Comment on The Politico Article “ 'A mess': EU Commission accused of overstepping on foreign policy” This was the title of an article in POLITICO (1.7.26) on an interview with former top EU diplomat Josep Borrell by by Jaccopo Barigazzi. It deserves noting at some length as it well illustrates the current state of governance … Continue reading The Mess That Is The EU Today
Europe
Sleepwalkers Into World War
It has been fashionable to talk of the World War of 1914 as resulting from sleep-walking by the European Powers. This, of course, is complete nonsense. Any reading of British accounts, including the insider memoirs of the illustrious Cabinet Secretary, Sir Maurice Hankey, shows that there was a well-worked out and purposeful plan for a Great War … Continue reading Sleepwalkers Into World War
Proposed changes to EU Maritime Law
Eamon Dyas The Irish Times reported (6.7.26) that Ireland is leading European talks on strengthening maritime legal controls with a European Ocean Act. This idea could not claim to be a component of international maritime law without UN approval. Of course there is nothing to stop the EU embarking on such a course but the … Continue reading Proposed changes to EU Maritime Law
The Metamorphosis Of Europe!
Europe appears to be dividing on pre-EU lines, and even on pre-World War I lines. It was conceived to be a melting pot by the dominant Power, Britain, in 1919, and new shapes were drawn from it to be states in the League of Nations. Those shapes did not hold against the pressure from underlying … Continue reading The Metamorphosis Of Europe!
Pie In The Sky: EU Ambitions In Armenia And Ukraine
The Guardian reported on May 4th that: “The EU is sending a team of experts specialised in combating Russian propaganda and interference to Armenia, as it increases its support to the former Soviet republic in a tense political period. In a highly symbolic sequence of events, EU leaders will hold their first summit with Armenia, after … Continue reading Pie In The Sky: EU Ambitions In Armenia And Ukraine
Is The EU fit for purpose?
“Why a Club of six is both Europe’s best hope and its greatest risk” was the title of an article in Social Europe, the Social Democratic pro-EU Think Tank: its content should be required reading for all concerned with the Irish Presidency of the EU later this year. It outlines the central problem in the EU, which it calls “The deadlock in the … Continue reading Is The EU fit for purpose?
An “À La Carte” EU?
The EU and the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen are very keen on Ukraine becoming a member of the Union. According to a report in Politico—a news agency that claims to be a survey of opinion across EU leaders and top officials—she has come up with an innovative way of … Continue reading An “À La Carte” EU?
Victor Grossman RIP
The late Manus O'Riordan often liked to quote analysis by the German Socialist, Victor Grossman—a supporter of Die Linke—who has just died, aged 95! We reproduce the following tribute to him—thereby remembering both him and Manus! Lives worth living Obituary, Victor Grossman 11 March, 1928 – 17 December, 2025 Phil Butland20/12/2025 Victor Grossman died on … Continue reading Victor Grossman RIP
Rogue States!
Brendan Clifford The idea that the United States is a rogue State is being flirted with in England. The reason for this is that President Trump is seen as breaking up the established order of the world put in place in 1945, and is thus endangering the West. Where did this "West" come from in … Continue reading Rogue States!
Russian Tankers: Some Shadow-Boxing!
According to a report by George Allison in the UK Defence Journal (UKDJ), published on 23rd January 2026, it appears that the Royal Navy “and its NATO allies” were monitoring the Russian tanker, General Skobelev, during a two-day operation as it sailed from the Mediterranean on its way to the North Sea. The UKDJ report also confirms … Continue reading Russian Tankers: Some Shadow-Boxing!
Irish Political Review 