Current Affairs - 2026

[Onelife]

You have such a lovely way of putting things John There has never been a sensible, or ever will be a sensible plan that deters terrorists from slaughtering innocent party goers, or flying planes into skyscrapers or even just strapping a bomb to themselves then walking into a concert hall or tube station…the best that we can hope for is that these brainwashed states of terror are rendered incapable of doing it more frequently.

[oldbluefox]

You are correct in what you say Onelife. These people are so indoctrinated and brainwashed into their religious beliefs they are convinced they can gain eternal life by blowing themselves up along with a few dozen infidels. Iran is a state built on religious extremes which even suppresses their own people.

[towny44]

You have such a lovely way of putting things John There has never been a sensible, or ever will be a sensible plan that deters terrorists from slaughtering innocent party goers, or flying planes into skyscrapers or even just strapping a bomb to themselves then walking into a concert hall or tube station…the best that we can hope for is that these brainwashed states of terror are rendered incapable of doing it more frequently.

You always manage to sidetrack the main point Onelife. I doubt that Trump and Netanyahu were considering suicide bombers when they decided to bomb Iran. But even if they had been, they should have had a plan of action, target goals and how these should be achieved, as well as and end game plan and what to do when that was achieved. None of this seems to exist which leaves the US and Israel floundering about without any exit strategy that will produce a satisfactory outcome. In fact its looking increasingly likely that Iran will impose some sort of fee for tankers to be allowed safe passage through the strait of Hormuz, just so the rest of the world can avoid a totally unnecessary recession.
Above all they should have ensured that they were acting within the rules set out in the UN charter, which clearly they weren't.

[david63]

There is a reason why no other US president has been hoodwinked into a "military operation" against Iran, with or without the involvement of Israel, and that was the other presidents listened to the experts who knew what the consequences would be and not the "yes" men who have no plan whatsoever and are flying by the seat of their pants.

[Onelife]

You have such a lovely way of putting things John There has never been a sensible, or ever will be a sensible plan that deters terrorists from slaughtering innocent party goers, or flying planes into skyscrapers or even just strapping a bomb to themselves then walking into a concert hall or tube station…the best that we can hope for is that these brainwashed states of terror are rendered incapable of doing it more frequently.

You always manage to sidetrack the main point Onelife. I doubt that Trump and Netanyahu were considering suicide bombers when they decided to bomb Iran. But even if they had been, they should have had a plan of action, target goals and how these should be achieved, as well as and end game plan and what to do when that was achieved. None of this seems to exist which leaves the US and Israel floundering about without any exit strategy that will produce a satisfactory outcome. In fact its looking increasingly likely that Iran will impose some sort of fee for tankers to be allowed safe passage through the strait of Hormuz, just so the rest of the world can avoid a totally unnecessary recession.
Above all they should have ensured that they were acting within the rules set out in the UN charter, which clearly they weren't.

You say… I doubt that Trump and Netanyahu were considering suicide bombers when they decided to bomb Iran. But even if they had been, they should have had a plan of action, target goals and how these should be achieved, as well as an end game plan and what to do when that was achieved.

Let me just put you straight on this statment….I’m sure they started with a plan and envisaged what they thought would be the end game, but as with all wars/invasions it’s what happens in between that determines what end game can be achieved.The roadmap that you have set out is quite frankly stupid because all wars are either a fight for survival or a fight for power and in this conflict both sides want both. iI there is to be an end game It will come when the west come to the realisation that being held to ransom by a country whose goal is to control the middle east, its gulf states and ultimately our economic future then I’m happy to be called stupid for knowing where I stand.

[towny44]

You have such a lovely way of putting things John There has never been a sensible, or ever will be a sensible plan that deters terrorists from slaughtering innocent party goers, or flying planes into skyscrapers or even just strapping a bomb to themselves then walking into a concert hall or tube station…the best that we can hope for is that these brainwashed states of terror are rendered incapable of doing it more frequently.

You always manage to sidetrack the main point Onelife. I doubt that Trump and Netanyahu were considering suicide bombers when they decided to bomb Iran. But even if they had been, they should have had a plan of action, target goals and how these should be achieved, as well as and end game plan and what to do when that was achieved. None of this seems to exist which leaves the US and Israel floundering about without any exit strategy that will produce a satisfactory outcome. In fact its looking increasingly likely that Iran will impose some sort of fee for tankers to be allowed safe passage through the strait of Hormuz, just so the rest of the world can avoid a totally unnecessary recession.
Above all they should have ensured that they were acting within the rules set out in the UN charter, which clearly they weren't.

You say… I doubt that Trump and Netanyahu were considering suicide bombers when they decided to bomb Iran. But even if they had been, they should have had a plan of action, target goals and how these should be achieved, as well as an end game plan and what to do when that was achieved.

Let me just put you straight on this statment….I’m sure they started with a plan and envisaged what they thought would be the end game, but as with all wars/invasions it’s what happens in between that determines what end game can be achieved.The roadmap that you have set out is quite frankly stupid because all wars are either a fight for survival or a fight for power and in this conflict both sides want both. iI there is to be an end game It will come when the west come to the realisation that being held to ransom by a country whose goal is to control the middle east, its gulf states and ultimately our economic future then I’m happy to be called stupid for knowing where I stand.

I still believe you are wrong for assuming Trump knows what he is doing, and it was Trump I was referring to as looking stupid, not you.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Terrorist organisations are by their nature underground guerilla type groups. They can never be defeated by brute military might and that route inevitably brings disproportionate innocent casualties.

In fact Israel's response in Gaza, its attacks on Iran and Lebanon, its illegal settlements in the West Bank, its regular invasions of its neighbours etc are the best possible recruiting campaign for the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah etc. Totally counter productive and will never bring peace for the Jews or the Palestinians.

[Stephen]

I think Trump will come to learn he has bitten off more than he can chew and that Iran won’t be the pushover he thinks they are.

[Ray B]

I remxember Putin thinking his little war would be over in days.
Trump thought the same, but.

[Onelife]

Terrorist organisations are by their nature underground guerilla type groups. They can never be defeated by brute military might and that route inevitably brings disproportionate innocent casualties.

In fact Israel's response in Gaza, its attacks on Iran and Lebanon, its illegal settlements in the West Bank, its regular invasions of its neighbours etc are the best possible recruiting campaign for the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah etc. Totally counter productive and will never bring peace for the Jews or the Palestinians.

Hi Sir Merv, I don’t have a problem with you pushing this narrative but for clarity we should understand how all this came about. Israel didn’t take land from Palistine they were given it, primarily by the British…with the UN backing this decision. The land was divided as the British and the UN saw fit, this was accepted by Israel but rejected by Palestine. What ensued thereafter were continual attacks by Palestine on their neighbours Israel. When Israel decided enough was enough they waged war against Palestine, a war in which they won, and in doing so pushed Palestinians into having to settle in Gaza and the West Bank, and yes’ under what we now know are very oppressive conditions. Understandably the Palestinians don’t like this so have continually attacked Israel in what has to be said the most grotesque of ways possible. Whether you or I think what has happened in Gaza and continues in the West Bank is right or wrong, it is I’m afraid, seen through different eyes, the eyes of the more powerful who rightly or wrongly now want to do to those what they would have done to them.

[david63]

Just makes you laugh

'Go get your own oil!' says Trump as he says 'the hard part is done'

US President Donald Trump says countries "like the United Kingdom" who can't get jet fuel because of the restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz should “build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT."

In a post on Truth Social, he writes countries will “have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us," addressing countries "which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran".

"Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done," the post adds, ending with “Go get your own oil!”

But if Trump hadn't started this war military operation then there would not be a problem with obtaining oil. The problem is of his making therefore, in my opinion, he should be the one to sort it out.

[Stephen]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8jke9v9xv9t

U

US President Donald Trump lashes out at the UK and other countries, telling them to "go get your own oil" from the Strait of Hormuz
"You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," he writes in a Truth Social post

How will we manage

[Mervyn and Trish]

Terrorist organisations are by their nature underground guerilla type groups. They can never be defeated by brute military might and that route inevitably brings disproportionate innocent casualties.

In fact Israel's response in Gaza, its attacks on Iran and Lebanon, its illegal settlements in the West Bank, its regular invasions of its neighbours etc are the best possible recruiting campaign for the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah etc. Totally counter productive and will never bring peace for the Jews or the Palestinians.

Hi Sir Merv, I don’t have a problem with you pushing this narrative but for clarity we should understand how all this came about. Israel didn’t take land from Palistine they were given it, primarily by the British…with the UN backing this decision. The land was divided as the British and the UN saw fit, this was accepted by Israel but rejected by Palestine. What ensued thereafter were continual attacks by Palestine on their neighbours Israel. When Israel decided enough was enough they waged war against Palestine, a war in which they won, and in doing so pushed Palestinians into having to settle in Gaza and the West Bank, and yes’ under what we now know are very oppressive conditions. Understandably the Palestinians don’t like this so have continually attacked Israel in what has to be said the most grotesque of ways possible. Whether you or I think what has happened in Gaza and continues in the West Bank is right or wrong, it is I’m afraid, seen through different eyes, the eyes of the more powerful who rightly or wrongly now want to do to those what they would have done to them.

Since that apportionment of land by the UK and others neither side has been happy. A fine example of interfering in the Middle East by those who don't understand it. Israel thinks it wasn't given enough. Palestinians resent it was taken from them. But whatever the original division it is Israel's settlements in the West Bank, which they continually increase, and which are widely accepted internationally as illegal, that are the biggest source of friction today. Yes Hamas attacks have been grotesque. Those of the IDF no less so and on a much larger scale. The IRA was awful. We didn't raze Belfast and Derry to the ground in retribution.

[oldbluefox]

I listen to both sides of the argument and feel neither is right and neither is wrong. Each is the victim and each the perpetrator and this tit for tat situation has been going on for years.
In a perfect world there is no reason why the Holy Land could not be shared by Palestinians, Jews, Christians alike and theologically if we respect love and tolerance there is no reason why this should not be. Only greed and politics over decades prevent this happening and I see no solution. They will continue sniping at each other.

[oldbluefox]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8jke9v9xv9t

U

US President Donald Trump lashes out at the UK and other countries, telling them to "go get your own oil" from the Strait of Hormuz
"You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," he writes in a Truth Social post

How will we manage

Are we bovvered?

[Ray B]

In 1945 little old unprepared Great Britain and it's family of the commonwealth countries took on the mighty German army and then Italy who joined Germany.
We pleaded with the USA to help us and they said no. They helped out with armaments ,which we finished paying for just a dozen or so years ago.
If it wasn't for Pearl Harbour, who knows if they would have come to our aid . And Trump tells us.
You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won't be there to help you anymore.
You didn't quite rush to help us to fight against world domination back then, so zip it.

[Ray B]

As an aside, six A10 thunderbolt have arrived at RAF Lakenheath. Noisy things, but it will take a lot to knock them out. What has donny got planned for them.

[Onelife]

A few years before that date Ray but you are absolutely correct in what you say…and the ******** continues to this day, with a large percentage of Americans still believing they won the war... with the allied forces putting in an appearance. I actually admire the patriotism of which the Americans have for their country but they are, in the main, clones of their own state propoganda.

On their next freebie holiday it would be nice if Charlie and Cam doing a lot less sucking up and more Union Jack waving.

[david63]

So today's latest from the orange man is that he is considering pulling out of NATO as it is a "paper tiger" just because the NATO allies have not joined his military operation.

I wonder if he realises that his military relies on co-operation with the NATO allies and without that co-operation the US military will have serious issues. There are literally hundreds of UK and other NATO countries' service personnel embedded within the US military and similarly with US military personnel within NATO countries military.

[Mervyn and Trish]

He doesn't even understand that NATO is a defensive alliance and not his personal army, so that'll be far too subtle for him.

I'm just hoping the next assassin is a better shot.....

[Stephen]

David Dimbleby has got it right.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/216270900 ... &fs=e&fs=e

[Onelife]

Good judgement has never been something I would associate with Charlie ...but then what's another few hundred thousand down the drain?

The American people need to see “we are not amused” it's

[towny44]

Good judgement has never been something I would associate with Charlie ...but then what's another few hundred thousand down the drain?

The American people need to see “we are not amused” it's

We all know that these state visits are done at the behest of the Govt., with the possible exception of our tame republican.

[Onelife]

Good judgement has never been something I would associate with Charlie ...but then what's another few hundred thousand down the drain?

The American people need to see “we are not amused” it's

We all know that these state visits are done at the behest of the Govt., with the possible exception of our tame republican.

Next you’ll be telling me its money well spent

[oldbluefox]

Good judgement has never been something I would associate with Charlie ...but then what's another few hundred thousand down the drain?

The American people need to see “we are not amused” it's

We all know that these state visits are done at the behest of the Govt., with the possible exception of our tame republican.

Next you’ll be telling me its money well spent

The government obviously think so. Of course you realise there will also be a posse of trade envoys, advisers, diplomats over there. The King is merely the front man doing all the ceremonial bits and in private telling Trump what he really thinks. Tbh at 78 years of age and having cancer treatment I doubt it's a visit he will be looking forward to but he will see it as part of his duty. I'd rather be at home with my feet up watching the racing