Sanctions
Are sanctions working?
When allied military operations go well or badly, we very quickly hear about them. But what about sanctions? It is…
The rouble's astonishing recovery
The tank columns are stalled; one or two towns captured from the Ukrainians have been retaken. Russia’s war effort has…
'Staying Switzerland' on Ukraine is impossible
The striking thing about the financial sanctions on Russia is not their severity, but just how many countries are joining…
To hurt Putin, go for oil and gas – not Swift
Both the British and the Americans have been explicit that it is the Europeans who are blocking Russia being cut…
Is Britain prepared for the cost of sanctions?
Sanctions hit both sides: this is a point that Joe Biden has made to Americans and Olaf Scholz is making…
Sanctions won't stop Putin
The Lithuanian prime minister, Ingrida Šimonyte, put it well yesterday: ‘the way we respond will define us for the generations to…
Beijing's cruel attempt to stop fleeing Hongkongers
The Chinese Communist party regime likes to portray itself as the new superpower, displaying its strength on the world stage.…
Why does China think it can bully backbench MPs like me?
Does the Chinese Communist Party understand how our parliamentary democracy works? The evidence from the last 24 hours suggests not.…
MPs facing Chinese sanctions deserve our solidarity
The sanctions that China is imposing on various politicians, academics and think tanks in the democratic world are designed to…
America's Russian sanctions are futile
During the 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden promised to approach Russia and its irascible President Vladimir Putin with a new…
Britain's Magnitsky sanctions will hit Putin where it hurts
It’s rare for a Government minister to make an announcement that is universally welcomed in the House of Commons. But…
Why the World Service is worth every penny
What makes the World Service so different from the rest of the BBC? I asked Mary Hockaday, the controller of…
Iran can’t be trusted
Iran is, beyond doubt, a sponsor of terrorism and this week it has been made much stronger. It has (again)…
Portrait of the week
Home The government postponed a Commons vote on relaxing the Hunting Act in England and Wales after the Scottish National…
The crash of the ruble — and what's next for Russia
Will Putin’s people still love him when the money dries up? He’s about to find out
Why a City job should be graduates’ last resort
August is the season for conversation about career choices. Every holiday party seems to include new graduates or next year’s…
I know how ineffective sanctions are – but these ones just might work
‘Sanctions,’ said Kofi Annan, ‘are a necessary middle ground between war and words.’ Neither the EU nor the US will…
