Russians at the Gates
In this thoughtful piece, the author recalls his childhood interactions with the Red Army soldiers posted to a base near his home in Dresden in the 1970s.
How a Pillar of German Banking Lost Its Way
A piece navigating the troubled waters of Deutsche Bank.
The Most Charming Man In Washington
A profile of Yousef Al Otaiba, the Ambassador for the United Arab Emirates to Washington, by many accounts a supreme political operator who has access at the highest echelons of US government.
The Most Potent, Permanent and Elusive Figure in British Politics
A fascinating January 2016 profile of Jeremy Heywood, the man heading the UK civil service. He has been an instrumental part of government during the reign of the last three Prime Ministers, and reportedly has a seat at every table that matters.
China’s Robot Revolution
A look at the rise of industrial robots in China, a trend that will have a major impact on the global economy.
What would it take to build a tower as high as outer space?
Such are the advances that have been made in structural engineering, that proposals now exist to create buildings that can reach space. For such “megastructures” to be viable however, we may need to look to the natural world for inspiration – perhaps even our own bodies, where an estimated 98% of atoms are replaced each year.
Queens of Infamy: Joanna of Naples
A new entry in a series that profiles “badass world-historical women of centuries past.” Joanna of Naples had an extraordinary life even by the standards of the 14th century’s topsy-turvy geopolitics. Escape from her castle by night, papal trials, attacks on her kingdom by her own relations and four husbands of varying quality all feature in this engaging portrait.
The Spy Who Came Home
A story about Patrick Skinner, currently a local cop in Savannah, Georgia, but formerly a CIA case officer directly engaged in post-9/11 operations. The piece jumps between his two careers and relates how he is applying lessons from the CIA to community policing.
Thomas Heatherwick, Architecture’s Showman
This profile of Thomas Heatherwick looks at his career, and recent work on the Vessel, a huge installation in one of New York’s largest and costliest new developments. The piece is waspish enough to keep things interesting, whilst also providing an insight into the rarefied world of star designers and architects.
Deliverance From 27,000 Feet
The story of the mission to recover the bodies of three climbers on Mount Everest, two of whom were abandoned high up the mountain.