Johnson

It’s supposed to make Britain more independent. But it might put her at the mercy of Mike Pompeo’s Iran policy.
Barbara BOLAND
By unyoking London from Europe, a no deal Brexit would unleash a titanic shift in global alliances that could strengthen Washington’s hand and help it achieve its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran.
That’s an ironic turn of events for populists in the United Kingdom, who support Brexit because it will allow the British people to determine their own fate.

A proud imperial dynasty dominated an entire continent for half a millennium. Even when forced out of its global role, it remained a huge core kingdom in Europe. Its capital city became mythical for its vibrant culture, unparalleled theater and extraordinary music that entranced the world. In sharp contrast to its imperial past, it gloried in being an example of tolerance and diversity to the entire world.

Daniel Lazare analyzes the Trump-Bojo attacks on democracy and equality.
Daniel LAZARE

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is using leverage from a possible £39 ($48) billion debt default in order to force the European Union to accommodate his Brexit plans. In less polite terms, Britain is resorting to extortion to get its way, and in the sordid process is also threatening political peace in Ireland.
Over the weekend of the G7 summit in France, the British premier began dangling the possibility of reneging on an already negotiated divorce bill between Britain and the EU.

How fitting that the 70th anniversary of George Orwell’s publication of his legendary dystopian novel “1984” should see another of the genius’s prophecies fulfilled. Early in August, Britain’s new international Trade Secretary Liz Truss flew to Washington in the naive – indeed, desperate – hope that US President Donald Trump could and would bail her country out of its Brexit disaster.
In “1984” terms, Airstrip One was crying out for help to Oceania and its ruler, who in the novel was only known as “Big Brother.”

The ever-cozy relationship between the Trump administration and Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson was doused with cold water last week by House Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi. She warned that Congress would not pass any proposed US-UK trade deal if Britain proceeded with its no-deal Brexit from Europe.

Patrick COCKBURN
On 8 May 1987 a Provisional IRA unit of eight men attacked a police station in the village of Loughgall in county Armagh 15 miles from the Irish border. One man drove a digger with a bomb in its bucket towards the building, half of which was destroyed in the explosion. But British forces had been informed of the time and place of the assault and SAS soldiers waiting in ambush opened fire killing all eight Provisionals and a civilian.

Since Boris Johnson took over as Britain’s new prime minister three weeks ago he has been holding intensive phone calls with US President Donald Trump, according to media reports. There is a buzz that the much-vaunted “special relationship” between the US and Britain is finding new ardor.

As Washington’s military-industrial octopus continues to thrive, and US troops and nuclear-armed aircraft and submarines and aircraft carrier groups are tentacled ever further, deeper and higher round the world, there has been an unpleasant upset between London and Washington. This resulted in even more grovelling to the US by the likely next prime minister of Britain, Boris Johnson.

Simon USHERWOOD
We’re talking a lot about Brexit in Britain. Whether it’s our hopes or – more likely – our frustrations, it’s the subject that we never quite seem to escape from.