Review
List of Review articles
HBO’s ‘The Sympathizer’ Leans Into the Tragic Absurdity of the Vietnam War
The series lampoons the military, academia, and Hollywood portrayals of the era.
Democracy Has Run Out of Future
The underlying reason for the West’s democratic crisis may be a lost sense of open-ended time.
Can Wind and Solar Solve Climate Change?
A new book unwittingly makes the case that they can’t.
The Real Meaning of Humanity’s Origin Story
A new book shows what human prehistory has mistakenly taught us—and misunderstands what it still can.
The New Empires of the Internet Age
Cyberspace has upended the old world order.
‘The Regime’ Misunderstands Autocracy
HBO’s new miniseries displays an undeniably American nonchalance toward power.
‘Civil War’ Succeeds Because Its Politics Make No Sense
The nightmare scenario is extra terrifying because of its dreamy lack of logic.
4 Books to Understand Modern India
Is the world’s most populous country booming or broken?
The World Still Loves (Yesterday’s) America
What the bestselling novels of Amor Towles reveal about global nostalgia—and American anxieties.
TV’s New ‘Game of Thrones’ Is Set in 17th-Century Japan
“Shogun” is an update of a 44-year-old series perfectly suited to today’s tastes.
Is This a Revolution? Or Are People Just Very Ticked Off?
In a new book, Fareed Zakaria explores how much the times are a-changin’. At risk, he says, is the entire global system.
Can Ukraine Escape the Curse of Nonexistence?
A landmark translation of a Ukrainian novel explores a nation caught between the jaws of empire.
Vermeer’s Enduring Appeal for Filmmakers
If you missed the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of his work in Amsterdam, this documentary is the next best thing.
The Civil Servants Who Shaped Indian Diplomacy
A new book provides a detailed account of the colonial bureaucrats who made up the first generation of the Indian Foreign Service.
The Labour Party Is Never Ready for an Election
Britain’s center-left is descending into recriminations ahead of this year’s election—just like it always has.