The Crisis Room The end of the rules-based order: is Trump leading the charge?
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Aug 28, 2025 General Sir Nick Carter, the former Chief of the Defence Staff, shares insights on whether Trump's America remains a trustworthy ally and the UK government's grasp of the threat from Putin's Russia. He discusses the pressing need to tackle recruitment issues in the armed forces, suggesting a revival of national service as a potential solution. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of shifting global power dynamics and the erosion of democratic norms sparked by populism and authoritarian influences.
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Effectiveness Trumps Legality For Voters
- Trump's rhetoric and actions create a contagion effect where voters reward rule-breaking that appears effective.
- Amber Rudd highlights politicians face pressure to emulate outcomes even if it means bending or changing rules.
Territorial Conquests Validated Politically
- Trump's international diplomacy has validated territorial concessions to aggressors in practice.
- Mark Urban argues this undermines the UN charter principle forbidding territorial gains by force.
Grotesque Cabinet Spectacle
- Marc Polymeropoulos described the recent Trump cabinet meeting as a three-hour lesson in sycophancy that embarrassed foreign onlookers.
- He compared the spectacle to authoritarian displays and said it would worry diplomats and intelligence officers.