Explainer

List of Explainer articles

The words PALESTINA LIBRE are painted on a car.
The words PALESTINA LIBRE are painted on a car.

What Does Latin America Think About the Israel-Hamas War?

Many countries are spurning Israel. But the region’s Middle East stance has always been nuanced.

Explainer
Patricia Garip
As two out of focus Palestinian flags wave in the foreground, in the background, a protester stands on the head of a bronze statue of Neptune on top of a fountain on a cloudy day. The protester waves another Palestinian flag and shouts as he leans back agains the statue's trident. Other demonstrators have climbed to rest on lower parts of the statue.
As two out of focus Palestinian flags wave in the foreground, in the background, a protester stands on the head of a bronze statue of Neptune on top of a fountain on a cloudy day. The protester waves another Palestinian flag and shouts as he leans back agains the statue's trident. Other demonstrators have climbed to rest on lower parts of the statue.

How the Gaza War Could Shape Global Politics in 2024

From India to Germany to the United States, debate over the war could have real electoral consequences.

Explainer
Amy Mackinnon
In a photo released by the Houthi military on Nov. 20, a Houthi helicopter flies over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea.
In a photo released by the Houthi military on Nov. 20, a Houthi helicopter flies over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea.

The Red Sea Crisis, Explained

A wave of Houthi missile attacks has spooked shipping companies and energy markets.

Explainer
Christina Lu
The top and side of the U.S. Capitol dome are seen through a four-paned window. The black frame blocks most of the rest of the image, obscuring about two-thirds of the photo.
The top and side of the U.S. Capitol dome are seen through a four-paned window. The black frame blocks most of the rest of the image, obscuring about two-thirds of the photo.

The Contentious Surveillance Law Making Waves in Washington

Why a regulation created to help U.S. intelligence agencies fight terror has become a political football. 

Explainer
Rishi Iyengar, Jack Detsch
Venezuelan Defense Minister Gen. Vladímir Padrino López reads flyer on the Venezuela-Guyana territorial dispute.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Gen. Vladímir Padrino López reads flyer on the Venezuela-Guyana territorial dispute.

Why Is Venezuela Threatening a Land-Grab War in Latin America?

Caracas has its sights set on Guyana’s vast oil deposits, and President Nicolás Maduro isn’t willing to let a little thing like international law get in his way.

Explainer
Alexandra Sharp
Several plumes of white smoke rise against a gray sky above a densely populated area of the Gaza Strip.
Several plumes of white smoke rise against a gray sky above a densely populated area of the Gaza Strip.

What the Use of White Phosphorus Means in Warfare

Israel’s use of the deadly chemical would violate international norms.

Explainer
Alexandra Sharp, Jack Detsch
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a placard showing maps tracing the reduction of Palestinian territory from its historical borders, left, to then-U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for a Palestinian state under his new peace plan, far right, as he speaks in Ramallah.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a placard showing maps tracing the reduction of Palestinian territory from its historical borders, left, to then-U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for a Palestinian state under his new peace plan, far right, as he speaks in Ramallah.

The Geopolitics of Palestine, Explained

Gaza wasn’t always the hot spot it is today.

Explainer
Allison Meakem
A grid of images shows Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a boy carrying a Palestine and a Fatah flag, a Hamas militant holding a gun with his face covered, members of Hezbollah wearing berets, fatigues, and holding flags, PLO leader Yasser Arafat, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants.
A grid of images shows Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a boy carrying a Palestine and a Fatah flag, a Hamas militant holding a gun with his face covered, members of Hezbollah wearing berets, fatigues, and holding flags, PLO leader Yasser Arafat, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants.

A Guide to Palestinian and Other Anti-Israel Factions

Hamas is not the only group vying to lead the Palestinians—or the fight against Israel.

Explainer
Alexandra Sharp, Rishi Iyengar
U.S. President Joe Biden looks at a quantum computer as he tours the IBM facility in Poughkeepsie, New York, on Oct. 6, 2022.
U.S. President Joe Biden looks at a quantum computer as he tours the IBM facility in Poughkeepsie, New York, on Oct. 6, 2022.

The Quantum Chips Are Stacking Up

Why it matters, and how worried we should be about it.

Explainer
Rishi Iyengar
A general view during the inauguration of a green-tech hydrogen production plant at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland in Wesseling, Germany.
A general view during the inauguration of a green-tech hydrogen production plant at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland in Wesseling, Germany.

Green Hydrogen Isn’t a Silver Bullet 

World leaders are betting big on clean hydrogen. How much of it is hype?

Explainer
Christina Lu
Protesters wave Nigerien and Russian flags in Niger.
Protesters wave Nigerien and Russian flags in Niger.

Niger’s Coup Is West Africa’s Biggest Challenge Yet

ECOWAS’s Sunday deadline to reimpose Niger’s president could be the starting pistol for war across West Africa.

Explainer
Alexandra Sharp
A view of a spent nuclear fuel storage site at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.
A view of a spent nuclear fuel storage site at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.

How Worried Should We Be About Zaporizhzhia?

It’s not Chernobyl 2.0. But experts say Russian threats to cause a catastrophe shouldn’t be dismissed lightly.

Explainer
Ashley Ahn
A dog walks in the water during an evacuation from a flooded area in Kherson, Ukraine.
A dog walks in the water during an evacuation from a flooded area in Kherson, Ukraine.

Ukrainians Are Accusing Russia of Ecocide. What Does That Mean?

The dam blast rekindled a concept with Vietnam War roots but no place in international law—yet.

Explainer
Clara Gutman-Argemí, Ashley Ahn, Brawley Benson
An illustration shows a shredded U.S. dollar bill atop a bright fuzzy background for a story about de-dollarization
An illustration shows a shredded U.S. dollar bill atop a bright fuzzy background for a story about de-dollarization

The Bid to Dethrone the Dollar

The greenback’s dominance is here to stay. Here’s why.

Explainer
Christina Lu
An image shows China, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Canada driving artificial intelligence technology.
An image shows China, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Canada driving artificial intelligence technology.

Who’s Winning the AI Race? It’s Not That Simple.

Figuring out who’s ahead is a lot tougher than counting rockets or warheads.

Explainer
Rishi Iyengar
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