Notebooks

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Old tech makes new problems for Hizbollah

The explosions of pagers and radios in Lebanon reveals an ongoing battle of technological adaptation between Hizbollah and Israeli intelligence agencies.

Tony Ingesson September 19, 2024

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The argument for meeting famous people

As many more people have their 'fifteen minutes of fame', celebrity encounters have never been more common. Make the most of them.

Suzanne Raine September 11, 2024

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The spies make their case

In a modern-day democracy, it is important for intelligence agencies to have their voices heard.

Dan Lomas September 11, 2024

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What is a tyrant?

Tyranny is an ancient concept with a long history going all the way back to the ancient Greeks. Understanding how the best minds have grappled with this elusive term can enrich con..

Edmund Stewart September 9, 2024

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Missing the point about Byron

Tributes to Lord Byron emphasised the romantic, brooding persona of the rakish young poet and ignored his later work as a witty satirist and fighter for Greek freedom. It is an ove..

Robert Thicknesse September 9, 2024

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The illusory search for a lost civilisation

The search for lost civilisations has mesmerised humanity for centuries – Graham Hancock is this craze's latest and most eloquent manifestation.

Christopher Hale September 4, 2024

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What makes a good opening line?

The best opening lines disclose the inner life of the novel they set in motion.

Oliver Soden September 2, 2024

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How Arthur Ashe rewrote the script

Amid the turmoil of the 1968 election, Arthur Ashe's groundbreaking US Open win propelled him from tennis star to civil rights icon.

Theo Zenou September 2, 2024

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The death of Tsarist Russia and the creation of modern Ukraine

Russian views of Ukraine can be rooted back to the early 20th century, when Ukraine managed to emerge as a nation state out of the chaos of the First World War.

Nick Lloyd August 29, 2024