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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference in Madrid.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference in Madrid.

U.S., China Reach ‘Framework’ TikTok Deal

The agreement would see Chinese company ByteDance divest the social media app to a U.S. corporation.

A Finnish defender is seen near the front during the Finnish-Soviet Winter War in early 1940.
A Finnish defender is seen near the front during the Finnish-Soviet Winter War in early 1940.

The Ghost of Finlandization Is Haunting the Ukraine Debate

A 1944 armistice that traded land for peace is a poor precedent for ending Russia’s war. This article has an audio recording

Netanyahu and Trump are seen at a slightly skewed angle as they sit diagonally at a table in an ornately decorated room. Netanyahu is seen in profile, facing someone off-camera at his side; Trump stares at Netanyahu, shoulders hunched forward, frowning slightly.
Netanyahu and Trump are seen at a slightly skewed angle as they sit diagonally at a table in an ornately decorated room. Netanyahu is seen in profile, facing someone off-camera at his side; Trump stares at Netanyahu, shoulders hunched forward, frowning slightly.

The Delusions Driving U.S. Policy in the Middle East

Washington is pushing outdated ideas and unrealistic goals.

A local farmer shows her produce in Nakapiripirit, Uganda on July 22.
A local farmer shows her produce in Nakapiripirit, Uganda on July 22.

Fixing Foreign Aid Requires Confronting Fundamental Tensions

Aid critics ignore competing policy goals and structural trade-offs between control and flexibility.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, right, and International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi sign a protocol concerning nuclear inspections in Cairo.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, right, and International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi sign a protocol concerning nuclear inspections in Cairo.

The Iran Deal That Isn’t Quite Yet

The would-be agreement between Iran and the IAEA hinges on U.S. willingness to come back to the table.

A woman holds a placard reading "Corruption kills" as thousands of protesters march through central Belgrade.
A woman holds a placard reading "Corruption kills" as thousands of protesters march through central Belgrade.

Serbia’s Imperial Fantasies Keep Blowing Back Home

Amid chaos, protesters have a chance to leave the past behind.

Chinese soldiers march during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan in Tiananmen Square on September 3.
Chinese soldiers march during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan in Tiananmen Square on September 3.

Are We Overestimating Autocracies?

Russia and Iran have proved weaker than many thought. So will China.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meets with U.S. President Donald Trump at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 27, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meets with U.S. President Donald Trump at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 27, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland.

Trump’s Trade Deal With Europe Is Already Unraveling

Both sides praised the agreement—but never seemed to agree on what it meant.

Two doctors simultaneously administer a smallpox vaccination and a gamma globulin injection to a young boy whose classmates watch in 1967.
Two doctors simultaneously administer a smallpox vaccination and a gamma globulin injection to a young boy whose classmates watch in 1967.

RFK Jr.’s Uncle Made Vaccines His Signature Issue

U.S. President John F. Kennedy sought to ensure that no American child would suffer from polio.

A large oil tanker is seen in the foreground on the water, with a large city in the background.
A large oil tanker is seen in the foreground on the water, with a large city in the background.

The U.S.-Europe Divide on How to Hurt Moscow

The White House believes that tariffs are the best strategy, but Brussels maintains that direct sanctions are more effective.

Members of the Ethiopian Republic March Band perform in front of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ahead of its official inauguration ceremony in Guba, Ethiopia.
Members of the Ethiopian Republic March Band perform in front of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ahead of its official inauguration ceremony in Guba, Ethiopia.

What in the World?

Test yourself on the week of Sept. 6: Israel strikes Qatar, Nepal imposes a military curfew, and Brazil convicts its ex-president.

A photographer takes a photo of a pop art panting of Queen Elizabeth hangin on a wall with an exhibit card displayed next to it.
A photographer takes a photo of a pop art panting of Queen Elizabeth hangin on a wall with an exhibit card displayed next to it.

All the Queen’s Gossips

Two new books explore the tangled world of royal stories and real crimes.

An illustration shows the seal of the United Nations with a shadow across it. Laurel leaves fall onto the ground from the seal as a person sweeps them up.
An illustration shows the seal of the United Nations with a shadow across it. Laurel leaves fall onto the ground from the seal as a person sweeps them up.

The Golden Age of Multilateralism Is Over

And it cannot be revived by China, Europe, post-Trump America, or the global south.

A close-up of a man's face with one eye looking through a gun scope.
A close-up of a man's face with one eye looking through a gun scope.

The Coup That Started in a WeWork

A new documentary about the time a small band of misguided Americans attempted to overthrow the Venezuelan government.

A tired-looking Peter Mandelson walks, clutching a coat, alongside another man.
A tired-looking Peter Mandelson walks, clutching a coat, alongside another man.

Why Did Britain Send an Epstein Pal to Washington?

Labour cronyism produced Mandelson’s disastrous appointment.

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