Top Gun
A 2003 profile of Gaston Glock, the inventor of one of the most widely used handguns in the world, and something of an unusual character.
The Art of Larry Gagosian’s Empire
A revealing profile of one of the preeminent art dealers of our times, estimated to sell over one billion dollars of art each year.
The Aspiring Novelist Who Became Obama’s Foreign Policy Guru
A fascinating peek behind the scenes in the Obama White House, through a profile of one of his key speechwriters.
Homo Orbanicus
A look at how Viktor Orban has created an autocracy in Hungary, a “Fuhrer democracy” at the heart of Europe. Orban was re-elected with a large majority a few days after this article was published.
David Foster Wallace on John McCain: “The Weasel, Twelve Monkeys and the Shrub”
David Foster Wallace spent a week with the late Senator John McCain during his 2000 Republican presidential primary battle against George W. Bush for this perceptive and nuanced profile.
Dacre’s Paper
Look past the provocative headline and you find an indignant, coruscating profile of The Daily Mail and its pugnacious editor Paul Dacre.
Erdogan’s Turkey
A thorough state of the nation piece looking at Turkey as it prepares for a critical referendum, which would allow President Recep Erdogan yet more sweeping powers if the ‘yes’ vote comes out on top.
The Subversive
A profile of US Senator John McCain, written in 1997 by author and journalist Michael Lewis (Lewis’s notable works include Moneyball, Flash Boys & The Big Short). He found an unusual politician, unwilling to operate like most of his peers, something that has proven both a strength and a hindrance throughout his career.
McMaster and Commander
A look behind the scenes at how H.R McMaster adapted from the military into his role of National Security Adviser, and the reality of dealing with a boss who takes in little of what you say. His solution was straightforward – “If Mattis was a babysitter, then McMaster was a waiter, presenting the Commander-in-Chief with a menu, and letting him order.” What this didn’t necessarily allow for was any questioning of what was going on the menu.