Politics

The Impermanence of Importance

A review of a new book by Obama adviser Ben Rhodes (a speechwriter and Deputy National Security Adviser who was one of the few senior officials to remain in office throughout the whole presidency). The piece reflects on Obama’s style of leadership, the nature of power and governing, and the author’s own journey. It is also replete with anecdotes from behind the scenes of elite politics such as Rhodes discussing the TV show Entourage with David Cameron over after-state-dinner drinks at Buckingham Palace.

The Trouble with Defectors

A former weapons inspector explains the challenges in working with defectors from regimes under investigation, looking at prominent Russian, North Korean and Iraqi defectors.