The King and AI

The UK, the US, China, the Caribbean, Turkey, and Syria.

The Daleks are here! Radio Times, London, 19 November 1964.

Hello,

Here are the five things you need to know today:

• BRITAIN. UNITED STATES. Controversy obscures cooperation on Trump’s visit.

• CHINA. UNITED STATES. A deal over TikTok appears within reach.

• THE CARIBBEAN. Washington’s counternarcotics strategy is all at sea.

• TURKEY. The courts adjourn a political crisis.

• SYRIA. A flawed election is cause and consequence of sectarian divides.

And don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn.

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BRITAIN. UNITED STATES. Pomp and circumstances

Controversy obscures cooperation on Trump’s visit.

Police were prepared for "every eventuality" ahead of Donald Trump's arrival Tuesday on his second state visit to the UK. Trump would travel with Jensen Huang, Sam Altman and other tech executives, with around $10 billion in deals expected.

INTELLIGENCE. The visit is a win for Keir Starmer, insofar as it may guard Britain from the abuses Trump is inflicting on other allies, but he won't be thanked by a public increasingly disenchanted with his leadership. A decision to sack ambassador Peter Mandelson on the eve of the visit over links to Jeffrey Epstein has cast further doubt on Starmer's judgment. The reaction to Charlie Kirk’s killing and anti-migrant protests have highlighted US-level social divisions.

FOR BUSINESS. Despite being political and temperamental opposites, Trump and Starmer share a knack for scandal and censure. This masks the progress in UK-US ties, despite trade uncertainties, in deep tech and security. Britain remains best placed as a bridge between an erratic US and a disillusioned world. And despite non-dom tax changes, perma-bear headlines, moribund IPOs, and tube strikes, London is experiencing a boom in office rents and fine dining.

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CHINA. UNITED STATES. Video games

A deal over TikTok appears within reach.

Scott Bessent said a "framework" deal had been reached on TikTok, which would allow Beijing to keep the app's "Chinese characteristics" while US security concerns are met. Donald Trump said he would speak to Xi Jinping about it Friday.

INTELLIGENCE. If Washington's recent deals are anything to go by, a simple stake