World
Oxford has more to be ashamed of than Gove
Being the most prestigious university in the English-speaking world comes with its drawbacks. While the rolls of alumni are littered…
Will Johnson's cabinet of cardboard cutouts make a stand?
Cabinet government has become a very degraded thing. When I checked last night, cabinet ministers had still not been told…
The grim prospect of Gov. Bill de Blasio
During the presidential election, there was a lot of talk about unifying the country. Seven months later and the restoration of norms…
The battle over abortion in America has only just begun
The battle to overturn Roe v. Wade is nearly over. The battle to end abortion is about to begin. When…
Lord Sumption was right to quit the Supreme Court
There used to be a saying: ‘never discuss religion or politics’. That was just a societal rule, a prudent tip…
On Afghanistan, Boris Johnson has escaped again
Boris Johnson took a strangely upbeat tone when he updated MPs on Afghanistan this afternoon. He argued that British planning…
Macron is terrible. Nobody can beat him
At the beginning of the pandemic, I advanced here the theory that having declared war on Covid, the virus could…
Is Boris weaponising reshuffle rumours?
Parliament is back today and the Prime Minister is facing an autumn filled with problems. Boris Johnson had hoped to…
Another Tory tech blunder
Oh dear. Longtime readers will recall that it was just three years ago that the Conservative conference app was revealed…
Now even Sir Alan Duncan turns on Stonewall
Covid has meant it’s been a tough old year for the charity sector – but few have had it worse…
The West is being played by the Taliban
There have been some curious juxtapositions in Afghanistan this week. On the one hand, the under-19 Afghan cricket team was…
The ivermectin skeptics
The first time I heard about ivermectin was from my doctor early on in the Era of Covid-hysteria. The United…
Hurricane Ida exposes the dire state of American infrastructure
Watching coverage of Hurricane Ida on both sides of the Atlantic, it was hard to escape the impression that politicians…
Who really owns the Benin Bronzes?
Should the British Museum return its priceless collection of Benin Bronzes? For years, the museum has stood firm in its…
Can China save us from Prince Harry?
Cockburn is a traditional sort. He is favorably disposed toward anything that has existed for a long time, even things…
Six times Remainers denied an EU army would happen
One of the points of discussion which dominated British politics in the Brexit era was the possibility of the formation…
Pakistan is relishing its role as kingmaker in Afghanistan
The details of engagements involving the head of MI6 are, unsurprisingly, usually kept secret. But not so Richard Moore’s meeting with the…
The Democrats damned Biden by impeaching Trump
Joe Biden is officially a victim of the new rules that every Democratic president is going to face from here…
The extortion plot against Matt Gaetz
Federal authorities indicted a man on Tuesday who stands accused of extorting Rep. Matt Gaetz’s father for $25 million. For…
Texas keeps on resisting Roe
President Biden had no censorious words concerning the Taliban as the evacuation catastrophe in Kabul unfolded, but he sure let…
Why can’t we fire the Blob?
Let’s say that two decades ago you were wondering where to invest your savings for retirement and the money that…
Farewell, Yoshihide Suga, Japan's unloved leader
Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga has fallen on his sword. Suga announced today that he will not be seeking reelection as leader…
Why isn't the vaccine UK approved for 12- to 15-year-olds?
This afternoon, the JCVI has essentially passed the buck on vaccinating 12- to 15-year-olds. It has declared that the health benefits…
Why raise tax to subsidise the wealthy?
When conservatives renege on election-time promises not to raise taxes, they tend not to be forgiven in a hurry. ‘Read…
Boris Johnson's tax gamble
Will MPs go along with Boris Johnson’s social care plans? On Tuesday, the Prime Minister is expected to share his…
