| MIDDLEOFTHEROAD | Hero A, avoiding political extremes? (6-2-3-4) |
| ISOLATIONIST | Stalin is too crazy, following India in avoiding political links (12) |
| ISOLATIONISM | Policy of avoiding political entanglements with other countries (12) |
| PERIL | Danger of rising anger between political extremes (5) |
| LONER | Unsociable type, single, welcomA-ed by political extremes (5) |
| PLATFORM | Manifesto format manipulated by political extremes |
| NEARTOONESHEART | Much-loved sporting hero a teen star? No (4,2,4,5) |
| TOM | A turkey cock; a love apple's short name; a thumb-sized folk hero; a gib mate of a queen cat; or, a big chime (3) |
| MIDDLE | Location of hero, a moderate? (6,2,3,4) |
| ALIBABA | Mythical hero's a Liberal, to a degree (3,4) |
| SEALION | Naval hero, a natural swimmer (3-4) |
| MEGAMAN | Classic video game hero a.k.a. the Blue Bomber |
| OAR | Clutched by hero, a razor-sharp blade (3) |
| ACHILLEAN | Like a Greek hero, a South American chains rebel's foot (9) |
| NEAP | A regular event of one apt to avoid extremes? (4) |
| OBAMA | Nobelist in job, a man avoiding extremes? (5) |
| WETSUIT | At sea, use it in worst extremes? (3,4) |
| IVANKA | Trump - a terrible ruler? Okay if avoiding extremes? |
| JAMES | Author of Death Comes to Pemberley who also wrote a series of novels featuring poet-detective hero A |
| HORSEOPERA | Cowboy film makes hero a poser (5,5) |
