Analysis
List of Analysis articles
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Iraqi Kurdish refugees gather in a camp in Zakho, Iraq. A Long History of Betrayal
Why Washington keeps encouraging foreign uprisings—and then walking away.
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A young girl sits at the end of a red boat, paddling it down a waterway lined by stilt homes. A young boy sits in the boat at her feet. Venezuela on Screen
From a contemplative documentary to a swashbuckling biopic, these films lend a sense of humanity to the present crisis.
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A man wearing a suit and top hat looks to the side as people around him chant. What One Film’s Success Reveals About Today’s Russia
An adaptation of “The Master and Margarita” has become a smash hit—despite Moscow’s attempts to sink it.
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An illustration shows ripples on the surface of a pond with green lilypads in one corner. The Thought Experiment That Started a Revolution
How a hypothetical scenario started a global movement—and exposed the limits of moral theory.
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People pass by a destroyed building in Tehran on Jan. 10. What Next After Iran’s Massacre?
After killing thousands of protesters, Tehran has no reason to back down.
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A mural depicts President Nicolás Maduro in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 12. Venezuela Is Regime Change Under Another Name
Maduro’s removal is a familiar story, and one that doesn’t end well.
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A silhouetted person waves an older Iranian flag, which has the colors of green, white, and red, and the image of a yellow lion. In the background is the United Nations headquarters. How Trump Can Begin an Iran Transition After the Bloodbath
A long history shows what not to do when trying to encourage political change in a foreign land.
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A photo collage illustration shows the back of President Donald Trump in front of three track hurdles. Behind the hurdles are a stack of shipping containers, soccer stadiums and a passport, and a voter in a U.S.-flagged voting booth. The Biggest Challenges Trump Faces in His Second Year
From Russia-Ukraine to the U.S. midterms, Trump faces a bumpier year at home and abroad.
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A helicopter 15 (HKP15) landing on the flight deck of HMS Carlskrona (P04) on open water near Karlskrona, Sweden, as part of the NATO Baltic Sea patrol mission, the Baltic Sentry on February 4, 2025. Baltic Cable-Cutting Is Back
Renewed attacks pose a continuing challenge for Europe at a difficult moment.
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King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan welcome European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa during the first-ever summit held between Jordan and the European Union in Amman, Jordan, on Jan. 8. The World Is Adjusting to an Unreliable United States
Years of accumulated trust are being spent for short-term leverage.
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Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stands among military members dressed in uniform as they all pose for a photo. Taiwan Announced Billions More for Defense. Here’s How It Can Deliver.
A new annual strategy document would streamline spending and signal seriousness to allies.
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A person wearing a red cap that reads "Make Iran Great Again." Faulty Assumptions About Iran Have Driven a Failed U.S. Policy
Believing that the clerical regime could be pragmatic was a mistake.
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Anti-euro protest with Soviet flag in Sofia, Bulgaria Bulgaria’s Eurozone Entry Is Another Setback for Russia
The euro just gained its 21st member despite Moscow’s attempts at sabotage.
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Frames of Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin are displayed in a photo shop in Beijing. Fear the Sphere
Competing spheres of influence will not provide the stability their supporters expect.
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An armed person in a helmet and combat gear holds a gun as they stand in front of a large Iranian flag with a depiction of a bloodied hand pulling on the white part of the cloth. How Russia Is Supporting Iran’s Repression
Moscow is providing the military equipment and internet technology that Tehran is deploying against protesters.
