Liberties, a Journal of Culture and Politics , is essential reading for those engaged in the cultural and political issues of our time. In this edition of Liberties : Andrew Delbanco - On Reparations; James Kirchik - From Queer to Gay to Queer; Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò - The African Case for Enlightenment; James P. Leffler - Iraq After Twenty Years; Tamar Jacoby - The Battle of Irpin; Michael Walzer - The Left and The Nation State; Alfred Brendel - Goethe and Beethoven: Two Giants; Alastair Macaulay - On The World’s Greatest Living Choreographer; Jennie Lightweiss-Goff - Vulnerability in America; Mark Lilla - The Use and Abuse of Nostalgia; Mitchell Abidor - Introducing an Unknown Master; John Psarapolous - How Dictators Use Refugees; Celeste Marcus - Good Painting; Leon Wieseltier - The Troubles of the Jews; and, with new poems by Ishion Hutchinson and Declan Ryan . Liberties features serious, independent, stylish, and controversial essays by significant writers and introduces the next generation of writers and poets to inspire and impact the intellectual and creative lifeblood of today’s culture and politics. Nobel Prize winners, leading op-ed writers, well-known non-fiction writers, rising talents, and poets from around the world are part of the Liberties series. There’s a reason why engaged citizens, cultural warriors, political leaders, opinion makers, and activists from across the cultural and political spectrum read and cherish Liberties .