Organized crime
Why do dictators keep disrupting so many other countries? Miranda Patrucić on what China and Russia are doing in neighboring nations, developing states, and the world’s most powerful democracies.
Broad daylight
How common is the corruption of public officials in the U.S.? Ben Freeman on what America’s “authoritarian friends” from the Persian Gulf are doing in Washington, D.C.
French sour
Why does France seem to be falling apart? Marc Weitzmann on immigration, regulation, and the end of a political era.
4 percent high and rising
Why are bond yields going up so much around the world? Rebecca Patterson on economic growth, expectations of inflation, and unsustainable government spending.
Shocks from underground
What’s driving the terrible conflict in Congo? The 2025 Oscar-nominee Johan Grimonprez on a history of violence and the costs of global competition over critical minerals.
Mother of exiles
A year after record increases in American homelessness, it’s now gone up even more—why? Dennis Culhane on the immigration crisis playing out in U.S. cities.
Tale of two economies
Why is Europe falling so far behind the U.S.? Martin Wolf on diverging histories of investment, innovation, and confidence.
Dear customer
Have banks really started closing people’s accounts because of their political views? Victoria Barnes on the dynamics of debanking.
Too damn high
Why does everything in the U.S. seem so expensive? Peter Ganong on the pandemic, a broken construction sector, and a steep decline in American social mobility.
Future blues
Why has Japan’s longtime ruling party lost its majority? Tobias S. Harris on political scandals, economic struggles, and a deep loss of public confidence in the country’s institutions.
