Essays

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

A construction worker in Washington, 1962, framed by the Capitol Building

American democracy can help fix America’s broken society

Political, economic and cultural power is concentrated in a new national oligarchy that creates resentment. Responsible leadership, of the kind seen in the mid-20th century, is nee..

Michael Lind January 20, 2021

This cartoon depicts a sorrowful Britannia laying a wreath on Abraham Lincoln's shrouded body. From Punch May 6, 1865

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How the idea of America changed Britain

A land of promise, economic might, uncouth citizens and brutal slavery - there was no one image of America in 19th and early 20th century Britain.

Kathleen Burk January 18, 2021

George Blake died in Moscow, his country of exile.

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Traitorous Blake motivated by Cold War convictions

George Blake, who died last month at the age of 98, was a Soviet double agent defined by his dangerous loyalty not to money, nor homeland, but to ideological principle.

Calder Walton & Christopher Andrew January 15, 2021

Caricature of European political relations titled 'John Bull and his friends, a serio-comic map of Europe' showing the Russian Empire as an octopus with tentacles reaching into Asia, France and Spain as attractive women, while Germany and Great Britain are military commanders, 1900. Illutsration by Frederick W. Rose.

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The Empire strikes back

The 19th century culminated in an extraordinary period of national jingoism as film, the popular press and photography inspired European nations to jockey for imperial dominance.

Lawrence James January 15, 2021

First World War Commanders looking at a battle plan. Painting by Francois Flameng (1856-1923), 1916. Army Museum, Paris.

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The forgotten lessons of First World War strategy

The First World War fundamentally altered our understanding of strategy - we should heed the insights of the era's leading thinkers and generals.

Hew Strachan January 8, 2021

Poet and novelist, Oscar Wilde, (1854-1900), in his typical costume of a velvet robe and black silk stockings. Wilde was one of the leading dandies of the Victorian era

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On dandyism

Whenever societies sink into decadence and decline, the ever fascinating figure of the dandy is swift to emerge.

Melanie Grundmann January 5, 2021

Soviet-era anti-American poster of prison bars created out of the crown of the Statue of Liberty

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Inside the disinformation forever war

Russian 'active measures', including election meddling, disinformation and influence operations, were as common throughout the Cold War as they are today.

Calder Walton December 18, 2020