Real danger of miscalculation remains.

Netanyahu made calculated gamble in bombing Iranian consulate in Damascus. Iran made calculated gamble in response.

Both leaderships under pressure at home, not caring much about international criticism, willing to play with fire.  

2/

Britain and the US have clearly shown how allies could intercept Russian missiles (and Iranian drones) fired at Ukraine, without necessarily leaving Nato airspace.

The US and Britain did not declare war on Iran last night, they protected Israel. Why not the same for Ukraine?

I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran’s attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad.

A lot of political reporters are covering Trump like 5 yr olds playing soccer. Lots of swarming to the ball and not remembering the many other times Trump's said something he doesn’t actually mean in order to muddy the waters.

Come on. We've seen this play out for 9 yrs now.

Iain is excellent here. The Nazis in the 1930s, Hungary in 1956, Czechoslovakia in 1968, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Somalia in the 1990s, Syria in 2013, and now Ukraine in 2024. The West cannot seem to learn that inaction is always more costly than action in the end

It’s been a year since WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich was seized by Russia’s security services and falsely accused of espionage. It’s time for this talented journalist and innocent man to come home. My letter on this grim anniversary
#IStandWithEvan

wsj.com/world/evan-ger…

🧵One year ago on Friday, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia during a reporting trip.

He remains in a Moscow prison.

We’re offering resources for those who want to show their support for him. #IStandWithEvan wsj.com/Evan

Latvia does not exist, says a senior Russian official. Noted.

A UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza tabled by the US (traditionally Israel’s strongest ally) is vetoed by Russia and China (traditionally Arab nations’ strongest allies). Truly the world is being turned upside down by polarisation politics.

I write about this week's 'election' in Russia & why a defeat for Putin in Ukraine can improve the long-term chances for the Other Russia #Navalny #navalnyfuneral #Ukraine
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Jeremy Hunt hints at October election

Says that doing a spending review after the election before next April 'if the general election is in October, that will mean it's very, very tight'

Some news from me: A painful decision but the next election is the time for me to step away from politics, prioritise my family and pursue a new career.

I’ll forever be grateful for the incredible opportunity to serve this amazing constituency in Westminster.

🚨The strange tale of British luxury cars & Russian sanctions🚨
🧵A thread on some v striking charts which raise some disturbing questions abt the car industry.
Let's start at the start.
Wealthy Russians love high-end British cars.
Don't just take it from me. Take it from her 👇

So no Budget rabbit, but a promise of a big one in the future. Hunt's vow for the Tories to one day abolish National Insurance contributions altogether is a tax cut of 8p in every pound earned - quite a retail offer for a General Election... no matter how pie in the sky it is.

Nikki Haley will drop out of the presidential race today, NBC is reporting - crowning Trump as the Republican candidate

Why Trump might well not win the US presidency? A quarter of all registered Republican voters refused to back him on Super Tuesday, despite knowing he’ll win the nomination anyway. If even half of these refuseniks vote for Biden across all 50 states, Trump will lose in November

Advanced briefings have turned budgets into non-events. Any excitement is gone by the time chancellors deliver their statement. reaction.life/bring-back-bud…

A Russian clothing brand has launched a collection of clothes inspired by Stalin.

The ad campaign was recorded in Ukrainian cities destroyed by the Russian Army and then occupied.

A Stalin-style jackets coats 150,000 rubles or around USD 1300.

“We can work with the bell curve or become the bell-ends”. A searingly honest and good thread from another departing Tory MP, who I always thought was one of the good guys. Worth reading in full

I saw his hearse & his coffin. I saw thousands of Russians paying him their last respects. But it’s still hard to believe that Alexei Navalny is dead. Among his supporters there's disbelief & defiance. Our report from Moscow. Producer Liza Camera anton chicherov & team