Flash Points

Themed journeys through our archive.

An illustration shows a gavel cracking down on a digitized background of ones and zeroes for a story about regulating artificial intelligence.
An illustration shows a gavel cracking down on a digitized background of ones and zeroes for a story about regulating artificial intelligence.

Why It’s So Hard to Regulate AI

The world may need new rulebooks for the rapidly evolving technology.

A soldier stands atop an Israeli battle tank near the border of Gaza. They are silhouetted against a an orange smoky sky.
A soldier stands atop an Israeli battle tank near the border of Gaza. They are silhouetted against a an orange smoky sky.

Gaza’s Best Chance at Peace

Strategies for breaking the cycle of violence for Israelis and Palestinians.

Biden and Netanyahu sit in front of Israeli and U.S. flags.
Biden and Netanyahu sit in front of Israeli and U.S. flags.

The Israel-Hamas War Reverberates Around the World

Here’s how the conflict has affected countries including the U.S., China, and Russia.

A person is seen from the side walking past a blue billboard.
A person is seen from the side walking past a blue billboard.

The World Bank’s Big Week

What to know ahead of the institution’s annual meetings.

A collage of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the CCP Party Congress, and academia and industry.
A collage of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the CCP Party Congress, and academia and industry.

Will China’s Elite Ever Rise Up?

Inside the world of China’s richest players.

A collage photo illustration shows examples of soft power around the world including a smoking NAFO shiba inu in a beret and fatigues, a dancing woman from the Bollywood movie "Monsoon Wedding," Olympic sprinter Jesse Owens, K-pop band BTS, and a panda.
A collage photo illustration shows examples of soft power around the world including a smoking NAFO shiba inu in a beret and fatigues, a dancing woman from the Bollywood movie "Monsoon Wedding," Olympic sprinter Jesse Owens, K-pop band BTS, and a panda.

Is Soft Power Making a Comeback?

Global powers are turning to it—with mixed success.

People walk around a model of a globe.
People walk around a model of a globe.
Protesters hold an anti-France placard during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey.
Protesters hold an anti-France placard during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey.

What’s Driving Africa’s Coups?

The factors that have contributed to instability in the region.

A United States Air Force F-35B Lightning II fighter jet performs an aerial display during the Singapore Airshow media preview on Feb. 9, 2020.
A United States Air Force F-35B Lightning II fighter jet performs an aerial display during the Singapore Airshow media preview on Feb. 9, 2020.

Where Is the Global Fighter Jet Market Headed?

F-35 sales were once called “America’s Belt and Road.” Does that still hold true?

People leave a food court at a mall in Beijing on Aug. 15.
People leave a food court at a mall in Beijing on Aug. 15.

How Serious Are China’s Economic Woes?

Experts assess the country’s faltering economy.

People run through a street holding up a large flag.
People run through a street holding up a large flag.

What to Know About Niger’s Coup

Is it a turning point for geopolitics in Africa?

Bundesbank president Karl Blessing lays the cornerstone for the new Bundesbank building in Frankfurt in November 1967.
Bundesbank president Karl Blessing lays the cornerstone for the new Bundesbank building in Frankfurt in November 1967.

How Central Banks Shape the World

They hold the reins of the global economy. But what about geopolitics?

Cillian Murphy, wearing a hat and suit, faces toward the Trinity tower test site where the first atomic bomb was detonated as a truck drives by in a scene from Oppenheimer.
Cillian Murphy, wearing a hat and suit, faces toward the Trinity tower test site where the first atomic bomb was detonated as a truck drives by in a scene from Oppenheimer.

Oppenheimer’s Long Shadow

Reads on the atomic bomb and its creator.

Two policemen look at a cargo ship.
Two policemen look at a cargo ship.

The Real Consequences of U.S.-China Decoupling

Is economic war between the world’s two biggest economies inevitable?

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greet each other at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 27, 2018.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greet each other at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 27, 2018.

India’s New Geopolitics

New Delhi is projecting its power in new ways.

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