Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, will be sentenced on 18 December, more than a year after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia during the presidential transition. Flynn has been a key co-operator in Mueller’s investigation but prosecutors have yet to reveal the extent of … Read more
The life sentence in the UAE for spying on behalf of the UK government handed out to Durham University student Matthew Hedges came as an unpleasant shock. And is all the more peculiar given the close ties between the UK and UAE (United Arab Emirates), both economically and militarily. He spent five months … Read more
The leaked CIA conclusion that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month has caught Trump in a double-bind given his and Jared’s bro-romance with MbS. It was promptly downplayed by the State Department which suggests that Gina Haspel (CIA) and Mike Pompeo … Read more
‘Politics is not the art of the possible. It’s the art of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.’ John Kenneth Galbraith. A few more random and rambled thoughts on Brexit sparked off by this morning’s papers. Background first, then the astrology. ‘The mass hysteria that now grips our political class, with die-hard … Read more
Melania Trump took the extraordinary step of issuing a press statement attacking Mira Ricardel, Deputy National Security Advisor, John Bolton’s assistant, and demanding her resignation. Normally a First Lady sticks the dagger in behind the scenes. The beef appeared to come from Melania’s Africa trip though Mira Ricardel has a long history of … Read more
Matthew Whitaker, Trump’s bizarre pick to replace the ousted Jeff Sessions as Attorney General, effectively putting him in as overseer of the Mueller Investigation, is causing consternation. Not just because his appointment without confirmation may not be constitutional, but because he is in the Washington Post’s description, a crackpot. He was involved in … Read more
Trump has called for recounts to stop in Florida’s votes for Senate and governor, handing victories to fellow Republicans Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. He alleged without evidence that many ballots are missing and forged and that a valid tally is not possible. There is no evidence of criminal conduct according to the … Read more
As expected astrologically it wasn’t quite the blue landslide that had been poll-predicted a month ago in the US Mid Terms but the Democrats took the House comfortably. This will deadlock some of Trump’s policies ahead and open up the possibility of more legal forays into any possible Russia campaign connection and his … Read more
George Soros has become the favourite bogeyman among white nationalists and neo-Nazis with claims that describe him as a dangerous “puppetmaster” behind a variety of alleged global plots, including the migrant caravan. Even Trump, when asked, added his tuppence-worth of vague support to the latter notion. He’s become anchored at the centre of … Read more
Arron Banks, a principal donor to the campaign to leave the EU, is facing a criminal inquiry after the Electoral Commission referred him and others to The National Crime Agency over suspected offences in the referendum campaign. The watchdog said it suspected Mr Banks was not the “true source” of loans to the … Read more