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WELCOME ISSUE 2 A number of commentators have suggested that 2016 was somehow uniquely fated to be terrible – and that, at its end, things might revert to their ‘normal’, calmer state. Putting aside the fact that such a view is to some extent a uniquely western one – there are, of course, parts of the world in which much more severe crises are depressingly routine – a more likely interpretation is that the phenomena identified as negative in 2016 (political shocks, social divisions, economic turbulence) are set to continue for some time to come. As we explore in this issue, they may in any case be part of a much longer-lasting trend. In The Big Question, starting on page 40, seven experts assess whether the Cold War ever really ended. Though some believe that it concluded with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, might it be more true that the tensions and rivalries it produced never really went away? Looking even further back, we consider the ways in which the 1917 Russian Revolutions (page 30) affected the global political climate for many decades. Continuity and change, then, is something of a theme for this issue. Returning to the idea that the kind of upheaval seen in 2016 was new to some in the US and Europe, author Pankaj Mishra notes that “what we are witnessing today is the turbulence and turmoil we used to locate in Iran or India erupting in the heart of the modern west”. You can read more of his thoughts about why we may be living in the ‘age of anger’ in his conversation with Tom Holland on page 82. This issue brings you even more commentary from leading historians and experts with a newly expanded opinion section tackling hot topical issues. How should we now regard Fidel Castro, following his death late last year? What are the historical precedents for the recent upsurge in US citizens heading north to Canada? You can find answers to those and other pressing questions from page 18. There’s much more to discover besides, with another thought-provoking journey across centuries and continents – from the treachery that cost the crusaders Jerusalem to New York during the blackouts of 1977, and from our potentially erroneous beliefs about ancient Egypt to a new look at Korea’s art history. I’d love to know what you think, too, about both the magazine and the wider world of history: please email your comments to me and the team at worldhistories@historyextra.com. For now, enjoy this issue, and look out for issue three on 29 March. Ma￿ Elton Editor, BBC World Histories COVER ILLUSTRATION: DAVIDE BONAZZI. INSIDE COVERS: BRIDGEMAN. THIS PAGE: STEVE SAYERS–THE SECRET STUDIO. BACK COVER: ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA 3

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WELCOME

ISSUE 2

A number of commentators have suggested that 2016 was somehow uniquely fated to be terrible – and that, at its end, things might revert to their ‘normal’, calmer state. Putting aside the fact that such a view is to some extent a uniquely western one – there are, of course, parts of the world in which much more severe crises are depressingly routine – a more likely interpretation is that the phenomena identified as negative in 2016 (political shocks, social divisions, economic turbulence) are set to continue for some time to come.

As we explore in this issue, they may in any case be part of a much longer-lasting trend. In The Big Question, starting on page 40, seven experts assess whether the Cold War ever really ended. Though some believe that it concluded with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, might it be more true that the tensions and rivalries it produced never really went away? Looking even further back, we consider the ways in which the 1917 Russian Revolutions (page 30) affected the global political climate for many decades.

Continuity and change, then, is something of a theme for this issue. Returning to the idea that the kind of upheaval seen in 2016 was new to some in the

US and Europe, author Pankaj Mishra notes that “what we are witnessing today is the turbulence and turmoil we used to locate in Iran or India erupting in the heart of the modern west”. You can read more of his thoughts about why we may be living in the ‘age of anger’ in his conversation with Tom Holland on page 82.

This issue brings you even more commentary from leading historians and experts with a newly expanded opinion section tackling hot topical issues. How should we now regard Fidel Castro, following his death late last year? What are the historical precedents for the recent upsurge in US citizens heading north to Canada? You can find answers to those and other pressing questions from page 18.

There’s much more to discover besides, with another thought-provoking journey across centuries and continents – from the treachery that cost the crusaders Jerusalem to New York during the blackouts of 1977, and from our potentially erroneous beliefs about ancient Egypt to a new look at Korea’s art history.

I’d love to know what you think, too, about both the magazine and the wider world of history: please email your comments to me and the team at worldhistories@historyextra.com. For now, enjoy this issue, and look out for issue three on 29 March. Ma￿ Elton Editor, BBC World Histories

COVER ILLUSTRATION: DAVIDE BONAZZI. INSIDE COVERS: BRIDGEMAN. THIS PAGE: STEVE SAYERS–THE SECRET STUDIO. BACK COVER: ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

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