Archive - Inside-Out, political commentary from Philip Stephens

Britain cannot rush to reclaim a European future

The BBC provides an eloquent reminder of the deep-seated neuralgia that took Britain out of its own continent

May 27 •

Philip Stephens

Trump has drawn the limits of US (and his own) power

The US president has surrendered America's global leadership and started a fight with China he cannot win

May 1 •

Philip Stephens

March 2025

Europe must "de-risk" the American threat

Trump’s infatuation with Putin is part of a bigger story. For Europeans the US is as much a threat as an ally

Mar 14 •

Philip Stephens

February 2025

Trump's America has made its choice

The UN General Assembly saw Washington formally disown the Pax Americana to line up with Russia, Belarus and North Korea. Even China seemed embarrassed.

Feb 25 •

Philip Stephens

Trump hands Putin a Munich triumph

The organising truth behind the US administration’s capitulation over Ukraine is that Trump agrees with Putin

Feb 15 •

Philip Stephens

January 2025

Jimmy Carter’s forgotten peace project

How the president opened the door to an American role in Irish peace-making

Jan 7 •

Philip Stephens

November 2024

Israel's war in Gaza has lost purpose beyond the killing of Palestinians

By looking away western democracies have surrendered moral authority

Nov 4, 2024 •

Philip Stephens

October 2024

Netanyahu's march to war against Iran

The Israeli leader has created an escalatory ladder that ends with a US-supported strike against Iran's nuclear facilities

Oct 25, 2024 •

Philip Stephens

To govern is to choose

The coming Budget will set the course for Britain's Labour government

Oct 23, 2024 •

Philip Stephens

September 2024

Mr Starmer visits the White House

The Labour prime minister has restored Britain's standing in Washington. The bigger challenge is to build a European defence pillar

Sep 12, 2024 •

Philip Stephens

June 2024

Keir Starmer and a revolution in the cause of stability

The Labour leader is criticised as unexciting. Voters want to see Britain restored as a normal country

Jun 17, 2024 •

Philip Stephens

The spectre at the feast of Britain's election

The Conservatives cannot talk about Brexit. A Labour government cannot ignore it

Jun 3, 2024 •

Philip Stephens

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