Notebooks

Notebooks are snapshots from our writers, reflecting on current affairs and underappreciated aspects of culture and history.

The media centre at the latest BRICS summit.

notebook

The BRICS+: rebels without a common cause

The BRICS+ summit in New Delhi revealed an enlarged forum pulled in three directions by China, Russia and India.

Ved Shinde September 15, 2026

A US dollar bill next to declining economic figures.

notebook

The AI trade is too big not to fail

More than $3.1 trillion has gone into American AI, much of it financed by debt pinned to unproven revenues. The industry may find that the only road to its prosperity runs through ..

David Roche September 14, 2026

Elena Rybakina during the trophy ceremony after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the Women's Finals at the US Open.

notebook

Tennis and the decline of Russian soft power

The US Open was dominated by players with Russian and Soviet roots. Almost none of them played under a Russian flag, another sign of the country's declining influence.

Daniel Peris September 14, 2026

Ulf Kristersson, Elisabeth Svantesson, Gunnar Strömmer, Pål Jonson and Maria Malmer Stenergard (left) hold a press conference at the Moderate Party's office in Malmö.

notebook

Why Sweden’s Tidö bloc needs a majority

Sweden's four Tidö parties need an outright majority in Sunday's election to continue their programme of tougher policing, tighter migration and lower taxes.

PJ Anders Linder September 11, 2026

An aerial view of Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt.

notebook

Germany’s flyover country takes its revenge

Saxony-Anhalt is rich in history, but the last thirty years have been hard on it. The AfD's record win there has its roots in depopulation and industrial collapse.

Oliver Moody September 11, 2026

notebook

The cultural significance of the French school canteen

Beyond placing the enjoyment of food at the centre of French life, the school canteen is an outpost of the Republic where principles of secularism are enacted and preserved.

Muriel Zagha September 10, 2026

Ceiling frescoes in the Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò, Catania

notebook

The other great Sicilian novel

Frederico De Roberto's explosive portrait of a declining Sicilian dynasty deserves greater recognition.

Paul Lay September 9, 2026

An old Phantom Jet Fighter at Mount Pleasant Airbase in the Falkland Islands.

notebook

Europe’s overseas possessions could be a major global asset

The continent's leading powers must revive their old imperial nodes and networks.

Sumantra Maitra September 7, 2026

Fujiko Nakaya's fog sculpture at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris. Credit: Norbert Schmidt

notebook

The Bourse de Commerce’s rebirth

On his quest to reimagine historic buildings, the French art collector François Pinault has found a remarkable partner in the Japanese architect Tadao Ando.

Agnès Poirier September 3, 2026