Bernardo Bellotto, “The Ruins of the Old Kreuzkirche in Dresden” (Wikimedia Commons)
Art & History
Dresden and the Invention of the Future

In the heartland of Saxony, stirrings of culture war and a crack-up in the consensus about the past.

(Wikimedia Commons)
2020 Vision
Trump, Russia, and the Democrats’ Golden Opportunity

The President’s attitude toward Russia’s leader—and toward authoritarians world-wide —affords liberal internationalists the opportunity to link a defense of national security with an appeal to our highest democratic values. Democrats must lead.

(U.S. Air Force Photo/ Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)
When Trump Meets Khan
Can Two Populist Leaders End the Unpopular War in Afghanistan?

It’s a heavy lift, but with Pakistan’s economy in crisis, there are signs that Washington and Islamabad are moving toward a new transactional approach.

Diego Rivera, “Man at the Crossroads” detail (Wikimedia Commons)
Back to the Future
Neo-Socialism and the Rise of the Machines

Today’s emergent socialism is less an attack on liberalism than a wake-up call to mainstream politicians sleeping through the tech revolution.

(Shutterstock.com)
Portrait of a Fellow Traveler
Could Jeremy Corbyn Destroy the Special Relationship?

The U.S.-UK alliance is on weaker footing than ever. If the anti-American Labour leader makes it to Downing Street, it could well break for good.

Johann Peter Krafft, “Charge from the Fortress of Szigetvár” (Wikimedia Commons)
European Disunion
A Pyrrhic Victory for Central Europe

In the EU leadership contest, the Visegrád countries have succeeded in stymying their opponents but have failed utterly to advance their own interests.

Ilya Repin, “Reply of the Zaparozhian Cossacks” (Wikimedia Commons)
A Conversation with Boris Akunin
“Such a System is Chemically Incompatible with Democracy”

A bestselling crime writer in exile discusses why he left Moscow, how fiction and history shed light on Putin’s Russia, and why implementing democracy in Russia is still an uphill battle.

© Getty Images
Getting Russia Right
There’s Something About Putin 

Why is the Russian leader so good at playing a weak hand against the United States and Europe? How much is him? How much is us?

Francisco Goya, Fight with Cudgels (1819-1823)
Europe's Grey Zone
The Fight for the Poorest Country in Europe

Tiny Moldova remains stuck between East and West—but an unprecedented new coalition offers a chance for change within its borders and beyond.

(Aritra Deb via Shutterstock)
The Ties That Bind
From Inertia to Integration: Getting Serious About U.S.-India Defense Cooperation

India and the United States are declared “major defense partners.” But as Secretary Pompeo visits New Delhi this week, they are still not nearly as aligned as interests and values suggest they should be.

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