Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Miliband set for Rubio meeting amid Trump fury at his appointment as Foreign Secretary
Ed Miliband is set to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila, a day after reports emerged that the Trump administration was furious over his appointment as Foreign Secretary by new prime minister Andy Burnham. The meeting, on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers' summit, marks Miliband's international debut in the role, amid warnings that Donald Trump has not forgotten past criticism from the former Labour leader, including a 2016 remark branding him "a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper".
At the summit, Miliband urged calm over the escalating Iran-US conflict, saying Britain would "work intensively with others" to de-escalate tensions and find a diplomatic solution, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz. His comments came as Trump threatened on Truth Social to "bomb and destroy" a bridge or power plant in Iran, including near Tehran, each time Iran fires on a ship in the strait, following renewed US strikes and an Iranian missile attack on Aqaba, Jordan, which Jordan's military said it partly intercepted.
In short
- Miliband to meet Rubio in Manila amid US anger at his appointment
- Trump reportedly still resents past insults from Miliband
- Miliband calls for de-escalation as Trump threatens Iran strikes
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Diplomatic engagement and multilateral coordination offer the most realistic path to preventing catastrophic escalation in a strategically vital region. Military responses risk triggering broader conflict that could destabilise the entire Middle East, cause immense humanitarian suffering, and disrupt global shipping and the world economy. Sustained dialogue, even with historically adversarial partners, can achieve concrete security outcomes, as demonstrated by previous international agreements.
The case against
Repeated Iranian attacks demonstrate that diplomatic overtures are interpreted as weakness and invite further aggression. A credible willingness to respond forcefully to attacks on shipping and regional allies is essential for deterrence and protecting vital interests. Iran has consistently used negotiations to advance its military capabilities whilst stalling, and showing resolve through demonstrated consequences is more likely to achieve meaningful behavioural change than appeals for restraint.
Explained simply
The Foreign Secretary is the British government’s senior diplomat, responsible for relations with other countries. Ed Miliband took the post after Andy Burnham became prime minister, and the meeting with Marco Rubio is an early test of how the new government will work with the United States.
Rubio is the US Secretary of State and a leading figure in Donald Trump’s administration. Trump has previously criticised Miliband over remarks he made about him, so their past exchanges may shape the political atmosphere around the meeting.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea route used by ships carrying much of the world’s oil. Tensions between the US and Iran matter to countries beyond the region because disruption there could affect shipping, energy supplies and wider security.
Entertainment Middle East Music Politics World