41 h. ago ‘Europe is the core – America joined as an offshoot’: the historian challenging what ‘the west’ means

Was the ‘western alliance’ dreamt up to further American and British interests? Georgios Varouxakis argues that the idea is older, quintessentially European, and even anti-imperialistFor your book The West: The History of an Idea, you spent 12 years researching what people mean when they talk about “the west”. At a time when America’s president shows more admiration for autocratic Russia than for Nato-allied countries in Europe, are we witnessing the end of the west as an idea?I certainly wouldn’t write off the west. What we are seeing is a challenge to a version of the west that had America as its leader. But it doesn’t have to signal the end. The west is crucial to Europeans, and they have been the core of it. America joined at some point as an offshoot; it has been isolationist before, and it may become isolationist again. So we may see a different version of the west for a while, with its core in Europe, as it historically has mostly been. But America will surely return sooner o...

Events

67 h. ago Kim Jong Un arrives in China as President Xi challenges Trump with bid to establish new world order at anti

The North Korean leader's rare trip marks his first visit to China in six years and comes as the trio tighten their alliance in a direct challenge to the West.

Politics

69 h. ago Kim Jong Un arrives in China by armoured train to join Putin and Xi at Beijing's huge military parade as the communists push for new world order at anti

The North Korean leader's rare trip marks his first visit to China in six years and comes as the trio tighten their alliance in a direct challenge to the West.

Events

9 d. ago California and Oregon fire crews battle several blazes as forecasters warn more may spark

Firefighters try to corral Garnet fire, with parts of California under red flag warning, as Oregon blaze destroys homesNumerous wildfires across the US west coast are challenging emergency crews from California wine country to central Oregon, as weather forecasters warned that the risks of more blazes sparking is not over yet.In central California, firefighters are working to corral a fast-growing wildfire that is churning through the Sierra national forest as forecasters warned on Tuesday that lightning strikes from thunderstorms could ignite new fires. Since breaking out on Sunday afternoon, the Garnet fire has scorched 14 sq miles (36 sq km) of grass, chaparral and timber in a remote area known for camping and hiking about 60 miles (97km) east of Fresno. The fire is currently at 0% containment, and officials said that “strong, erratic winds” would likely test firefighters ability to make progress. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Graham Potter sends defiant message over West Ham struggles ahead of Chelsea reunion

Graham Potter faces his old club Chelsea on Friday night after shaking off his seven-month horror stint at Stamford Bridge to walk into a fresh and difficult challenge at West Ham

Politics

3 w. ago West Highland Way hikers warned after multiple injuries and rescues on challenging terrain

The West Highland Way has been the site of four incidents in recent weeks, with hikers suffering serious injuries and requiring rescue.

Events