Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: US - Greenland Crisis Thre...

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 07:21:05 AM

That interview with Bessent was an absolute train wreck...as it would be trying to justify the unjustifiable. That snippet isn't even the most absurd part...

[Moldova's President Sandu says she would vote to join Romania]

#2

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 07:04:44 AM

Meanwhile, in Moldova...

Moldova's President Sandu says she would vote to join Romania
By Alexander Tanas
January 12, 20268:59 AM PSTUpdated January 12, 2026

CHISINAU, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Moldovan President Maia Sandu has said she would vote in favour of unification with neighbouring European Union and NATO member Romania if a referendum were to take place to help protect its fragile democracy against Russian pressure.

Russia says Moldova's plans to merge with Romania would destroy its statehood

MOSCOW, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that plans floated by Moldova's president to hold a referendum on reunification with Romania would be destructive to Moldovan statehood.

#3

Off the Record / Re: It Was Nice Knowing You Al...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 07:00:09 AM

I'm screwed

#4

Off the Record / Re: The China Thread

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 06:59:42 AM

Thank God, there is hope. 
All we need now is a clever piece in the Paris Review, and a thoughtful critique in The Atlantic and the problem is solved.

Our most prolix minds are on it.

#5

Off the Record / Re: US - Greenland Crisis Thre...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 06:59:06 AM

Also I think you need to see Bessent at the weekend:

WELKER: Is Greenland or NATO more essential to US national security?

BESSENT: That's obviously a false choice

WELKER: Not from the perspective of European leaders

BESSENT: European leaders will come around and understand they need to be under the US security umbrella. What would happen in Ukraine if the US pulled its support out? The whole thing would collapse.

I think that is a misreading of the European position and views on this - but implicit in what Bessent is saying is after tariffs, the coercion moves to security. The US suspends weapon sales for Ukraine again and halts intel sharing again, or withdrawing the US security umbrella (e.g. withdrawals from Europe).

Having said all that there is a bit of me that wonders if there's going to be some convergence/agreement between Europe and the US on this a Davos. I have no policy or political idea about it (although apparently pushback from Congressional and business leaders in private). But I just wonder from a producer/"it'll make great television" perspective. Obviously nothing was going to be done at the meeting with Vance because he's just the dumpy sidekick. It feels like whatever happens the way Trump will want to end the narrative arc/season is him centre stage declaring victory and maybe Davos is an opportunity for that: dramatic setting, world and business leaders all around him, the centre of the world media when its on.

Edit: Although - maybe I'm wrong - I feel like the markets are kind of with Bessent. I've been surprised at how little reaction therre's been - I think the governor of the BofE has described it as "more muted" than they'd worried it would be. It certainly seems less severe than the market reaction to the April tariff announcement which I'm slightly surprised by - I can only guess they're thinking like Bessent?

#6

Off the Record / Re: It Was Nice Knowing You Al...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 06:51:27 AM

I, for one, look forward to wearing a hockey mask and riding around on motorcycles.

Well the motorbike is a good idea for the post-apocalypse, I should look into getting another one, before it's too late.

Those have electric parts as well don't they? Won't survive the nuclear EMP blasts.

I know you wrote not to focus on nucular apocalypse but most of any kind will turn into that.

#7

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 06:39:47 AM

Ok I sort of understand. The UK is giving those islands to Mauritius. And this is a very stupid decision for some reason.

It is a bad decision for bad reasons. But the US (under Trump) had a veto and endorsed it.

Edit: FWIW I wouldn't be surprised to see Trump endorse Milei and Argentina's position on the Falklands.

I also saw that Labour is talking about its 'one in a generation reform' of the water system by increasing regulation and powers to perform surprise inspections of water companies.

As I saw one campaigner put it, none of that matters if river quality does not improve.

Yeah I've not seen the detail on it but my understanding is that the big problem is around the infrastructure itself - and upgrades would cost around £40 billion.

Totally separately - absolutely wild quote from Mahmood in an interview with the Telegraph

When I was in justice, my ultimate vision for that part of the criminal justice system was to achieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried to do with his Panopticon. That is that the eyes of the state can be on you at all times.

#8

Off the Record / Re: It Was Nice Knowing You Al...

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 06:22:23 AM

Though, a mini gyrocopter might be a better investment.

#9

Off the Record / Re: It Was Nice Knowing You Al...

Last post by mongers - Today at 06:11:41 AM

I, for one, look forward to wearing a hockey mask and riding around on motorcycles.

Well the motorbike is a good idea for the post-apocalypse, I should look into getting another one, before it's too late.

#10

Off the Record / Re: It Was Nice Knowing You Al...

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 06:06:41 AM

I, for one, look forward to wearing a hockey mask and riding around on motorcycles.