Essays

Long-form writing from leading scholars and commentators on history, statecraft, warfare, philosophy and culture.

William Blake depicts Elohim creating Adam.
essays

The visionary potential of the Biblical legacy

Although often cast as a barrier to progress, religion has made an invaluable contribution to developing political thought.

Jayne Svenungsson December 14, 2022
Costume design for a production of Antigone.
essays

The many meanings of Anouilh’s Antigone

The French playwright Jean Anouilh's retelling of the Antigone myth was claimed as inspiration by both the Resistance and Vichy supporters. But who was the real Antigone?

Marie Daouda December 7, 2022
Soviet poster of a tank on Red Square.
essays

Information war does not exist

In the Cold War the Kremlin tried to convince foreign audiences its disinformation campaigns were real, today the aim seems to be different.

Peter Pomerantsev December 6, 2022
Winston Churchill during the Second World War.
essays

Winston Churchill, arch-pragmatist

Painting the wartime premier only as an heroic anti-appeaser overlooks the many diplomatic ploys he used to disarm a dangerous world.

Patrick Porter November 29, 2022
Great Wall of China
essays

Gazing back to see China’s future

We must study the centuries-long history that has forged the DNA of Chinese political thinking and make it part of our conversations about China today.

Roel Sterckx November 28, 2022
A scene from the novel Kidnapped, illustration by Robert Louis Stevenson.
essays

Robert Louis Stevenson knew about guerrilla warfare

Skullduggery, tension and thrilling chases - Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson is both one of the great Scottish novels and a compelling account of unconventional warfare.

Suzanne Raine November 24, 2022
Reichstag, Berlin, Germany. Credit: Jeremy Graham / Alamy Stock Photo.
essays

Germany in Europe: the engine that couldn’t

As the EU's largest and richest member, Germany is desperate to make a success of the European project. Why is it reluctant to take a position of real leadership?

Josef Joffe November 22, 2022
Nuclear weapons test, July 1946. Credit: Niday Picture Library / Alamy Stock Photo.
essays

Great Power competition is going nuclear again

Seen by many as the best option to maintain peace in Europe during the Cold War, deterrence did not sit well with many of those it was designed to protect.

Wyn Bowen November 18, 2022
Margaret Thatcher in China in 1984 signing the Hong Kong accord.
essays

How to negotiate with China

When Margaret Thatcher signed a treaty to hand Hong Kong back to China, it was a diplomatic tour de force which served the city’s people well for decades. It was also an unsung vic..

Michael Sheridan November 10, 2022

Download The Engelsberg
Ideas app

The world in your pocket. The app brings together – in one place – our essays, reviews, notebooks, and podcasts.

Download here

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play