Politics

Government, policy, institutions, and political power dynamics.

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Briefing: Why is Trump looking to China to help open the Strait of Hormuz?

Strategic angle: US president Donald Trump seeks China's assistance for safe maritime transit in a crucial oil passage.

Briefing: 'Like buying a ticket to the Titanic': EU leaders reject Trump's Hormuz demands

Strategic angle: EU leaders have almost universally rejected US president Donald Trump’s demand to send warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: World Cup 2026: US-Iran war an ethical tipping point

Strategic angle: The US is the main host of the 2026 World Cup, but its ongoing war with Iran complicates the ethical landscape of the tournament.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: 'This is not our war': Europe refuses to be dragged into Trump's war with Iran

Strategic angle: The American president has demanded that his allies help unblock the Strait of Hormuz for Gulf oil tankers. France aims to lead an international coalition to restore freedom of navigation, but only once hostilities have ended.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Bonus Podcast Episode: Privacy’s Defender - Cindy Cohn with Cory Doctorow

Strategic angle: A conversation on privacy and internet rights featuring EFF's Cindy Cohn and Cory Doctorow.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: 'Macron alone in his tower': No candidates defending his govt or mandate in France's local elections

Strategic angle: The absence of candidates supporting Macron's government highlights a fragmented political landscape in France.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Last protester in detention after Trump's campus crackdown has been released

Strategic angle: Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old from the West Bank, is finally free after being held in a Texas immigration detention center since March 2025.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Ghassan Salamé urges Israel and international community to let Lebanon 'do Its job more efficiently'

Strategic angle: Amid Israel's military escalation and Hezbollah's activities, Lebanon faces a humanitarian and political crisis.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Gas on the line: will the Iran war squeeze India's piped gas next?

Strategic angle: The Iran war has already rattled LPG users. Will India’s piped gas network face the next squeeze?

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Second LPG Tanker Set to Reach India Amid Shortage

Strategic angle: The LPG-laden vessel Nanda Devi is arriving in western India, escorted by the Indian Navy, as the country faces a supply shortage due to the conflict in Iran.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Netflix’s Chief Opens Up About Trump, YouTube and Europe

Strategic angle: Insights from Netflix's leadership on political and media landscapes.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Brazil's new climate plan prioritizes stopping deforestation

Strategic angle: President Lula is pledging to reduce deforestation to zero by 2030 and is calling for a reduction of greenhouse gases by 67% compared with 2005 levels.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

United Arab Emirates Briefly Closes Airspace Amid Israel Strikes

The UAE has temporarily shut down its airspace following military actions by Israel in Lebanon and Tehran.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Sri Lanka declares Wednesdays off as Asian countries try to conserve fuel

Strategic angle: This is the latest in a series of measures undertaken by Asian countries which rely on oil from the Gulf.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

2026 Municipal Election Results: Key Takeaways from a First Round Marked by Low Turnout

The second round will be less promising than hoped for the far right, despite significant gains in cities in the southeast.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Cuba’s electrical grid collapses amid US oil blockade

Ten million people left without power in latest of outages that sparked violent protest last weekend.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Hundreds feared dead in strike on Kabul hospital

Taliban blames Pakistan for attack that threatens to escalate neighbours’ conflict

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Serbia emerges as main hub for Russian destabilization operations in Europe

Strategic angle: Three Serbian nationals were sentenced for anti-Muslim acts linked to the Kremlin.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: Live: UAE intercepts Iranian fire as Israel strikes Tehran and Lebanon

Strategic angle: Explosions were heard over Dubai as the UAE military intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, prompting airspace closure.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Politics

Briefing: In Iraqi Kurdistan, the trauma of the Halabja chemical massacre resurfaces as war returns to Iran

Strategic angle: Survivors of the Halabja attack reflect on the enduring impact of the tragedy as tensions rise in the region.

editorial-staff Mar 17