Essays
Wash before looking
Based on a name applied to an infectious lung disease caused by a pandemic virus in the year 2020, Covid [...]
Healing a sick new world
Here is what many know but few can say aloud in an enlightened age that disavows bluntness: any resourceful virus, [...]
Rome: Not with a bang but a whimper
What, you ask, is it like to live in a diminished Rome in which a disruptively contagious virus has been [...]
Interview with a (boastful) virus
A veteran particle, or virion, of the corona virus took time out from active duty in northern Italy to chat [...]
Raging toward a second act
Despite impeachment and East Coast disdain, Donald Trump stands a strong chance of re-election, at least if history is allowed to vote.
Vendetta in the rearview mirror
When the likes of John R. Bolton and Steve Bannon were still relatively young men —Donald Trump, also — newly [...]
D-Day’s many lessons
The Normandy Beach landings were an extraordinary act of military heroism, but historical context helps broaden the picture, writes Madeleine Johnson.
Letter from the Eastern border
Dear European Union: My country, Romania, has been a member of your “organization” for more than 12 years now. The [...]
Genoa, tolling
John Donne can grab summer calamities by the scruff of their necks and shake to account. "Send not to know [...]
Paese dei miracoli, redux
Flip the roles of Mike Pence and Donald Trump and — with a bit of poetic license — you get [...]
Lock, load, duck
Among the earliest clichés pinned on "ugly American" tourism in postwar Europe was a tendency to shout. If locals didn't [...]