Everything is under control
Why doesn’t anyone seem to care that Vladimir Putin just stole Russia’s election? Garry Kasparov on how one former Soviet intelligence officer dominates the world’s largest country.
Depth charge
Why is the U.S. selling nuclear submarines to Australia? Jonathan Tepperman on Beijing’s aggressiveness, Washington’s strategy, and trouble with Paris.
Yes, we have no bananas
Is the U.S. headed for continuing shortages and rising prices? Dean Baker on how the American economy has held up to the disruptions of the pandemic.
Chinese idols
What’s behind Beijing’s crackdown on celebrity fan culture and online gaming? Ian Johnson on the Communist Party’s new push to enforce traditionalist values.
Nothing is easy
Just how secure is the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan? Benjamin Hopkins on foreign subsidies, the drug trade, and civil war.
Calculated risk
How safe is in-person schooling as the coronavirus resurges? David Rubin on the public-health challenges of trying to return to normalcy in American education.
The fall
What’s happening to the Arab Spring’s last democracy? Michele Dunne on the upheaval in Tunisia.
Keep your enemies closer
Are there no choices left other than to recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan? Chimène Keitner on the strategic decisions facing the U.S. and the international community.
Beyond Afghanistan
What does the failure of the U.S.-backed state-building project there mean globally? Larry Diamond on insecurity, corruption, bad neighbors, and democratic resilience.
