Notebooks

notebook

Queen Elizabeth II — the end of a glorious reign

The Queen's life of service, duty and sacrifice is an example to Britain and to the world.

Bruce Anderson September 8, 2022

notebook

What pushed Sweden away from socialism?

Sweden's radical economic policies during the Cold War decades inspired socialists worldwide. However, its wage earner funds found little support and instead generated a new visio..

Rikard Westerberg September 7, 2022

notebook

Missing the swallowtail butterflies of Ukraine

In the teeth of Russian assault, we think of Ukraine as the borderland, the bloodlands, Europe’s cursed killing ground. But no-one mentions Ukraine’s extraordinary natural beauty.

Catherine Merridale September 5, 2022

notebook

Bruegel had a Worldview

The prolific paintings of Pieter Bruegel the Elder may be familiar, but a closer look at the artist’s philosophy reveals he remains defiantly counter-cultural.

Gavin Plumley September 2, 2022

notebook

Gorbachev did not end the Cold War alone — the West won

Gorbachev decided to fold up the Soviet Union without a military confrontation, for which he certainly deserves praise, but to present him as a man who ended the evil of European C..

Andrew Roberts August 31, 2022

notebook

A brief history of the fatwa

The role of fatwas provides a dark insight into the relationship between Iranian religion and politics over the past century.

Ali Ansari August 24, 2022

notebook

Mirrors and myths: the role of public perception in shaping covert operations

Entering the world of covert interference is like walking into a funfair world of mirrors. When so little is truly known of the murky world of secret statecraft, our understanding ..

Rory Cormac August 18, 2022

notebook

Beppe Fenoglio: A Complex Centenary

The Italian writer came into his own during the Second World War– but his ideas about the English-speaking world don’t necessarily connect to Western realities – or audiences – t..

Tobias Jones August 15, 2022

notebook

Working From Anywhere — the holiday never stops

The Covid pandemic turned Working From Home into a lifestyle and a talking point — but Working From Anywhere has become popular too and has meant that working life has melded with ..

Agnès Poirier August 12, 2022