Your inquiry regarding whether Donald Trump is a “friend or foe?” (News) can find clarity by examining how he views himself, the United States, and global relations. This understanding reveals a consistent pattern in his statements and policies.
Trump perceives himself as a global deal-maker, effectively positioning himself as an alternative to the United Nations. His remarks about regions such as Gaza, Greenland, Panama, and Canada should be interpreted literally. To him, countries are not sovereign entities with economies and citizens, but rather properties with tenants that can be bought or, as in the case of Gaza, where tenants can be “asked” to vacate. His interactions regarding Ukraine illustrate his negotiation strategy with Russia, the other significant potential property dealer, shedding light on his approach to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Dr. George Hudson
Worcester
As an American, I fear we may already be beyond redemption. Out of a mix of ignorance and outrage, a substantial portion of the populace elected this individual into power. We now all must contend with the frightening repercussions of being governed by a capricious and vengeful person, along with those who either submit to him or exploit him for their interests.
However, Europeans have no obligation to appease Trump. Such appeasement failed with Hitler, and it will not yield positive results now. Europe once relied on the United States, but the responsibility now lies with the world—and Americans included—to uphold the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King’s discourse. I hope the British government reconsiders the invitation extended to the king.
Miriam Bartes
Miami, Florida
Andrew Rawnsley appropriately criticizes the drastic cuts to the international aid budget (“In this dangerous age, Britain needs to exert soft power as well as the hard stuff”, Comment).
However, it’s important not to set the plight of impoverished people abroad against those facing poverty in our own nation by suggesting that we could lessen our social security support.
Social security has seen significant reductions over the last decade, contributing to the rise and worsening of poverty levels. Rawnsley rightly asserts that we are a wealthy nation capable of exercising both hard and soft power. We can also sustain a robust social security framework. If the French government is contemplating higher taxes on the affluent amid current security needs, why can’t we?
Baroness Lister of Burtersett
House of Lords
Assisted dying safeguards
We are writing in favor of Kim Leadbeater’s proposal for a judge-led assisted dying commission that would establish a panel of multidisciplinary experts to evaluate and endorse each individual request for assistance in dying.
We believe this proposal would create the safest and most comprehensive legislation of its kind globally, significantly better than the current situation in this country, which lacks substantial upfront protections.
During last year’s vote supporting the principle of assisted dying, questions arose concerning the High Court’s role in evaluating cases and the proposal’s feasibility. After considering these arguments,
Leadbeater has rightly focused on the critical matter of ensuring appropriate oversight for case evaluations to provide objective external scrutiny and prevent misuse. The idea of multidisciplinary panels, each led by a judge or KC and aided by professionals in psychiatry and social work, is both logical and pragmatic. Moreover, similar panels have shown effective results in Spain. Utilizing retired judges, who frequently participate in public inquiries or act as skilled mediators, should alleviate concerns about potential impacts on the court system.
With parliament having firmly supported the principle of assisted dying, it is encouraging to see Leadbeater and others working to enhance the legislation further. The establishment of an assisted dying commission is a significant milestone in this process, bringing end-of-life decisions into the open and substantially increasing the support and protections available for terminally ill individuals seeking this option.
Through this bill, MPs have the chance to initiate a transformative shift in protections for individuals nearing death, replacing the inadequate provisions of our current law with a more robust and secure framework. They ought to seize this opportunity.
Sir Max Hill, former Director of Public Prosecutions; Dame Alison Saunders, former Director of Public Prosecutions; Lord Ken Macdonald, former Director of Public Prosecutions; Lord Charles Falconer, Former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice; Lord David Pannick, Blackstone Chambers; Professor Emily Jackson, Professor of Law, London School of Economics; Professor Colin Gavaghan, Professor at the School of Law, University of Bristol; Professor Philippe Sands, Faculty of Laws, UCL and 11 King’s Bench Walk; Professor Hazel Biggs, Professor Emeritus, University of Southampton; Dr. Nick Cartwright, Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Leeds; Tim Owen, Matrix Chambers; Stephen Cragg, Doughty Street Chambers; Michael Mansfield, Nexus Chambers; Joe Middleton, Doughty Street Chambers; David Wolfe, Matrix Chambers; Rebecca Hill, 5SAH Chambers; Maria Scotland, 5SAH Chambers; Louisa Collins, 5SAH Chambers; Saoirse Townshend, Temple Garden Chambers; Chris Bishop, Senior Partner, Slater Heelis; Rachel Fletcher, Partner, Slater Heelis; Richard Stein, Retired, Former Partner, Leigh Day; Yogi Amin, Solicitor; Martin Rackstraw, Solicitor and Oliver Studdert, Solicitor; Professor Laura Hoyano, Professor of Law, University of Oxford and Red Lion Chambers; Tony Vaughan, Doughty Street Chambers and MP for Folkestone and Hythe; Andrea Coomber
Long Covid’s curse
I appreciate your report on long Covid (“‘We’re losing decades of our life to this illness’: long Covid patients on the fear of being forgotten”, New Review). I have battled chronic fatigue for five years, and friends wishing to chat must first check with me; often, the response is, “I can’t,” as I need to conserve my energy.
At the pandemic’s outset, we were advised to adapt to living with Covid, but when vaccines became available, we acted as if the danger had disappeared. Yet it persists. I find myself stagnant while the world around me continues. I feel like a non-participant. If others practiced precautions, individuals like me could cautiously venture further. Our safety-net is entirely illusory.
Delora Jones
Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
Not so beautiful
Surely, I cannot be the only reader of last week’s Sport section to be struck by the irony in your front-page image depicting the head-kick incident involving Jean-Phillipe Mateta, juxtaposed with the page six headline, above a sympathetic interview with Sander Berge, proclaiming, “I can be more brutal, more nasty and more aggressive – you need that”. What ever happened to the concept of the beautiful game?
Sheree Dodd
Bromley, Kent
Rhythm and no blues
I wholeheartedly agree with Miriam Avery’s letter stating, “It is possible, with the right education and tools, to avoid pregnancy without hormonal birth control.” Advances in scientific education have greatly evolved natural methods from outdated approaches that relied heavily on luck, and for nearly 50 years, natural family planning has been offered, albeit on a limited scale.
Unfortunately, many apps available today are not reliable or educational; however, some are indeed trustworthy. Along with initial human instruction, fertility awareness can empower women with options, all while avoiding hormonal effects on our bodies.
Ginny Eaton
Brockham, Surrey
Unwelcome US visitor (8)
In an era where children increasingly adopt American terms like diapers, garbage, and cellphones, it was disheartening to come across the word airplane in a clue within the Speedy crossword. Please strive to preserve our beautiful English language.
Tony Erskine
Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear
