Donald I, emperor of the world.

[Pblakeney]

So, a couple of days ago US envoy Charles Kushner was summonsed to France for accusing Macron of antisemitism.

Now Denmark accusing US of interference.
Denmark summons top US diplomat over alleged Greenland influence operation

Dabbling in UK affairs also with anti-free speech, wind turbines, etc.

Who knows what else around the world. This is not what was sold to the MAGAs I’m sure they wanted America first blah blah, not the worlds thought police.

Talk about deep state…

People need to come to terms with the US being a loose cannon under Trump and is no longer a reliable ally.

 

[Dorset Boy]

People need to come to terms with the US being a loose cannon under Trump and is no longer a reliable ally.

We might know that, but are our politicians willing to recognise that too?

 

[Psamathe]

So, a couple of days ago US envoy Charles Kushner was summonsed to France for accusing Macron of antisemitism.

Not sure if that is from US policy or his own religious beliefs and views re: Israel.

Ian

 

[secretsqirrel]

We might know that, but are our politicians willing to recognise that too?

They are aware, but don’t know what to do about it. UK certainly doesn’t have any ‘cards’. Sitting on the fence between Europe and USA to minimise any damage from offending one side or the other just demonstrates the little influence we have.

 

[secretsqirrel]

Not sure if that is from US policy or his own religious beliefs and views re: Israel.

Ian

He represents US, and is also Ivanka’s father in law. So is part of the establishment either way.

 

[Psamathe]

So, a couple of days ago US envoy Charles Kushner was summonsed to France for accusing Macron of antisemitism.

Not sure if that is from US policy or his own religious beliefs and views re: Israel.

Ian

He represents US, and is also Ivanka’s father in law. So is part of the establishment either way.

I appreciate that but it I suspect it doesn't necessarily mean that everything he says & does is Trump's policy. My understanding is he's very upset about France saying it's going to recognise a Palestinian state yet UK has done the same without significant US reaction. Hence my questioning his accusations in the light of his own religious affiliation and view towards Israel.

 

[secretsqirrel]

I appreciate that but it I suspect it doesn't necessarily mean that everything he says & does is Trump's policy. My understanding is he's very upset about France saying it's going to recognise a Palestinian state yet UK has done the same without significant US reaction. Hence my questioning his accusations in the light of his own religious affiliation and view towards Israel.

His accusation was rather public, so if against US policy then perhaps Trump should summon him as well?

I am not really expecting US to recognise Palestinian state at this time, so moot.

 

[Psamathe]

His accusation was rather public, so if against US policy then perhaps Trump should summon him as well?

I am not really expecting US to recognise Palestinian state at this time, so moot.

Not necessarily "against" US policy but original post I was replying to was suggesting it's part of US interfering in other countries. The potential is that Kushner has strong religious affiliations and relevant background so whilst we can't know his motivation, his personal stance might be a significant driver and possible as Trump is not paying that much attention to Middle East at the moment.

 

[briantrumpet]

We might know that, but are our politicians willing to recognise that too?

I'm sure they do know that (they might be stupid, but not *that* stupid), but the public pretence from not-insane politicians that all is normal shouldn't be surprising, even if it does grate: he is a loose cannon, obviously, but better not to alienate him entirely, even so.

 

[Ian H]

Not necessarily "against" US policy but original post I was replying to was suggesting it's part of US interfering in other countries. The potential is that Kushner has strong religious affiliations and relevant background so whilst we can't know his motivation, his personal stance might be a significant driver and possible as Trump is not paying that much attention to Middle East at the moment.

The 'official' US policy seems to be to suppress all support for Palestine. Accusations of antisemitism are integral to that.

 

[Pblakeney]

They are aware, but don’t know what to do about it. UK certainly doesn’t have any ‘cards’. Sitting on the fence between Europe and USA to minimise any damage from offending one side or the other just demonstrates the little influence we have.

This.
We might not want to go head to head with the US but we best be prepared ASAP for them to let us down.

 

[CXRAndy]

If you commit murder in Washington DC, you will face the death penalty

 

[Pinno718]

They are aware, but don’t know what to do about it. UK certainly doesn’t have any ‘cards’. Sitting on the fence between Europe and USA to minimise any damage from offending one side or the other just demonstrates what little spine we have.

FTFY

 

[briantrumpet]

This.
We might not want to go head to head with the US but we best be prepared ASAP for them to let us down.

It's one instance of where a on-politicised civil service with its eyes on longer term trends, threats and opportunities will/ought to be giving sage advice to ministers. IMHO Simon Case was an anomaly, as he seemed to have been chosen to fluff and defend Johnson, rather than giving hard, truthful advice.

Gosh. Just looking up cabinet secretaries, this interview with Thatcher's main Cabinet Secretary, this interview backs up my hunch about both what a good Cabinet Secretary should do, and the intellectual rigour of Thatcher. Worth a watch, even if you hate Thatcher (she doesn't appear, BTW).

 

[Ian H]

It's one instance of where a on-politicised civil service with its eyes on longer term trends, threats and opportunities will/ought to be giving sage advice to ministers. IMHO Simon Case was an anomaly, as he seemed to have been chosen to fluff and defend Johnson, rather than giving hard, truthful advice.

Gosh. Just looking up cabinet secretaries, this interview with Thatcher's main Cabinet Secretary, this interview backs up my hunch about both what a good Cabinet Secretary should do, and the intellectual rigour of Thatcher. Worth a watch, even if you hate Thatcher (she doesn't appear, BTW).

Ah yes "economical with the truth" Armstrong. He who leant on the planners to move the Hatch Beauchamp by-pass further from his country pad.