News bulletins are going 'off-ramp'An expression that is being used with increasing frequency in recent news reports, particularly concerning the goings on in the Middle East, is "off-ramp". Switch on the TV and it won't be long before a "talking head" will be authoritatively discussing "off-ramp" opportunities. Another expression we can expect to hear from leading politicians is "the situation is fluid" which sounds a lot more reassuring than "I have no idea what's going on". On BBC Radio's Desert Island Discs he admitted, "The best thing about writing books is being at a party and telling some pretty girl you write books. Remember where you areThere is a scene from the splendid political satire Dr Strangelove (1964) that has a certain relevance to what's going on in the world at the moment.

Source: Bangkok Post March 21, 2026 23:32 UTC