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Analyzing Russia’s war in Ukraine through mid‑2023, the author posits that despite battlefield losses and Western sanctions, Putin has maintained domestic support and resilience — leading to a prolonged but stable war stalemate, with no quick resolution in sight.

This historical exploration shows how combatants have frequently attacked religious buildings—dating from the Thirty Years’ War to Soviet-era destruction in Ukraine—as acts of cultural warfare. The rebuilding of churches often lags behind other civil structures, reflecting long-term scars.

On May 21, a constellation of international classical music stars came together to play at Carnegie Hall. These luminaries included the pianists Evgeny Kissin and Lera Auerbach; the Emerson String Quartet; and cellist Steven Isserlis, with violinists Maxim Vengerov and Gidon Kremer. Nearly three hours of great music-making from these ten musicians, performing works by six composers, were followed by a gorgeous gala dinner in the spacious Rohatyn banquet room in the Hall.