All conventions on the norms and practices governing political communication, particularly around presidential communications, have been shattered by US President Donald J Trump. The Israel-US War on Iran provides a recent example. In the first 48 hours of the War on Iran, the US administration gave mixed messages over its rationale and aims, justifying the … Continue reading Trump and the Evolution of Political Communication
Fifth Estate
David versus Two Goliaths – and Winning
A photo of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin standing together at the Alaska ‘Summit’ in August 2025 is displayed in the Palm Room of Trump’s White House. It speaks volumes of Trump’s inexplicable admiration of Putin along with other autocrats and dictators, and what Volodymyr Zelenskyy is up against in negotiating with Russia while the … Continue reading David versus Two Goliaths – and Winning
Focus on Ukraine
In the aftermath of excellent speeches at the WEF by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, I see some clarity in thinking and moving forward. Policymakers can’t keep being deflected by repeated volleys of one-day crises, with their twists and turns, such as with Donald Trump feeding of the news media … Continue reading Focus on Ukraine
Is Trump Fit for Office?
Reports from the Economist, BBC World Service, and Aljazeera, concerning US President Donald J. Trump, note that: “In the message that was confirmed on Monday as being delivered to Norwegian leader Jonas Gahr Store, Trump wrote that “considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, … Continue reading Is Trump Fit for Office?
Truth Political: : The Minneapolis ICE Shooting
Protests over the actions of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) following the death of Renee Nicole Good have been extensive across the US, from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, an unarmed mother of three, who had just dropped a child off at school, by Jonathan Ross, a 43-year-old ICE … Continue reading Truth Political: : The Minneapolis ICE Shooting
Removal of Maduro from Venezuela
The Removal of Maduro: Implications for a Rules Based Order? Will America’s abduction of Nicolás Maduro undermine or potentially reinforce international rules? Breaking a rule focuses attention on the rule and the rule breaker. In everyday life and governance, when individuals or even nations break a rule, it does not necessarily change the rule. To … Continue reading Removal of Maduro from Venezuela
Kamala’s 107 Days
Kamala’s 107 Days: The 2024 US Presidential Election I enjoyed reading 107 Days by Kamala Harris.[1] Her nearly day by day recounting of the 2024 presidential election is a solid and useful aid-memoir for anyone who might wish to reflect on the dynamics of the election and its outcome. I could imagine it being an … Continue reading Kamala’s 107 Days
A Digital ID Card?
The UK Labour Party’s Obsession with a (Digital) ID Card: Time to Reconsider When I returned to the UK in the summer of 2002, to take up an academic position, I was on a panel discussing the adoption of ID Cards. I spoke against an ID Card, immediately after the Home Secretary (at that time) … Continue reading A Digital ID Card?
Breaking America’s Spiral of Silence
A democracy would not send military forces against its own cities. It would not defund university research that used the wrong words, such as inclusion, or shut down scientific research in progress. A US democracy would not erode the checks and balances within the government. There are many more problems, but most generally and to … Continue reading Breaking America’s Spiral of Silence
The Training of America’s Apprentice President
The Training of America’s Apprentice President: An Explanation of the Crisis in American Pluralism? American presidents have come from a variety of backgrounds, from military leaders to lawyers and more. Many local politicians have been real estate agents as both involved working with residents and businesses. Arguably, however, Donald Trump has come into his office … Continue reading The Training of America’s Apprentice President