The USA in deep trouble?

 It would appear the USA is now seen as an unreliable partner around the world.

The art of the deal (not!)

It would seem that a certain leader is very good at annoying his so called allies.  He seems to lack tact and manages to leave a sour taste.  

This is sad, as I have found everyone in the USA I have had dealings with to be kind and generous. Certainly those visiting the USA for the football have found a warm welcome.

He was correct in asking European NATO allies to pay more. About Spain and Denmark (and Greenland) he is, in my opinion, totally and utterly wrong.

In my view, everything he seems to touch gets worse and not better.

All I ask is:

• Listen to your experts.
• Think carefully before acting.
• Think of possible outcomes before starting.
• Have a plan.

Article 5 of NATO

 This is a quote from the BBC website:

"UK Defence Secretary John Healey says British troops who died in Afghanistan should be remembered as "heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation".

After Donald Trump's claim that Nato forces stayed "a little off the front lines" during the conflict, Healey points out that UK and Nato allies "answered the US call," the only time the alliance's Article 5 has been triggered.

"More than 450 British personnel lost their lives" in the conflict, he writes on X.

"Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation."

Nato's Article 5 states that an armed attack against one member "shall be considered an attack against them all"."

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news . 

The message would appear to be check facts first.

Finland joins NATO - NOT amateur radio

Although not a political animal by nature, I can understand why Finland has joined NATO. It is the 31st member state sharing a very long border with Russia. It feels safer as a nation within NATO, knowing that if it was attacked all the NATO countries are duty bound to support it. It looks like the invasion of Ukraine has had the exact opposite effect with even more NATO countries on its borders.

Personally, I just wish all countries could live in peace and harmony as defence spending is, ultimately, a total waste of money.

500kHz interference

In the last few days several stations across Western Europe have noticed a strong wideband signal that is severely impacting reception between 498-502kHz. This appears to be a NATO test transmission for a marine data system that may be introduced in the near future.