176. How Close Are We To War With Iran? (Robert Malley)
16 February 2026
Post
13 March 2021
2. A year ago today, Boris Johnson threw a 'baby shower' party (almost certainly at public expense) for his partner.
3. A year ago today, President Macron announced the closure of all French schools and universities.
4. A year ago today, Boris Johnson was reported in the British press as saying 'we are not, repeat not, closing schools.'
5. A year ago today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar closed all Ireland's education institutions.
6. A year ago today, the New York Times reported alarm among epidemiologists that the UK government was taking a different approach to the rest of Europe.
7. A year ago today, Germany closed all schools, nurseries and universities.
8. A year ago today, French horse Al Boum Photo won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in front of massive crowds.
9. A year ago today, France banned all large gatherings.
10. A year ago today, the Premier League asked for clear guidance about whether to cancel games. None was given. But they were told Cheltenham was going ahead without alarm. The Premier League made its own analysis, and cancelled all matches.
11. A year ago today, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern cancelled a one-year anniversary commemoration service for the 51 people killed in a far right terror attack in 2019.
12. A year ago today, the UK death toll reached 20. Ministers said their 'thoughts and prayers' were with the loved ones of those who died.
13. A year ago today, WHO head Tedros Adhanom urged governments around the world" 'Do not just let this fire burn.'
14. A year ago today, Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance was reported explaining the role of herd immunity in controlling the virus.
15. A year ago today, Spain declared a national emergency, as the death toll hit 120.
16. A year ago today, the government changed its guidance on PPE, advising NHS staff that the strongest protective equipment was not required, expect in the most high-risk situations.
17. A year ago today, the German federal government and Länder met to agree they would impose border controls with Austria, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
18. A year ago today, Boris Johnson lifted restrictions on people arriving from Wuhan, where the virus was first found, and Iran and Italy, previous and current epicentres.
19. A year ago today, the US banned travel from most of Europe.
20. A year ago today, Boris Johnson urged people with a bad cough to stay indoors.
One year on, we have the highest deaths per million rate of all large countries in the world.
3 minute(s) read
Recent Posts
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
499. Is It Game Over for Starmer?
As Starmer begins to lose his key aides and allies, is his departure from Number 10 now a matter of when, not if? Is the UK actually becoming ungovernable? Will the latest revelations about the level ... Continue9 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)
Do Russia or China represent a bigger risk to UK national security? Why are we underestimating the threat posed by cybercriminals? Who holds the real power - ministers or spies? Rory and Alastair are... Continue9 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
498. Alastair Reacts to Starmer-Mandelson Turmoil
How should the government and politics as a whole respond to the latest revelations about the scale of Epstein's influence, and Mandelson's abuse of power? If Starmer goes, who and what comes next? Do... Continue8 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
174. Taking On Europe’s Last Dictator: The Fight Against Lukashenko and Putin
How did Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya go from being a housewife to leading a Belarussian government in exile? How did Aleksandr Lukashenko become the last dictator in Europe? Why was Segei, Sviatlana’s h... Continue6 February 2026
Posted by Goalhanger
Thank you Alistair for reminding us all of these momentous events. Many of which I had forgotten about. I actually predicted Boris would be gone around this time, but so obviously wring. A real pity.
Thank you fir still caring .
#GrossNegligenceManslaughter and a photo of the morally-bankrupt disheveled lying charlatan, together with a request to retweet to all, needs to start trending on Twitter.
A year ago today, Sweden did f78k all and their figures are about the same as the UKs….so what is the point of the article?