Claire Allfree

Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore discusses his new book, The Cauldron, a comprehensive history of the modern Middle East intended to provide historical context for the Israel-Palestine conflict. He argues that the October 7 Hamas attacks intensified anti-Zionism and disrupted Israeli-Saudi normalization while failing to help Palestinians. Montefiore criticizes Western institutions and politicians for yielding to radical activist pressure, warning that appeasing sectarian or ideological factions on issues including terrorism, migration and gender could make Western democracy ungovernable. He supports a future Palestinian state but says Hamas must be dismantled, while criticizing Britain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood as ineffective. He also praises King Charles III, endorses Kemi Badenoch’s political directness, reflects on his experiences with Stalin-era history and Putin, and warns that declining book readership and online ideological fervor are undermining historical knowledge and respect for facts.

Kenneth Branagh delivers an energetic, nuanced Lopakhin in the RSC’s new production of The Cherry Orchard, contrasting with a muted performance from Helen Hunt as Ranyevskaya. While individual cast members shine, Tamara Harvey’s staging struggles to balance the play’s mix of farce and tragedy, and its social undercurrents lack tension. The production introduces some striking character tweaks but ultimately ends on an unexpectedly light note rather than tragic resonance.