The News List by Vicky Smith

Iran, Trump and the limits of the 'special relationship'

The Islamic Republic is in a battle for survival, and is counting on making this war as expensive as possible for America and its allies.

Mar 5 • Vicky Smith

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February 2026

The internet got the BAFTAs Tourette’s controversy wrong

We can have compassion for the men on stage who will have been offended hearing that racial slur, and show the same to John Davidson, who has no control…

Feb 26 • Vicky Smith

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Europe still needs America, but no longer trusts it

Behind the friendly words at Munich, European leaders wrestled with a new reality that America cannot remain indispensable to their future.

Feb 19 • Vicky Smith

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Why King Charles' “unprecedented actions” are not enough

Thoughts for the victims and incremental measures to sanction Andrew won't make Epstein scandal go away.

Feb 12 • Vicky Smith

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Could the Jeffrey Epstein scandal bring down Keir Starmer?

Jaw-dropping revelations from the Epstein files exposed Peter Mandelson's betrayal of country and party, and the rot could spread to Starmer.

Feb 5 • Vicky Smith

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January 2026

Trump tries to reboot ICE strategy amid public outcry

Will the president seek to save his own skin by throwing senior officials under the bus?

Jan 29 • Vicky Smith

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What next after Trump's Greenland TACO?

Is it time for Britain to follow the EU and take a tougher stance with Trump? Or should they just get used to the psychodrama?

Jan 22 • Vicky Smith

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Is this it for the Iranian regime?

Plus how the Minneapolis ICE shooting has exposed the depth of the US political divide.

Jan 15 • Vicky Smith

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Is Trump really going to invade Greenland?

Plus catching you up on the big stories this week & thoughts on the Stranger Things finale (spoilers!).

Jan 8 • Vicky Smith

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A look at the year ahead

What's in store for 2026, plus the everything you need to know about the Alaa Abd El-Fattah controversy.

Jan 1 • Vicky Smith

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December 2025

What the Bondi Beach attack tells us about antisemitism today

Terror attack shows us the rise of antisemitism means that when Jews are murdered, sympathy is conditional and blame is up for debate.

Dec 18, 2025 • Vicky Smith

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Immigration, Ukraine and the unravelling of the transatlantic pact

European leaders decry Trump's stance on Europe, while moving closer to his way of thinking on migration.

Dec 11, 2025 • Vicky Smith

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