KESARI LEAD STAR AKSHAY KUMAR ON HOW HIS PERIOD WAR DRAMA REFLECTS THE NEVER-GIVE-UP ATTITUDE OF SIKH SOLDIERS
by ASJAD NAZIR
Popular actor Akshay Kumar continues to show off his impressive range with new film Kesari.
The historical film, based on real-life events, revolves around the legendary battle of Saragarhi, which took place in 1897, in the Tirah region of the North-West Frontier Province, now in Pakistan It is regarded as one of the greatest last stands of all time, with 21 Sikh soldiers from the British Indian Army taking on 10,000 Afghan tribesmen in an uprising against colonial India.
The versatile actor has again transformed his look to take on the challenging role of a soldier leading a heroic fight. Eastern Eye caught up with the in-demand A-list star to talk about Kesari, his incredible work ethic, motivation and why this is the best phase of his career.
How are you still able to maintain such a high work rate and standard?
I’ve always maintained that if you love what you’re doing, you’ll never, for one moment, feel like you’re working. I’m driven by my passion for doing good work and that motivates me to work harder and faster. According to me, a film should not take more than 60 days to complete, maximum 70 days. I believe that if you and your team are efficient and productive at work, you can easily complete a good day’s job in eight hours and return
home at a good time, without compromising on quality.
How much does the fact that you are getting a variety of work help you?
Well, I think we all know that when I entered the film industry, I was stuck with the action hero tag for a very long time Having said that, I was genuinely grateful that I was able to carve out a niche for myself in the industry and for the opportunity to be a part of some interesting projects at the start of my career, albeit in action. But at the same time, this meant that as an artist, I was stuck in a rut, which is why you rarely saw me in any films in the romance, drama or comedy genres.
Why is that?
Sadly, no filmmaker would offer me roles in those genres. I kept working in the action genre for 14 years and there was no growth in my career until Hera Pheri came my way.
That early part of my career was a difficult phase to overcome, especially as I knew as an artist, I had barely touched the tip of the iceberg, but it was hard to break an image and challenge perceptions. Looking back though, I have no regrets as with every breakdown comes a breakthrough. I have learnt to persist, live an honest life and remember that come what may, I have my biggest anchors in life – my wife, children, mother and sister. That instinct to always press ahead comes from their belief and faith in me.
So would you agree that this is the best phase of your career?
Absolutely. The variety of projects that have come my way over the past few years has meant that I am most definitely living one of the most exciting periods in my career. I’m really enjoying my work and how it’s been received lately; there’s nothing more encouraging than when you want to do something more in this world and people around you support you. I tried to dabble in serious cinema a few times long ago, but those films were never really accepted by my audience. Now I feel people are ready to be involved in films that are more than just entertainers; they are hungry for films full of self-worth with something to sit up and admire. It really is an exciting time to experiment with what we can produce as an industry with India’s best interests at heart.
What did you like about Kesari?
I was amazed that Kesari was based on a true story, the battle of Saragarhi, which is forgotten and erased from our history. It’s the story of the bravest battle ever fought in history between 21 Sikh soldiers and 10,000 invaders in 18th century India. It’s a beautiful
story that is in honour of every martyr that has ever lived. The film depicts the bravery, values and valour of the Sikh regiment. It’s my first war drama and I was honoured to have had the opportunity to portray such an important role in the history of India.
How aware were you of the story before coming on board?
Very briefly, but I was not aware of the exact details which I think is the case with many
people today. That is why some call it the forgotten battle, as sadly it’s not something that
is taught in our curriculum.
Tell us about the film and your character?
Kesari is a true story about one of the bravest battles India ever fought, as I said. The film is a war drama that also touches on the never-give-up attitude of the Sikhs under any circumstances. I am so humbled to play one of the brave soldiers, Ishar Singh, who fought for our country and thankful to my director, Anurag Singh, and producers of the film for choosing me to showcase this story to the world.
What would you say was the biggest challenge of acting in this film?
The biggest challenge for me was to shoot in unbearable weather conditions, whether this was heat in Mumbai while wearing a heavy turban or shooting in high-altitude locales such as in Spiti, in the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. It was a grueling schedule, with a lot of intense action sequences, which was quite a challenge as it had to look real. But when you see the film and how scenic the locations are, and how well it all worked out, it was so worth it.
How much did you enjoy being back in a full-on action movie?
Kesari isn’t really an action film, but more of a period war drama that is intricately laced with high-voltage emotions. The action sequences are just examples of how those emotions are depicted on screen. When you see the action come to life on screen, you really get to experience those emotions and sentiments, which help you to empathise with those brave soldiers.
Which is your favourite moment in the movie?
There are many favourite moments; I could not possibly choose one. But many are related to the delivery of powerful dialogues that have stayed with me. They are some of the best dialogues of my career. Just reciting them gives me strength.
Did you learn anything new while working on the film?
The entire story was something worth knowing and learning about for sure. It gives you great courage and a sense of pride that’s immeasurable. Technically speaking, the action choreography was quite a challenge as we had to learn how to fight with traditional battle equipment. In 1897, the only weapons soldiers had were rifles, so you cannot shoot six bullets at once. You have to put in one bullet at a time, so that was something new we all had to learn.
Who are you hoping connects with the film?
The special thing about Kesari is that the narrative is transient. As I said, this film is an ode to every martyr that ever lived and died for their country. You become so involved with the characters and narrative that you forget Kesari is a period war drama. It’s much more than that. It’s about the human spirit, and how, in the face of adversity, you come together and gain inner strength to address any calamity. I believe the battle of Saragarhi is such a historic tale that not only the youth of India, but young people across the world also should know about the story, and what our forefathers have endured for our future. You have gone back in time for a few of your films.
Are there any other periods in history you want to explore?
Sure, I would love to make more movies like Kesari as it allows me to educate myself, my kids and my audience. India has such a rich history; I would love to explore the historical side of it further. In fact, I will soon be starting one called Prithviraj based on the life of Prithviraj Chauhan.
So how much of a history buff are you?
I was really bad in history, actually. I flopped in all my subjects except maths. I was a good
mathematician and have always been good with numbers. Since my film Gold, I have actually become even more interested in history, but while I do try to delve into some history now and again, I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a historian in any sense. Kesari looks like a Hollywood film.
Will you ever make that move to the west?
I enjoy watching Hollywood films, I admire certain actors from Hollywood and other countries too. For me the film industry per se is one huge family and we’re all interconnected in some shape or form. Our content has become global, as has our reach. I am very content with my work in India – it’s my first love and home. But I’m open to hear about projects on all sides of the pond.
Which of your forthcoming projects are you most excited about?
Each and every one of them in multiple ways. We recently did a launch for my new show The End with Amazon Prime, which I am extremely excited about, it is my first web series. I can’t wait to start rolling for this action-adventure series that will be an Amazon Original for global audiences. The digital world excites me, and I am delighted to make my streaming debut with this show. On this medium, I want to create something extraordinary and connect with the youth. I also have the fourth instalment of Housefull this Diwali, which is a complete laugh riot; Mission Mangal on August 15; and Good News on September 6. You will also see me in Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi, which will be released on Eid in 2020.
What kind of films and TV shows do you like as an audience member?
I really get a kick out of watching suspense thrillers and horror films and thanks to my son now, a lot of web-series.
How do you motivate yourself on days when you are feeling mentally and emotionally
tired?
Like I mentioned, when you love what you do and you are passionate about it, you look forward to going to work every day, and it doesn’t feel like work any more. So enjoy what you do and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Finally, why do you think we should watch Kesari?
Because it’s a true story, and it’s a forgotten and proud part of our history. It’s a story that needs to not only be heard, but also experienced for all its wonders. I genuinely believe the audience will connect with every scene and character. They will be filled with emotions and leave asking questions. And of course, because we as a team – the entire crew, the stellar cast including Parineeti (Chopra) – have put our heart and soul into this film. We hope we make those 21 brave Sikh soldiers proud with Kesari. It’s in their honour and we salute them.
RANI MAKES RETURNDoctor Who acclaimed actress Archie Panjabi added to her diverse body of work by playing the iconic villain Rani in the recently concluded series of Doctor Who. She reprised the role originally portrayed by Kate O’Mara decades ago. Unfortunately, the series – available on BBC iPlayer – has been plagued by problems and suffered plummeting ratings, largely due to poor storylines. As a result, Archie and fellow cast member Varada Sethu are unlikely to return in future episodes.
Doctor Who
SINDOOR SHOW
Although many interpreted Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wearing sindoor at the recent Cannes Film Festival as a nod to India’s strike on Pakistan, it may have held a more personal meaning. After months of speculation about a possible split from Abhishek Bachchan, the gesture appeared to reaffirm that her marriage remains strong. It followed her recent Instagram post sharing a happy photo with her husband and daughter.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
DEY’S LONDON DATE
Brilliant Indian bassist Mohini Dey will deliver one of this summer’s standout concerts at the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London on July 9. She has been unstoppable in recent years – releasing an acclaimed self-titled album in 2023 and collaborating with music legends such as Zakir Hussain, Quincy Jones and AR Rahman, as well as touring North America with Willow Smith. The only female bassist in MusicRadar’s Top 10 Bassists of the 21st Century, she promises a unique musical experience.
Mohini Dey
SHIVALI CASTS A SPELL
After being one of the leading lights of devotional music, Shivali launched a bold new chapter in her artistic journey with the sold-out one-woman show Queen of Wands in London last month. This powerful solo performance brought her spoken word album to life through a dynamic blend of music, poetry, storytelling, immersive visuals and diverse themes. The British talent received a standing ovation for the thought-provoking and relatable show. Shivali said: “The experience was sublime, a different kind of feeling. I discovered I’m allegedly a comedian. It was one woman, but I had the backing of a team that rivals Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. We are just starting conversations to take the show forward – and New York might be the first stop. More will be revealed soon.”
Queen of Wands
DISAPPEARING TV DRAMAS
While most people in India can cope with Pakistani celebrity social media accounts disappearing, the inability to watch drama serials from across the border has not gone down as well. The ongoing conflict has led to streaming platforms and YouTube channels blocking access to episodes of hit Pakistani dramas like Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum.
Although tech-savvy viewers have found ways around the restrictions, others are being forced to seek alternative shows to binge-watch.
Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum
DUD-LOOKING HISTORICAL
Riteish Deshmukh has unveiled the first-look poster of his passion project Raja Shivaji, which he is writing, directing, starring in, and releasing in multiple languages.
Unfortunately for him, the historical drama – based on the life of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – features a line-up of past their-prime co-stars that audiences no longer seem interested in, including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Genelia Deshmukh and Bhagyashree.
Deshmukh’s inexperience as a filmmaker will only add to the challenges Raja Shivaji faces ahead of its scheduled release on May 1, 2026. The only stone-cold certainty is that – like several recent Bollywood films about historical rulers – it will probably distort facts and lean heavily into jingoism.
Raja Shivaj
JINXED KAIF SISTER
After more than a decade of trying – and failing – to find her footing in Bollywood, it may be time for Isabelle Kaif to read the room. Her 2022 film Time To Dance vanished without a trace, and just as she was supposed to get a long-delayed ‘break’ with the clumsily titled Suswagatam Khushamdeed, that too disappeared. A lack of interest led to the film being quietly pulled from a recent cinema release without explanation. Perhaps the producers finally realised they were throwing good money after bad. Being Katrina Kaif’s younger sister might have opened a few doors for Isabelle, but it clearly has not been enough to turn her into a star. It may be time for her to reconsider her career path entirely – whether that means working behind the scenes or stepping away from Hindi cinema altogether. At the very least, she needs to make smarter choices and find better people to advise her.
Suswagatam Khushamdeed
COPYWOOD KHAN
Promotions for Sitare Zameen Par are in full swing ahead of its release on June 20. Lead star and producer Aamir Khan will be hoping Bollywood audiences avoid watching the Spanish original Campeones, which his comedy-drama is a remake of. That 2018 film – along with its 2023 American remake Champions – is available on streaming platforms.
Social media users have already begun drawing comparisons between the original and scenes from the trailer, which could make it harder for June’s big Bollywood release to succeed. This does not bode well for Khan, who has a lot riding on his not-so-original film after two major failures – Thugs of Hindostan and Laal Singh Chaddha.
Sitare Zameen Par
ARIJIT SET FOR STADIUM SHOW.
Tickets are now available for Arijit Singh’s upcoming concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 5. This landmark event will be the biggest show ever headlined by a South Asian artist outside India – a testament to the singer’s global appeal.
The unassuming star is looking forward to returning to London. He said: “I’m just an ordinary person who happens to sing, and I’m incredibly humbled that I have the opportunity to share my songs and perform in London again. If that means I make history, then I will be very blessed.
“It makes me happy when the world sings my songs with me, and my London fans are the absolute best.” This milestone adds to Arijit’s remarkable list of achievements, including being the most followed artist on Spotify and featuring on Ed Sheeran’s forthcoming single Sapphire. It also marks a major moment for show organisers TCO Group and Vijay Bhola’s Rock On Music.
Arijit Singh
SNEHA SHANKAR IS JUST SENSATIONAL
I was really impressed with Indian Idol 15 finalist Sneha Shankar after watching her make her UK stage debut. The gifted 19-year-old has incredible versatility – ranging from the raw power of Sufi sensation Jyoti Nooran to the gentle finesse of Bollywood music queen Shreya Ghoshal. Although she did not win the reality TV show, her multi-layered vocals could turn her into a future superstar, if paired with the right songs. It is no surprise she secured a lucrative contract with India’s biggest record label, T-Series. She is destined for greatness.
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Priya Mulji with participants at a Thailand retreat
I turned 43 recently, and it was the best birthday of my life. Special for so many reasons. For the first time since my twenties, I spent my birthday abroad. (In case you were wondering – Phuket, Thailand.)
Last year, I impulsively booked myself onto my friend Urvashi’s mind, body and soul expansion experience. Since then, life has taken some unexpected turns – including being made redundant from my day job – so this trip could not have come at a better time.
Before leaving, I was apprehensive. I had never been to East Asia. Would I like it? Would I get on with the other women? Should I really be going on a two-week trip without a job? What vaccinations would I need? Would the street food give me Delhi belly?
I need not have worried. Within the first day, all my fears melted away. The group of women on the trip were inspiring – each there for her own reasons – and across the week, I connected with them in unique and beautiful ways.
We ranged in age from 37 to 53. Some of us were single, others married with grown-up children. Some were high-flying execs, others unemployed.
But there was no sense of hierarchy – no “I’m better than you.” Just acceptance.
It was a trip of firsts. I got up at 5.30am on my birthday to do a four-kilometre mountain hike to see the Big Buddha. I got in a kayak and floated in the middle of the ocean, despite being a terrible swimmer. I took a Thai cooking class and finally learned how to make some of my favourite dishes.
But the biggest lesson from this impactful trip was this: it is so important to find people who bring good energy, who listen without judgment. Surround yourself with those who offer wisdom and support, not force their opinions on you. Who remind you that you are respected. That you are loved.
For anyone feeling lost, unloved, or unsure of how to navigate life, know that your tribe might be out there, waiting to meet you in the most unexpected of places. I found a new sisterhood in just one week. So take a chance. Step out of your comfort zone. Do something you never imagined doing.
I will leave you with the words of Usha, who was on the trip: “We are all devis in our own way.” I dedicate this column to Jaymini, Leena, Nina, Usha, Iram and Rinku – for helping me in ways they may never fully understand.
And to my darling Urvashi, thank you for bringing us all together. You created magic. You gave me the best birthday gift I could ever have asked for.
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Britain faces challenges in changing attitudes around diversity
IT HAS been five years since the biggest anti-racism protests in a generation – but how far did they have a lasting legacy?
The protests across America after the murder of George Floyd spread to Britain too. There was no central organisation, nor a manifesto of demands, as students and sixth formers took to the streets.
This was the time of the Covid pandemic in which two-thirds of NHS staff who had tragically lost their lives were ethnic minorities. But placards declaring “racism is the real pandemic” risked mixing metaphors to deadly effect. So the Covid context reinforced a generational divide.
The UK protests of 2020 were a cross-ethnic movement primarily of black, Asian and white young people – though there were many older armchair supporters. Indeed, a third of ethnic minority Britons felt they had participated, primarily by voicing online support.
The Black British are four per cent of the population, compared to 13 per cent in America – about a quarter of visible minorities in the UK. Most of the larger British Asian group felt supportive of the anti-racism protests too. Cricketer Azeem Rafiq felt it was why his challenge to racism in Yorkshire cricket finally cut through.
The protests mobilised – and polarised. Online arguments were especially heated, but offline conversations could be more thoughtful. Quite a few people were in listening mode that summer.
Britain is not America was the core point for those critical of the protests – yet I found those who took part often quick to acknowledge that. America’s gun problem gave racism in policing a different intensity of urgent threat. But too much focus on transatlantic differences could underpin complacency about real challenges to face up to in Britain too.
Once the statue of Edward Colston was pulled down in Bristol on June 7, history and statues became a central theme. A year later, ahead of Euro 2021, footballers taking the knee became the symbolic focal point.
Boris Johnson’s government commissioned a review of ethnic disparities, but the Sewell report generated a starkly polarised debate with its optimistic counter-narrative about Britain leading the world.
The argument was about language – what it meant to be ‘institutionally racist’ – with the report’s incremental proposals on issues such as curriculum reform, policing data and online hatred barely discussed.
As the pattern of opportunities and outcomes on race in Britain becomes more complex than ever, the politics seems ever more binary. The Tories chose three more leaders – our first Asian prime minister, who preferred that not to be noticed too much; and the party’s first black British leader, a vocal critic of all things ‘woke’.
In opposition, Sir Keir Starmer declared the protests a ‘defining moment’ and issued an awkward photograph of himself taking the knee in his office alongside his deputy leaders.
Efforts to weaponise that image against him fell rather flat.
Labour pledged a new race equality act but tried to say as little as it could about race. The party had an electoral strategy of taking ethnic minorities for granted – a product of its exclusive geographical focus on the people and places who were not already Labour.
Shedding minority votes on both its left and right flank complicated the party’s nascent thinking about whether or how to respond.
In government, the party was reluctant to draw attention to its legislative pledge. It is now consulting on those measures so quietly that very few people have noticed.
Beyond one strong Starmer passage about last summer’s racist riots at the Labour conference, no leading voice in this government has found an appetite or voice to make a substantial argument about race, opportunity or identity in Britain today.
The anti-racism protests galvanised but polarised. It is the identity politics of Donald Trump which set America’s agenda now – ironically taking affirmative action to absurd lengths, but only for deeply unqualified Trump loyalists. Because Britain is not America, most people would reject emulating the Trump effort to repeal any mention of diversity or inclusion here.
But finding forward momentum is more challenging.
Those suspicious of the sincerity of corporate declarations of support for the Black Lives Matter movement felt vindicated by their flipping as the political weather changed.
UK corporations are often seeking to continue work on inclusion while side-stepping polarised political controversies. National charities lag behind the public and private sector.
That patchy response may explain why one institutional legacy of the protests is the effort of high-profile black Britons, such as Lewis Hamilton, Raheem Sterling and Stormzy, to create their own foundations.
Five years on, the legacy can be hard to discern. The core message of the anti-racism protests in Britain was that the progress we have made on race has not met the rising expectations of the next generation.
It will take more confidence among institutions of political, economic and cultural power about how to act as well as talk about race and inclusion – or those rising expectations risk remaining frustratingly unmet.
Sunder Katwala is the director of thinktank British Future and the author of the book How to Be a Patriot: The must-read book on British national identity and immigration.
Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani has returned to his stand-up comedy roots with a major tour of his show Doing This Again. He is set to perform at Union Chapel in London on September 20. Once the tour concludes, the stand-up special will stream on a major platform. The multi-talented star also has several upcoming projects, including roles in the high-profile films Ella McCay, The Wrong Girls and Driver’s Ed.
Kumail Nanjiani
DYNAMIC DRESS
Unlike most Indian celebrities who wear expensive designer gowns on the Cannes red carpet, Simran Balar Jain chose to do things differently. The social media influencer wore a striking outfit featuring a symbolic silhouette of one woman lifting another. Her hand-sculpted gold metal corset, made from recycled materials, conveyed a powerful message of collective empowerment and sisterhood. She also shared engaging behind-the-scenes vlogs from the film festival.
Simran Balar Jain
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOILER
The Sixth Sense (1999), directed by M. Night Shyamalan, was a spectacular success thanks to its unexpected twist ending. If the film were released today, it would not have had the same impact – social media users would have quickly given away the big surprise. Bollywood comedy Housefull 5, like many modern-day murder mystery films, is likely to face a similar problem when it is released next Friday (6).
Within hours, social media users, vloggers and influencers will reveal the identity of the murderer, which will undermine one of the film’s main selling points
Mumtaz
STREAMING SITE STINKER
It is utterly tragic to see how Netflix has become a dumping ground for substandard Indian content. Whether it is acquiring disastrous box office failures or greenlighting dreadful original productions, the clueless streaming platform seems to attract horrid Indian projects. A prime example is the recently premiered series The Royals, which is shockingly poor. The cringeworthy drama, headlined by Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter, is best avoided.
Five years from now
BAD BOLLYWOOD IDEA
Instead of using their platform to call for peace, most celebrities in India and Pakistan have either remained silent or acted as cheerleaders for bombings that have claimed lives on both sides of the border. Some C-listers in both countries have even used the ongoing conflict to generate cheap publicity. Perhaps the worst response has come from those already looking to cash in on what is ultimately a human tragedy. Bollywood producers and stars rushed to register the title Operation Sindoor and now plan to profit from a film named after India’s missile strike on Pakistan. If past films are any indication, the conflict will likely be exaggerated on screen, featuring caricatured villains and misinformation – further inflaming tensions rather than promoting understanding.
Janhvi Kapoor
PHALKE FILM BIOPIC
The dream team of actor Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani will reunite – after record-breaking hits PK and 3 Idiots – for a biopic on the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke. The film will trace his journey towards making India’s first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913. Meanwhile, acclaimed director SS Rajamouli is planning a separate film on the same subject, with superstar NTR Jr in the lead role. This follows the 2009 award-winning Marathi film Harishchandrachi Factory, which was India’s official entry for the Academy Awards.
Dadasaheb Phalke
HOLLYWOOD BUBBLE BURST
For Indian celebrities, it often seems that anything made in America is labelled a Hollywood project – even when it has no connection to a major studio. That is why reports of Kangana Ranaut making her “Hollywood debut” with the forthcoming film Blessed Be the Evil are rather absurd. A closer look reveals that it is an independent production, co-written and directed by the relatively inexperienced Anurag Rudra. Ranaut will reportedly star alongside a couple of Z-listers in this psychological horror drama. The only genuinely entertaining aspect of this film might be watching the clueless individuals bankrolling it eventually discover just how notoriously difficult Kangana is to work with. That is why I predict this project will either be shelved or flop badly — if it ever gets completed at all.
Kangana Ranaut
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Diplomacy competes for attention in a crowded news cycle.European Council president Antonio Costa, Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen with members of the Royal Navy in central London last Monday (19), during a summit aimed at resetting UK–EU ties
THERE is just too much news. The last month probably saw more than a year’s worth of events in more normal times – a new Pope in Rome, continued war in Ukraine, escalating conflict in Gaza, and the relief of India and Pakistan agreeing a ceasefire after a fortnight of conflict.
Domestic and global events that might once have dominated the news for a week can now come and go within hours. The biggest-ever fall in net migration – 2024’s figure half of 2023’s, according to Office for National Statistics data released last Thursday (22) – did not even get a brief mention on any of last Friday (23) morning’s newspaper front pages. It would have been a very different story if net migration had doubled, not halved, but falling immigration risks becoming something of a secret.
On the same evening as the UK-EU ‘reset’ summit, the UK government issued its strongest criticism of Israel in living memory. A joint statement with Canada and France described conditions in Gaza as ‘intolerable’, the language of Israeli ministers as ‘abhorrent’, and its expanded military operation as ‘egregious’. Germany did not join the trio, yet Chancellor Merz’s explanation that Germany would exercise more restraint in its criticism of Israel than others, for historical reasons – made his own calm but stark warning about breaching international humanitarian law more striking.
Israel had strong diplomatic support after the October 7 Hamas attack, but has never been this isolated. The administration of US president Donald Trump has not joined the public criticism, but is much cooler to Benjamin Netanyahu than in Trump’s first term, with sharp private clashes over diplomacy versus war with Iran.
Trump’s second term has turned the Oval Office into a reality politics show, giving the president the ‘main character’ energy he craves. He is at war with the courts and universities at home, last week seeking to ban all international students from Harvard.
America’s allies must second-guess his impulsive unilateralism on security and trade. The February clash with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky sent shockwaves around the world. Trump is now frustrated that conceding so much to Russian president Vladimir Putin achieved nothing – except losing leverage. Repeating the trick last week, ambushing South African president Cyril Ramaphosa with fabricated footage of a racist conspiracy theory about the genocide of white farmers, had a weary familiarity. There was sympathy for Ramaphosa at home and abroad. Trump lacks any evident tariff strategy, simply hiking and suspending rates to maintain surprise. Business expects little stability while the Trump presidential gameshow runs.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has the opposite instincts and personality to Trump, believing in a rules-based world order – both on principle and in Britain’s enlightened self-interest as a middle power. Starmer’s challenge is to show that cooperation can work – for security, trade and boats in the Channel too. Whitehall sees progress in a volatile world in the trade deal with India, mitigating some of Trump’s car tariffs at least, while prioritising the UK-EU reset.
The ‘Brexit betrayal’ headlines had little impact on public opinion, where there is broad pragmatic permission to pursue closer UK-EU ties within current ‘red line’ commitments – ruling out single market membership, at least this parliament, to avoid a return to Brexit trenches.
Despite fierce clashes at Westminster over the value and cost of the Chagos Treaty, that seemed one controversy too many for most people to process.
The Starmer government’s juggling of events saw its biggest domestic Uturn, heeding criticism of its plan to means-test the winter fuel allowance for pensioners.
The irony is that this became the government’s most famous decision because chancellor Rachel Reeves did not just include it in her first budget, but led with it as a symbol of ‘tough choices’ for fiscal responsibility. Backbench pressure to reduce child poverty by scrapping the twochild cap on welfare has been accepted too. These U-turns send the government back to the drawing board after its first year.
This summer and autumn, it must not only revise plans for spending and taxation, but also articulate a public narrative – a strategy that explains what the government’s choices amount to, and why. A comparative strength of populist insurgents is that they offer a simpler story about a complex world than their mainstream rivals.
News fatigue is rising across countries, according to Reuters Institute research conducted over the past decade. Around four in 10 people are avoiding the news – for a variety of reasons. If everything, everywhere, all at once remains the theme of politics and global affairs, the risk is more people will simply switch off.
Sunder Katwala
Sunder Katwala is the director of thinktank British Future and the author of the book How to Be a Patriot: The must-read book on British national identity and immigration.