Notebooks

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The historian’s dilemma

History writing is a solitary existence and far removed from the dynamic world of news reporting. And yet the line between the two is often unclear. Historians such as Thucydides d..

Daisy Dunn October 18, 2022

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Belarus: the state built by the Second World War

This year has been declared the Year of Historical Memory in the Republic of Belarus, a territory of just over nine million people. What does this signify and why has its leader, A..

David R. Marples October 11, 2022

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Have Britons lost the art of talking proper?

Estuary English is now the lingua franca of Britain's media and its triumph over Received Pronunciation, what the British used to term speaking correctly, seems to be assured — but..

D. J. Taylor October 6, 2022

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Putin’s propaganda is parroting Al-Qaeda’s anti-Western grievances

People attending the rally-concert 'We are together' in support of the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia on Red square of Moscow on March 18, 2014. Credit: Nikolay Vino..

Suzanne Raine October 5, 2022

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Charles III — why not make him King-Emperor of Europe?

Europe has problems and Britain is adrift from Europe. Here's an idea, an historical experiment. It's the Stars Wars solution. Crown Charles III as Charles VIII, Emperor of Europe.

Brendan Simms October 3, 2022

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The Pacific Century is here — but not as advertised

In the seventies, the East Asian democracies challenged the West. And yet visions of a coming Pacific Century did not materialise in quite the way observers expected.

Oliver Rhodes September 30, 2022

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Kazakhstan’s Russia problem

Central Asian state leaders have been visibly unnerved by the invasion of Ukraine, and China has been all too happy to comfort them. However, should Russia succeed, its former alli..

Katherine Bayford September 29, 2022

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The Iran protests could spell the beginning of the end for the Islamic Republic

The fragility of the Islamic Republic of Iran is increasingly clear for all to see. But, despite recent protests, we ought to remain cautious about the prospects for immediate chan..

Ali Ansari September 27, 2022

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The spirit of Hilary Mantel

The late author’s work is populated with spirits, liminality, and longings.

Fay Schopen September 26, 2022