The belt buckles up: China’s grand plan slims
The Belt and Road initiative to encircle much of the world with Chinese-funded, Chinese-built infrastructure is growing leaner and more penny-wise. But its ambitions are undimmed. Energy-market turmoi...
1 Mar 202324min
Let’s remake a deal: Brexit and Northern Ireland (again)
Since Brexit’s earliest days, the trade status of Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland have been a perilous sticking point. We examine a deal that might—and should—resolve matt...
28 Feb 202324min
Has Obi won, can Obi? Nigeria’s elections
Excitement still surrounds the spoiler candidate Peter Obi, whose down-to-earth ways appeal to a large constituency of fed-up youths. We look at the early returns. A year ago Olaf Scholz, Germany’s ch...
27 Feb 202328min
A year of war: a Ukraine special
After a year of a conflict that was predicted to last just days, we examine the battle lines—seeing an opportunity for Ukraine that may not come around again. We look at the strains on Russian civil s...
24 Feb 202327min
The prices fight: conflicting views on inflation
Markets seem to think the worst is over; central bankers are not so sure. We ask why determining the trajectory of inflation is so difficult. Millions of refugees have poured out of Ukraine since the ...
23 Feb 202324min
Fire and grim tone: Putin’s and Biden’s speeches
President Joe Biden’s riposte to the bellicose speech of his counterpart Vladimir Putin was a study in contrast. We examine their views on Ukraine and ask how a lasting peace could be secured. We spea...
22 Feb 202325min
The air of their ways: South Asia’s crippling pollution
Particulate matter is shortening lives and hobbling economies in the region. We ask how policy changes and international collaboration could mitigate the suffering as the pollution spreads. Our corres...
21 Feb 202328min
What it is in aid of: Syria’s earthquake response
The country’s war-torn north-west has been getting far less aid than it needs in the earthquakes’ aftermath. We investigate the dilemma of lifting long-running international sanctions. Housing prices ...
20 Feb 202324min
