In remembrance.
The tragedy of the past, and the present.
105 years ago today, in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiègne, Germany and the Allies signed the Armistice of 11 November. The 'War to End All Wars' came to a close.
Of course, wars did not end that day.
At the Paris Peace Conference the following year, the Treaty of Versailles sowed the seeds of the Second World War. The horrors of the 20th Century could hardly be imagined.
For much of the world, tragedy wouldn't have to wait another 20 years. The civil war in Russia, the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the genocides of the collapsing Ottoman Empire, and the upheavals of the Middle East were all unfolding.
Those events - from Ukraine to Israel to Armenia and beyond - are still unfolding today.
There was no end of history in 1918, just as there was no end of history in 1989 or in any other year.
And, we are confident to forecast, there will be no end of history in the future.
After today's reflection on the past, next week's Not in Dispatches will return to its usual format with a longer reflection on the future and an invitation to participate in forecasting the many issues that continue to unfold. We are looking forward to it and hope you are too.
Best,
Michael, Cameron, Damien, Yuen Yi, Andrea, and Kim.