Abroad in America: "Why does it cost so much (insert a word of extreme choice) money to get elected to a job?"

"Looking beyond Trump's apparent faults and including the support of the evangelical movement, what do they see in him to entrust their hopes to him? Do they believe that he can deliver something to them that no one else can, or is it just that people are so fed up with politics and politicians that it's Is a black eye to try to change the "system"? – Brent Smith, Ireland, originally from New Zealand

A number of readers have sent comments and similar questions, reflecting a perception shared by the Liberals abroad who have been mystified and sometimes dismayed by the recent events in the United States. This is especially true in Canada and the countries of the European Union, two convinced allies who have been treated with unexpected contempt by the President.

These questions are so fundamental and profound – they speak so directly about what many Americans hear when we talk to non-Americans – that I do not think I can answer them without help. So I'll turn it over to another reader, Barry Alexander from Jackson, Tennessee, who wrote about Mr. Trump and his appeal:

"The president is very different from everyone else in the modern era. Everyone should do their best to separate their "style" and "personality" from their policies and proposals. I would not like to tweet as it does, nor campaign in the country, and many other style attributes.

The president also has a style of politics that works today. It may not please you or me, but he has beaten a lot of Republicans, and of course Hillary Clinton as well. He is quite predictable, he will almost always hold his policy promises or, if he needs Congress, try to hold them. It gives priority to our country and, in my opinion, does not really care if we are popular around the world. In fact, if we are popular, it means to me that they benefit from us. "

There is a lot to discuss here. Please retain questions and comments at [email protected].

Media and dissident Saudi dissident

It is obvious that Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident Saudi journalist who entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul a few weeks ago, had a horribly horrible event and never left.

But, that he was drugged, tortured, killed and dismembered with a bone saw, as many sources say, the non-reappearance of Mr. Khashoggi has created a very unpleasant problem for the United States. Saudi Arabia is the country's largest ally, trading partner and arms recipient in the Middle East, and a key player in the campaign against Iran, angered by the president.