Tim Kaine’s Radical Optimism
Tim Kaine, the first major elected politician outside Illinois to endorse Barack Obama in 2008, finds himself on the ticket eight years later.
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.
Chairman of Everything
A profile of China’s leader that makes makes an unusual comparison – to Phillip II of Spain, “on whose desk in a palace near Madrid all the problems of his 16th-century empire landed”. An insight into the very highest echelons of Chinese political life.
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.
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.
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.