James Robins

1 week ago | the-tls.co.uk | Nicola Shulman |Stephen Glover |James Robins |Conrad Landin

To access over 1000 book reviews, essays and more, subscribe here Behind the velvet rope The former editor of Vanity Fair looks back on an era of excess “Do you know who I am?” This question, when spoken to doormen, waiters, maîtres d’, airline staff, traffic wardens, police officers, receptionists, girls with clipboards at the entrance to social events and any other persons with a remit to restrict our freedom of movement, is a sure sign that the speaker has lost their bearings in the cosmic...

Jan 16, 2025 | newrepublic.com | James Robins

Yesterday’s announcementof a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas—achieved under American pressure—wasnecessary, urgent, and overdue. So is the tempered relief that comes with it. There will be time now to find thedead; perhaps even the months necessary to mourn them. But a pause is not peace. Stasis is not an end. It is in the nature of occupations thatthey lead to bloodshed. For so long as Israel clings to land that is not itsown and covets more, murder will recur with the certainty of the seasons.

Jan 16, 2025 | yahoo.com | James Robins

For the first time in 13 months, a hush will fall over Gaza. Starting Sunday and for the next six weeks at least, soccer fans, sweet-sellers, and students will not be obliterated at random and for no reason. In return for this moment’s quiet, 33 Israeli hostages— children, women, the infirm—will be exchanged for several hundred Palestinian prisoners.

Dec 24, 2024 | newrepublic.com | James Robins

Eiland likes to pose as a hardenedparatrooper: a no-bullshit blusterer, ignorant of political chicanery, who is merelyapplying cold analytical logic to a military problem. But his problem—Israel’sproblem—is not military alone. An occupying power is obliged to preserve thelives of the people under its control, to give them aid, to not dynamite theirhomes. But Eiland sees no distinction between citizen and combatant. He does not discriminate.

Dec 9, 2024 | mytotalretail.com | James Robins

As we look ahead to the rest of the holiday shopping season, customer retention is front of mind. As retail has become an increasingly competitive sector with evolving customer expectations and abundant shopping options, retailers must find innovative ways to keep customers engaged and drive brand loyalty. In-store technology — notably digital signage, touchpoints, kiosks, digital fitting rooms, and more — is pivotal in reshaping customer retention strategies.