Smart takes

Alan Doss, who heads the U.N. mission in Congo, wants more troops now. The LA Times decries the Cuba embargo as the Castros’ excuse for failure. Daniel Bradlow says the reordering of global finance is Africa’s big chance. Der Spiegel points out that France and Germany disagree on a financial fix. John Kay compares the ...

By , International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for Colombia.

Alan Doss, who heads the U.N. mission in Congo, wants more troops now.

Alan Doss, who heads the U.N. mission in Congo, wants more troops now.

The LA Times decries the Cuba embargo as the Castros’ excuse for failure.

Daniel Bradlow says the reordering of global finance is Africa’s big chance.

Der Spiegel points out that France and Germany disagree on a financial fix.

John Kay compares the credit crunch to Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.

For more news and commentary from around the world, check out FP‘s continually updated Must Reads feed every day.

Elizabeth Dickinson is International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for Colombia.

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.