Current Affairs - 2026

[Onelife]

Whatever the rights or wrongs of war

Are there any rights? All I can see are plenty of wrongs!

There’s a fine line between what is right, and what is wrong, especially when living in fear of those who think they are right while doing to others what many would think is wrong.
Your assertion, I believe, is that America and Israel have no legal authority (according to international law) to launch an attack on Iran? This may well be the case, it could also be the case that international law isn’t fit for purpose in the prevention of wars/ terrorist attacks around the world. I personally take the attitude that no country should live in fear of what another country might do. We in this country spend £billions each year trying to thwart terrorist attacks so I for one applaud the actions of our allies in cutting off the arms of those who would do us harm. Iran is recognised as the main funding arm of those who carry out these attacks so I’m happy to leave it to those who know the rights or wrongs of how to deal with these terrorists.

[david63]

The more that I am seeing and reading about the current Iranian war the more I am coming to the opinion that it has nothing to do with the Iranian people but more about two deranged men with similar motives.

On the one hand there is Netanyahu who is intent on destroying Hamas and Hezbollah at any cost in an attempt to save his own political career and at the same time make Israel a dominant force in the Middle East.

On the other hand there is Trump who believes that he is the "President of the World" and can do what he wants, when he wants and that everyone else should jump at his calling and that he is also pissed off that he has not got his coveted Nobel Peace Prize. Trump is also conscious of the fact that the mid terms are looming and that he needs to do something to rally the American voters to his side.

Also lurking in the wings is Putin who will, at some point, use this situation to his advantage - particularly in any attempt at peace in Ukraine.

[david63]

Your assertion, I believe, is that America and Israel have no legal authority (according to international law) to launch an attack on Iran?

International law has no bearing on this - yes what has been done may, at some point, be deemed to be illegal but as neither the US nor Israel recognise the ICC what can be done? The UN is not a viable route as the US has a veto there.

it could also be the case that international law isn’t fit for purpose in the prevention of wars/ terrorist attacks around the world.

That may well be a valid argument but if it isn't fit for purpose then it needs to be made so. But as I said above if countries do not recognise the ICC any international law becomes irrelevant.

[poole boy]

well I don't think your right about it doing no good at all I hope mr trump sorts out the leader ship in Iran and the people get a chance to elect a fair goverment who will do what they want.

[poole boy]

david63 so does Russia have a veto on the un.

[david63]

david63 so does Russia have a veto on the un.

Yes

[david63]

well I don't think your right about it doing no good at all I hope mr trump sorts out the leader ship in Iran and the people get a chance to elect a fair goverment who will do what they want.

But where is this "new" government going to come from? Unlike many other countries there is no government "in waiting". The US do this all the time, they start a conflict with no exit plan and hope everything will work out the way that they want.

[Portsmouth]

Iran seem to have a huge supply of drones...maybe 80,000 according to some reports and they are producing 300-400 more each day. Maybe the air strikes need to hit the drone factories as well

[Onelife]

Can anyone lend me a dingy cus I want to push it out to sea and come back as a refugee…pass GO and collect £40,000,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0j559146e6o

[Onelife]

well I don't think your right about it doing no good at all I hope mr trump sorts out the leader ship in Iran and the people get a chance to elect a fair goverment who will do what they want.

But where is this "new" government going to come from? Unlike many other countries there is no government "in waiting". The US do this all the time, they start a conflict with no exit plan and hope everything will work out the way that they want.

If there is to be a change in regimes it needs to be one where Religion and Politics are separated…thinking about it, ban religious dogma everywhere.

[david63]

If there is to be a change in regimes it needs to be one where Religion and Politics are separated

Tell me a country where that happens.

ban religious dogma everywhere

Therein lies the problem - virtually every war has had some basis in religion.

[oldbluefox]

WhatsApp Image 2026-03-05 at 15.29.34.jpeg

[Mervyn and Trish]

ban religious dogma everywhere

Therein lies the problem - virtually every war has had some basis in religion.

I'm not sure I agree with that. Religion is sometimes quoted as an excuse but I think the reality is virtually every war has its basis in greed and lust for power.

In this case I think the drivers are Netanyahu and Trump wanting a distraction from other matters (Gaza, unpopularity at home, failure to achieve peace in Ukraine, Epstein etc) and oil.

On the latter the worldwide rise in oil prices is bad news for consumers everywhere, but great news for the US. Drill baby, drill.

[Mervyn and Trish]

well I don't think your right about it doing no good at all I hope mr trump sorts out the leader ship in Iran and the people get a chance to elect a fair goverment who will do what they want.

Just like Bush achieved in Iraq then? A catastrophe for which we are all paying. And Afghanistan. Another resounding success. Thinking the Iranians will get a democratic government as a result of this is cloud cuckoo land. Trump has no exit strategy.

[Stephen]

Can anyone lend me a dingy cus I want to push it out to sea and come back as a refugee…pass GO and collect £40,000,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0j559146e6o

She’s free and easy with our tax money isn’t she. That’s really going to deter them to stop coming here. Just kick the bu99ers out. It pains me to agree, but I’m with you Keith, i’ll black up and hitch a ride with you and top up the coffers.

[david63]

So the latest from Trump is that he personally will be involved in selecting the next Supreme Leader in Iran.

This does not bode well for the people if Iran if there will be, to all intents and purposes, the same regime running the country and as we have seen in the past where this happens the regime takes revenge on the people resulting in many "disappearing" - the 30,000 who were killed in the last protest may well look trivial to what is coming.

[Stephen]

That'll be 'Ayatollah Trump' then

[Mervyn and Trish]

The good news is my friend's family who were in Dubai are safely home. They achieved it through their own wit, constantly booking seats on Emirates flights that appeared and were then cancelled. Eventually one actually happened.

They arrived back in the UK six hours before the first "rescue flight" organised (eventually) by our wonderful government!

[david63]

Latest comment from Trump to UK

"We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!"

- is this not pot, kettle, black?

[Stephen]

Trump, he’s full of it. The arrogant idiot.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Latest comment from Trump to UK

"We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!"

- is this not pot, kettle, black?

Good to know they've won already though. Presumably that means they can stop shooting now.

[david63]

I see that Iran took full notice of Trump when choosing their new Supreme Leader

[towny44]

Is it too late to buy military industry shares, they must be working flat out to replace all the ordinance that is being used.

[Stephen]

I see that Iran took full notice of Trump when choosing their new Supreme Leader

You mean he wasn’t involved in choosing.

That’ll mean an extra few missiles winging they’re way over.

[david63]

Is there any chance that the UK government can all sing from the same hymn sheet?

This morning Steve Reed tells BBC Breakfast

there is no cause for undue alarm yet over rising energy prices linked to the war in the Middle East.

Then later we have Starmer saying

The longer this goes on, the more likely the potential for an impact on our economy, impact into the lives and households of everybody and every business,

And that is all before Rachel from accounts joins an emergency G7 meeting this afternoon!