177. Olaf Scholz: Putin, Power, and Far-Right Populism
23 February 2026
Post
1 November 2010
177. Olaf Scholz: Putin, Power, and Far-Right Populism
Does the former German Chancellor think that Germany was wrong to rely on Russian gas in the run up to the war in Ukraine? What does Olaf Scholz think is behind the rise of the far-right Alternative f... Continue23 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
23 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
503. Andrew’s Arrest: What Next?
Why has the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor been arrested? How damaging is this unprecedented moment for the royal family? How effective was King Charles’ response? Join Alastair and the forme... Continue19 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
502. How Nigel Farage Gets Away With It (Question Time)
Why is Reform UK's leader not being properly challenged by the press, and how does he get away with it? What does this reveal about the international populist playbook? How can our democracies be bett... Continue19 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
176. How Close Are We To War With Iran? (Robert Malley)
How does the former US Special Representative for Iran think US-Iranian relations will improve? Is there a method to Trump’s madness when it comes to foreign policy? Why does Robert believe the “t... Continue16 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
501. Is Starmer Too Soft on Trump? Inside the Munich Security Conference
Why did Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'love bomb' Europe at the Munich Security Conference, and how did it compare to JD Vance's infamous 'enemy within' speech this time last year? Is Europe ... Continue16 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
13 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
500. Japan, China, and the Fight for Taiwan (Question Time)
Are Japan and China closer to conflict over Taiwan, after the landslide victory for Japan's 'Iron Lady', Sanae Takayichi? Does Trump’s crumbling American-Hispanic vote explain his extreme reaction t... Continue12 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
Listen to some Mendelssohn, Alastair!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtnCY5mUmSs
Looks like many of your followers couldn’t be arsed commenting either AC.
I’m glad I did click on your piece for Norwich City Alastair, as the beautiful photo of you cheered me up this morning 🙂
Don’t be so hard on yourself AC. Do as the rest of us do when having a “can’t be arsed day” i.e. have a duvet day or anything else that may appeal to you. Embrace it and enjoy a good skive! Come the next day you’ll feel so much better, if a little guilty that you will be ready to take on new challenges and even the mundane things seem more tolerable. Everyone needs to recharge their batteries every now and then.
On a slightly more serious note though, it must be very difficult for anyone, e.g. Gordon Brown to readjust to a more mundane life after being in such a powerful position. Talking of GB I thought he actually fought a good election campaign and I expect there are a significant number of people out there now regreting voting Tory in the light of these too fast and too deep spending cuts.
You have lost direction in your life Alastair. That’s why ‘you can’t be arsed.’ You need another Challenge! Why not follow in the footsteps of Piers Morgan?
I can be arsed .