Ian Buruma

In a thought-provoking discussion, Paul Wood shares a poignant letter from the Vatican. Matthew Parris warns Conservatives about aligning with potentially divisive issues, urging them to reconsider their strategies. Meanwhile, Ian Buruma critiques Richard Overy's work, arguing the atomic bombings were both immoral and ineffective. The conversations highlight looming dilemmas in politics and history, offering listeners rich insights into morality and strategy in the modern world.

Ian Buruma, historian and journalist, talks about his new book and shares interesting anecdotes from his life growing up in The Hague, studying art history and Chinese, and living in various cities. He discusses the complexities of human behavior, the injection of comedy into dark subjects, and the manipulation of truth by political forces. He also explores the complexity of Trump's character and questions his success and popularity.