Trump is weaker, and Xi is stronger, since their last summit in Beijing. But the U.S. does not have to remain in this state of weakness forever.
There's a chance for decorum and perhaps even a bit of dignity. It's fading fast.
A deeper discussion of the arguments behind this week’s essay on Russia’s mounting political and economic pressures.
The strange historical echoes of Trump's Persian misadventures
Predictions of Putin’s demise have been wrong many times before, but something is happening in Russia now that deserves more attention.
Early days yet, but let's take a punt anyway.
The Economic and Humanitarian Consequences of Extending Russia’s Oil Waivers
U.S. strategy under strain abroad—and democratic renewal in Europe
Watch the complete talk and discussion here
Round two of Ask Me Anything, including: Dogs, comics, knowing when you're wrong and the dangers of monogamy.
Round two of Ask Me Anything, covering: style, illiberalism, changing your mind, comics, monogamy, escape routes from the UK, my writing environment, and why in god's name anyone gets a dog.
A recording of my recent Q&A with subscribers
Just the latest moral and logistical atrocity.
Over a month in and we're still discovering fresh new consequences to Donald Trump's insane intervention in Iran.
I'll be hosting a Zoom call with subscribers on April 24 at 12 pm PDT / 3 pm EDT
"It's the right thing to do"
I'll be hosting a Zoom call with paid subscribers on Friday 24 April at 12 PDT / 3 EDT
The texts, ideas, and debates shaping the seminar
Customs union is a distraction. Only full membership offers a compelling vision of Britain's future.
The most important debate happens now, within the pro-European movement.
We might miss it once it's gone
A win for Hungary, Ukraine, Europe and small-d democrats everywhere
All of a sudden, after months of total darkness, there is hope.
A recording from Michael McFaul's live video
He must be stopped. That is the task of all right-thinking people.
He must be stopped. That is the task of all right-thinking people.
Join me live at 11 a.m. PDT / 2 p.m. EDT for a discussion on Nato, Iran and more.
Reform it, don’t destroy it.
Hello, yes, I have fucked it once again
This week offered two different futures for humanity. The first was based on self-pity and ignorance, the second on reason and common humanity.
This week offered two different futures for humanity. The first was based on self-pity and ignorance, the second on reason and common humanity.
If you would like to hear me speak about Elemental check the dates below
A recording from Arthur Snell and The New World's live video
The fallout of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and its implications for global geopolitics
Perhaps the countries whose economies are most directly linked to the Straits of Hormuz should take care of the Straits of Hormuz
But a few similarities cannot be ignored.
Time to make some plans...
This learning and cooperation should have started years ago, but is better late than never.
With no domestic institutions to restrain him, Trump has started a war which will hurt every one of us, all over the world.
With no domestic institutions to restrain him, this man has started a war which will hurt every one of us, shuddering out around the world in a great tide of pain.
The more you swallow, the more it makes sense
What we know, what we don't know, and where we might be going.
Beating everyone at arm wrestling one by one - through tariffs or military threats - does not make you the boss of them all.
He should be punished for that decision, not rewarded for it.
A Guest Post by Thom Reilly
They have created a system that values nuanced preferences rather than black-and-white winner-takes-all victory. It rewards politicians who reach out to the centre, rather than towards their base.
Small tweaks to the electoral system can fundamentally change the incentives and weaken people like Farage.
Have a read of this by Sian Norris, everyone:
Has Donald been reading the Prussian military theorist?*
China’s Xi Jinping is also benefiting.
The president is obviously out of his mind. So why don't investors seem to care?
There is no strategy to what the White House does. There is no calculation. There is no sense of logic or application. It is a fucking madhouse.
Charlie Gammell joined me again to discuss the latest in Iran
Changing your mind about the goals of war after you’ve started one is never a good idea
Say what you like about Netanyahu, but he's known what he wanted for years
Watch or listen to my discussion with Peter Robinson about today’s autocratic leaders and the implications for U.S. foreign policy.
They don't know what they want to achieve, why they're doing it or what the consequences might be. They are lost in the void.
The war in Iran is a new kind of conflict. It lacks any sense of meaning. It lacks any single articulable objective or even a motivating incident. It is taking place beyond the shores of reason.
My writing, interviews, and events from February 2026
Is an evil moron less dangerous than an evil genius?
A recording from Michael McFaul and Katie Couric's live video
The fall of tyrants must always be celebrated. The hard part is what comes next.
I'll be out early on Monday morning
A recording from Michael McFaul's live video
Join me for a discussion as we mark four years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
It is a tool, not a replacement.
It is a tool, not a replacement.
Join me for a discussion as we mark four years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
I wrote last May that there was an obvious disadvantage to being the first country to agree trade terms with the United States, particularly when the US is run by an unpredictable, unreliable and dishonest leader.
Perhaps Ukraine will finally be rewarded for its incredible resilience
And yet, in the face of unbelievable determination from Ukrainian warriors and civilians, Putin has not achieved a single one of his initial war aims.
Join me for a discussion as we mark four years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
These immigration proposals are obscene, but the government can be forced to think again.
These immigration proposals are obscene, but we can force the government to think again.
And, as we approach the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, have Putin’s war objectives changed?
Trip report from the 2026 Munich Security Conference
May his memory be a blessing.
Cabinet secretary appointment raises questions about whether the prime minister really has turned over a new leaf.
In the great clash between seriousness and the clown car, the clown car still seems to have all the momentum.
