Politics

Government, policy, institutions, and political power dynamics.

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Briefing: 'Nobody can blackmail us': Leaders excoriate Orbán's veto as he tests EU limits

Strategic angle: The Hungarian leader ups the rhetoric ahead of an April election, pushing the limits of EU rules close to breaking point.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Anne-Claire Legendre, new president of France's Arab World Institute: 'Our role is to provide tools for understanding'

Strategic angle: Legendre discusses her vision for revitalizing the Arab World Institute in an interview with Le Monde.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Nearly 100 ships pass the Hormuz Strait - who is getting through?

Strategic angle: Just under 100 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of March, according to data analysed by BBC Verify.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Umberto Bossi, provocative founder of Italy's League party, dies at 84

Strategic angle: 'A passionate political leader and a sincere democrat,' Italian President Sergio Mattarella said in tribute.

editorial-staff Mar 20

Politics

Briefing: Netanyahu says Iran 'decimated,' as Tehran targets Gulf petro-facilities

Strategic angle: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expresses optimism about the war's duration while highlighting cooperation with the US.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Labor secretary’s security staffer resigns amid misconduct investigation

Strategic angle: A staff member of the Labor Secretary has stepped down following allegations of misconduct.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Gaza: Phase two of Trump's peace plan stalls amid war with Iran

Strategic angle: Planned measures are now at a standstill, including reconstruction of the enclave, the demilitarization of Hamas, the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army and the establishment of a technocratic government.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Video of Iranian soldier being targeted in a Tehran strike is AI generated

Strategic angle: Doubts arise over authenticity of videos shared by pro-Israel accounts and Israeli media.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Qatar PM after Gulf energy attacks: 'This war must be stopped immediately'

Strategic angle: Qatar’s prime minister demands an immediate end to the conflict following missile strikes on energy facilities, urging Iran to halt attacks amid rising gas prices.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Iranian TV shows man rescued from South Khorasan rubble

Strategic angle: Red Crescent teams rescue survivors in South Khorasan after reported US-Israeli strikes, as Iran counts rising civilian toll and mounting destruction.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Senegal not losing without a fight

Strategic angle: Senegal asserts its determination as it navigates challenges ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

European leaders seek breakthrough on €90bn Ukraine loan blocked by Viktor Orban

EU leaders aim to resolve funding dispute affecting Ukraine's financial aid.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Ukraine may restart peace process as Iran war escalates and EU aid remains blocked

Strategic angle: Ukraine is preparing to resume peace talks with the US amid geopolitical tensions and potential loss of EU support.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: French Socialists split over alliance with hard-left party in mayoral runoffs

Strategic angle: Several candidates from France’s mainstream left have joined forces with Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed to boost their chances in mayoral runoffs, while others reject the alliance.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Federal student loans will move to Treasury, further shrinking Education Department

Strategic angle: The Trump administration announced a three-phase transition that will eventually include management of most federal student loans as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Europe must end diplomacy and push for change in Iran, says Israeli UN ambassador

Strategic angle: Israel has called for an end to European diplomacy in Iran, urging a firmer hand alongside the US to force regime change in Tehran as the conflict rages on.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Watch: New €10 Amsterdam–Berlin train service by Govolta takes off

Strategic angle: A new low-cost rail service linking Amsterdam and Berlin was launched on 19 March as GoVolta’s first train departed from Amsterdam Centraal.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: FDA backs off stricter tanning bed rules with RFK Jr.'s support

Strategic angle: Health officials with the Trump administration have backed away from an effort to more heavily regulate indoor tanning — despite protests from medical groups that warn of the dangers of skin cancer.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Iranian opposition’s Lion and Sun flag hoisted at Iranian Embassy in Copenhagen

Strategic angle: Diplomats from the Islamic Republic resign and seek asylum amid rising tensions.

editorial-staff Mar 19

Politics

Briefing: Israeli PM Netanyahu addresses press conference

Strategic angle: Netanyahu defends Israel and US campaign against Iran, highlighting successful airstrikes.

editorial-staff Mar 19