Politics

Government, policy, institutions, and political power dynamics.

All Policy Elections Governance Law & Justice Diplomacy

Briefing: Europe and Japan signal readiness to secure Hormuz as tanker traffic resumes selectively

Strategic angle: The conflict around the Strait of Hormuz is starting to draw in global powers, as disruptions to shipping and energy flows raise concerns about wider economic fallout.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Food for thought: The Mafia sits at the table, but who is paying the bill?

Strategic angle: The well-known Italian restaurant, founded by an Aragonese family, has been controversially ordered by a court to change its name, but can a commercial claim clash with memory or common sense?

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: 'It was the decision of one oligarch' - Bulgarian PM Gyurov walks back Board of Peace participation

Strategic angle: Bulgarian PM says Board of Peace participation was not cleared by parliament and joining was the result of political maneuvering by 'one oligarch'.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Penguins are ingesting worrying amounts of white plastic. Could switching colours protect them?

Strategic angle: Researchers set out to discover why seabirds appear to be attracted to white plastic over other colours.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Middle East crisis may divert millions of tourists to Europe

Strategic angle: The blow to tourism in the Middle East and Gulf opens up both an opportunity and a risk for Europe.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: The Iran oil shock: Who pays the most fuel tax in Europe?

Strategic angle: Fuel prices across Europe are soaring, with taxes making up more than half of the cost at the pump in many countries.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Sleep tracking apps can heighten anxiety in people with insomnia, study warns

Strategic angle: A new study reveals that sleep tracking devices may exacerbate anxiety in individuals suffering from insomnia by intensifying their focus on sleep quality.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Cuba readies for first Russian oil shipment of the year as energy crisis deepens

Strategic angle: Analysts say the shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to meet Cuba's daily needs for up to 10 days.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: FCC Approves Merger of Nexstar and Tegna Amid Legal Challenges

Strategic angle: The Federal Communications Commission has greenlit the merger of Nexstar Media Group and Tegna, despite two lawsuits aimed at blocking the deal.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Europe's fertilizer crisis: prices surge due to Iran war and dependence on Russia

Strategic angle: The fertilizer market is facing a double crisis as the Iran war escalates and European dependence on Russian supplies becomes evident.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Israel and Iran exchange strikes on Persian New Year as war jolts energy markets

Strategic angle: Activists reported hearing strikes around Iran’s capital, Tehran, just as blasts were heard in East Jerusalem with sirens and booms sounding across the city.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Putin conducts a 'special musical operation' in Europe

Strategic angle: Valery Gergiev seeks to return to Europe's concert halls amid cultural tensions.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Middle East war live: Israel strikes Tehran on Persian New Year as war rattles energy markets

Strategic angle: Israel pounded Tehran with airstrikes Friday as Iranians marked Nowruz, or the Persian New Year, in the midst of a war that has sent shock waves through the global economy.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Australia PM heckled at Sydney mosque Ramadan event

Strategic angle: The government's response to the Israel-Gaza war and rising Islamophobia has angered many Muslim Australians.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Bachelorette's new season pulled after Taylor Frankie Paul abuse allegations

The decision comes after footage emerged appearing to show the reality star in an altercation with her ex-partner.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Belarus releases 250 political prisoners as part of US deal

Belarus freed 250 political prisoners in its largest release yet, marking a significant humanitarian breakthrough linked to the easing of US sanctions.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: 'Nobody can blackmail us': Leaders excoriate Orbán's veto as he tests EU limits

Strategic angle: The Hungarian leader ups the rhetoric ahead of an April election, pushing the limits of EU rules close to breaking point.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Anne-Claire Legendre, new president of France's Arab World Institute: 'Our role is to provide tools for understanding'

Strategic angle: Legendre discusses her vision for revitalizing the Arab World Institute in an interview with Le Monde.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Nearly 100 ships pass the Hormuz Strait - who is getting through?

Strategic angle: Just under 100 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of March, according to data analysed by BBC Verify.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Umberto Bossi, provocative founder of Italy's League party, dies at 84

Strategic angle: 'A passionate political leader and a sincere democrat,' Italian President Sergio Mattarella said in tribute.

editorial-staff Mar 20