As Trump takes Venezuela and talks of Cuba and Greenland; as Putin will not let Ukraine go and as China threatens Taiwan, is a different world emerging, with new lessons for Scotland?

Amongst other things I’m not a renowned global politics theorist or historian so here’s a, for me, fascinating AI-produced and sourced essay. I look forward to your thoughts: The geopolitical landscape in early 2026 indeed appears to be shifting toward a more assertive era of great-power competition, where major actors like the United States, Russia, and China are pursuing territorial or influence-based ambitions with less regard for traditional norms of sovereignty and international law. This could signal the emergence of a “different world”—one reminiscent of 19th- or early 20th-century spheres of influence, where smaller entities face heightened risks of coercion, … Continue reading As Trump takes Venezuela and talks of Cuba and Greenland; as Putin will not let Ukraine go and as China threatens Taiwan, is a different world emerging, with new lessons for Scotland?

Trump – Are you expecting us to believe that other American presidents and the CIA were incapable of acting in a way that put “America First” in the world?

By Liz S Whatever you think of Trump or Zelensky one thing stands out with a Trump presidency. He is acting in a way that is normally hidden from public view when other presidents were in charge of America. I mean , come on , are some supposedly intelligent people , as in those who are political commentators for MSM and also those online, actually expecting us to believe that other American presidents and also their secret service organisation, the CIA, were incapable of acting in a way that put “America First” in the world. Or rather they, as political … Continue reading Trump – Are you expecting us to believe that other American presidents and the CIA were incapable of acting in a way that put “America First” in the world?

Ukraine – Stand up for the people of Scotland against rich warmongers

I see Stephen Gethins MP, the SNP’s Westminster foreign affairs spokesperson, has said on our behalf without any membership consultation, that Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK cannot go ahead if he refuses to show further support for Ukraine, called Trump’s behaviour towards Zelensky “grotesque” and said it amounted to “bullying”. I cannot agree with idea nor with that naive ‘David and Goliath’ assessment. My thoughts more fully are here: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/03/01/elite-fall-out-at-least-we-got-to-see-it-this-time/ Further thoughts from reader JB As a kid my father always told me to read once, read again and then read between the lines to ensure of … Continue reading Ukraine – Stand up for the people of Scotland against rich warmongers

Elite fall-out – At least WE got to see it this time

By Professor John Robertson OBA This is still about Scotland because it’s about everywhere. It’s about what happens to smaller countries when their larger protectors do a u-turn and about how the elite groups in our country are not really our friends any more than the elite groups in other countries care about their own people. Everybody’s talking about it. Two beefy big guys give a wee guy a dressing down in public. It looked like bullying. Just about everybody I agree with on Scottish independence is of one mind – we must stand by Ukraine. It’s all much more, … Continue reading Elite fall-out – At least WE got to see it this time