Hugh Winter

Assessing the performance of those who hold power

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Trump’s simple-minded strategy for international relations has been to use military force to persuade opponents to back down – but Iran has responded by attacking Gulf States. Trump needs to break out of this pattern https://t.co/DRw404cM1q

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Progressive Democrats have a message that could recover ground lost to Trump since 2016. They stand for working people, against the ultra-rich Trump oligarchy, and they recognise that Palestinians deserve human rights https://t.co/wRtYFbWaj0

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Russia was unmistakeably attacking a civilian with a drone – as “part of a deliberate campaign to intimidate civilians”, presumably to persuade Ukraine to capitulate https://t.co/1zDk3SHe5G

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Stopping immigrants from crossing the English Channel on small boats would be popular – but Reform UK’s proposal is probably unworkable. Farage needs viable policies on economic growth etc if he wants to be elected https://t.co/AvYGfPmry6

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Ukraine’s shortage of Patriot interceptors is costing civilian lives under Russian attacks. The lack of interceptors is a direct result of Trump’s ill-advised decision to attack Iran https://t.co/Dzz8dC3hQ3

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Republicans now have an even bigger cash advantage over Democrats ahead of the midterm elections. Rich men are supporting a party that promises to make them even richer https://t.co/eH3zWNFMaw

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Trump has claimed “a great breakthrough” in the Gaza confrontation. He wants some good news. The reality, though, is that little has changed since the end of last year https://t.co/zZs437o6xy

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

The US has launched more strikes on Iranian targets - but previous strikes had not deterred Iran and its partners from widening the scope of the war to attack Saudi interests https://t.co/SvCkylE2lw

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Reuters, when reporting on Iran’s order for Chinese missile systems, wrote that it would “underscore how military ties with China are deepening” – and Iran, Russia and China are all allied against the West in the SCO and BRICS https://t.co/2bLfi7T5wC

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Trump’s confrontational tactics against other countries, including allies, is costly for the US economy and its reputation. Sudden imposition of tariffs, and talk of a ‘51st State’, have turned Canadians against the US https://t.co/BBtGsbe4mm

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Mamdani cannot arrest Netanyahu because neither Israel nor the US have signed up to the ICC and both countries reject international criticism – but Mamdani justly criticises Netanyahu for failing to uphold Palestinian rights https://t.co/jFsLfy8g1w

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Trump is transferring powers to the White House Office of Administration that he controls. This will allow him to repaint any National Monument he chooses and to remove protection from cultural sites https://t.co/Cdn5xGHBJs

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Trump's familiar string of insults against those he doesn't like was followed by him pulling out a red Trump 2028 cap and declaring he was running for another term https://t.co/5JbxITpO8R

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

The most measles infections in the United States since the disease was declared eradicated. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, who campaigned relentlessly against vaccination, is largely responsible https://t.co/ljaNYCmtTF

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

This deal isn’t all good. Its a good idea to make it conditional on recognising Israel but no mention of a 2-State solution in Palestine; the safeguarding is not yet agreed by the IAEA; and it’s dependent on US being able to profit https://t.co/nFLQJXtyoi

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Iran can escalate in its war with the US by blocking the Red Sea. It doesn’t back down in the face of Trump’s threats (its military command won’t lose face). The rise in oil prices puts pressure on Trump https://t.co/dwpzqamqlI

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Andy Burnham is a very different leader from Sir Keir Starmer. He has immediately adopted an upbeat tone. He claims to be following his predecessor's election manifesto, but he is under pressure to call an election https://t.co/mRbQECU7sV

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Trump wants to punish Brazil for its central bank’s digital currency. It competes (legitimately) with Visa and MasterCard. Trump doesn't like competition and he is using tariffs again as an economic weapon https://t.co/Dmaxx0ccLN

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

The US and Iran had interpreted their agreement on free passage through the Straits of Hormuz differently. They are now intensifying attacks on each other, but more US strikes will only increase Iran’s retaliation https://t.co/iW3udwW9hA

[Hugh Winter @PatternsofPower]

Trump is impressed by wealth and military strength. Italians despise ostentation and disagree with his war on Iran, as shown by the protests in Venice greeting the billionaire US ambassador https://t.co/M3s6yfYCPS