The Battle for Eurasia
China, Russia, and their autocratic friends are leading another epic clash over the world’s largest landmass.
List of Leaders articles
![A man rides a unicycle past a house decorated with a mural that depicts members of the Russian Patriotic Youth movement Yunarmiya in Moscow in 2022. The painted children wear red berets and tan uniforms. One has her hand to her forehead in a military salute.]()
A man rides a unicycle past a house decorated with a mural that depicts members of the Russian Patriotic Youth movement Yunarmiya in Moscow in 2022. The painted children wear red berets and tan uniforms. One has her hand to her forehead in a military salute.
What’s Going on Inside Putin’s Russia?
Deciphering Moscow’s domestic politics.
![Chinese President Xi Jinping walks past an honor guard of People's Liberation Army sailors at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on Sept. 16, 2013.]()
Chinese President Xi Jinping walks past an honor guard of People's Liberation Army sailors at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on Sept. 16, 2013.
Why Biden’s China Reset Is a Bad Idea
Signaling neediness to an adversary has never been effective.
![An illustration shows Russian President Vladimir Putin on a television set with spinning lines behind him for a story about Russia's TV propaganda.]()
An illustration shows Russian President Vladimir Putin on a television set with spinning lines behind him for a story about Russia's TV propaganda.
A Day Inside Putin’s Surreal Television Empire
How the nonstop blare of Russian state media fuels the war effort—and blurs reality.
![A man wears a mask depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing makeup, during the 19th edition of the 'Belgian Pride' event, a gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, on May 17, 2014 in Brussels.]()
A man wears a mask depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing makeup, during the 19th edition of the 'Belgian Pride' event, a gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, on May 17, 2014 in Brussels.
Homophobia Is Part of Putin’s War Plan
Why anti-gay propaganda has been part of Russia’s strategy against Ukraine from the start.
![A G-20 logo is seen on a boat in Dal Lake ahead of the G-20 meeting in Srinagar, India.]()
A G-20 logo is seen on a boat in Dal Lake ahead of the G-20 meeting in Srinagar, India.
Modi Wants to Bring Tourists Back to Kashmir
India’s government wants to turn the war-torn region into a renewed tourist hot spot.
![Children attend an official initiation ceremony for the youth organization Young Pioneers in Moscow's Red Square.]()
Children attend an official initiation ceremony for the youth organization Young Pioneers in Moscow's Red Square.
Russia’s Frighteningly Fascist Youth
A new generation of Russians glorifies war, death, and Vladimir Putin.
![Ones-And-Tooze-podcast-series-1500x1000-site (1)]()
Ones-And-Tooze-podcast-series-1500x1000-site (1)
How Turkey’s Economy Explains Its Election Results (or Doesn’t)
Plus: The economics of olive oil.
![Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin make a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.]()
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin make a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Why Xi Is Ghosting Biden
Beijing’s refusal to talk to Washington is part of a war of attrition against U.S. influence.
![Pakistani Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly during a rehearsal ahead of the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 15, 2022.]()
Pakistani Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly during a rehearsal ahead of the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 15, 2022.
5 Reasons Ukraine Should Get F-16 Jets
They will save many lives, bring victory closer, and spare other Western resources.
![russia-books-war-resistance-ukraine-1984-nazis-foreign-policy-cathryn-virginia-illusration-site]()
russia-books-war-resistance-ukraine-1984-nazis-foreign-policy-cathryn-virginia-illusration-site
For Russians, Reading Is the New Resistance
What bestselling books tell us about how Russians are processing the war.
![Graves of mercenaries recruited by the Wagner group and killed during Russia's war in Ukraine are seen covered in flowers at the Beloostrovsky cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia.]()
Graves of mercenaries recruited by the Wagner group and killed during Russia's war in Ukraine are seen covered in flowers at the Beloostrovsky cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia.
For Russians, It’s the Wild 1990s All Over Again
Overflowing graveyards and other parallels signal a threat to Vladimir Putin’s rule.
![Chris Smith of Mill Hall, Pennsylvania yawns while sitting in the grand stands before his uncle, U.S. Army Spc. Joe Mosser, returned home from Iraq along the 24th Corps Support Group, July 6, 2003 in Ft. Stewart, Georgia.]()
Chris Smith of Mill Hall, Pennsylvania yawns while sitting in the grand stands before his uncle, U.S. Army Spc. Joe Mosser, returned home from Iraq along the 24th Corps Support Group, July 6, 2003 in Ft. Stewart, Georgia.
U.S. Foreign Policy Is About to Get Boring
The presidential election is around the corner—and that means “Scranton Joe” is about to take the international stage.
![Chinese President Jiang Zemin greets U.S. President George W. Bush prior to a meeting of APEC leaders in 2001.]()
Chinese President Jiang Zemin greets U.S. President George W. Bush prior to a meeting of APEC leaders in 2001.
What the Bush-Obama China Memos Reveal
Newly declassified documents contain important lessons for U.S. China policy.
![U.S. President Joe Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act as Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and House Majority Whip James Clyburn look on, in the White House in Washington on Aug. 16, 2022.]()
U.S. President Joe Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act as Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and House Majority Whip James Clyburn look on, in the White House in Washington on Aug. 16, 2022.
Biden Is Rewriting the Rules on Trade—and Americans Should Be Worried
The administration is doing a sneaky end run around the Inflation Reduction Act.
![A man in sunglasses walks past a group of buildings.]()
A man in sunglasses walks past a group of buildings.
The Long Arm of China’s Overseas Influence Operations
Illegal police stations are just the tip of the iceberg.
![US Climate Envoy John Kerry speaks during CERAWeek, an international energy conference, in Houston, Texas, on March 6, 2023.]()
US Climate Envoy John Kerry speaks during CERAWeek, an international energy conference, in Houston, Texas, on March 6, 2023.
John Kerry: ‘The IRA Is Working on Overdrive’
The U.S. special envoy for climate responds to critics of the Inflation Reduction Act.
![A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet is seen at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army 2022" in Moscow on Aug. 18, 2022.]()
A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet is seen at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army 2022" in Moscow on Aug. 18, 2022.
What the Russia-Iran Arms Deals Mean for the Middle East
Moscow’s weapons could sabotage the spirit of reconciliation rippling through the region.
![Families are reunited with their children in Kyiv.]()
Families are reunited with their children in Kyiv.
The Kids Aren’t Alright
Kyiv says more than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia. This is the story of a few who made it home.
![A picture shows a funeral ceremony for a fallen Russian soldier at a cemetery in Bogoroditsk, Russia.]()
A picture shows a funeral ceremony for a fallen Russian soldier at a cemetery in Bogoroditsk, Russia.
Casualties Won’t Topple Putin
But they will make his job much more difficult.
![U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are seen during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 16, 2022.]()
U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are seen during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 16, 2022.
OPEC+ Cut Shows Saudi Geopolitical Ambitions
Riyadh is shifting to non-alignment—and fighting to dominate oil markets again.
What’s Going on Inside Putin’s Russia?
Deciphering Moscow’s domestic politics.
Why Biden’s China Reset Is a Bad Idea
Signaling neediness to an adversary has never been effective.
A Day Inside Putin’s Surreal Television Empire
How the nonstop blare of Russian state media fuels the war effort—and blurs reality.
Homophobia Is Part of Putin’s War Plan
Why anti-gay propaganda has been part of Russia’s strategy against Ukraine from the start.
Modi Wants to Bring Tourists Back to Kashmir
India’s government wants to turn the war-torn region into a renewed tourist hot spot.
Russia’s Frighteningly Fascist Youth
A new generation of Russians glorifies war, death, and Vladimir Putin.
How Turkey’s Economy Explains Its Election Results (or Doesn’t)
Plus: The economics of olive oil.
Why Xi Is Ghosting Biden
Beijing’s refusal to talk to Washington is part of a war of attrition against U.S. influence.
5 Reasons Ukraine Should Get F-16 Jets
They will save many lives, bring victory closer, and spare other Western resources.
For Russians, Reading Is the New Resistance
What bestselling books tell us about how Russians are processing the war.
For Russians, It’s the Wild 1990s All Over Again
Overflowing graveyards and other parallels signal a threat to Vladimir Putin’s rule.
U.S. Foreign Policy Is About to Get Boring
The presidential election is around the corner—and that means “Scranton Joe” is about to take the international stage.
What the Bush-Obama China Memos Reveal
Newly declassified documents contain important lessons for U.S. China policy.
Biden Is Rewriting the Rules on Trade—and Americans Should Be Worried
The administration is doing a sneaky end run around the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Long Arm of China’s Overseas Influence Operations
Illegal police stations are just the tip of the iceberg.
John Kerry: ‘The IRA Is Working on Overdrive’
The U.S. special envoy for climate responds to critics of the Inflation Reduction Act.
What the Russia-Iran Arms Deals Mean for the Middle East
Moscow’s weapons could sabotage the spirit of reconciliation rippling through the region.
The Kids Aren’t Alright
Kyiv says more than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia. This is the story of a few who made it home.
Casualties Won’t Topple Putin
But they will make his job much more difficult.
OPEC+ Cut Shows Saudi Geopolitical Ambitions
Riyadh is shifting to non-alignment—and fighting to dominate oil markets again.
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