JWexTheSpa
@jwsidders.bsky.social
South West England via the Midlands but made in NW5.
Spurs, Spain and social democracy. I like a hike.
Spurs, Spain and social democracy. I like a hike.
Pinned
JWexTheSpa
@jwsidders.bsky.social
· Dec 15
Apologies to all those I follow and missed - I couldn’t work out how to do it properly. Please add names and links. The key here is it’s people who post mostly in English - not Spanish - about Spain and Spain-related stuff.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
Sánchez "unequivocally condemns" America's action in Venezuela yesterday ina letter to pàrty members www.psoe.es/actualidad/d...
January 4, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Sánchez "unequivocally condemns" America's action in Venezuela yesterday ina letter to pàrty members www.psoe.es/actualidad/d...
Spain, on its own in Europe, joins Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay rejecting yesterday's military action in Venezuela. Notably, though, no mention of the US or Trump by name.
(Chile's new Trump-friendly President doesn't take office until March. Presumably, he'll unsign the letter then)
(Chile's new Trump-friendly President doesn't take office until March. Presumably, he'll unsign the letter then)
🔴 DIRECTO | España, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, México y Uruguay publican un comunicado conjunto en el que manifiestan su rechazo a "las acciones militares ejecutadas unilateralmente" en Venezuela
social.elpais.com/9pb…
social.elpais.com/9pb…
January 4, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Spain, on its own in Europe, joins Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay rejecting yesterday's military action in Venezuela. Notably, though, no mention of the US or Trump by name.
(Chile's new Trump-friendly President doesn't take office until March. Presumably, he'll unsign the letter then)
(Chile's new Trump-friendly President doesn't take office until March. Presumably, he'll unsign the letter then)
Frank is in his fifties, has been a coach for 20 years and has never won a trophy. If he was any good, he would not have been at Brentford for as long as he was. He ended up at Spurs because no manager with ambition and serious ability would go near the club when it was run by Daniel Levy.
I really thought Thomas Frank was going to be an annoyingly good Spurs manager, I have to admit. Completely hilariously bad call, looks like.
January 4, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Frank is in his fifties, has been a coach for 20 years and has never won a trophy. If he was any good, he would not have been at Brentford for as long as he was. He ended up at Spurs because no manager with ambition and serious ability would go near the club when it was run by Daniel Levy.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
The MA War Studies programme at King's College London is led by someone who predicts race-based civil war driven by multiculturalism, guests on far-right podcasts, loves Orbán's Hungary, and echoes the Kremlin's talking points. And they say academia is woke...
The worst civil conflict in western Europe since WW2, which ran for thirty years *in the actual UK*, reduced to a 'something like' analogy for race war fantasies by a London academic. No words. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
January 4, 2026 at 3:29 PM
The MA War Studies programme at King's College London is led by someone who predicts race-based civil war driven by multiculturalism, guests on far-right podcasts, loves Orbán's Hungary, and echoes the Kremlin's talking points. And they say academia is woke...
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
As much as I dislike the weakness of the UK’s govt response, I keep reminding myself that they arguably have to (realpolitik) due to the hand they were dealt: bc the Tories (& voters) took us out of the EU & we are now not (properly) part of any power bloc to protect us in a world of might is right.
Darren Jones is asked if the US bombing Venezuela & abducting its leader was lawful
Jones says he won't give a view on the action & he goes on to say its not up to politicians to make judgements on international law. Phillips points out thats exactly what they've done on Ukraine
Jones says he won't give a view on the action & he goes on to say its not up to politicians to make judgements on international law. Phillips points out thats exactly what they've done on Ukraine
January 4, 2026 at 2:15 PM
As much as I dislike the weakness of the UK’s govt response, I keep reminding myself that they arguably have to (realpolitik) due to the hand they were dealt: bc the Tories (& voters) took us out of the EU & we are now not (properly) part of any power bloc to protect us in a world of might is right.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
Apart from everything else, invading a country for oil in 2026 is somewhat like doing so for horses in 1931.
“We can secure access to additional wealth and resources, allowing the country to unlock them without spilling American blood,” said U.S. Defense Secretary (Secretary of War) Pete Hegseth, highlighting the strategic and economic rationale behind the Venezuela operation.
January 4, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Apart from everything else, invading a country for oil in 2026 is somewhat like doing so for horses in 1931.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
The worst civil conflict in western Europe since WW2, which ran for thirty years *in the actual UK*, reduced to a 'something like' analogy for race war fantasies by a London academic. No words. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
January 4, 2026 at 1:19 PM
The worst civil conflict in western Europe since WW2, which ran for thirty years *in the actual UK*, reduced to a 'something like' analogy for race war fantasies by a London academic. No words. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
At some point someone might want to tell the UK government it will get what the EU wants to give and no more and that anything given will come at a price.
UK should seek ‘closer alignment’ with EU single market, Starmer says ft.trib.al/ZRwzfBP
UK should seek ‘closer alignment’ with EU single market, Starmer says
Prime minister vows he will stay in Number 10 even as Labour party sinks in opinion polls
ft.trib.al
January 4, 2026 at 12:59 PM
At some point someone might want to tell the UK government it will get what the EU wants to give and no more and that anything given will come at a price.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
Europe needs to get much more comfortable threatening Trump with serious deterrent measures, and if necessary implementing them. Tariffs, taxes & bans on US firms; selloffs of US Treasuries; expulsions of American troops; sanctions on individuals. Speak his language: strength.
Why should Trump stop at Venezuela? They’re champing at the bit for territorial expansion. Katie Miller, Stephen Miller‘s wife, posted a map of Greenland marked as a US territory with the words „SOON“.
January 4, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Europe needs to get much more comfortable threatening Trump with serious deterrent measures, and if necessary implementing them. Tariffs, taxes & bans on US firms; selloffs of US Treasuries; expulsions of American troops; sanctions on individuals. Speak his language: strength.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
It is time for EU leaders to establish a clear (if confidential) strategy and red lines for a Trump takeover of Greenland against the will of Greenland and Denmark. /1 www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
US attack on Venezuela raises fears of future Greenland takeover
Danish ambassador posts ‘friendly reminder’ about defence ties after provocative Maga post over territory
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:44 PM
It is time for EU leaders to establish a clear (if confidential) strategy and red lines for a Trump takeover of Greenland against the will of Greenland and Denmark. /1 www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
I am a big Sánchez fan and have been for a long time. I like his politics and greatly admire his leadership skills. But it is a simple fact that if Spanish policy on defence and Ukraine had been mirrored in the rest of Europe, Putin would have won a long time ago.
Pedro Sánchez can say in public what every other European leader believes in private because there is absolutely no downside for Spain in doing so and for him, domestically, potentially a fair bit of upside.
January 4, 2026 at 11:36 AM
I am a big Sánchez fan and have been for a long time. I like his politics and greatly admire his leadership skills. But it is a simple fact that if Spanish policy on defence and Ukraine had been mirrored in the rest of Europe, Putin would have won a long time ago.
Pedro Sánchez can say in public what every other European leader believes in private because there is absolutely no downside for Spain in doing so and for him, domestically, potentially a fair bit of upside.
January 4, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Pedro Sánchez can say in public what every other European leader believes in private because there is absolutely no downside for Spain in doing so and for him, domestically, potentially a fair bit of upside.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
The bigger problem is that is Starmer going to wake up tomorrow and go “write, Rach, it’s time for you to introduce a defence and security levy?” No. No he will not.
January 4, 2026 at 10:59 AM
The bigger problem is that is Starmer going to wake up tomorrow and go “write, Rach, it’s time for you to introduce a defence and security levy?” No. No he will not.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
Right. Today’s bad media round is the inevitable consequence of, frankly, bad decisions and optimism bias since Crimea was invaded.
January 4, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Right. Today’s bad media round is the inevitable consequence of, frankly, bad decisions and optimism bias since Crimea was invaded.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
👇 Today is “it is never comms” turned up to eleven. The UK (and most of Europe other than the frontier states) pressed the snooze button on the alarm in 2006, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Today’s “well, who is to say which way water flows?” media round is the least important of the bitter fruit.
I just don't think there is a good line. The reality is we're completely boxed in, especially given the priority is protecting Ukraine. You could try and point to that being the priority I guess + encourage viewers to make the connection.
January 4, 2026 at 10:55 AM
👇 Today is “it is never comms” turned up to eleven. The UK (and most of Europe other than the frontier states) pressed the snooze button on the alarm in 2006, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Today’s “well, who is to say which way water flows?” media round is the least important of the bitter fruit.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
Quick update for US media: the story is not about Maduro or what’s going on in Venezuela. It’s about the massive rupture in US history where the country now stands for invading and occupying any country it likes.
Trump in his press conference made it very clear this is a new age. Did you miss that?
Trump in his press conference made it very clear this is a new age. Did you miss that?
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Quick update for US media: the story is not about Maduro or what’s going on in Venezuela. It’s about the massive rupture in US history where the country now stands for invading and occupying any country it likes.
Trump in his press conference made it very clear this is a new age. Did you miss that?
Trump in his press conference made it very clear this is a new age. Did you miss that?
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
The government’s had 24 hours to agree a line on this. There are obviously diplomatic reasons they might not condemn things as forcefully as many of us would like.
But this weird “we respect international law but won’t say anything further” line is nonsensical and cannot hold.
But this weird “we respect international law but won’t say anything further” line is nonsensical and cannot hold.
January 4, 2026 at 10:18 AM
The government’s had 24 hours to agree a line on this. There are obviously diplomatic reasons they might not condemn things as forcefully as many of us would like.
But this weird “we respect international law but won’t say anything further” line is nonsensical and cannot hold.
But this weird “we respect international law but won’t say anything further” line is nonsensical and cannot hold.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
Starmer & Merz currently with identical talking points:
- no condemnation of US attack as a breach of international law
- Starmer: need more facts before assessment & decision on consequences
- Merz: US action "legally complex" & govt will take all the time necessary to assess it
- no condemnation of US attack as a breach of international law
- Starmer: need more facts before assessment & decision on consequences
- Merz: US action "legally complex" & govt will take all the time necessary to assess it
January 4, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Starmer & Merz currently with identical talking points:
- no condemnation of US attack as a breach of international law
- Starmer: need more facts before assessment & decision on consequences
- Merz: US action "legally complex" & govt will take all the time necessary to assess it
- no condemnation of US attack as a breach of international law
- Starmer: need more facts before assessment & decision on consequences
- Merz: US action "legally complex" & govt will take all the time necessary to assess it
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
There is no right UK govt line on the US' actions. All it can do is reinforce commitment to intl law, but it can't explain why because a blowup will risk undoing the work they did last week in keeping the US in the Ukr negotiations.
It's more a damning sign of Europe's weakness and dependence.
It's more a damning sign of Europe's weakness and dependence.
January 4, 2026 at 11:19 AM
There is no right UK govt line on the US' actions. All it can do is reinforce commitment to intl law, but it can't explain why because a blowup will risk undoing the work they did last week in keeping the US in the Ukr negotiations.
It's more a damning sign of Europe's weakness and dependence.
It's more a damning sign of Europe's weakness and dependence.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
Todos los análisis sobre si Europa hará frente a Trump se estrellan contra la realidad. La respuesta de Merz, Macron y Starmer es débil y penosa. Quien se distingue es Pedro Sánchez, que habla de no reconocer "una intervención que viola el derecho internacional".
January 4, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Todos los análisis sobre si Europa hará frente a Trump se estrellan contra la realidad. La respuesta de Merz, Macron y Starmer es débil y penosa. Quien se distingue es Pedro Sánchez, que habla de no reconocer "una intervención que viola el derecho internacional".
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
European weakness on full display by these horribly contorted responses from Merz, Macron and Starmer - neither condoning nor condemning US actions in Venezuela
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
January 3, 2026 at 7:43 PM
European weakness on full display by these horribly contorted responses from Merz, Macron and Starmer - neither condoning nor condemning US actions in Venezuela
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
Our proposals to make Oxford Street car-free are already making waves in the West End.
The businesses moving in know how great the capital’s high street can be.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
The businesses moving in know how great the capital’s high street can be.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
January 2, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Our proposals to make Oxford Street car-free are already making waves in the West End.
The businesses moving in know how great the capital’s high street can be.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
The businesses moving in know how great the capital’s high street can be.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
Los medios anglófonos dicen que Trump gobernará Venezuela, los hispanos no.
January 4, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Los medios anglófonos dicen que Trump gobernará Venezuela, los hispanos no.
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
I wrote this only last week, after saying that Trump seems about to wage war on Venezuela. It seems pretty relevant to what transpired today.
UK and Europe *must* reduce our dependence on America and its technologies as rapidly as we can.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
UK and Europe *must* reduce our dependence on America and its technologies as rapidly as we can.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
January 3, 2026 at 10:42 PM
I wrote this only last week, after saying that Trump seems about to wage war on Venezuela. It seems pretty relevant to what transpired today.
UK and Europe *must* reduce our dependence on America and its technologies as rapidly as we can.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
UK and Europe *must* reduce our dependence on America and its technologies as rapidly as we can.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
Reposted by JWexTheSpa
the chavista Supreme Court, a rubber stamp for the big boys in the regime, makes Delcy acting President, meanwhile serious ppl write articles about how the US will govern Venezuela, this is all weird
Directo | El Supremo de Venezuela ordena que Delcy Rodríguez se convierta en presidenta encargada
Directo | El Supremo de Venezuela ordena que Delcy Rodríguez se convierta en presidenta encargada
EEUU bombardeó Venezuela en la madrugada de este sábado y secuestró a su presidente, Nicolás Maduro, y su esposa.
www.publico.es
January 4, 2026 at 9:23 AM
the chavista Supreme Court, a rubber stamp for the big boys in the regime, makes Delcy acting President, meanwhile serious ppl write articles about how the US will govern Venezuela, this is all weird