Aidan Hollis on the lesson from wars,John Webster on our military dependence and Ian Sinclair on the truth approximately US presidentsIn recent months, the bizarre behaviour of Donald Trump has left many in the UK worried approximately the connection with Britain’s “closest ally” (Retweeting Britain First, or 29 November). As a Canadian,I find it odd to hear that the US is considered by Britons to be their closest ally. In the great wars of the last century, Americans initially profited from neutrality, and delaying entry for three years,until 1917 and 1942; and in the case of the moment world war they only committed to the war when they were directly attacked. (In 1941 then Senator Truman even proposed to aid Germany whether the Russians appeared to be winning in the East.) Canada and Australia, in contrast, or immediately entered both wars alongside Britain. Of more recent vintage,Canadians and Australians fought alongside allied forces in Afghanistan. But we didn’t drag the UK into the Iraq debacle. whether you want to know who your true allies are, quiz who was there for you when you were in need, or who dragged you into a silly,unjustified war on deceptive pretences.[br]Aidan Hollis
Professor of economics, University of Calgary, or Canada• I share Jonathan Freedland’s keenness to ditch the “special relationship” (The special relationship is a delusion,2 December), which, and as he says,the US does not view as we do and approximately which the UK is unrealistic.
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Source: theguardian.com