Rod Whiting

That leader may no longer be Zelensky. Hard as it is to say Ukraine's best hope now could be new leadership. Perhaps someone like General Valerii Zaluzhnyi who commands military respect and could reset diplomatic relations. Maybe not him, but someone who understands the world as it is, 6/

and win small victories that add up over time. None of this diminishes Zelensky’s courage but it leaves him and Ukraine in a bad place. History moves fast. Ukraine needs a leader who can read the shifting tides of geopolitics and navigate this fragile tightrope with strategic restraint. 5/

...arguing and challenging rather than navigating with humility and restraint. Realpolitik dictates that Ukraine’s survival now depends on securing US support, and that requires deft diplomacy. The key purpose should have been to stay in the room, play along, build relationships and... 4/

...a carefully staged encounter designed to shape US public opinion and political will on Ukraine’s future. Zelensky, a former actor himself, should have understood the script. Instead, he got the tone wrong and pushed back too hard - 3/

#Zelensky walked into a performance of an American theatre production and failed to play his part. He forgot the first principle of media communication: Purpose! This wasn’t about truth, justice or even war strategy. It was about optics - 2/

...Geopolitical disaster, it would leave Putin a battle-hardened and highly competent force at his disposal. Would they fight for him? Betrayal leaves a bitter taste. But with few alternatives, many just might. That would hand Putin a formidable asset in his Great Game. Ends.

Beyond depleted equipment, budgets, and a woefully depleted pool of appropriately trained and motivated personnel that will take years to rebuild, Robin makes a crucial point overlooked by many (Trump et al.): A defeated #Ukraine wouldn’t just be a... 2/3

New defence spending. What we need. What we must do.

Keir Starmer’s incremental increase in defence spending sends the right signals. But anyone thinking this comes close to reversing thirty years of decline needs to read former SAS soldier Robin Horsfall’s excellent Substack: bit.ly/4h2Ke1Y 🧵1/3

Is anyone truly surprised? Trump's intentions have always been crystal clear, and Hegseth’s remarks shouldn’t be brushed aside. The US drawbridge is up. This presents an opportunity for Britain to reclaim influence in Europe, working with the Baltic nations to re-prioritize European defense policy.

Elon Musk-led group makes surprise bid of nearly $100bn for OpenAI Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO and co-founder, responded that he would not accept and offered to buy X instead

Good for Sam Altman. Nothing good can come from Musk owning X and the world's leading AI programme. Rupert Murdoch weaponized information; Musk would weaponize intelligence itself. Suddenly, old-school media moguls start looking quaint. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Abso-ruddy-lutely!

Delighted my 'Loving Your Garden' podcast has reached another milestone. It's a humble hobby site but we have some amazing guests. Here's a Link to our latest episode with Cut Flower Farmer Roz Chandler but take a look back at previous episodes for a topic to suit: www.buzzsprout.com/1904093/epis...

Elon Musk’s father believes ‘good chance’ Tommy Robinson will become prime minister — The Independent Elon Musk’s father believes there is a “good chance” Tommy Robinson will become prime minister.

It's likely no coincidence that the observed collapse of editorial standards in recent years corresponds to the rise of Social media. Until we learn to tame this beast (we will), we'll have to continue to endure absurdities like this. apple.news/AehSxVMmRQIy...

Washington Post Cartoonist Quits After Jeff Bezos Cartoon Is Killed (Gift Article) The cartoon, by Ann Telnaes, depicted the owner of The Post, Jeff Bezos, and other billionaires genuflecting toward a statue of President-elect Donald Trump.

“‘Not every editorial judgment is a reflection of a malign force,’ [The Post’s opinions editor David] Shipley said in [a] statement.”

(ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀ: ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ *ɴᴏᴛ* ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛɪᴄᴜʟᴀʀʟʏ ʀᴇᴀꜱꜱᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ.)

www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/b...

Happy birthday to one of the great musicians of my generation - John Paul Jones (79). Churlish then not to offer 6 minutes 16" of pure perfection with John Paul, Robert, Jimmy and Bonzo on @boomradio.co.uk's wild child Boom Rock from 10am: www.boomradiouk.com/boom-rock/

All set for another week of shows starting today from 10-midday on @boomradio.co.uk's wild child, Boom Rock.
Treats today include the Patti Smith Group, Led Zeppelin (naturally), and birthday boys: Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker, & Jeff Lynne. Ask Alexa or tune in online - bring your air guitar!

Loving my early Christmas present from @boomradio.co.uk - about to make its debut - although the small print on the box is troubling: '... for presenters who have a face for radio' 🤔

Woman, 40, denied cancer drug announces her death — BBC News Rachel Davies could not access the life-extending drug because it is not available in Wales.

A sad story but Rachel’s final letter is wonderful and a lesson for us all. apple.news/Ah3IKRy9UTgC...

Terminator 7 😎

Sounds like a plan

www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/aus...

Thousands of jobs in doubt over military helicopter contract Nearly 3,000 roles at a factory in Somerset may be at risk if ministers do not press ahead with procurement plans

Understandable angst over jobs but entirely right to review #defence projects in light of lessons learned from #UkraineRussiaWar, especially game-changing drone tech.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...

The capabilities of remotely operated military assets are increasing with breathtaking speed; such that much of the West’s existing defence planning & procurement risks falling ever further behind the obsolescence curve.

Boom Rock - Listen Live A world of rock music

Just started another week of shows on
@boomradio.co.uk's sister station Boom Rock: 10-12 Monday to Friday. I'd be delighted to have your company if you fancy some pretty damn good music! www.boomradiouk.com/player/boom-...

We Know Who’s to Blame for Trump’s Evasion of Justice. It Isn’t Jack Smith. None of this was inevitable.

It's a moot point now but an interesting summation of how Trump out-manoeuvred US prosecutors with the assistance of the Supreme Court he deftly re-configured in his previous term. slate.com/news-and-pol...

That depends on your perspective. If you're a powerful, wealthy entity seeking an opportunity to further your interests by controlling influential media outlets to shape the narrative, then your statement holds good. That's why Leveson 2 (or preferably something much stronger) is badly needed.

What a blast being able to assist Bayer Global in production of a health-cast series featuring medical experts from around the world at the American Heart Association congress in Chicago, all without leaving my Summerhouse, nearly 4000 miles away in Lincolnshire, UK.

@donald-tusk.bsky.social is right to worry. It's asking a lot for an untested US administration with isolationist inclinations, to meet expectations of a cunning plan to end the #RussiaUkraineWar. Cool, calculating and resolute heads are required to face down Putin's escalation. What could go wrong?

This dangerous man continues to gaslight the West to cover his catastrophic hubristic error in deciding to invade a nation that wasn't ready to be subjugated. It needs leaders of substance - not least the US - to keep calling him out. He feeds on weakness and lack of resolve.