Politics

Government, policy, institutions, and political power dynamics.

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Briefing: Iran war enters its fourth week with no clear end in sight

Strategic angle: As the war in the Middle East continues, President Trump hints at a potential winding down of military efforts amid an energy crisis.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Beer bans and burkinis: Signs of growing authoritarianism in the new Syria?

Strategic angle: This week's ban on alcohol in Damascus has sparked a debate among Syrians about governance, personal freedoms, and community unity.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Germany news: Merz to call Trump amid Hormuz standoff

Strategic angle: The US president has ramped up pressure on European NATO partners to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Egypt intensifies diplomacy as Iran war reshapes regional tensions

Strategic angle: Egypt’s recent outreach comes as countries across the region try to contain the fallout from the war, with Gulf states under attack and leaders trying to avoid a wider conflict.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: An answer to America's drought may be hiding in the toilet

Strategic angle: Americans are open to paying more for recycled wastewater as cities seek solutions to climate-induced drought.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Russian tanker drifts into Libyan waters amid environmental warnings

Strategic angle: The Russian sanctioned tanker has been unmanned and poses a significant environmental threat as it carries hazardous cargo.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Gather together: Photographer Neal Slavin on what 50 years of taking group shots says about us

Strategic angle: Neal Slavin's landmark photography book "When Two or More Are Gathered Together" reveals the many sides of 20th century American society and is notably for its use of colour.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: US to deploy more troops and warships to Middle East, despite Trump claiming to 'wind down' operation

Strategic angle: Despite President Trump's statements on reducing military presence, the US is increasing its forces in the Middle East.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: South Korea: Blaze at auto parts factory kills 11

Strategic angle: A devastating fire at a Daejeon factory has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries as workers attempted to escape.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Germany's finance minister rejects money misuse accusations

Strategic angle: Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil defends his spending of new debt aimed at reviving the economy amid serious doubts about its appropriateness.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Streamlining the kill chain: how AI is changing modern warfare

Strategic angle: The US-Israeli war with Iran has highlighted the transformative role of AI in defense systems.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: New Imam al-Bukhari complex opens to host up to 65,000 visitors daily

Strategic angle: The site includes a mosque, museum and structured visitor services designed to manage high daily attendance.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: ‘You can’t live without us’: Have fossil fuel giants gone back on their green promises?

Strategic angle: A new analysis warns that some of the world’s biggest fossil fuel companies have entered a ‘gaslighting’ phase to bolster their profits.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Wine drinkers show lower heart risk than other alcohol consumers, study finds

Strategic angle: A study of 340,000 adults suggests not all alcohol carries the same risk.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Racism in Germany widespread, but more subtle than before

Strategic angle: New studies reveal the pervasive nature of racism and discrimination in Germany, coinciding with the International Day Against Racism.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon dies aged 54

Strategic angle: Brendon died of 'natural causes', his family said in a statement, remembering him as 'passionate' and 'sensitive'.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: India news: New Delhi sends medical aid to Afghanistan

Strategic angle: India has dispatched 2.5 tons of emergency medical supplies to Kabul following a recent airstrike.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Why 2027’s ‘eclipse of the century’ is worth travelling for

Strategic angle: The path of totality will pass through major cities including Málaga, Tangier, Jeddah and Luxor in August next year.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini's grim assessment: 'Without firm political and financial support, we face a slow death'

Strategic angle: The commissioner-general of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees voices deep concern for the survival of the underfunded organization amid Israeli attacks.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Politics

Briefing: Iran war: Israel launches strikes on Tehran, Beirut

Strategic angle: The Israeli military has launched a new wave of strikes on Beirut and 'regime targets' in Tehran. The US has temporarily eased sanctions on some Iranian oil.

Editorial Staff Mar 21