America
Not all Americans are so crass
In the face of American snark about the Queen’s death, many a British newspaper reader was disgusted. With bad tidings…
Back on the road: Less is Lost, by Andrew Sean Greer, reviewed
Get ready for more of Less: Andrew Sean Greer’s hapless novelist is back on the road. First things first: you…
Mad men plotting: The Unfolding, by A.M. Homes, reviewed
Fifteen years ago, A.M. Homes published The Mistress’s Daughter, an explosive, painful account of how she met her birth mother,…
China vs the US: who will win the chip war?
Semiconductors are the latest battleground for China and the US
When will the West start to deal with Africa on its own terms?
When will the West start to deal with Africa on its own terms?
The problem with Biden's student debt plan
In Europe it is handouts to help pay our energy bills – even for people who could easily afford to…
The West cannot do business with Iran
Salman Rushdie’s would-be assassin might have been a lone wolf. He might have had no contact with military or intelligence…
A strange kind of recession
It’s possible that I owe Joe Biden some sort of an apology, however mealy-mouthed it might be. Last week I…
Biden’s victories look a lot like defeats
Joe Biden’s week did not get off to a good start. When running for office in 2020 he repeatedly boasted…
Viktor Orbán's Texas rodeo
Say what you want about Viktor Orbán, but he gives a good speech. His address on Thursday in Dallas on…
Nancy Pelosi knows how much Taiwan matters
In the coming hours, Nancy Pelosi is expected to arrive in Taiwan. The plane that is thought to be carrying…
Remembering Gore Vidal
Fourteen years ago, my then boss, Matt d’Ancona sent me off to interview Gore Vidal. I’ll always be grateful to…
In defence of country-pop
Sam Kriss on why country-pop is the most modern music there is
As cool and refreshing as a selection of sorbets: RA's Milton Avery show reviewed
‘I like the way he puts on paint,’ Milton Avery said about Matisse in 1953, but that was as much…
Is the US in recession?
There’s an almighty debate ongoing in the US about what exactly a ‘recession’ is. Regardless of semantics, the numbers are…
January 6 has turned Trump fans into NeverTrumpers
The 6 January hearings are a bit of a kangaroo court, since no one is trying to poke holes in…
Is the US thinking straight about Taiwan?
As the Tory leadership candidates tussle over China, it is well worth reading this essay by the US strategist Hal…
Trump’s return: is the Bad Orange Man on his way back to the White House?
Is he about to stage his comeback?
Prince Harry should stop lecturing Americans
Washington, DC Prince Harry is once again mouthing off about American politics despite a rudimentary understanding – at best – of…
Shouldn't we feel sorry for Hunter Biden?
Scandal is such a wonderful driver of human emotions. Just think of the number of things you get to feel…
The problem with being anti-woke
I’m going to do something that will likely annoy you, dear reader: I am going to make an argument about a…
Why do we only care about American abortion rights?
In the week since Roe vs Wade was overturned, you’ve hardly been able to switch on the news or open…
Will Hispanic conservatives transform US politics?
If you had to take a guess on which American political party would produce the first Mexican-born Congresswoman, which one…
Does Joe Biden want to protect women’s rights – or his majority?
Does Joe Biden want to protect women’s rights – or his majority?
The law of unintended consequences
When I awoke the other morning and switched on my radio, the airwaves were alive with the sound of furious,…
