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A man holds a sign with images of U.S. President Donald Trump and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that reads "Enemies of the people" during a demonstration calling to tax the super-rich and demanding the end of the six-day workweek at Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
A man holds a sign with images of U.S. President Donald Trump and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that reads "Enemies of the people" during a demonstration calling to tax the super-rich and demanding the end of the six-day workweek at Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Trump’s Tariff Threat Against Brazil Might Politically Boost Lula

What was meant as a show of strength by MAGA and its Brazilian franchise has turned into a gift for Lula.

Argument
Andre Pagliarini
Syrian security forces ride in a vehicle during a demonstration against Israeli intervention in Syria, in Damascus on July 16.
Syrian security forces ride in a vehicle during a demonstration against Israeli intervention in Syria, in Damascus on July 16.

The Israel-Syria Dilemma

Recent Israeli strikes in Syria undermine Trump’s push for normalization.

Situation Report
John Haltiwanger
Xi and Trump walk side by side.
Xi and Trump walk side by side.

How Strong Is China’s Rare-Earth Card? 

Washington is making big moves, but Beijing has a powerful hand.  This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Christina Lu
Concrete huts, sheltering those displaced by the Assad regime, dot the hillsides in Idlib province near Sarmada, Syria.
Concrete huts, sheltering those displaced by the Assad regime, dot the hillsides in Idlib province near Sarmada, Syria.

‘We Came Here to Work’

Syrians are drawn to Damascus to rebuild their country—and their lives.

Dispatch
Roy Gutman
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reacts during a debate with leaders of various Japanese political parties at the National Press Club in Tokyo on July 2.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reacts during a debate with leaders of various Japanese political parties at the National Press Club in Tokyo on July 2.

Why Japan Might Be America’s Most Frustrated Ally

Tokyo is being squeezed by its biggest enemy and by its closest friend.

Analysis
Christian Caryl
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) meets with U.S. President Donald Trump (L) during Pope Francis’s funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) meets with U.S. President Donald Trump (L) during Pope Francis’s funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Can Trump Be Sold on Supporting Ukraine?

A changeable president seems to be turning against Putin.

Argument
Luke McGee
A fighter jet flies against a clear blue sky. The jet has a pointy gray nose and the flag of France on its tail wing.
A fighter jet flies against a clear blue sky. The jet has a pointy gray nose and the flag of France on its tail wing.

India’s Air Force Is in Crisis

The recent conflict with Pakistan and a deadly crash underscore issues with an aging fleet and weapons procurement.

Analysis
Sumit Ganguly
An illustration shows the legs and shoes of a person with either foot astride the opening of the Panama Canal. The legs are covered in the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag. A container ship is seen entering the canal.
An illustration shows the legs and shoes of a person with either foot astride the opening of the Panama Canal. The legs are covered in the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag. A container ship is seen entering the canal.

A Man, a Plan, and a Long History of Overplayed Hands

Trump did not invent hardball U.S. diplomacy with Panama. Then, as now, it is doomed to backfire.

Analysis
Tom Long, Carsten-Andreas Schulz
France's Minister of Overseas Manuel Valls (R) watches as baby sea turtles are released into the ocean during a visit to Kwata eco-park and museum, on Awala-Yalimapo beach, in the French overseas department of Guiana on June 15.
France's Minister of Overseas Manuel Valls (R) watches as baby sea turtles are released into the ocean during a visit to Kwata eco-park and museum, on Awala-Yalimapo beach, in the French overseas department of Guiana on June 15.

The World Is Making Progress on Conservation—Without the United States

Trump’s brand of isolationism and exceptionalism will be outlasted by the multilateral agreements made in the coming months.

Argument
Sushma Raman, John Hocevar
A Chinese Navy ship with bow number 629 sails near Escoda Shoal, as seen during a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea on June 7.
A Chinese Navy ship with bow number 629 sails near Escoda Shoal, as seen during a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea on June 7.

Beijing’s Dominance of the South China Sea Is Not Inevitable

Groupthink and short-termism are clouding judgments about these waters. This article has an audio recording

Argument
Ben Bland, William Matthews
Syrian security forces enter the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda.
Syrian security forces enter the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda.

Damascus, Druze Minority Agree to Cease-Fire in Syria

Authorities hope the deal will prevent Syria from sliding into a wider regional conflict with Israel.

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
A Croatian flag flies during a UEFA Euro 2024 group stage match in Hamburg, Germany, on June 19, 2024.
A Croatian flag flies during a UEFA Euro 2024 group stage match in Hamburg, Germany, on June 19, 2024.

Croatia’s Quiet War in Bosnia

Zagreb’s push for segregation puts the future of democratic Bosnia at risk.

Argument
Ismet Fatih Cancar, Ismail Cidic
A Taliban guard stands over an armored tank as he keeps watch.
A Taliban guard stands over an armored tank as he keeps watch.

Russia’s Recognition Could Bolster Taliban Regime

Other countries may follow Moscow’s lead in formalizing ties.

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A portrait of Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa next to a defaced portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump in Damascus.
A portrait of Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa next to a defaced portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump in Damascus.

In Syria, It’s Trump vs. Trump

Donald Trump wants to give Syria “a chance at greatness,” but his assault on U.S. foreign aid threatens to undo any progress achieved.

Argument
Aron Lund
With his back turned to the camera, Trump stands points at a crowd of people wearing hard hats and reflective safety vests. Behind Trump and the crowd is a massive American flag that seems to cover an entire wall.
With his back turned to the camera, Trump stands points at a crowd of people wearing hard hats and reflective safety vests. Behind Trump and the crowd is a massive American flag that seems to cover an entire wall.

Trump Embraces State Capitalism

The level of U.S. government economic intervention under Trump 2.0 is off the charts.

Analysis
Keith Johnson, Christina Lu
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