More on those mesmerising Pompeian frescoes, what they tell us, and why so much of Pompeii remains unexcavated...

My latest in Engelsberg Ideas. For all the doom & gloom surrounding the future of historians, their ability to sift through & process vast amounts of information renders them uniquely suited to jobs in policy in an era of cognitive overload & distraction.

engelsbergideas.com/essays/an-earl…

Many thanks to Nicholas Morton for his rave review of House of Lilies in Engelsberg Ideas
I am especially glad to know that the key roles women played in the Capetian dynasty's rise and demise suggested that we might see medieval women's power as norm, rather than exception.

For my review of Justine Firnhaber-Baker's Prof J. Firnhaber-Baker 'House of Lilies' see below...

🎙️EI Talks... terrorism | Engelsberg Ideas

🗣️Suzanne Raine on whether terrorists have a grand strategy

Listen to the full episode here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ei-…

A dynasty of human frailty | Nicholas Morton

engelsbergideas.com/reviews/house-…

An early modern guide to information overload | Iskander Rehman

engelsbergideas.com/essays/an-earl…

A personal reflection on the work of the late, great Michael Tanner - thank you to Paul Lay at Engelsberg Ideas for asking me to write about him.

A fine tribute to the greatest music critic from his natural successor. By Richard Bratby for Engelsberg Ideas.

Michael Tanner, the complete critic | Richard Bratby

engelsbergideas.com/notebook/micha…

With scoping talks announced this week, here's a few thoughts on what a 'JAUKUS' could entail for Japan, and some of the obstacles to bear in mind for the other members.

Japan, AUKUS and the future of Western defence | William Reynolds
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/japan…

🎙️EI Talks... terrorism | Engelsberg Ideas

🗣️ Suzanne Raine on the deep history of the Jihadist threat

👉 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ei-…

My review of ⁦Christopher Phillips⁩ new book for ⁦Engelsberg Ideas⁩ — a welcome addition to the emergent literature on the post-Arab Spring Middle East engelsbergideas.com/reviews/there-…

America must find its middle ground | Michael Auslin

engelsbergideas.com/notebook/ameri…

🎙️EI Talks... terrorism | Engelsberg Ideas

🗣️ Suzanne Raine on the complexity of ISIS–K

👉 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ei-…

'A starting point for general audiences . . . this well-written and thoughtfully structured book provides a broad introduction to the many issues underlying conflict and politics in the Middle East.'

Afshon Ostovar reviews Christopher Phillips' new book #Battleground10 for Engelsberg Ideas

The fear of a gerontocracy – the dominance of politics by old men – as well as an appreciation of the benefits of geriatric wisdom, both found favour in the ancient world.

The age of gerontocracy is nothing new | Erica Benner

engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-age…

That Israel and the UAE are considered two success stories of the Middle East’s recent turbulent era is a grim assessment indeed – and one that reflects how little anyone has gained from the region’s wars.

Afshon Ostovar on Christopher Phillips' new book Battleground
engelsbergideas.com/reviews/there-…