Summary
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that Britain will not choose between the U.S. and the EU, pledging to strengthen ties with both as Donald Trump prepares to assume the U.S. presidency.
In a major foreign policy speech, Starmer emphasized rebuilding relations with Europe and maintaining the “special relationship” with the U.S., while urging increased European defense spending and preparing Ukraine for peace talks.
Starmer rejected past Tory policies of neglecting alliances, outlined plans for a UK-EU defense pact, and ruled out a return to freedom of movement or the EU single market.
Türkiye, if they’re still interested
Second biggest NATO defense spender, ‘developing economy’ for globalization and offshoring exploitation, major fossil fuel pipelines, significant ally who can shut off the Black Sea transit route legally and pen in the Russian warm water fleet, and a big geopolitical bridge to the Middle East. Erdogan is no saint mind you, but I would pick them as a strategic ally over Israel any day.
The UK has promise and a long history of cooperation unlike Türkiye, but they threw the baby out with the bath water and have maintained an outsized deference to the US. What doe Britain honestly bring the bloc economically aside from the London financial markets?
Sure, if Turkey gets the fuck out of EU member Cyprus and drops the threat of war against EU member Greece. Those done, yes, a friendly, peaceful, democratic Turkey would be a fantastic addition to the EU.
Ha, good one!