Latest

List of Latest articles

An illustration shows the legs and shoes of a person with either foot astride the opening of the Panama Canal. The legs are covered in the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag. A container ship is seen entering the canal.
An illustration shows the legs and shoes of a person with either foot astride the opening of the Panama Canal. The legs are covered in the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag. A container ship is seen entering the canal.

A Man, a Plan, and a Long History of Overplayed Hands

Trump did not invent hardball U.S. diplomacy with Panama. Then, as now, it is doomed to backfire.

Analysis
Tom Long, Carsten-Andreas Schulz
France's Minister of Overseas Manuel Valls (R) watches as baby sea turtles are released into the ocean during a visit to Kwata eco-park and museum, on Awala-Yalimapo beach, in the French overseas department of Guiana on June 15.
France's Minister of Overseas Manuel Valls (R) watches as baby sea turtles are released into the ocean during a visit to Kwata eco-park and museum, on Awala-Yalimapo beach, in the French overseas department of Guiana on June 15.

The World Is Making Progress on Conservation—Without the United States

Trump’s brand of isolationism and exceptionalism will be outlasted by the multilateral agreements made in the coming months.

Argument
Sushma Raman, John Hocevar
A Chinese Navy ship with bow number 629 sails near Escoda Shoal, as seen during a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea on June 7.
A Chinese Navy ship with bow number 629 sails near Escoda Shoal, as seen during a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea on June 7.

Beijing’s Dominance of the South China Sea Is Not Inevitable

Groupthink and short-termism are clouding judgments about these waters. This article has an audio recording

Argument
Ben Bland, William Matthews
Syrian security forces enter the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda.
Syrian security forces enter the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda.

Damascus, Druze Minority Agree to Cease-Fire in Syria

Authorities hope the deal will prevent Syria from sliding into a wider regional conflict with Israel.

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
A Croatian flag flies during a UEFA Euro 2024 group stage match in Hamburg, Germany, on June 19, 2024.
A Croatian flag flies during a UEFA Euro 2024 group stage match in Hamburg, Germany, on June 19, 2024.

Croatia’s Quiet War in Bosnia

Zagreb’s push for segregation puts the future of democratic Bosnia at risk.

Argument
Ismet Fatih Cancar, Ismail Cidic
A Taliban guard stands over an armored tank as he keeps watch.
A Taliban guard stands over an armored tank as he keeps watch.

Russia’s Recognition Could Bolster Taliban Regime

Other countries may follow Moscow’s lead in formalizing ties.

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A portrait of Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa next to a defaced portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump in Damascus.
A portrait of Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa next to a defaced portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump in Damascus.

In Syria, It’s Trump vs. Trump

Donald Trump wants to give Syria “a chance at greatness,” but his assault on U.S. foreign aid threatens to undo any progress achieved.

Argument
Aron Lund
With his back turned to the camera, Trump stands points at a crowd of people wearing hard hats and reflective safety vests. Behind Trump and the crowd is a massive American flag that seems to cover an entire wall.
With his back turned to the camera, Trump stands points at a crowd of people wearing hard hats and reflective safety vests. Behind Trump and the crowd is a massive American flag that seems to cover an entire wall.

Trump Embraces State Capitalism

The level of U.S. government economic intervention under Trump 2.0 is off the charts.

Analysis
Keith Johnson, Christina Lu
Trump and Putin
Trump and Putin

Trump’s Ukraine Shift Sends the Right Signal to Putin

But there won’t be peace without additional pressure on the Kremlin.

Argument
Luke Coffey
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers an end-of-year press conference in Kyiv on December 19, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers an end-of-year press conference in Kyiv on December 19, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Democracy Has Stalled

With the United States ceasing to care, Ukraine’s domestic reforms are falling flat.

Analysis
Paul Hockenos
A group of young protesters marches through a street. One holds up the Kenyan flag.
A group of young protesters marches through a street. One holds up the Kenyan flag.

Calls Grow for Kenyan President to Step Down

Public resentment spikes as the death toll rises amid anti-government protests.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
An employee holds a pair of shoes at a Crocs store in Hanoi's Old Quarter in Vietnam on July 7, 2025.
An employee holds a pair of shoes at a Crocs store in Hanoi's Old Quarter in Vietnam on July 7, 2025.

The U.S.-Vietnam Trade Deal Makes No Sense

Hanoi has a long history of managing its wayward friends, but what’s in this for Washington?

Argument
Henrietta Levin
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men burn conscription orders as they block a main highway during a demonstration against drafting to the Israeli military, in Bnei Brak, Israel.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men burn conscription orders as they block a main highway during a demonstration against drafting to the Israeli military, in Bnei Brak, Israel.

Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Party Quits Netanyahu’s Coalition

The move narrows Netanyahu’s parliamentary majority to just one seat.

World Brief
Anusha Rathi
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on July 14.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on July 14.

There’s Less to Trump’s Ukraine Shift Than Meets the Eye

Europe will buy unspecified weapons for Ukraine, and Russia gets a long reprieve from sanctions.

Argument
Christian Caryl
The wrecked bodies of cars are strewn about a bridge beneath a hazy blue sky, some on the cracked road, others leaning on the barrier fence. Sheets of metal cover large potholes on the road.
The wrecked bodies of cars are strewn about a bridge beneath a hazy blue sky, some on the cracked road, others leaning on the barrier fence. Sheets of metal cover large potholes on the road.

Washington Can Keep Sudan’s Civil War From Getting Worse

A concerted diplomatic push is needed to allay a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.

Argument
Cameron Hudson
Load 15 More Articles
Loading graphics