The Art Of Politics February: Who Had War On Their 2026 Bingo Card?
by Richard Bruton
Welcome, once more, to the Art of Politics, where the finest political cartoonists around proved just how sharp their pens are…
So, where to start? Well, where do you think? Yes, time for war…
[I’m breaking a rule here, seeing as this Art of Politics won’t be up until a few days into March, I’m including various cartoons from the beginning of the month to cover the breaking news over the new US-Iran war]
Jason White summing up one reason for Trump’s attack on Iran: WAR, WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? WELL, TRUMP’S RATINGS IN THE MID-TERMS PERHAPS…
Yes, happening right at the end of the month, we had the US and Israel attacking Iran. Trump very definitely isn’t calling it a war. But to those involved, it must feel very much like it. We’ve already seen many, many deaths, both on the ground in Iran and in the countries of the region that Iran retaliates against, including US military deaths. And the body count will just grow.
First off, PX Molina striking a note reminding us of the horrors of the Iranian regime…
Next, Rebecca Hendin‘s cartoon a couple of days before the start of things, as the reports of the US-Iran nuclear talks getting close to agreement proved a little off…
Ann Telnaes – Operation Epic Distraction
ET TU, SUPREME COURT — OVERTURNING THE TARIFFS…
Morten Morland a few days before the firing started, referencing the Supreme Court’s overturning of Trump’s tariffs, but foreshadowing the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei just days later.
And while on the subject of the Supreme Court saying no to the Trump tariffs — Dave Rowe
(WHAT A) STATE OF THE UNION…
Mr President stood up and rambled for the longest State of the Union address in history. Summary – ‘Everything’s great, and I’m the bestest of all time.’
MASS MEDIA EVENTS — THE BAD BUNNY SUPERBOWL AND THE MELANIA DOCUMENTARY…
Earlier in the month, Bad Bunny stormed the Super Bowl halftime show, giving us a show that spoke to all that America could and should be.
And, in the opposite corner, we had the Melania documentary. Or, more likely, a political bribe from Jeff Bezos to gain favour in the White House. Let’s just say it hasn’t exactly recouped the money that Amazon paid for it.
Ella Baron on the Bunny Bowl…
Ella Baron on the journalistic layoffs and the power of Bezos…
THE EPSTEIN FILES – BRITAIN 2: USA 0
Well, the Epstein Files just continue to rumble on, doesn’t it? And quite rightly so. People should be brought to book for what they did. But, thus far, the only casualties have both come from the UK. Funny that… almost as though somewhere in the corridors of money and power in the USA, there’s plans in place to keep certain folks out of it.
President Trump’s comment after being asked if associates of Epstein could be arrested in the U.S.:
‘Well, you know, I’m the expert in a way, because I’ve been totally exonerated. That’s very nice.’
Dave Rowe on the contrast between those in the UK and in the USA in the glare of the Epstein files…
And more Dave Rowe from earlier in the month…
KAL…
Now, to the two high profile names that have fallen — in the UK at least…
There was the continuing downfall of Andrew, formerly known as Prince. Yes, Andrew Mountbatton Windsor (and how it must bite him to be referred to by that title) first had to suffer more revelations, followed by his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office regarding sharing confidential documents with Epstein. And then, there was Peter Mandelson, former Labour Party fixer under Tony Blair, then Cabinet Secretary, and more recently appointed UK Ambassador to the USA by Keir Starmer. Well, he had the ambassadorship stripped from him, and then he, too, was arrested under suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Now, all we need now is for the US to start doing similar.
First, Andrew Mountbatton Windsor…
Then Peter Mandelson…
AND HOW DOES THIS AFFECT PRIME MINISTER STARMER? WELL, IT’S NEVER GOOD…
Well, as usual, it appears that Keir Starmer’s reign is one absolutely blighted by failure and catastrophe. And there are local elections in May where, it wouldn’t be too hard to predict, Labour will take a kicking.
Martin Rowson on the blight of Mandelson on the Labour rose…
AND LINING UP TO TAKE POWER IN THE UK… OH, BOY…
All of Labour’s ills are manna from heaven to Reform, where ex-Tories find their home, as private school-educated, ex-commodities traders in the City, ex-MEP, architect of Brexit, founder of UKIP and now Reform, Nigel Farage, ‘man of the people,’ is just loving it all.
And if it’s not the racists populating Reform who get the wins, there might be a surprising upsurge in the Green vote, with early indications of green shoots coming through perhaps, starting with by-election win in Gorton and Denton for the Greens by plumber Hannah Spencer…
AND FINALLY — THERE’S OTHER WARS CONTINUING…
They’ve fallen out of the headlines, perhaps, but the world is still full of plenty of wars and conflicts. It’s just that a certain President appears bored by those…
Stephen Lillie on the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine…
