Why ISIS Attacked Russia – and Why Russia Blames Ukraine by Omar Ashour
Vladimir Putin, an exemplary cynic, may well have allowed the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue to take place so that he could use it to push mass mobilization, strengthen domestic support for the Ukraine war, and make opposition to his rule even more difficult. Like ISIS, Putin’s aggression seems to be enduring […]
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When France and Germany Squabble, Putin Rejoices by Joschka Fischer
Following a recent, highly public disagreement, French and German leaders urgently need to get back on the same page. At a time when Europe is facing a war of conquest on its eastern border and the potential return of an isolationist American president, solidarity among major European Union members is more important than ever. BERLIN […]
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The Indo-Pacific Strategy’s Fatal Blind Spot by Carl Bildt
The Indo-Pacific narrative has its merits, and will undoubtedly remain important for shaping policies to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. The problem is that it threatens to distract Western leaders from an alternative framework – the Eurasian alliance of Russia and China – whose immediate relevance is undeniable. STOCKHOLM – Is the dominance of […]
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Eastern Europe Needs a New Immigration Narrative by Soňa Muzikárová
Central and Eastern European political leaders have long taken a “tough on migration” stance. But because the region needs more foreign workers, they must now make a positive case for immigration – publicly and repeatedly – to convince their voters that all will gain from the economic benefits newcomers generate. BRATISLAVA – Central and Eastern […]
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The South China Sea Could Boil Over by Brahma Chellaney
With the wars in Ukraine and Gaza stretching its military resources thin, a direct confrontation with China is the last thing the US needs. But America’s refusal to rein in China’s aggressive expansionism, not least in the South China Sea, may well make a clash more likely – and more destructive. HANOI – For over […]
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Sudan’s Descent into Violence Must Not Be Ignored by David Miliband
Sudan’s experience over the past year has demonstrated how quickly a country can succumb to violence. Now that the United Nations Security Council has called for an immediate cessation of fighting and urged all parties to ensure the rapid delivery of humanitarian assistance, the international community must turn words into action. NEW YORK – On […]
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The Truth About US Immigration by Nancy Qian
It is possible both to maximize the benefits of immigration while still maintaining border security and supporting workers in sectors that immigrants may enter. If US politicians are serious about serving the American people’s interests, they will abandon the overheated rhetoric and start doing their jobs. CHICAGO – It is becoming increasingly apparent that immigration […]
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Haiti’s Proud Boys by Slavoj Žižek
If we measure a failed state by the cracks in the edifice of its power, reflected in brewing ideological civil wars, deadlocked assemblies, and increasingly insecure public spaces, we must recognize that the United States is not so unlike Haiti. Both have given rise to violent gangs with political ambitions. LJUBLJANA – The way things […]
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The Zombification of Political Parties by Jan-Werner Mueller
Donald Trump’s takeover of the Republican Party machinery is a common pattern among would-be dictators, and history shows that it can have truly dire consequences for a democratic political system. After all, turning your party into an autocracy is a logical first step toward turning your country into one. PRINCETON – Among her final acts […]
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Indian Democracy’s Moment of Truth by Shashi Tharoor
With its relentless, decade-long effort to criminalize dissent, undermine free speech, and curb any political opposition, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party represents a grave threat to India’s democracy. The upcoming general election may be Indians’ last chance to pull their country back from the brink of autocracy. NEW DELHI – With around 968 million people […]
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