Notebooks

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The enduring spirit of Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival offers a unique perspective on the world and what it thinks and fears.

Agnès Poirier May 20, 2022

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Can Germany get the Bundeswehr fighting fit?

Despite the heavy baggage of the twentieth century, the country must now step up to its NATO responsibilities.

Katja Hoyer May 17, 2022

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Against pasta: remembering The Manifesto of Futurist Cooking

Although tainted by the history of Fascism, the Manifesto and La cucina futurista deserve to be remembered as a brave, bizarre and fascinating attempt to aestheticise gastronomy – ..

Josh Mcloughlin May 13, 2022

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The miracle of refugee musicians

Countless musicians have been uprooted by war or persecution — to the benefit of conservatoires, orchestras and concert halls around the world. A newly formed Ukrainian refugee orc..

Elisabeth Braw May 10, 2022

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Sweden and Finland forced into the NATO fold by Russia

Finland and Sweden are all but certain to seek NATO membership in the coming months. This is unlikely to be a straight forward process. Public opinion and recent history will dicta..

Charly Salonius-Pasternak May 6, 2022

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Italy the mediator’s crush on Russia

Both the far-right and far-left have been seduced by Putin in a love match that not even war can uncouple.

Tobias Jones May 3, 2022

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Human behaviour will still determine who wins wars

Digitalised defence systems and new technology are important, but they do not eliminate the age old realities of warfare.

Rob Johnson April 29, 2022

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Macron’s France is remaking itself again

The French Republic had to be built but then it had to be preserved. Its very attempts to conserve itself in the face of constant instability however, is what creates the tension a..

Alastair Benn April 25, 2022

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Casting a vote for democracy

For the French, the drama of the ballot box is an almost religious ritual.

Agnès Poirier April 22, 2022