Essay
List of Essay articles
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A photo illustration shows a close-up shot of a red gift box topped with a large, shiny red satin bow. Attached to the ribbon is a white square gift tag featuring a black line-art icon of a globe within a rectangular frame. In the soft-focus, blurred background, the face of a smiling person is visible behind the gift. How to Choose a Gift for Trump
An expert in diplomatic gift-giving describes the use and abuse of official presents.
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Dozens of men stand in a crowd outdoors with serious expressions on their faces. Some of them hold up computer-printed posters with messages such as "Why was Ayatollah Khamenei killed? America and Israel must answer." Another sign says "Muslim world unite!" An Ayatollah for the Aggrieved
For Iran’s Sunni admirers, resistance remains the appeal.
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a yellow color wash over a A black-and-white engraving depicting a historical scene inside a grand hall. A religious figure in ornate robes lies fallen on steps, holding a staff, while a man in a dark tunic stands over him with one hand raised and the other gripping the arm of a soldier drawing a sword. Papal Politics, Past and Present
Despite more colorful medieval precedents, Pope Leo’s clash with Trump reflects the Vatican’s postwar peace advocacy.
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A disassembled world map with rips and tears. Order Without Order
Our fixation with defining the emerging global order hides the true complexity of our neo-medieval moment.
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A photo illustration shows fractured colored shard revealing images of nation states in decline: an upside down U.S. Capitol building, the EU building in Brussels, broken columns, part of Donald Trump's head, explosions in the Middle East, and a tank in Ukraine. After the Nation-State
A slew of new doomsaying books miss what’s coming round the bend.
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An illustration with a world map background texture and fire cutting through three rings in the map with three human figures inside. Three Scenarios for a Post-Trump World
Ten years hence, the world will look very different.
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An illustration shows a figure made up of the flags of middle-power countries with both hands out pressed outward on two larger suited figures. Can Middle Powers Gel?
A close reading reveals multiple barriers to such a coalition.
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An illustration shows a green dragon grappling with a gas pump, both wrapped around a globe. Electrostates vs. Petrostates
China is building a new green bloc, while the United States is doubling down on oil.
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An illustration shows two bicyclists with EU and US flags working together to fly a globe balloon. A Better Trans-Atlantic Relationship Is Entirely Possible
How Europe and the United States could end up in a healthier alliance.
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An illustration shows a blue donkey holding an abundance of container ships on its back. What Would an Abundance Foreign Policy Look Like?
Turning a popular idea from the American left outward.
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A cross-shaped opening shows nuns holding school lessons — a long red carpet extends forward into a church. Christian Democracy Is Facing Regime Change
Europe’s unique political tradition is under threat—and perfectly suited for the post-liberal moment.
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A photo illustration depicting trump and events upsetting the world order: oil, Gaza protestors, an Indian farmer, and soldiers from the U.S. military. The Clash of Hypocrisies
As Washington abandons any pretense of a just global order, citizens around the world will continue to demand one.
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A collage illustration with images of JD Vance, Charlie Kirk, Tucker Carlson, Yoram Hazony, and Steve Bannon in combination with the flag of Ukraine and a sunflower at right and a Russian flag at left. All are atop a Make America Great Again background in Ukrainian colors. Ukraine and the Paradox of National Conservatism
Why have defenders of national identity and sovereignty not embraced Kyiv’s cause?
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Robert Redford in a shirt and tie holds a phone to his ear as he sits behind a cluttered desk in an newsroom. Behind him, at right, Dustin Hoffman does the same, writing in a reporters notebook. ‘All the President’s Men’ Is 50—and Still Remarkable
This film makes cold calling names from the phone book look as thrilling as Indiana Jones outsmarting the Nazis.
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Donald Trump is seen displayed on a large screen from mid-face down to his mid-torso as he speaks behind a lectern. Below him a crowd of people listening in the dark is silhouetted in front of an illuminated World Economic Forum sign. No, the International Community Isn’t Dead Yet
The “rules-based international order” may prove stronger than Trump—or anyone else—realizes.
