Thanks again Nick - you have pinpointed the three things I wanted to express - my 9 years diplomatic work with the US, multiple stints in Canberra (but mostly flitting around the world) as an arms control and trade negotiator (a Pisces always swims in various currents!) and four years covering Europe- have opened me to the mental gymnastics of foreign policy you so nimbly cover.
Thanks Nick. Interesting and helpful comments. But I’m puzzled at the routine description of the ‘murderous Iran regime’, and no equivalent description of the murderous US regime, given recent unprovoked aggression, even if some of the murders were committed by the (also murderous) Israeli regime. What does it take to be called a ‘government’ or an ‘administration’, instead of a ‘regime’. Language matters.
This superlative and historically cogent piece so "in the moment" is evidence why Nick Bryant has become my favourite "substacker".
I read esteemed journalists and/or historians like Richard Haass, Ivo Daalder and Robert Reich and Paul Krugman but I find Nick the most illuminating.
Now some brief observations on a "tectonic" weekend.Firstly, the demise of Orban is a Godsend.This pro-Russian charlatan has been a terrible cancer in the heart of Europe for 16 years. Also, much less discussed but very pertinent Orban's demise will weaken Serbia's tyrant Aleksandar Vucic.Vucic was a young junior propaganda minister for genocidal Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s and apart from Russia the Hungary-Serbia axis was the strongest.Gone now!And Hungary can resume its usual pro-Western orientation with its usual reservations towards Russia and Serbia!
On Artemis, what a wondrous testament to what unites and not divides us.And as for the ceasefires "stillbirth" my only comment is did we expect anything different with an intransigent American populist leader and a hurt but emboldend leadership in Iran.
And for others who enjoy Nick Bryant he hosts a brilliant show on ABC Radio National Australia every Saturday morning at 7am which I find indispensable!
Thank you Nick!!I love your Substack so much I will look at subscribing soon.I'm guessing there might be some "extra" benefits or access planned?
Just be wary Nick that there’s another Nick Bryant on here who is reposting your comment now. May be trying to impersonate you. They followed me after I restacked something of yours.
Glad to see the back of Orban but it should be remembered that the victor Peter Magyar leads a centre right party and won on talking about hip pocket issues so the new government is still very conservative though not in thrall to Putin.
The Artemis mission was a filip for America’s self confidence which has taken a battering with Trump’s ill advised war and his divisive internal policies such as the ICE crackdown on alleged illegal immigrants.
The blockade is a peevish reply to the Iranian toll on ships who need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and to the regime’s intransigence regarding their nuclear program. Of course if the blockade succeeds the world economy goes into a tailspin . If the share market goes down who will be buying up shares at the lower prices?
Thanks again Nick - you have pinpointed the three things I wanted to express - my 9 years diplomatic work with the US, multiple stints in Canberra (but mostly flitting around the world) as an arms control and trade negotiator (a Pisces always swims in various currents!) and four years covering Europe- have opened me to the mental gymnastics of foreign policy you so nimbly cover.
Thanks Nick. Interesting and helpful comments. But I’m puzzled at the routine description of the ‘murderous Iran regime’, and no equivalent description of the murderous US regime, given recent unprovoked aggression, even if some of the murders were committed by the (also murderous) Israeli regime. What does it take to be called a ‘government’ or an ‘administration’, instead of a ‘regime’. Language matters.
Well said. I was going to point out that there is more than one murderous government in this tale.
This superlative and historically cogent piece so "in the moment" is evidence why Nick Bryant has become my favourite "substacker".
I read esteemed journalists and/or historians like Richard Haass, Ivo Daalder and Robert Reich and Paul Krugman but I find Nick the most illuminating.
Now some brief observations on a "tectonic" weekend.Firstly, the demise of Orban is a Godsend.This pro-Russian charlatan has been a terrible cancer in the heart of Europe for 16 years. Also, much less discussed but very pertinent Orban's demise will weaken Serbia's tyrant Aleksandar Vucic.Vucic was a young junior propaganda minister for genocidal Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s and apart from Russia the Hungary-Serbia axis was the strongest.Gone now!And Hungary can resume its usual pro-Western orientation with its usual reservations towards Russia and Serbia!
On Artemis, what a wondrous testament to what unites and not divides us.And as for the ceasefires "stillbirth" my only comment is did we expect anything different with an intransigent American populist leader and a hurt but emboldend leadership in Iran.
And for others who enjoy Nick Bryant he hosts a brilliant show on ABC Radio National Australia every Saturday morning at 7am which I find indispensable!
Thank you Nick!!I love your Substack so much I will look at subscribing soon.I'm guessing there might be some "extra" benefits or access planned?
To be exact I mean as a PAID subscriber soon as I'm already a very satisfied FREE subscriber!
Just be wary Nick that there’s another Nick Bryant on here who is reposting your comment now. May be trying to impersonate you. They followed me after I restacked something of yours.
Glad to see the back of Orban but it should be remembered that the victor Peter Magyar leads a centre right party and won on talking about hip pocket issues so the new government is still very conservative though not in thrall to Putin.
The Artemis mission was a filip for America’s self confidence which has taken a battering with Trump’s ill advised war and his divisive internal policies such as the ICE crackdown on alleged illegal immigrants.
The blockade is a peevish reply to the Iranian toll on ships who need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and to the regime’s intransigence regarding their nuclear program. Of course if the blockade succeeds the world economy goes into a tailspin . If the share market goes down who will be buying up shares at the lower prices?