News reports say that Grenell is “leaving the Kennedy Center” (or “Trump-Kennedy Center,” in Republican outlets). But is there any Kennedy Center to leave? Haven’t they finished it off? Weren’t those symphonic concerts and operas an offense unto them? Unto populism?
"You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you." Today, I have some notes on Iran and Ukraine -- and how those wars intertwine. There is also a memory of Cambodia -- our "incursion" in 1970. Anyway, see what you think. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/wars-incur...
For many people, antisemitism is like the weather: simply accepted, with a shrug. This ought not to be. On this subject as on others, David Frum is very, very sharp. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
N.B.
I read this man for decades -- most of my life. Learned a ton from him. A virtuoso. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/w...
"You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you." Today, I have some notes on Iran and Ukraine -- and how those wars intertwine. There is also a memory of Cambodia -- our "incursion" in 1970. Anyway, see what you think. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/wars-incur...
"The Ukrainians," says Malinowski, "have been literally putting their bodies between us and arguably our most dangerous adversary in the world, protecting us, protecting our European allies, making it so that all we have to spend is money, as they spend their lives."
Tom Malinowski started life in Poland. As a teenager, he encountered Lech Wałęsa. Tom went on to work in the State Department, the White House, Congress, and elsewhere. We have podcasted about his life and times -- our times.
www.jaynordlinger.com/p/malinowski...
Trump says that higher gas prices are good for American oil companies. I think of a saying from golf: "Every shot pleases someone."
Reading the news today, I had occasion to think of Earl Long, down in Louisiana. After one of his elections, he broke a campaign promise. An aide said, "But Gov'nor, what'll I tell the folks?" Earl shrugged and said, "Tell 'em I lied."
"The Ukrainians," says Malinowski, "have been literally putting their bodies between us and arguably our most dangerous adversary in the world, protecting us, protecting our European allies, making it so that all we have to spend is money, as they spend their lives."
Tom Malinowski started life in Poland. As a teenager, he encountered Lech Wałęsa. Tom went on to work in the State Department, the White House, Congress, and elsewhere. We have podcasted about his life and times -- our times.
www.jaynordlinger.com/p/malinowski...
Jan Timman on being a professional chess player: "A triumphant feeling takes possession of you. You are your own boss, governed only by your own abilities." How thrilling. What freedom. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/s...
For the music-minded, a review of the Philadelphia Orchestra in Carnegie Hall last night. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony. The night before, he had conducted "Tristan und Isolde" at the Met. What nights (consecutive). newcriterion.com/dispatch/bac...
At the institute last week, there was a sign: "Unbreakable Ukraine." Conquest wrote a book called "Stalin: Breaker of Nations." Putin is trying to break Ukraine now. That he fail is important not just to the Ukrainians but to all of us.
In 1999, Bill Buckley took me to the Ukrainian Institute of America to hear Robert Conquest. Since 2022, I have been to the institute several times, including last week. I have written a column, making some essential points, I hope. www.thenextmove.org/p/unbreakabl...
For the music-minded, a review of the Philadelphia Orchestra in Carnegie Hall last night. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony. The night before, he had conducted "Tristan und Isolde" at the Met. What nights (consecutive). newcriterion.com/dispatch/bac...
For years, Viktor Orbán has used George Soros as his Bogeyman No. 1 in election campaigns. This year, it's Volodymyr Zelensky (regarded by many, and understandably, as the leader of the Free World). Will this work on the Hungarian electorate? Unlike Trump and Putin, I hope not.
At the institute last week, there was a sign: "Unbreakable Ukraine." Conquest wrote a book called "Stalin: Breaker of Nations." Putin is trying to break Ukraine now. That he fail is important not just to the Ukrainians but to all of us.
In 1999, Bill Buckley took me to the Ukrainian Institute of America to hear Robert Conquest. Since 2022, I have been to the institute several times, including last week. I have written a column, making some essential points, I hope. www.thenextmove.org/p/unbreakabl...
Mike, my opinion is: you should not travel to *see* it; but to hear it? Yes!
For decades, interested parties have talked about what comes "after" in Cuba -- after the communist dictatorship. As a conservative, I know that things can always get worse. With some exceptions. Cubans have been tormented by that murderous regime for 66 years. Basta.
For the music-minded, a review of "Tristan und Isolde" at the Metropolitan Opera last night. It was ... something. newcriterion.com/dispatch/wal...
We Republicans -- I was one, pre-Trumpification -- used to say that the Democrats were naïve about the Kremlin. Gullible. You know, I'm not sure they were ever this bad. Putin must not be able to believe his luck.
Both the U.S. administration and the Kremlin are backing Viktor Orbán in his bid for reelection in Hungary. (It would be his sixth term.) They are doing it openly and fervently. This says a great deal about our times. And what it says is: very bad news.
For the music-minded, a review of "Tristan und Isolde" at the Metropolitan Opera last night. It was ... something. newcriterion.com/dispatch/wal...
For the music-minded, a review of a concert by the New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. Violin soloist: Vilde Frang. Composers: Elgar, Kurtág, and Schumann. (Mr. Kurtág turned 100 last month.) newcriterion.com/dispatch/spr...
The below tweet occasioned many responses. I have addressed some of the critics in an essay -- a personal essay. Others could write their own, along similar lines. Anyway: for your consideration. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/the-health...
For the music-minded, a review of a concert by the New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. Violin soloist: Vilde Frang. Composers: Elgar, Kurtág, and Schumann. (Mr. Kurtág turned 100 last month.) newcriterion.com/dispatch/spr...
The below tweet occasioned many responses. I have addressed some of the critics in an essay -- a personal essay. Others could write their own, along similar lines. Anyway: for your consideration. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/the-health...
