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#1
Off the Record / Re: Iran War
Last post by frunk - Today at 06:13:19 AMQuote from: Norgy on Today at 02:29:00 AMDuring the first Trump presidency, there were reports of the US state department being very understaffed. I suppose this trend has continued?
This time around everything is understaffed or unstaffed, except ICE which is staffed in the worst way.
#2
Off the Record / Re: The EU thread
Last post by Norgy - Today at 03:06:55 AMI think foreign correspondents really should learn more languages. If I can, they can.
As far as I know, Farage is more likely to win a Silk Cut smoking contest.
The man doesn't even have good taste in baccy.
As far as I know, Farage is more likely to win a Silk Cut smoking contest.
The man doesn't even have good taste in baccy. #3
Off the Record / Re: Iran War
Last post by Norgy - Today at 02:29:00 AMDuring the first Trump presidency, there were reports of the US state department being very understaffed. I suppose this trend has continued?
#4
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by Zanza - Today at 01:09:40 AMQuote from: Valmy on April 10, 2026, 10:59:53 PMWhat exactly was our triumph?"Liberty and justice for all"
#5
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by Sophie Scholl - Today at 12:40:26 AMIt worked for getting Trump's pal elected in Argentina. Hopefully, Hungary has enough sense and is tired enough of Orban to not let it work there. 
#6
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by viper37 - Today at 12:38:49 AMForest service is shutdown* and Trump promises money to help Hungary should Orban be reelected.
*use archive.is to bypass the paywall. It's not working tonight, sorry.
*use archive.is to bypass the paywall. It's not working tonight, sorry.
#7
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by Tonitrus - April 10, 2026, 11:09:26 PMQuote from: Valmy on April 10, 2026, 10:59:53 PMQuote from: Zanza on April 10, 2026, 05:02:27 PMA first sketch for Trump's Triumphal Arch.
What exactly was our triumph?
That we elected Trump, of course.
#8
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by HVC - April 10, 2026, 11:05:20 PMPeace in Middle East.
#9
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by Valmy - April 10, 2026, 10:59:53 PMQuote from: Zanza on April 10, 2026, 05:02:27 PM
A first sketch for Trump's Triumphal Arch.
What exactly was our triumph?
#10
Off the Record / Re: Iran War
Last post by The Minsky Moment - April 10, 2026, 09:50:13 PMQuote from: grumbler on April 10, 2026, 07:47:19 AMYeah. Else why would the Pentagon summon a Vatican diplomat for a meeting? Foreign policy is conducted by the State department, not DoD.
Normatively yes, but in the Trump admin, anything goes. No one is really conducting anything, and to the extent something resembling policy exists, it can be driven by anyone that has Trump's ear and attention in the moment, or at least his acquiescence. Thus, such things like an "advisor" with no official position of any kind acting like a super Prime Minister and destroying entire departments and agencies; the vast expansion of ICE over areas far outside its authority, competence, or jurisdiction; the combination of graft and pseudo-diplomacy carried out by the unaccredited negotiation team of Kushner+Witkoff; the takeover of the US justice system by Trump's criminal defense lawyer; many other examples. In that context, a takeover of Vatican diplomacy by DoD is no great innovation.