Politics

Government, policy, institutions, and political power dynamics.

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Briefing: Czechs plan major rally as MPs mull 'foreign agent' law

Strategic angle: Prague could see one of its largest demonstrations in recent years on Saturday against perceived democratic backsliding.

editorial-staff Mar 21

Politics

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: 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