Geopolitics

List of Geopolitics articles

  • An offshore oil construction platform stands in the Mediterranean Sea while oil tanker ships float nearby. No land is visible, and the horizon line is hazy between the dark water and the blue sky.
    An offshore oil construction platform stands in the Mediterranean Sea while oil tanker ships float nearby. No land is visible, and the horizon line is hazy between the dark water and the blue sky.

    The Israel-Hamas War Could Upend Global Energy Security

    If the conflict worsens, spillover effects could disrupt gas production and major shipping chokepoints.

  • Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a placard showing maps tracing the reduction of Palestinian territory from its historical borders, left, to then-U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for a Palestinian state under his new peace plan, far right, as he speaks in Ramallah.
    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a placard showing maps tracing the reduction of Palestinian territory from its historical borders, left, to then-U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for a Palestinian state under his new peace plan, far right, as he speaks in Ramallah.

    The Geopolitics of Palestine, Explained

    Gaza wasn’t always the hot spot it is today.

  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wearing a dark overcoat over a shirt and tie, is seen from the shoulders up as he stands against bare branches and a wintry sky.
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wearing a dark overcoat over a shirt and tie, is seen from the shoulders up as he stands against bare branches and a wintry sky.

    Netanyahu’s Road to War

    The Israeli leader sought to sideline the Palestinians while wooing the Arab states. Now he faces a bloody backlash.

  • A sign affixed to a metal pole shows capitalized text reading: "Jamal Khashoggi square." Smaller text beneath the title reads: "A journalist and advocate for human rights and democracy slain by the Saudi government."
    A sign affixed to a metal pole shows capitalized text reading: "Jamal Khashoggi square." Smaller text beneath the title reads: "A journalist and advocate for human rights and democracy slain by the Saudi government."

    The U.S. Is Letting Its Allies Get Away With Murder

    Washington has emboldened violence from partners such as India and Saudi Arabia.

  • An Indian Border Security Force wearing a tan formal uniform shakes hands with a Pakistan Rangers soldier wearing a black formal uniform. They are surrounded by other uniformed officers, most of whom wear traditional hats adorned with a fan-like crest.
    An Indian Border Security Force wearing a tan formal uniform shakes hands with a Pakistan Rangers soldier wearing a black formal uniform. They are surrounded by other uniformed officers, most of whom wear traditional hats adorned with a fan-like crest.

    Pakistan’s Missing Market

    Resuming trade with India is a chance to escape spiraling crises.

  • Numerous national flags are seen in front of the United Nations Office on June 8, 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland.
    Numerous national flags are seen in front of the United Nations Office on June 8, 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Yes, the World Is Multipolar

    And that isn’t bad news for the United States.

  • Hand-painted wooden nesting dolls stand on a table. Two are painted with an image of U.S. President Joe Biden, shown from the torso upward, wearing a black suit and smiling against an American flag background. Next to these is a doll painted with the image of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who smiles against a Chinese flag background.
    Hand-painted wooden nesting dolls stand on a table. Two are painted with an image of U.S. President Joe Biden, shown from the torso upward, wearing a black suit and smiling against an American flag background. Next to these is a doll painted with the image of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who smiles against a Chinese flag background.

    The U.S. Cannot Afford to Lose a Soft-Power Race With China

    Washington’s key diplomatic assets have become a political bargaining chip.

  • Afghans protest against the burning of the Quran by Swedish Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan outside Eid Gah mosque in Kabul on Jan. 27.
    Afghans protest against the burning of the Quran by Swedish Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan outside Eid Gah mosque in Kabul on Jan. 27.

    Attention-Seekers and Autocrats Are a Combustible Mix

    Geopolitical provocateurs can cause serious diplomatic headaches.

  • A man holds a flag bearing the logo of the Wagner Group as supporters of Niger's coup gather in the capital of Niamey on Aug. 26.
    A man holds a flag bearing the logo of the Wagner Group as supporters of Niger's coup gather in the capital of Niamey on Aug. 26.

    Wagner’s African Hosts Regret Letting Them In

    Libyans, among others, are sick of the Russian mercenaries.

  • A collage photo illustration shows examples of soft power around the world including a smoking NAFO shiba inu in a beret and fatigues, a dancing woman from the Bollywood movie "Monsoon Wedding," Olympic sprinter Jesse Owens, K-pop band BTS, and a panda.
    A collage photo illustration shows examples of soft power around the world including a smoking NAFO shiba inu in a beret and fatigues, a dancing woman from the Bollywood movie "Monsoon Wedding," Olympic sprinter Jesse Owens, K-pop band BTS, and a panda.

    Is Soft Power Making a Comeback?

    Global powers are turning to it—with mixed success.

  • U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting, his mouth open as he stands in front of a sign for a Central Asia plus U.S. group of nations. Biden is an 8-year-old man with white hair, wearing a navy blue suit.
    U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting, his mouth open as he stands in front of a sign for a Central Asia plus U.S. group of nations. Biden is an 8-year-old man with white hair, wearing a navy blue suit.

    Biden Takes Aim at Putin’s Soft Underbelly in Central Asia

    Moscow’s war in Ukraine has created an opening for Washington as a new great game heats up

  • A photo illustration shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden posing on pedestals atop the bipolar world order, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladamir Putin standing below on a gridded floor.
    A photo illustration shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden posing on pedestals atop the bipolar world order, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladamir Putin standing below on a gridded floor.

    No, the World Is Not Multipolar

    The idea of emerging power centers is popular but wrong—and could lead to serious policy mistakes.

  • U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un talk before a meeting in the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea on June 30, 2019.
    U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un talk before a meeting in the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea on June 30, 2019.

    North Korean Talks Collapsed but Didn’t Fail

    I helped negotiate the Trump-Kim meeting. Real peace is still possible.

  • Argentine President Alberto Fernández (right) and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prepare for photos as part of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit hosted in Buenos Aires on Jan. 24.
    Argentine President Alberto Fernández (right) and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prepare for photos as part of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit hosted in Buenos Aires on Jan. 24.

    BRICS Invitation Puts Argentina in a Tough Spot

    Ahead of a presidential election, debate in Buenos Aires reveals the mounting challenges of multi-alignment.

  • Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, U.S. President Joe Biden, center, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida can be seen from behind as they walk away from the camera down a shaded, tree-lined path. All three men wear dark suits, and Biden is resting his hand on Kishida's shoulder as they walk together.
    Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, U.S. President Joe Biden, center, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida can be seen from behind as they walk away from the camera down a shaded, tree-lined path. All three men wear dark suits, and Biden is resting his hand on Kishida's shoulder as they walk together.

    Domestic Politics Threaten Hard-Won Success in East Asia

    The Camp David trilateral summit produced results—but they might not last.

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