Pubblicazioni

Hide Your Pets

Iran tortures and kills innocents. Neighbor Turkmenistan buries dogs and cats alive. In places well known and obscure, authoritarians are acting with impunity. At the… Iran tortures and kills innocents. Neighbor Turkmenistan buries dogs and cats alive. In places well known and obscure, authoritarians are acting with impunity. At the…

16/04/2024 16/04/2024 1 reazione

We’re Sleepwalking off a Cliff

A 1931 book of essays titled If It Had Happened Otherwise contains German-Swiss writer Emil Ludwig’s chapter, “If the Emperor Frederick Had Not Had Cancer.” Ludwig has… A 1931 book of essays titled If It Had Happened Otherwise contains German-Swiss writer Emil Ludwig’s chapter, “If the Emperor Frederick Had Not Had Cancer.” Ludwig has…

09/04/2024 09/04/2024

Waltzing with Putin

Austrian politicians are increasingly receptive to Russian manipulation, and Putin sees an opening. In August 2018, Austria’s foreign minister Karin Kneissl invited… Austrian politicians are increasingly receptive to Russian manipulation, and Putin sees an opening. In August 2018, Austria’s foreign minister Karin Kneissl invited…

02/04/2024 02/04/2024

Afghan Terror Returns

Last week, Mark Milley and Kenneth McKenzie, Jr. testified before Congress on the United States' exit from Afghanistan. Republicans blamed President Biden for the… Last week, Mark Milley and Kenneth McKenzie, Jr. testified before Congress on the United States' exit from Afghanistan. Republicans blamed President Biden for the…

26/03/2024 26/03/2024

Moscow Eyes Moldova

I first met Maia Sandu in a coffee shop in the colorful, slightly scruffy neighborhood of Mt. Pleasant in Washington. It was two summers before the pandemic and on a… I first met Maia Sandu in a coffee shop in the colorful, slightly scruffy neighborhood of Mt. Pleasant in Washington. It was two summers before the pandemic and on a…

19/03/2024 19/03/2024

A Regime’s Character Matters

All nations spy just as all governments lie. But dictatorships are different. And free societies, with their goodwill and naiveté, are a field day for adversaries. Fifty… All nations spy just as all governments lie. But dictatorships are different. And free societies, with their goodwill and naiveté, are a field day for adversaries. Fifty…

12/03/2024 12/03/2024

A Dangerous Cycle

On March 5, 1933, Germans voted a last time before Hitler consolidated power. Artists like Kurt Weill voted with their feet. Today we find ominous parallels. By March… On March 5, 1933, Germans voted a last time before Hitler consolidated power. Artists like Kurt Weill voted with their feet. Today we find ominous parallels. By March…

05/03/2024 05/03/2024

Putin’s Assassins

Russian agents and assassins operate with impunity across the West. Putin is vigorously executing his agenda–we need one of our own. Alexei Navalny was close to being… Russian agents and assassins operate with impunity across the West. Putin is vigorously executing his agenda–we need one of our own. Alexei Navalny was close to being…

27/02/2024 27/02/2024

No Unimportant Lives

Alexei Navalny and Elena Bonner were cut from different cloth. An update on Putin’s new prisoners. In David Herszenhorn’s recent book on Alexei Navalny, there’s an… Alexei Navalny and Elena Bonner were cut from different cloth. An update on Putin’s new prisoners. In David Herszenhorn’s recent book on Alexei Navalny, there’s an…

21/02/2024 21/02/2024

Merciless Iran

Determined people find themselves in an extraordinary test of wills. Since the death of twenty-two-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022, three days after she… Determined people find themselves in an extraordinary test of wills. Since the death of twenty-two-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022, three days after she…

15/02/2024 15/02/2024

Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, Culture Wars, and Missed Stories

The British and French entered the Black Sea in January 1854. The land war was full on by then. Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire were fighting to check Russia’s… The British and French entered the Black Sea in January 1854. The land war was full on by then. Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire were fighting to check Russia’s…

07/02/2024 07/02/2024

Inspiration—and More Barbarism—in Belarus

On February 25, Belarus will hold parliamentary elections. Don’t hold your breath for fair, free—or peaceful. Connect dots across the region and you see a bigger,… On February 25, Belarus will hold parliamentary elections. Don’t hold your breath for fair, free—or peaceful. Connect dots across the region and you see a bigger,…

31/01/2024 31/01/2024 1 reazione

Bookstack Live Taping with Ray Arsenault

On Thursday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET, join Richard Aldous for a live recording of his latest Bookstack podcast. Richard will be interviewing Ray Arsenault, author of… On Thursday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET, join Richard Aldous for a live recording of his latest Bookstack podcast. Richard will be interviewing Ray Arsenault, author of…

17/01/2024 17/01/2024

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy—and Bayard Rustin’s

I’m rereading Arch Puddington’s excellent essay of two years ago in American Purpose on Bayard Rustin. Rustin was remarkable as influential civil rights leader,… I’m rereading Arch Puddington’s excellent essay of two years ago in American Purpose on Bayard Rustin. Rustin was remarkable as influential civil rights leader,…

12/01/2024 12/01/2024 1 reazione

Easy to give, rewarding to receive

Dear member, As the season of giving approaches, we are grateful that you have chosen to be a part of the American Purpose community. If you appreciate how our articles,… Dear member, As the season of giving approaches, we are grateful that you have chosen to be a part of the American Purpose community. If you appreciate how our articles,…

07/12/2023 07/12/2023 1 reazione

Gestures

In Prague, at one point in the mid-1980s, locals began to place flowers at the steps of the great statue of King Wenceslas. According to legend, the patron saint of the… In Prague, at one point in the mid-1980s, locals began to place flowers at the steps of the great statue of King Wenceslas. According to legend, the patron saint of the…

04/08/2023 04/08/2023 1 reazione

The Prince

A friend who worked for Margaret Thatcher once told me the story of a London dinner where waitstaff accidentally spilled soup into the lap of a senior official. Said… A friend who worked for Margaret Thatcher once told me the story of a London dinner where waitstaff accidentally spilled soup into the lap of a senior official. Said…

27/07/2023 27/07/2023 2 reazioni

War and Peace

I’ve always been of the view that music—to paraphrase the legendary teacher of composition Nadia Boulanger—is a way to take us out of time. Having said this, music… I’ve always been of the view that music—to paraphrase the legendary teacher of composition Nadia Boulanger—is a way to take us out of time. Having said this, music…

20/07/2023 20/07/2023 1 reazione

Culture, Tyranny, and Universal Values

In Tatarstan, a republic of the Russian Federation, Kazan—on the banks of the Volga and Kazanka rivers—is an important cultural capital with universities, museums, and… In Tatarstan, a republic of the Russian Federation, Kazan—on the banks of the Volga and Kazanka rivers—is an important cultural capital with universities, museums, and…

13/07/2023 13/07/2023 1 reazione

Cultural Freedom in Mitteleuropa

You can’t escape music in Prague. Wander the cobblestone on Nerudova Street up to Prague Castle and you’ll come across number 12, where Beethoven once took his violin to… You can’t escape music in Prague. Wander the cobblestone on Nerudova Street up to Prague Castle and you’ll come across number 12, where Beethoven once took his violin to…

06/07/2023 06/07/2023 1 reazione

Misery in Minsk

“David the Scientist Guy” was the first of Phoebe’s boyfriends in “Friends.” He made his first appearance in season one but then, in short order, leaves Phoebe for a… “David the Scientist Guy” was the first of Phoebe’s boyfriends in “Friends.” He made his first appearance in season one but then, in short order, leaves Phoebe for a…

29/06/2023 29/06/2023 1 reazione

Deals with Devils

Eighty years ago, in 1943—two years before the end of World War II—Thomas Mann started working on Doktor Faustus. The novel has composer Adrian Leverkühn bargaining away… Eighty years ago, in 1943—two years before the end of World War II—Thomas Mann started working on Doktor Faustus. The novel has composer Adrian Leverkühn bargaining away…

22/06/2023 22/06/2023

Summertime

George Gershwin’s grandfather was born in Odesa. His father and mother, both from St. Petersburg, met in Vilnius and moved to New York City. That’s where they married,… George Gershwin’s grandfather was born in Odesa. His father and mother, both from St. Petersburg, met in Vilnius and moved to New York City. That’s where they married,…

16/06/2023 16/06/2023 1 reazione

Mahler at St. Patrick’s

Dear Friends, On June 8, 1968, Leonard Bernstein conducted members of the New York Philharmonic in Gustav Mahler’s “Adagietto” from Symphony No. 5 for the funeral of… Dear Friends, On June 8, 1968, Leonard Bernstein conducted members of the New York Philharmonic in Gustav Mahler’s “Adagietto” from Symphony No. 5 for the funeral of…

08/06/2023 08/06/2023 1 reazione

Three Composers Born in June, Plus a Coda

I’m fond of Elgar, even if—or perhaps because—Herbert von Karajan dismissed his work as “second-hand” Brahms. Edward Elgar was born on June 2 in a small village near… I’m fond of Elgar, even if—or perhaps because—Herbert von Karajan dismissed his work as “second-hand” Brahms. Edward Elgar was born on June 2 in a small village near…

01/06/2023 01/06/2023 1 reazione

Three Composers Born in June, Plus a Coda

I’m fond of Elgar, even if—or perhaps because—Herbert von Karajan dismissed his work as “second-hand” Brahms. Edgar Elgar was born on June 2 in a small village near… I’m fond of Elgar, even if—or perhaps because—Herbert von Karajan dismissed his work as “second-hand” Brahms. Edgar Elgar was born on June 2 in a small village near…

01/06/2023 01/06/2023 1 reazione

Billy the Kid and Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland (1900–90), of Russian-Lithuanian roots—his father, whose name originally had been Kaplan, immigrated to Brooklyn in 1877 to escape military… Aaron Copland (1900–90), of Russian-Lithuanian roots—his father, whose name originally had been Kaplan, immigrated to Brooklyn in 1877 to escape military…

25/05/2023 25/05/2023 1 reazione

Frontline Fighting and Flourishing

VILNIUS – Vilnius is a walking city. In perfect May weather, the town is full of color and life, with young people filing into shops and parks and charming outdoor… VILNIUS – Vilnius is a walking city. In perfect May weather, the town is full of color and life, with young people filing into shops and parks and charming outdoor…

18/05/2023 18/05/2023 2 reazioni

What’s an American?

Dear Friends,  Our arts and culture editor Sydnee Lipset is working on a July 4 program tentatively titled, “What’s an American?” Syd has been inspired by the book A… Dear Friends,  Our arts and culture editor Sydnee Lipset is working on a July 4 program tentatively titled, “What’s an American?” Syd has been inspired by the book A…

04/05/2023 04/05/2023 1 reazione

Crisis, Conflict, Turmoil — and Six Baroque Gems

Dear Friends,  Hans Grimmelshausen (1621–76) was kidnapped as a 10 year old. His abduction by Hessian soldiers began a lifetime caught up in the Thirty Years’ War, which… Dear Friends,  Hans Grimmelshausen (1621–76) was kidnapped as a 10 year old. His abduction by Hessian soldiers began a lifetime caught up in the Thirty Years’ War, which…

27/04/2023 27/04/2023 1 reazione