Skip to main content

Analysis

An illustration of the French word "seum" reflected in a woman's sunglasses as her lip curls.
An illustration of the French word "seum" reflected in a woman's sunglasses as her lip curls.

The Malaise Poisoning French Politics

There’s a word for the anger and disappointment French voters are feeling: “seum.”

A masked player places chips on the table during the launch of the Winamax poker tour on October 25, 2014 in Paris.
A masked player places chips on the table during the launch of the Winamax poker tour on October 25, 2014 in Paris.

It’s Time to Beat Putin at Poker and Call His Bluff

The West must understand the high-stakes game Russia is engaging in, and use calculated aggression to expose the Kremlin's weak hand.

A mass grave is exhumed by local authorities as they attempt to identify the bodies of civilians killed during the Russian occupation in Bucha, Ukraine.
A mass grave is exhumed by local authorities as they attempt to identify the bodies of civilians killed during the Russian occupation in Bucha, Ukraine.

Russia’s Ukraine Propaganda Has Turned Fully Genocidal

Egged on by the language of annihilation and extermination, Russian soldiers have become willing executioners.

Gas pipelines at the Enagás liquefied natural gas regasification plant, the oldest in continental Europe, in the port of Barcelona on March 29.
Gas pipelines at the Enagás liquefied natural gas regasification plant, the oldest in continental Europe, in the port of Barcelona on March 29.

Spain’s Energy Ambitions Are Looking Like a Pipe Dream

Madrid wanted to become a European hub for natural gas. Then it reneged on Western Sahara.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan  aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.
U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.

Does the New U.S. National Defense Strategy Make Any Sense?

The Pentagon is scrambling to deter China while adjusting to war in Europe—but does its new approach amount to more than just rhetoric?

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Kremlin in Moscow on Feb. 7.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Kremlin in Moscow on Feb. 7.

Macron’s Vision for European Autonomy Crashed and Burned in Ukraine

A grand intellectual edifice has collapsed under the weight of its contradictions.

A black-and-white photo of men marching on a boulevard with the sign "PAIX EN ALGERIE."
A black-and-white photo of men marching on a boulevard with the sign "PAIX EN ALGERIE."

France Can’t Erase Algeria From Its History

Europe’s past isn’t as white as right-wing politicians pretend.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Belgrade on May 15, 2020.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Belgrade on May 15, 2020.

The Threat to the West Is Inside the House

The United States and Europe need to toughen up on the spoilers in their own ranks.

President Joe Biden waves as he walks to Marine One for a departure from the Ellipse near the White House on May 19, 2021 in Washington, DC.
President Joe Biden waves as he walks to Marine One for a departure from the Ellipse near the White House on May 19, 2021 in Washington, DC.

America’s Middle East Friendships Are Dying a Natural Death

It’s time to recognize they were living on borrowed time.

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on as he visits Chanel's Metiers d'Art workshops at le 19M, the building which houses around 600 artisans, in Paris, on January 20, 2022.
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on as he visits Chanel's Metiers d'Art workshops at le 19M, the building which houses around 600 artisans, in Paris, on January 20, 2022.

Après Macron, Le Déluge

The French president's aloofness is a personal failing that could soon produce a historic catastrophe.

In this China Central Television video screengrab from March 30, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) meets his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Huangshan, Anhui province, during his first visit to China since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in late February.
In this China Central Television video screengrab from March 30, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) meets his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Huangshan, Anhui province, during his first visit to China since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in late February.

China Has Ditched Its Own Principles to Back Russia

Beijing claimed to be opposed to the use of force—until Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

European Parliament gives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a standing ovation
European Parliament gives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a standing ovation

Ukraine Doesn’t Need Half-Measures From the EU

Europeans should learn from the success of enlarging the bloc.

Planes fly in the sky, followed by streaks of color, in front of a Chinese flag.
Planes fly in the sky, followed by streaks of color, in front of a Chinese flag.

China Has Nothing to Gain From an Aerospace Alliance With Russia

Beijing is a rising power with a growing domestic aviation industry—and it no longer needs Moscow’s help.

People hold candles during a rally to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine near the Russian Embassy in Seoul on March 4.
People hold candles during a rally to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine near the Russian Embassy in Seoul on March 4.

South Korea Must Pick a Side

Russia’s war in Ukraine has shown the “shrimp among whales” that hedging is no longer a viable foreign policy.

Modi and Putin meet
Modi and Putin meet

Why Most of the Indo-Pacific Tiptoes Around Russia

With Beijing and Moscow working so closely together, countries find it risky to support the West on Ukraine.

Load 10 More Articles
Loading graphics