Essays

essays

The enduring secret to Cyrus the Great’s success

Few ancient monarchs have enjoyed such a consistent positive reputation as Cyrus the Great. Perhaps it’s time to become reacquainted.

Ali Ansari August 22, 2023

essays

Three victories and a defeat

There is a spectre haunting American foreign affairs: the spectre of the successive victories of the Second World War, the Cold War, and globalisation. A period of renewal is neede..

Michael Auslin August 15, 2023

essays

Beware the Ides of August

World-altering events often happen in the middle of August. Is this a coincidence or is it something about the time of year?

Suzanne Raine August 7, 2023

essays

In pursuit of greatness: from Troy to Westminster

Foundation myths based on the lives of heroic figures are often used by leaders to affirm their own authority — but they can also inspire wider society.

Daisy Dunn August 4, 2023

essays

A real Russian heart: Aleksandr Dugin, Vladimir Putin and the dangerous new Russian ideology

Wars are fought with bullets and missiles, but they are also fought to advance philosophies, and ways of life. Russia understands this – the West must, too.

Michael Lucchese August 3, 2023

essays

The many worlds of Peter Brown

Arguably the greatest living historian, Peter Brown’s breathtaking achievements are marked by an embrace of chronological depth and geographical breadth.

Peter Sarris August 1, 2023

essays

The Bonn Summit and the road to globalisation

There is a direct line between the global vision of Jimmy Carter and Jim Callaghan and that of their successors and rivals, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.

Angus Reilly July 31, 2023

essays

Rewriting Spanish history, one song at a time

The popular appeal of Malinche, a musical that glorifies Hernán Cortés’ conquest of Mexico, is less a consequence of ideology than of nostalgia.

Duncan Wheeler July 25, 2023

essays

The new space race: Africa’s cosmic ambitions

Many African countries have embraced the high-tech space sector with gusto. As a result, innovation and inspiration is on the rise. Allowing organisations the chance to innovate – ..

Lukasz Bednarski July 24, 2023