Notebooks

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Fratelli d’Italia’s Burning Flame — why the medium is the message for Giorgia Meloni

The flame has become a sign of authenticity for Fratelli D'Italia, one of the few enduring icons through decades of political chameleonism. To have the flame means, in some ways, t..

Tobias Jones September 23, 2022

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Posthumous publication is a wicked literary problem

Readers should remember that many works published after a beloved writer’s death are the product of speculative —and often controversial — editorial processes.

Francesca Peacock September 22, 2022

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Putin sees himself as engaged in an existential war with the West

The most important strategic decision a wartime leader must make is determining the nature of the war they are fighting. With Putin’s most recent announcement, it looks ever more a..

Andrew Monaghan September 21, 2022

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Ukraine’s success in Kharkiv forced Putin’s hand

While the announcement of Russia’s mobilisation has lengthened the dark tunnel of war, the light of Ukrainian victory still glows. Ukraine’s army must exploit its momentum before t..

Mick Ryan September 21, 2022

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Finding the God in Godard

Jean-Luc Godard’s vast legacy as an exponent of pure cinema stands the test of time.

Muriel Zagha September 16, 2022

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Roger Federer rose above our frenetic times

In our self-indulgently emotional times, Federer had an ability to treat Kipling’s two imposters — triumph and disaster — just the same.

Allan Massie September 16, 2022

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Low power: how self-sufficient Sweden jeopardised its energy security

In the late 1990s, Sweden had a uniquely well-functioning electricity system. It was virtually 100 per cent fossil-free, reliable, and cost-efficient. What went wrong?

Magnus Henrekson September 14, 2022

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How Elizabeth II created the role of the modern monarch

The Queen’s presence conveyed more eloquently than any words could that the ship of state had a firm anchor in her modern monarchy.

Richard Chartres September 14, 2022

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Chemical weapons and war: the growing threat

Unconventional warfare helped Assad triumph in Syria and could be the deadly game changer for Putin in Ukraine.

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon September 13, 2022