North Korea in the Next Five Years
American preponderance in the Pacific, low oil prices and South Korea’s economic needs all argue for reconciliation.
Asia
Meet Mohammad bin Salman, the Last King of Saudi Arabia
From falling oil prices to an America in retreat, the foundations of the Saudi monarchy are cracking.
Chemical Weapons in Syria Would Cross Red Line: Macron
The new French president sets a red line and criticizes Barack Obama for not enforcing his.
Why America and Russia Are Closer to Confrontation in Syria
Both sides have been two-faced about their intentions in the conflict.
Trump Sells Qatar Warplanes After Accusing It of Funding Terrorists
The $12 billion weapons deal comes only weeks after the president reprimanded Qatar for aiding Islamists.
Trump and the Turks
Evaluating American-Turkish relations in light of Trump’s Middle East visit and the diplomatic isolation of Qatar.
Catalans, Kurds, Given No Other Choice, Announce Referendums
Denied more autonomy by Madrid and Baghdad, the two minorities push for votes on independence.
Bashar Assad’s Big Push to Recover His Eastern Border
With Western-backed forces closing in on Mosul and Raqqa, Syria’s dictator can take advantage of the Islamic State’s weakness.
Time Looks Ripe for Japan-NATO Cooperation
There is room for cooperation, although closer relations between Japan and NATO could antagonize China.
Duterte’s Play for a Dictatorship
The Filipino leader’s war on drugs is starting to look like a pretext for keeping himself in power.
Erdoğan Discovers Personality Doesn’t Trump Geopolitics
Turkey hoped Donald Trump would be less supportive of the Kurds than Barack Obama. It doesn’t look like it.
Saudi Arabia’s Culture Wars Strain the Kingdom
A stagnating economy and war in Yemen exacerbate the tension between conservative and reform-minded Saudis.
What the Hell Just Happened to Turkey?
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wanted an executive Turkey, headed by him. He got it. Here is how.
Erdoğan Asks Turks to Jump Off a Cliff with Him
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has already made Turkey into an autocratic state. Now he wants even more power.
Syria Strikes Signal More Pro-Arab Policy Under Trump
Unlike his predecessor, Donald Trump doesn’t worry about being drawn into the Arab-Iranian cold war.