Reading for Battle

Battle Readings is a regularly updated compilation of articles, essays, and opinion pieces relevant to the themes of the Battle of Ideas.

Choose a theme from the listing on the left to narrow your search, or view all readings.

 International Relations & Development

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The End of Empire - Attila the Hun and the Fall of Rome

Attila the Hun – godless barbarian and near-mythical warrior king – has become a byword for mindless ferocity. His brutal attacks smashed through the frontiers of the Roman empire in a savage wave of death and destruction. His reign of terror shattered an imperial world that had been securely unified by the conquests of Julius Caesar five centuries before.

Christopher Kelly, W. W. Norton, 22 September 2011


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Developers threaten Beirut's architectural heritage
Once the jewel of the Mediterranean, parts of Beirut are now in a state of shambles. Decades of civil war and Israel's bombardment five years ago has left some buildings pockmarked with bullet holes, others just bombed-out shells. But the buildings that survived bullets and bombs are now under threat from the wrecking ball.
Rebecca Collard, National (UAE), 16 September 2011

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Europe is turning back to national identity – and it's exhilarating
The European debt crisis is a reformation moment – the EU has overreached its power and now faces a crisis of legitimacy
Simon Jenkins, Guardian Comment is free, 15 September 2011

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Germany’s euro question
Nobody knows the answer, especially not the Germans themselvesEconomist, 10 September 2011

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Tata for now
The country’s biggest manufacturer is Indian. What does it seek from and give to Britain?Economist, 10 September 2011

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Role reversal: an ex-colony may be getting the better, in economic terms, of its old master
“Historically the Angolans worked for the Portuguese, but now it’s the Portuguese who are working for the Angolans,” says Paulo Pimenta, a Portuguese lawyer based in Mozambique. “People have to get used to it.”Economist, 3 September 2011

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African jewels
A timely anthology of short stories reveals the strength of contemporary African fiction and the growth of globalised, “post-national” literature
Ruth Franklin, Prospect, 24 August 2011

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A Revolution, with Qualifications
What the naysayers got right about the Arab Spring.
James Traub, First Post, 19 August 2011

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Aliens may destroy humanity to protect other civilisations, say scientists
Rising greenhouse emissions could tip off aliens that we are a rapidly expanding threat, warns a report
Ian Sample, Guardian, 18 August 2011

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Why Africa is leaving Europe behind
Africans are relishing something of a reversal in roles. The former colonial powers in Europe are wrestling with debt crises, austerity budgets, rising unemployment and social turmoil. By contrast much of sub-Saharan Africa can point to robust growth, better balanced books and rising capital inflows.
William Wallis, Financial TImes, 18 August 2011

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