Chinese draggin’: growth slows
A paltry GDP rise is down to the pandemic, power and property. We ask what growing pains President Xi Jinping will endure in the name of economic reforms. Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, will pro...
18 Okt 202119min
Port, and a storm: sectarian violence in Lebanon
The effort to investigate last year’s port explosion in Beirut has fired up political and religious tensions—resulting in Lebanon’s worst violence in years. We speak with Dmitry Muratov, a Russian jou...
15 Okt 202123min
For watt it’s worth: energy markets’ squeeze
A fossil-fuel scramble reveals energy markets in desperate need of a redesign. We examine what must be done to secure a renewable future. Throngs of Hong Kong residents fleeing China’s tightening hand...
14 Okt 202122min
Keep your friends close: Pakistan’s shifting role
As the Taliban’s closest ally, the country bears a big responsibility for Afghanistan’s fate. We examine its diplomatic risks and opportunities. Mastercard is pressing porn purveyors this week; we loo...
13 Okt 202121min
Exit Poles? A bold challenge to the EU
After a court ruling in Poland that is an affront to a core European Union principle, Poles hit the streets—fearing a “Pol-exit” they do not want. Who will back down? Hydrogen has been touted for deca...
12 Okt 202120min
Zero-to-some game: Asia-Pacific covid-19 plans crack
Where governments enacted zero-tolerance coronavirus strategies, numbers indeed stayed low. That was before the Delta variant. We ask how countries can now wind back those policies. A shocking report ...
11 Okt 202121min
Strait of tension: Chinese jets test Taiwan
China has sent more than 100 planes to probe Taiwan’s air-defence zone. We explain why Beijing has chosen this moment to send a message across the strait. The WHO has approved a vaccine against malari...
8 Okt 202122min
How to lose friends and alienate people: Ethiopia’s civil war
Abiy Ahmed is sworn in again as prime minister, even as continuing strife increases the country’s isolation. Our correspondent witnesses the gruesome aftermath of a telling battle. China once encourag...
7 Okt 202120min
