The death of western cosmopolitanism
A global pandemic has shown how beneficial it is to have a strong nation state
China, America and the Kindleberger Trap
China is filling the void of retreating American influence
The ties that bind
Political unions are not determined by economic realities
Leaving Hong Kong – will China’s loss be Britain’s gain?
It’s Hong Kong’s middle class – not the hyper-wealthy – who may leave. But Britain may not be their preferred option.
Reconsidering the case for ID cards
If tracking Covid-19 requires “immunity passports” then why not as part of an ID card?
The Venice Architecture Biennale
An exuberant return to the beleaguered lagoon city
Swift reprise
Swift’s latest project is even more interesting than the imaginary motherhood album she pinned her hopes on
The long arm of the Chekists
This book is an apt metaphor for the state of freedom of speech in modern Britain
A contemptible little army?
How successfully did Britain’s armed forces adapt to the reality of the First World War?
Papers, please
Vaccine passports are not as straightforward as you might think
Zemlinsky/Schreker: Orchestral works (Onyx)
This album by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and their departing conductor Vasily Petrenko is demonstrably irresistible
Rogue male
Scoundrel, liar, cheat and toady, George MacDonald Fraser’s Flashman is a creation of genius and a bracing antidote to our timid age
All grievance great and small
Why won’t North Yorkshire Police tell us about their Intersectionality Conference?
Line of Duty and the politics of drama
It doesn’t take the minds of AC-12’s finest to see the parallels between our own political climate and the nation’s favourite police drama
Clap for the modern gods
Once people prayed for rain or for sun. Now, we pray for our NHS