Can deft diplomacy paper over this scandal?

Ayatollah Khamanei has celebrated that the West and its allies have failed to “bring Iran to its knees.” His assessment is shared by an unlikely group: Israel and a host of U.S. Senators.

The numbers of deaths and casualties in eastern Ukraine from the months since the Minsk accords belie the claim that there ever was a real ceasefire at all: If anything, the fighting actually worsened after the agreement.

Researchers calculate that $7 trillion has been wasted on ‘ineffective investments’ by China since the global financial crisis. How this plays out is anyone’s guess, but the least likely scenario is a smooth landing.

The old regulated taxi system was one of the classic examples of the blue model system. Internet startups, tapping into long-simmering consumer discontent with the old ways, are hastening its demise. It’s a representative slice of a much bigger trend.

We give to you, our readers, an essay and some meaningful Thanksgiving music for the holiday.

Angela Merkel is considering opening trade talks with Putin—partly in response to rising criticism at home, as well as growing discontent in the broader European coalition, over her being too tough on the Russians.

China is making nice with Sri Lanka in order to have a place to set up naval bases and resupply ports for its future in the Indian Ocean region. But India and Japan won’t be happy about that.

A major British investor recently warned that online shopping could unseat “brick and motor” supermarket chains. The sooner, the better.

Two potential candidates to succeed Chuck Hagel have publicly withdrawn themselves from consideration. It’s not surprising given how dysfunctional the President’s National Security Team appears.