Latest

List of Latest articles

An aerial view shows stranded ships dotting bright blue water as they wait to cross the narrow Suez Canal seen in the distance at its southern entrance in the Red Sea.
An aerial view shows stranded ships dotting bright blue water as they wait to cross the narrow Suez Canal seen in the distance at its southern entrance in the Red Sea.

The Red Sea Crisis Proves China Was Ahead of the Curve

The Belt and Road Initiative wasn’t a sinister plot. It was a blueprint for what every nation needs in an age of uncertainty and disruption.

Analysis
Parag Khanna
Police officers patrol a neighborhood in Haiti’s capital.
Police officers patrol a neighborhood in Haiti’s capital.

Gang Violence Shuts Down Haiti’s Capital

The next few weeks will determine who leads Haiti and what international aid Port-au-Prince will receive, if any.

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
A tractor decorated with a dummy featuring an image of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is seen during a protest in Berlin.
A tractor decorated with a dummy featuring an image of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is seen during a protest in Berlin.

What in the World?

Test yourself on the week of Jan. 13: Taiwan votes, Iowa caucuses, and German farmers protest.

Quiz
Drew Gorman
A picture taken during an organized tour by Yemen's Houthi rebels shows the deck of the Galaxy Leader cargo ship as it floats on the Red Sea beneath a hazy blue sky. Houthi fighters patrol the deck, and the Yemeni and Palestinian flags hang from the main mast.
A picture taken during an organized tour by Yemen's Houthi rebels shows the deck of the Galaxy Leader cargo ship as it floats on the Red Sea beneath a hazy blue sky. Houthi fighters patrol the deck, and the Yemeni and Palestinian flags hang from the main mast.

Why Egypt Has the Most to Lose From Houthi Strikes on Merchant Ships

The attacks harm global trade, but the regional impact might be worse.

Insider
Cameron Abadi, Adam Tooze
On a dark street at night, an Iranian protester waves a Palestinian flag and holds a portrait of slain top Iranian commander Qassem Suleimani during a demonstration in Tehran
On a dark street at night, an Iranian protester waves a Palestinian flag and holds a portrait of slain top Iranian commander Qassem Suleimani during a demonstration in Tehran

Can the U.S. Prevent a Wider War in the Middle East?

Washington’s approach appears to be failing—but a military focus on Iran may not resolve the fundamental problems in the region.

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Collectible, decorative plates line a wooden display shelf. The ceramic plates are printed with various colorful images of Chinese leaders, including current Chinese President Xi Jinping and former communist party Chairman Mao Zedong.
Collectible, decorative plates line a wooden display shelf. The ceramic plates are printed with various colorful images of Chinese leaders, including current Chinese President Xi Jinping and former communist party Chairman Mao Zedong.

The Futile Legacy of Mao Zedong

Xi Jinping wants to be a new Great Helmsman. It won’t work.

Argument
Doug Bandow
New Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo waves after his inauguration ceremony at the Miguel Ángel Asturias Cultural Center in Guatemala City on Jan. 15.
New Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo waves after his inauguration ceremony at the Miguel Ángel Asturias Cultural Center in Guatemala City on Jan. 15.

Guatemala’s Arévalo Beats the Odds

But efforts to obstruct the anti-corruption activist-turned-president will continue.

Latin America Brief
Catherine Osborn
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks during a session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 18.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks during a session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 18.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis on How to Counter ‘Davos Arrogance’

Greece’s prime minister makes the case that his country is uniquely situated to talk to the global south—and broker peace in the Middle East.

Q&A
Ravi Agrawal
A police officer stands guard outside Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
A police officer stands guard outside Pakistan’s foreign ministry.

Pakistan Targets Baluch Militants in Iran

Retaliatory strikes threaten regional stability despite both nations pushing for diplomatic solutions.

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
Houthi fighters brandish weapons during a protest following U.S. and British airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen.
Houthi fighters brandish weapons during a protest following U.S. and British airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen.

So You Want to Sanction a Terrorist Group

Biden tries to hit the Houthis where it hurts: their bank accounts.

Situation Report
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
A young boy takes part in a protest in Tehran, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, while in the background, President Raisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran addresses the crowd.
A young boy takes part in a protest in Tehran, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, while in the background, President Raisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran addresses the crowd.

Iran Is Flexing Its Muscles—and Hurting Itself

Tehran’s missile attacks on its neighbors were intended as a show of force—but may be a sign of recklessness.

Analysis
Sina Toossi
Taiwan's president-elect, Lai Ching-te (L), gestures beside his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, during a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei after Lai won the presidential election.
Taiwan's president-elect, Lai Ching-te (L), gestures beside his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, during a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei after Lai won the presidential election.

Will Taiwan’s Next President Be the China Hawk Washington Wants?

The Biden administration hopes Lai Ching-te will take the threat of a cross-strait invasion as seriously as the U.S. does.

Report
Jack Detsch
A wide shot shows a line of massive container ships moored at a port on the Red Sea in Yemen. Their cranes hang over the main platform of the port, and one is being used to lower a container into scaffolding above a truck.
A wide shot shows a line of massive container ships moored at a port on the Red Sea in Yemen. Their cranes hang over the main platform of the port, and one is being used to lower a container into scaffolding above a truck.

Why the Red Sea Crisis Hasn’t Hit Energy—Yet

A month of attacks on commercial shipping has surprisingly left energy markets unmoved.

Report
Keith Johnson
Tractors are lined up ahead of Brandenburg Gate.
Tractors are lined up ahead of Brandenburg Gate.

Germany’s Farmers Have No Reason to Complain

A nationwide protest against a move to repeal agricultural subsidies has earned public sympathy—but doesn’t deserve it.

Analysis
Paul Hockenos
Workers are seen at the construction site of the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, India.
Workers are seen at the construction site of the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, India.

The Ram Mandir Temple Is Part of Modi’s Playbook

The Indian leader fulfills a signature promise with his consecration of the controversial landmark—just as elections approach.

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Load 15 More Articles
Loading graphics