Notebooks

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Curators painting themselves into a corner

Art apologists tell us what to think but not how to look when they label controversial collections.

Daisy Dunn June 10, 2022

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The tragic tradition of Ukraine’s Sviatohirsk Lavra

The burned-out rubble of a centuries-old Ukrainian monastery will likely be a stark reminder of war’s many horrors for years to come.

Elisabeth Braw June 7, 2022

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The shadow of Chiang Kai-shek and the struggle for Taiwanese identity

The Taiwanese are largely united in their avowal of Taiwan as a democratic, more inclusive model that China itself should aspire to. But they are far from united in their interpret..

Michael Reilly June 6, 2022

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The Platinum Jubilee — the joys of Pomp and Circumstance

Jubilees are a mild method of expressing national pride — an exceptional chance to exhibit effusiveness for the individual occupying the throne.

Harry Cluff June 1, 2022

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Dispatched to Donbas to honour frontline heroes

Brave and nimble Ukrainians are strongly resisting the Russian advance but more weapons are needed against Moscow’s military might.

Askold Krushelnycky May 31, 2022

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The ghost of Olof Palme: how support for the Kurds is complicating Sweden’s NATO accession

Sweden’s application in the wake of the war in Ukraine has given Turkey the chance to bring up old grievances.

Elisabeth Braw May 27, 2022

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Bad history — why the Treaty of Versailles is an imperfect guide to future Russia-West relations

It is often claimed that ‘humiliating’ a vanquished state only ensures hostility later down the line. The reality however is far more complex.

Will Quinn May 27, 2022

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A world without glamorous Shanghai is the poorer for it

Traditional chinese tile roofs contrast the modern skyline of Shanghai.

Kerry Brown May 24, 2022

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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