Paul Wood, The Spectator Journalist Profile

Articles

The Kurds finally give in to Erdoğan

1 month ago | thespectator.com | Paul Wood

All wars end, one way or another. One of the longest wars in the Middle East, between Turkey and Kurdish separatists, may finally be over. After 40 years of bitter struggle, the Kurdistan Workers’ party, the PKK, has declared that it will disarm and disband. It’s an achievement, of a sort, for the PKK’s imprisoned founder, Abdullah Ocalan: he might become a free man. It’s a triumph for Turkey’s leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: he might become president for life.
The Kurds have finally given in to Erdogan

1 month ago | spectator.co.uk | Paul Wood

All wars end, one way or another. One of the longest wars in the Middle East, between Turkey and Kurdish separatists, may finally be over. After 40 years of bitter struggle, the Kurdistan Workers’ party, the PKK, has declared that it will disarm and disband. It’s an achievement, of a sort, for the PKK’s imprisoned founder, Abdullah Ocalan: he might become a free man.
Ludere in Leone: who made money from the new pontiff?

1 month ago | thespectator.com | Paul Wood

Was the first American Pope ushered in on a wave of suspect, last-minute betting? Something odd seems to have been happening on at least one online gambling platform – Polymarket – in the minutes before the new Pope was announced. I know because I happened to place a bet just before Pope Leo XIV walked out on the balcony of St Peter’s – and watched the odds dramatically shortening before my eyes. Before his election as Pope, Leo was Cardinal Robert Provost.
Ludere in Leone: who made money from the new pontiff?

1 month ago | thespectator.com | Paul Wood

Was the first American Pope ushered in on a wave of suspect, last-minute betting? Something odd seems to have been happening on at least one online gambling platform – Polymarket – in the minutes before the new Pope was announced. I know because I happened to place a bet just before Pope Leo XIV walked out on the balcony of St. Peter’s – and watched the odds dramatically shortening before my eyes. Before his election as Pope, Leo was Cardinal Robert Provost.
The cult of the first millennial saint

1 month ago | thespectator.com | Paul Wood

AssisiIn a medieval church built of white stone, pilgrims and tourists shuffle past the body of a 15-year-old boy in a tomb with a glass side. The boy is handsome, with dark curly hair, and wears a blue tracksuit top, jeans and Nike trainers. Everyone peers through the glass and some realize, with a start, that the perfectly preserved face and hands are eerily lifelike silicone. The real remains, which have been decomposing for almost 20 years, are inside the effigy.
The secrets of ‘God’s influencer’

1 month ago | spectator.co.uk | Paul Wood

In a medieval church built of white stone, pilgrims and tourists shuffle past the body of a 15-year-old boy in a tomb with a glass side. The boy is handsome, with dark curly hair, and wears a blue tracksuit top, jeans and Nike trainers. Everyone peers through the glass and some realise, with a start, that the perfectly preserved face and hands are eerily lifelike silicone. The real remains, decomposing for almost 20 years, are inside the effigy.
The secrets of ‘God’s influencer’

1 month ago | spectator.com.au | Paul Wood

AssisiIn a medieval church built of white stone, pilgrims and tourists shuffle past the body of a 15-year-old boy in a tomb with a glass side. The boy is handsome, with dark curly hair, and wears a blue tracksuit top, jeans and Nike trainers. Everyone peers through the glass and some realise, with a start, that the perfectly preserved face and hands are eerily lifelike silicone.
Would Trump really bomb Iran?

2 months ago | spectator.com.au | Paul Wood

A satellite picture shows six American B-2 Stealth bombers parked on the runway at Diego Garcia. The planes – each with a distinctive flying-wing shape, like a bat – are sinister, otherworldly, and seem like a portent. Surely that’s the idea. Donald Trump has warned the Iranian leadership there ‘will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before’ if they don’t agree to limit their nuclear programme.
Would Trump really bomb Iran?

2 months ago | spectator.co.uk | Paul Wood

Text size Small Medium Large Line Spacing Compact Normal Spacious Comments A satellite picture shows six American B-2 Stealth bombers parked on the runway at Diego Garcia. The planes – each with a distinctive flying-wing shape, like a bat – are sinister, otherworldly, and seem like a portent. Surely that’s the idea. Donald Trump has warned the Iranian leadership there ‘will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before’ if they don’t agree to limit their nuclear programme. The US...
Saviour complex: Jonathan Powell is still trying to change the world

2 months ago | spectator.co.uk | Paul Wood

In 2011, the Hampstead theatre put on an autobiographical play about a marriage strained by lies, betrayal and, as the exasperated wife says, the presence of ‘three of us’ in the relationship. The play was Loyalty by the journalist Sarah Helm, the third person was Tony Blair and the principal male character was a barely disguised Jonathan Powell, her husband and Blair’s chief of staff.