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!
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Some Thoughts On Events In Venezuela
“You can check in any time you want but you may never leave.” (The Eagles, Hotel California) That might be said of the Petrodollar system that sustains US power and influence in the world and largely explains the gunboat diplomacy employed by Washington against Venezuela. In his press conference explaining why the US launched a … Continue reading Some Thoughts On Events In Venezuela
ORGANISED LABOUR
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ALMOST 100,000 households will pay more Tax this year following the Government’s decision in Budget 2026 not to increase tax credits or bands. According to calculations by Revenue, 23,000 taxpayer units—individuals or couples—who did not have a tax liability last year will have one in 2026. An additional 76,400 taxpayer units will be pushed … Continue reading ORGANISED LABOUR
Organised Labour
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% IRISH CONGRESS of TRADE UNIONS recommends pay claim of 4.7% to 6% in private sector for 2026 THE guidance was issued with the unanimous agreement of the Congress Private Sector Committee. The recommendation comes as Irish workers face continued pressure from inflation. Over the past four years, the Consumer Price Index has climbed 18.9%, significantly eroding household … Continue reading Organised Labour
The CDU: A Ruling Party In Transition!
German Perspectives The big furore in parliamentary politics has been a dispute between Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul—both Christian Democrats (CDU). They have been on a collision course. Wadephul, back from an official visit to Syria, declared that the level of destruction there was worse than Germany faced in … Continue reading The CDU: A Ruling Party In Transition!
ORGANISED LABOUR DECEMBER IPR
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SIPTU Biennial Delegate Conference SIPTU General Secretary Elect, John King, called for: “a renewal of trade union activism and reclaim lost ground, to rebuild, to renew, to recapture the hearts and minds of working people” when addressing delegates in Galway for their Biennial Delegate Conference (November 11/13, 2025). The Conference brought together more than … Continue reading ORGANISED LABOUR DECEMBER IPR
Budget 2026—Editorial
The Irish economy continues to be buoyant, notwithstanding the uncertain global economic environment. GDP growth rates are expected to be 10%, 1% and 4% for 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively. (The large growth rate in 2025 and low rate in 2026 reflects multi-nationals bringing forward production and sales in 2025 to avoid Trump’s tariffs.) There … Continue reading Budget 2026—Editorial
Connolly In The Park A Wise Choice:
Anatomy & Post-Mortem of a Landslide Election What a difference a year makes. In December 2024, Pat Leahy of the Irish Times proclaimed Micheal Martin as a Resurrection Man (at the time, I begged to differ describing him as not the Messiah but a very lucky boy). Leahy described him as “starting another chapter in a long political odyssey that has seen … Continue reading Connolly In The Park A Wise Choice:
The Crown
Questions are being raised about the status of the monarchy of Britain and Northern Ireland while the actual Government of the United Kingdom state tries to find a way of ensuring that the United States does not arrange a settlement of the War in the Ukraine without the defeat of Russia—which is to say, without … Continue reading The Crown
Letters
Mansergh and Haughey Sir, – I greatly respect Diarmaid Ferriter. While I do not always agree with his analyses, I admire how he brings his well-informed historical opinions to the public forum rather than merely seeking acclaim among his academic peers. A case in point was how he recently braved opprobrium with his partial defence … Continue reading Letters
Irish Political Review 