Political Risk Must-Reads

Eurasia Group’s weekly selection of essential reading for the political-risk junkie — presented in no particular order. As always, feel free to give us your feedback or selections by tweeting at us via @EurasiaGroup or @ianbremmer. Must-reads "The New Isolationism: Why the World’s Richest Countries Can’t Work Together" Mohamed A. El-Erian, the Atlantic What does America’s inability to ...

Eurasia Group's weekly selection of essential reading for the political-risk junkie -- presented in no particular order. As always, feel free to give us your feedback or selections by tweeting at us via @EurasiaGroup or @ianbremmer.

Eurasia Group’s weekly selection of essential reading for the political-risk junkie — presented in no particular order. As always, feel free to give us your feedback or selections by tweeting at us via @EurasiaGroup or @ianbremmer.

Must-reads

"The New Isolationism: Why the World’s Richest Countries Can’t Work Together"
Mohamed A. El-Erian, the Atlantic
What does America’s inability to form a coalition for action against Syria say about the state of global leadership? What are the economic implications in a world where developed countries cannot coordinate?

"Amid Coral Reefs and Ruins, Ripples of Fear Over a Recent Attack"
Nicholas Kulish, New York Times
Tourism accounts for more than a quarter of Zanzibar’s economic activity. Could a recent attack labeled as Islamist extremism undermine the sector? What does it mean for Zanzibar’s push for more autonomy from mainland Tanzania?

Corruption in China

"Follow the Money: Who Benefits from China’s One-Child Policy?"
Yueran Zhang, Tea Leaf Nation
The demographic turmoil of China’s one-child policy has been widely reported. Are vested interests at the local government level slowing reform?

"How a smile brought down China’s corrupt ‘Brother Watch’"
Associated Press
Chinese citizens may not have a voice at the ballot box, but they have other means of speaking out against leaders they don’t like. A smile — and some expensive watches — were the undoing of one safety official, who fell victim to what has been dubbed China’s "human-flesh search engine."

Weekly Bonus

"Inside the Magical Patch That Gives You a Powerful Anti-Mosquito Force Field"
Vivek Kemp, Fast Company
In 2010, an estimated 219 million people were infected with malaria. Could this technology — and a clever business model — do something about it?

"National Flags Created From the Foods Each Country Is Commonly Associated With"
Paul Caridad, Visual News
Warning: This might make you hungry.

More from Foreign Policy

A photo illustration shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden posing on pedestals atop the bipolar world order, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladamir Putin standing below on a gridded floor.
A photo illustration shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden posing on pedestals atop the bipolar world order, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladamir Putin standing below on a gridded floor.

No, the World Is Not Multipolar

The idea of emerging power centers is popular but wrong—and could lead to serious policy mistakes.

A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.
A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.

America Prepares for a Pacific War With China It Doesn’t Want

Embedded with U.S. forces in the Pacific, I saw the dilemmas of deterrence firsthand.

The Chinese flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics at Beijing National Stadium on Feb. 4, 2022.
The Chinese flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics at Beijing National Stadium on Feb. 4, 2022.

America Can’t Stop China’s Rise

And it should stop trying.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on prior a meeting with European Union leaders in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on prior a meeting with European Union leaders in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022.

The Morality of Ukraine’s War Is Very Murky

The ethical calculations are less clear than you might think.