Essays
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 [...]
Sky lion
In the waning months of World War I, fiery nationalist Gabrielle d'Annunzio scored a propaganda coup.
Ties worth unbinding
Progress in LGBT rights remains painfully limited in Italy, but the underlying reasons suggest a change in approach.
Memex to the present
Personality cults may be dead, but there's a new tyranny — that of the "I" — and it matters.
The damage done
Rolling Stone's University of Virginia rape story fiasco has hurt both women and journalism.
No dinner in Gaza
Family dynamics can help make sense of conflicts that seem stuck in adolescence.