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Living quarters are flooded in Bangui, Central Africa Republic
Living quarters are flooded in Bangui, Central Africa Republic
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn and Xu Jianyi, President of China FAW Group Corporation, shake hands after signing an agreement as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao look on at the Volkswagen factory on April 23, 2012 in Wolfsburg, Germany.
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn and Xu Jianyi, President of China FAW Group Corporation, shake hands after signing an agreement as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao look on at the Volkswagen factory on April 23, 2012 in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Germany Can Afford to Spurn China

The economic case for Germany cozying up to China is surprisingly weak.

A television is seen in a ferry cabin with file footage of a North Korean missile test, in the waters off South Korea's island of Ulleungdo (top back), on Nov. 4.
A television is seen in a ferry cabin with file footage of a North Korean missile test, in the waters off South Korea's island of Ulleungdo (top back), on Nov. 4.

North Korea’s Doctrinal Shifts Are More Dangerous Than Missile Launches

Washington and Seoul need to be careful not to accidentally trigger war.

Frontier Constabulary personnel detains a supporter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Frontier Constabulary personnel detains a supporter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan’s Military Is Afraid of Imran Khan

The former prime minister has turned against the force that once supported him.

A woman walks past election signs ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in Silver Spring, Maryland, on Oct. 28.
A woman walks past election signs ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in Silver Spring, Maryland, on Oct. 28.

Chinese Election Meddling Hits the Midterms

Beijing is shifting its global influence campaigns from propaganda to blatant election interference.

Vladimir Putin addresses the United Nations General Assembly on September 28, 2015 in New York City.
Vladimir Putin addresses the United Nations General Assembly on September 28, 2015 in New York City.

The U.N. (as We Know It) Won’t Survive Russia’s War in Ukraine

The institutions designed to secure global order clearly aren't up to the task. What will take their place?

An illustration shows the Yongzheng emperor dressed in exquisite attire and seated on a throne-like chair.
An illustration shows the Yongzheng emperor dressed in exquisite attire and seated on a throne-like chair.

What China’s Past Can Tell Us About Xi’s Future

In Chinese history, long-term emperors and generalissimos have been far more common than rules-bound leaders.

People take part in a mass demonstration against the government in Tehran, Iran, in 1979.
People take part in a mass demonstration against the government in Tehran, Iran, in 1979.

Why Won’t the Workers of Iran Unite?

Unlike in 1979, much of the Iranian working class is precariously employed—and they have more to lose than their chains by joining the protests.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to attend an informal summit of the European Union in Prague on Oct. 7.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to attend an informal summit of the European Union in Prague on Oct. 7.

What Europe Can Learn From the 1973 Oil Shock

Building an economy that is both green and resilient requires EU-wide solidarity.

Natsuo Yamaguchi (left) of the Komeito party and Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party hold up signs as they take part in a party leaders' debate in Tokyo on June 21.
Natsuo Yamaguchi (left) of the Komeito party and Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party hold up signs as they take part in a party leaders' debate in Tokyo on June 21.

Japan’s Political Stability Depends on a Minor Party’s Leverage

The small pacifist Komeito party is managing rifts with its coalition partner.

Supporters attend a primary election night event for J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Ohio, in Cincinnati on May 3.
Supporters attend a primary election night event for J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Ohio, in Cincinnati on May 3.

How a Republican Victory Could Help, Not Hurt, Biden

The midterms may cost him Congress, but they’ll also ignite a new round of Republican infighting.

A man swims in the frozen water of the Trocadero fountain in front Eiffel Tower, on January 6, 2017 in Paris.
A man swims in the frozen water of the Trocadero fountain in front Eiffel Tower, on January 6, 2017 in Paris.

The European Project Is Now at the Mercy of the Weather

This winter, Europe may be facing a crisis without any clear solution.

Taliban soldiers stand guard as men imprisoned for using drugs sit in a courtyard prior to being released from Kandahar Central Jail.
Taliban soldiers stand guard as men imprisoned for using drugs sit in a courtyard prior to being released from Kandahar Central Jail.

Despite ‘Ban’ on Opium, Afghanistan’s Poppy Crop Is Growing

More drugs and higher prices a year after the Taliban takeover.

A person in Taipei, Taiwan, holds a sign protesting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A person in Taipei, Taiwan, holds a sign protesting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Venezuelan migrants stand by a fence at an improvised shelter in Panama City, on Oct.23.
Venezuelan migrants stand by a fence at an improvised shelter in Panama City, on Oct.23.

To Halt the Venezuelan Migration Crisis, Stop Banning Venezuelan Oil

The Biden administration’s policies on sanctions and asylum-seekers are making the country's humanitarian situation worse.

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Reporters-notebook-FPLive-site-3-2

Midterm elections in the United States are approaching, and the party that controls Congress will determine the trajectory of the Biden administration’s domestic and foreign policy. How wi...Show more

BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 26: A researcher holds a wafer arrayed with carbon nanotubes (CNT) at a laboratory on May 26, 2020 in Beijing, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 26: A researcher holds a wafer arrayed with carbon nanotubes (CNT) at a laboratory on May 26, 2020 in Beijing, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

The Biden administration is increasingly making clear it is intent on slowing down China’s technological rise. Washington has dramatically expanded controls on technology flowing to and fr...Show more

Rishi Sunak delivers a keynote speech to COP26 delegates in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 3, 2021. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Rishi Sunak delivers a keynote speech to COP26 delegates in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 3, 2021. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Rishi Sunak has come out on top as Britain’s next prime minister, following Liz Truss’s failed six-week tenure leading the country. He assumes power as the third British prime minister i...Show more