John Foster / 24 Mar 2023

Buried in the Past

The DUP’s Northern Ireland

“Not all people live in the same now.” Penned by Ernst Bloch to account for the rise of the Nazis, the 1935 truism could just as well apply to today’s Europe.(...)

Josh White / 04 Jan 2021

The Meaning of Brexit

Bonfire of National Illusions

I keep trying to forget about Brexit, but the Leavers won’t let us. Brexiteers are triumphant, though not all of them feel so victorious – despite getting almost everything they wanted. At least the Tories will have to own this failure.(...)
The way we were. Belfast, 2008
John Foster / 29 Nov 2019

Drop the Guns

Daniel Finn’s One Man’s Terrorist: A Political History of the IRA

Britain's decision to leave the EU has destabilised Northern Ireland. A return to sectarian conflict is one of the most feared consequences of the return of a hard border.(...)
Sean Quinn / 06 Nov 2019

Ireland’s British Hangover

Brexit and What Comes After

“I’ve applied for Irish citizenship.” Pre-Brexit, this would have been amazing to hear in a cut-glass accent by a late-middle-aged upper-class British woman. But Brexit was looming and she didn’t want any hassle commuting to her country home, in France. (...)

The America they don't like. Anti-Trump protest, London.
Josh Kitto / 04 Sep 2019

The United States of Britain

Brexit Means Identity Crisis

How many justices of the UK Supreme Court can you name? It's a flippant question to pose, especially to British politicians and journalists. Chances are, they'll only be able to cite American ones.(...)

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