Notebooks

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Christopher Coker, 1953-2023

Christopher Coker, a formidable scholar of international relations and supporter of Engelsberg Ideas, has died at the age of 70.

Engelsberg Ideas September 7, 2023

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Polycrisis? What polycrisis?

Polycrisis is the word of the moment. But how much does this sense of so many catastrophes happening all at once depend on the distorting dynamics of social media?

Alastair Benn September 5, 2023

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The greatest sportsman you have never heard of

Jaroslav Drobny excelled in two of the world’s most popular sports. He enjoyed his success as only a true amateur can.

Lincoln Allison September 5, 2023

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The Gospel according to DH Lawrence

If we could resurrect DH Lawrence, what would he make of spiritual belief today?

Zachary Hardman August 29, 2023

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Epitaph on a mafioso’s grave

Prigozhin thought that his ‘hard drive’ of Putin’s murky network of contacts, conspiracies and deals might save him, following his mutiny. He was wrong. But his murder means Putin ..

Vladislav Zubok August 25, 2023

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Russia’s unbearable frontline burden

Military institutions do not cope well with long-term, large-scale deployments, especially when they are contested by a determined and capable adversary inflicting heavy casualties..

Jeffrey H. Michaels August 25, 2023

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Ancients abroad

The idea of 'the holiday' is a recent phenomenon – did the Ancient Greeks and Romans travel for pleasure?

Armand D'Angour August 22, 2023

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The limits of dictatorship

Despite the challenges facing liberal democracies, it is authoritarian regimes that remain most precarious.

Samuel Mace August 18, 2023

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The politician’s swift route to mockery

When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared his love for the music of Taylor Swift, he was opening himself up to a peculiarly British form of criticism. He is not the first senior pol..

Alexander Larman August 18, 2023