World
Will western sanctions really hurt Putin?
Boris Johnson has announced that the UK will impose personal sanctions on Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov…
Paralysing Russia’s central bank could cripple Putin’s plans
Pushing Russia out of Swift, the international bank transfer system, has long been spoken of as one of the most…
Germany’s defence spending boost will improve European security
In yet another sign of how dramatically Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has changed Europe’s attitude to both Russia and security,…
The leadership and bravery of Volodymyr Zelensky
So that’s what leadership looks like. It looks like Volodymyr Zelensky. It looks like a president staying put in his…
Why Britain should offer unconditional asylum to Ukrainians
There is much more that Britain can do for Ukraine. We have done more than most: sent 2,000 anti-tank missiles…
The war in Ukraine has divided Putin’s court
It is striking how little enthusiasm there is in Russia for Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine – but for some, it has…
Hungary is standing by the EU on Ukraine
Thursday marked the beginning of a new era in European politics. Nowhere has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine been met with…
Why Germany’s decision to cut Russian banks from Swift matters
‘The Russian invasion marks a turning point,’ said Olaf Scholz on Saturday as he announced that Germany would break its…
The end of the post-Cold War era
Russia’s invasion is not just an effort to retake what was once part of the Soviet Union. It is a…
How the word ‘woman’ became taboo
When I was a little girl, my mum told me that I shouldn’t use the word ‘woman’ – but rather…
Putin’s seizure of Chernobyl should terrify us all
The word ‘Chernobyl’ sends a shiver down the spine of most Europeans, and with good reason: it was the site of…
A new Europe is emerging from this crisis
With every hour that Kiev holds out, the geopolitics of Europe changes more. Germany, which so values its prohibition on…
Expelling Russia from Swift would be a massive economic shock
If Russia is expelled from the Swift banking messaging system, that would be serious economic warfare against Putin. Because Thursday’s…
The war in Ukraine is not about you
In times of war and strife it’s only natural to feel anxious and worried. It’s a normal, primal reaction. What’s…
‘This is our land. This is our history’: my appeal to the people of Russia
I come today with an appeal to all citizens of Russia. Not as President. I am appealing to the people…
Tom Ford and the gross misogyny of high fashion
Tom Ford, the stratospherically successful fashion designer has recently released lipstick shades called ‘Age of Consent’ and ‘First Time’. He also produced…
The post-Soviet roots of the war in Ukraine
In his hour-long speech earlier this week setting out why he was invading Ukraine, Vladimir Putin blamed Vladimir Lenin, the…
China is tying itself in knots over Ukraine
A few hours after Vladimir Putin sent his tanks into Ukraine, Beijing announced that Russian wheat, previously barred because of…
It’s time for Germany to stand up to Russia
In his novel The Loyal Subject, which appeared on the eve of the first world war, Heinrich Mann, the brother…
Ukrainians are living through a hell on earth
‘Live long enough and you watch everyone go mad,’ the man said to me gloomily. It was around 2009, and…
Putin’s invasion has exposed the frailty of Europe’s armies
Putin’s forces are currently steamrolling Ukraine’s defences, with Russian troops circling the capital and invading from the south and east…
No, China isn’t about to invade Taiwan
I have a medal for winning the Cold War. And I’m not alone — they were awarded to all members…
Why can’t the right build its own Twitter?
Cockburn isn’t a great fan of social media. He prefers it to social distancing and social-justice warriors, but would much…
Are Russians turning against Putin?
One of the reasons why I judged — wrongly — that Vladimir Putin would not order an all-out invasion of…
Macron’s posturing as a global statesman will get him re-elected
It is bordering on tasteless amidst the horror of war in Europe to question the political impact of the conflict…
