel conflict. Unless and until our respective Nations realise the futility of war and start negotiations for peace the future is bleak indeed
June 15, 2025
You negotiate with the Mad Mullahs. See if you can do better than Trump. And once they have a nuke – and use it as they will – you can consider whether that should have been stopped.
June 15, 2025
The quickest route to peace in the Middle East is to behead the snake of the Ayatollah’s regime in Iran. It would be welcomed by the Gulf states and by the people of Iran. So far Starmer’s Gang shows no sign of sharing that aim with Israel. Release of the hostages in Gaza is mentioned only as an afterthought. Calls on the streets of London for the extirpation of Jews go unchecked by Starmer’s Gang and the police. On the contrary, Atarmer’s Gang devotes its energies to protecting political Islamists, even encouraging their immigration to Britain.
Starmer’s Gang will do nothing to support Israel except the bare minimum to save itself from disgracefully embarrassing criticism by The Whitehouse.
As for Ukraine, Starmer’s Gang will do all that the EU requires, not for Ukraine but to keep UK joined at the hip to the EU. His so called coalition of the willing would be nothing more than a sacrificial monitoring force. It would under EU political and operational control. Once committed the UK would not be able to withdraw. This is in contrast with NATO which always resoects national control. No wonder the EU would rather see British troops sacrificed than their own. Starmer is more than happy to grandstand on the international stage to bring it about.
June 15, 2025
I am thinking about people who have move to Israel over the years with there families and friends for dream of Babylon and the promise lands, that dream is no more, they promise that the iron dome would protect them it didnt, what are they thinking huddled together in basement all over Israel and what are they saying, are they saying good on Yeti for taking on Iran or where can I go with family to get away from nigthmare, my house is worthless along with business or job, will the UK take me in but then again I will be surounded by same peole as here, we have heard about what happening in the UK and what about the USA may be same problem, I have it fishing boat to Cyprus. The main problem hear is China is backing Iran to the hilt, so I will have to find somewhere to go with my family.
June 15, 2025
The Palmerston approach is best. Britain should act to protect its interests. It has none in the Middle East or Ukraine.
June 15, 2025
What gunboat, what river?
June 15, 2025
Putin called Trump to wish him a happy birthday……..Bless!
June 15, 2025
An international peace-keeping force is normally set up by the UN. A ‘peace-keeping force’ set up by Ukraine’s main European sponsors, all NATO members, would indeed be a ‘NATO proxy’. Not just seen as such by Russia.