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Ian Buruma

Ian Buruma

Writing for PS since 2001
218 commentaries

Ian Buruma is the author of numerous books, including Murder in Amsterdam: The Death of Theo Van Gogh and the Limits of Tolerance, Year Zero: A History of 1945, A Tokyo Romance: A Memoir, The Churchill Complex: The Curse of Being Special, From Winston and FDR to Trump and Brexit, The Collaborators: Three Stories of Deception and Survival in World War II, and, most recently, Spinoza: Freedom’s Messiah (Yale University Press, 2024).

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  1. Truth or Trumpian Consequences
    buruma220_Chip SomodevillaGetty Images_trumpjournalists Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

    Truth or Trumpian Consequences

    Dec 13, 2024 Ian Buruma warns American liberals not to double down on ideological posturing in response to fear of authoritarianism.

  2. The Laugh Is on the Democrats
    buruma219_AngelaWeissGettyImages_hinchcliffe_trump_rally2 Angela Weiss/Getty Images

    The Laugh Is on the Democrats

    Nov 8, 2024 Ian Buruma sees Donald Trump’s victory as a rebellion of the culturally dispossessed who relish his insult comedy.

  3. Warrior Nations of the Middle East
    buruma218_ JACK GUEZAFP via Getty Images_crisis israel JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

    Warrior Nations of the Middle East

    Oct 8, 2024 Ian Buruma shows how shame and humiliation have shaped national identities that countenance further killing.

  4. The Greatest Show on Earth
    buruma217_Kevin DietschGetty Images_dnc Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

    The Greatest Show on Earth

    Aug 28, 2024 Ian Buruma describes the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a remarkable performance of authenticity.

  5. War Games and Tribal Passions
    buruma216_Mark LeechOffside via Getty Images_euro1988football Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images

    War Games and Tribal Passions

    Aug 9, 2024 Ian Buruma argues that sports nationalism is driven more by a desire for community than notions of blood and soil.

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  1. adebajo12_FADEL SENNAAFP via Getty Images_USmilitaryafrica Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images
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    What Trump’s Return Means for Africa

    Adekeye Adebajo expects a continuation of America's longstanding attitude of benign neglect toward the continent.
  2. hodgkins1_Ulet IfansastiGetty Images_mine Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images
    Free to read
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    The False Promise of “Responsible Mining”

    Chelsea Hodgkins lambasts a corporate-led voluntary global standard that would harm communities and pose risks for automakers.
  3. elerian175_Spencer PlattGetty Images_nyse Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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    A Baseline Scenario for the Global Economy in 2025

    Mohamed A. El-Erian

    In 2024, global geopolitics and national politics have undergone considerable upheaval, and the world economy has both significant weaknesses, including Europe and China, and notable bright spots, especially the US. In the coming year, the range of possible outcomes will broaden further.

     offers his predictions for the new year while acknowledging that the range of possible outcomes is widening.
  4. ruto6_LUIS TATOAFP via Getty Images_africafloods Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images
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    A New Deal for Developing Countries

    William Ruto explains what climate-vulnerable Africa will need to strengthen their resilience and sustain economic growth.
  5. mazzucato78_James Glossop - WPA PoolGetty Images_starmerinvestment James Glossop/WPA/Pool/Getty Images
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    Good Growth Requires Getting Public-Private Partnerships Right

    Mariana Mazzucato worries that a recently unveiled industrial strategy is not structured properly.
  6. delong266_Michael SwensenGetty Image_musk Michael Swensen/Getty Images
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    American Idiots

    J. Bradford DeLong considers the implications of Donald Trump and friends' effort to orchestrate an unnecessary government shutdown.
  7. fischer223_Alexander KoernerGetty Images_bundeswehr Alexander Koerner/Getty Images
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    Putin’s Setbacks Are Cold Comfort for Europe

    Joschka Fischer considers the implications of Russia's loss in Syria and Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House.
  8. brown115_WAKIL KOHSARAFP via Getty Images_afghanistanwomen Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images
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    Gender Apartheid Is a Crime Against Humanity

    Gordon Brown urges global policymakers to address the Afghan regime’s egregious violations of women and girls' rights.
  9. Matt Gush/Getty Images
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    The US Economy’s Trust Deficit

    Michael Spence considers the causes and consequences of Americans’ declining faith in media and government.

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