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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses delegates at the Bundestag about a budget crisis, in Berlin.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses delegates at the Bundestag about a budget crisis, in Berlin.

How a Court Ruling Triggered a German Budget Crisis

The government is scrambling to close a 17 billion euro gap.

A crumbling mosaic showing the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus is seen at an Orthodox monastery near the airport of Donetsk. The tiles of Mary's halo and lower face have fallen away, leaving behind a battered background of gray stone.
A crumbling mosaic showing the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus is seen at an Orthodox monastery near the airport of Donetsk. The tiles of Mary's halo and lower face have fallen away, leaving behind a battered background of gray stone.

Ukraine Has a Civil Rights Problem

Wartime unity hasn’t healed the wounds of the country’s past.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (C) with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (R).
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (C) with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (R).

How Saudi Arabia Could Use Its Leverage in Gaza

Riyadh might have a great deal of influence over the future of Israel and Palestine, but it is waiting for a genuine and viable peace process.

A green screen is shown with the words "United Nations Climate Change."
A green screen is shown with the words "United Nations Climate Change."

The Key Takeaways From COP28

Here’s what the summit did—and didn’t—change.

An illustration shows an inverted black and white image of the city skyline of Frankfurt split down the middle with a paper tear revealing a green background. Against the field of green, a cross section of a tree and a seedling are shown.
An illustration shows an inverted black and white image of the city skyline of Frankfurt split down the middle with a paper tear revealing a green background. Against the field of green, a cross section of a tree and a seedling are shown.

The Relentless Growth of Degrowth Economics

Europe’s push to abandon capitalism is motivated by optimism about politics—and pessimism about everything else.

An illustration shows British Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce. Pierce is drawn in a photorealistic style from her head to her neck, whereas the lines of her shirt and jacket are merely outlined and unshaded. The illustration is on top of a gradient of orange to pink.
An illustration shows British Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce. Pierce is drawn in a photorealistic style from her head to her neck, whereas the lines of her shirt and jacket are merely outlined and unshaded. The illustration is on top of a gradient of orange to pink.

The Optimist

Karen Pierce was the first woman to take up the U.K.’s seat at the U.N. Security Council and likely the first person to do so in a feather boa.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen walks between a line of soldiers standing at attention at a welcome ceremony on a cloudy day in St. Lucia. Tsai is a middle-aged woman wearing a black suit over a white T-shirt.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen walks between a line of soldiers standing at attention at a welcome ceremony on a cloudy day in St. Lucia. Tsai is a middle-aged woman wearing a black suit over a white T-shirt.
A 1901 political cartoon depicts an Uncle Sam rooster (large and central wearing a top hat and stars and stripe suit) with small roosters in the Monroe Doctrine-labeled European Coop (left) and smaller roosters labeled with South American country names including Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, and others running around free.
A 1901 political cartoon depicts an Uncle Sam rooster (large and central wearing a top hat and stars and stripe suit) with small roosters in the Monroe Doctrine-labeled European Coop (left) and smaller roosters labeled with South American country names including Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, and others running around free.

The Return of the Monroe Doctrine

U.S. responses to China’s growing presence in Latin America risk falling into an old paternalistic pattern.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for a European Council meeting.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for a European Council meeting.

Hungary Vetoes EU Aid Package for Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s decision.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Joe Biden, and other leaders arrive to pay respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 10.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Joe Biden, and other leaders arrive to pay respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 10.

Is the U.S.-India Partnership on Shaky Ground?

As Biden declines an invitation to New Delhi, Modi’s government has judged that a U.S.-foiled assassination plot won’t have serious consequences.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko sits behind a placard reading "Belarus" during a meeting of the Belt and Road Forum.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko sits behind a placard reading "Belarus" during a meeting of the Belt and Road Forum.

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Belarus?

Washington’s new envoys face a Sisyphean task.

In the foreground, U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi sit at podiums during a House China committee hearing.
In the foreground, U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi sit at podiums during a House China committee hearing.

Why a Bipartisan House Committee Wants to Further Cut Ties With Beijing

A new report from the influential select committee on China has flown under the radar.

An outdoor screen in Beijing shows a news program about Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting US President Joe Biden during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week in California on November 16, 2023.
An outdoor screen in Beijing shows a news program about Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting US President Joe Biden during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week in California on November 16, 2023.

Does America Have an Endgame on China?

Washington wants change—but it can come in stages.

A woman wearing a lanyard and a black denim jacket stands in front of an outdoor display at night, awash in green-toned light. The display includes signs covered with lights spelling out the words: "End the fossil era." Above those signs are red banners, each hand-painted with a word and yellow flames. The words are "funded," "full," "fair," "fast," "feminist," and "forever."
A woman wearing a lanyard and a black denim jacket stands in front of an outdoor display at night, awash in green-toned light. The display includes signs covered with lights spelling out the words: "End the fossil era." Above those signs are red banners, each hand-painted with a word and yellow flames. The words are "funded," "full," "fair," "fast," "feminist," and "forever."
Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arévalo speaks to supporters in Guatemala City on Oct. 20.
Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arévalo speaks to supporters in Guatemala City on Oct. 20.

Can Peer Pressure Protect Guatemala’s Democracy?

The country’s president-elect says he’s the victim of an attempted legal “coup.”

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