Venice deserves Jeff Bezos
Venetians are once again revolting. Not, this time, against cruise ships, wheeled luggage, over-tourism or rule from mainland Mestre. No…
Why Russia wants war between Israel and Iran
Israel’s assault on Iran represents a double helping of good news for the Kremlin. Years of two-track diplomacy have allowed…
Who started the Cold War?
It was America, with its decision to build a global liberal order – not the Soviet Union, with plans to spread communism in Europe, argues Vladislav Zubok
Putin has no interest in peace in Ukraine
It was Groundhog Day in Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace. On one side of the grand conference room sat a long row…
Putin has no interest in peace
It was Groundhog Day in Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace. On one side of the grand conference room sat a long row…
How long can Putin openly defy Trump?
What happens when you repeatedly defy President Trump’s direct orders? Or lie to his face, again and again? How about…
Why the Trump-Putin dialogue is so dangerous for Ukraine
“Look, are you serious? Are you real about this?” That question, according to US vice president J.D. Vance, was the essence…
Putin only wants to talk to one man
A week of diplomatic manoeuvring, ultimatums and psychological gambits has ended with a sadly predictable result: Vladimir Putin will not…
Why Trump met Syria’s interim president
Few career arcs in modern history can be as remarkable as that of Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa – or Abu Mohammed…
Ukraine’s Victory Day drone swarm is dangerous for Putin
Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on 9 May should mark a triumphal double apotheosis for Vladimir Putin. Not only will it…
What does Putin want? Whatever he can get away with
The US general Mark Clark knew a thing or two about dealing with Russians. In the aftermath of the defeat…
How Rome copes with the Conclave
Ordinary Romans, famous for their cheerful working-class familiarity, loved Pope Francis for his common touch. For the first time in…
‘Vladimir, STOP!’ – Trump is being humiliated by Putin
Theodore Roosevelt was a believer in speaking softly but carrying a big stick. But where does that leave Donald Trump,…
Why London’s Ukraine ceasefire talks will fail
There’s one key thing that one should know about the Ukraine peace talks scheduled to begin in London today, and…
Why London’s Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will fail
There’s one key thing that one should know about Ukraine peace talks scheduled to begin in London today, and that…
Has the Kremlin talked Trump out of sanctions?
After a two-hour phone call last month, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin announced that an improved bilateral relationship between the…
Putin has pushed Trump too far
Perhaps Donald Trump is not quite the chump the Kremlin has taken him for. Trump is ‘pissed off’ with Russia…
Erdogan’s latest power move could backfire
Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has never been so weak – nor so strong. At home, he is facing the…
The EU’s ‘re-arming’ plan is unserious
Hark ye now, O despots of the world and enemies of freedom: as the American beacon of democracy fades, Europe…
Putin has played Trump like a fiddle
And so it begins. Welcome to the first episode of the latest season of Putin’s Theatre of Fugazi – the…
What Vladimir Putin really wants from Ukraine
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have very different negotiating styles. Trump lines up his offer in advance, browbeating all the…
Why Russia should agree to a ceasefire – and five reasons Putin might not
The main achievement of the US-Ukrainian talks in Jeddah was to produce a ceasefire document that Russia might actually want…
Russian spying has become a pathetic, amateurish business
Make no mistake: whatever higher moral authority they may have invoked in their defence, Soviet and Russian spies have never…
Trump’s Ukraine strategy is mad. But it might work
Will the real Volodymyr Zelensky please stand up? On Sunday, Ukraine’s president defiantly stated that ‘the final deal about ending…
‘Europe plus’ won’t save Ukraine
Days after the disastrous White House showdown between Volodymir Zelensky and Donald Trump, Sir Keir Starmer has done an undoubtedly…
