Absolutely, but as you will have appreciate how he would have handled his allies is worthy of consideration. In 1940/41 dealing with FDR was tricky. Trump isn't even worthy of having that bust in his office.
Mark - Good to see your inherent pragmatism shining through - when in Rome - wear a suit etc. It's been a hideous spectacle of a week - but useful in reminding us that we need to embrace our European allies and act collectively in the interests of European security. But, there does need to be an end to this war - the Russian bear is not the only creature in the forest.
Thanks Victoria. Agree Europe needs to really step up - the 'shining city on the hill', insofar as it ever existed, is no more, and is now a shoddy Trump Tower dedicated to stiffing its tenants.
And we certainly need to see an end to this war, but it can't just be a pause this time. After 2014 if we had properly armed Ukraine it would have deterred 2022. Peace at any price isn't peace at all, just a half-time break.
Trump's current deal-making is encouraging Russia to keep going with 'war, war'. The irony is that, contrary to Trump's simple-minded approach, Russia doesn't have all the cards. They have a current but not overwhelming advantage, and are massively stressed, with their economy buckling and the military balance is not just about marginal territorial advances. Even there, they are largely stalled.
So they are vulnerable to pressure. If Trump really wanted peace he actually has options - which is why many serious and sober commentators are increasingly of the view he wants Russia to win. If he really wanted the killing to stop then ending the US intelligence support that warns Ukraine of incoming Russian air strikes is not the way to do so.
Mark, he and his acolytes are way beyond reason and cognitive thought. I am afraid that all we can reasonably do is to watch from afar and maintain supportive contact with our US friends!
Trump is no Churchill.... Churchill never would have abandoned his values and country to a foreign enemy.
Absolutely, but as you will have appreciate how he would have handled his allies is worthy of consideration. In 1940/41 dealing with FDR was tricky. Trump isn't even worthy of having that bust in his office.
Mark - Good to see your inherent pragmatism shining through - when in Rome - wear a suit etc. It's been a hideous spectacle of a week - but useful in reminding us that we need to embrace our European allies and act collectively in the interests of European security. But, there does need to be an end to this war - the Russian bear is not the only creature in the forest.
Thanks Victoria. Agree Europe needs to really step up - the 'shining city on the hill', insofar as it ever existed, is no more, and is now a shoddy Trump Tower dedicated to stiffing its tenants.
And we certainly need to see an end to this war, but it can't just be a pause this time. After 2014 if we had properly armed Ukraine it would have deterred 2022. Peace at any price isn't peace at all, just a half-time break.
Trump's current deal-making is encouraging Russia to keep going with 'war, war'. The irony is that, contrary to Trump's simple-minded approach, Russia doesn't have all the cards. They have a current but not overwhelming advantage, and are massively stressed, with their economy buckling and the military balance is not just about marginal territorial advances. Even there, they are largely stalled.
So they are vulnerable to pressure. If Trump really wanted peace he actually has options - which is why many serious and sober commentators are increasingly of the view he wants Russia to win. If he really wanted the killing to stop then ending the US intelligence support that warns Ukraine of incoming Russian air strikes is not the way to do so.
Mark, he and his acolytes are way beyond reason and cognitive thought. I am afraid that all we can reasonably do is to watch from afar and maintain supportive contact with our US friends!