World

Wayne Smith Devoted His Career to Dialogue and Diplomacy Wayne Smith Devoted His Career to Dialogue and Diplomacy

The former Foreign Service officer liked to say “Cuba seems to have the same effect on American administrations as the full moon has on werewolves.”

Obituary / Peter Kornbluh and William M. LeoGrande

How Microfinance Became the ‘It’ Development Program How Microfinance Became the ‘It’ Development Program

Microfinance has been touted as a miracle cure for poverty in the global south. The reality has been a lot messier.

Feature / Mara Kardas-Nelson

Biden Condemns Political Violence Without Whitewashing Trump Biden Condemns Political Violence Without Whitewashing Trump

The president deftly avoids the trap of surrendering his critique of MAGA lawlessness.

Jeet Heer

World Leaders

Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a victory rally at the Tate Modern in London early on July 5, 2024.

A Close-Up View of the UK Election Gave Rise to an Unfamiliar Emotion: Envy A Close-Up View of the UK Election Gave Rise to an Unfamiliar Emotion: Envy

The US left can only dream of Democrats’ having five years ahead of interrupted power—and control of Congress—with the GOP, like the Tories, driven far to the margins for a d…

Ross Barkan

Wayne Smith, former top US diplomat to Havana during former President Jimmy Carter's administration, is seen on May 2, 2002, in Havana, Cuba during a meeting with the media.

Wayne Smith Devoted His Career to Dialogue and Diplomacy Wayne Smith Devoted His Career to Dialogue and Diplomacy

The former Foreign Service officer liked to say “Cuba seems to have the same effect on American administrations as the full moon has on werewolves.”

Obituary / Peter Kornbluh and William M. LeoGrande

Joe Biden delivers a nationally televised address from the Oval Office of the White House on July 14, 2024.

Biden Condemns Political Violence Without Whitewashing Trump Biden Condemns Political Violence Without Whitewashing Trump

The president deftly avoids the trap of surrendering his critique of MAGA lawlessness.

Jeet Heer

Africa

How Microfinance Became the ‘It’ Development Program

How Microfinance Became the ‘It’ Development Program How Microfinance Became the ‘It’ Development Program

Microfinance has been touted as a miracle cure for poverty in the global south. The reality has been a lot messier.

Feature / Mara Kardas-Nelson

Jacob Zuma, the leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, reacts to a question at the National Result Operation Centre (ROC) at Gallagher Estate on June 1, 2024, in Midrand, South Africa.

Who Will Govern South Africa? Who Will Govern South Africa?

The era of ANC hegemony is over, and Jacob Zuma’s new party is threatening violence if he’s not welcomed into the government.

Benjamin Fogel

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa campaigning at an ANC rally in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal.

In the Face of Broad Disillusionment, the ANC Makes a Big Push to Gain Majority Support in South Africa’s Election In the Face of Broad Disillusionment, the ANC Makes a Big Push to Gain Majority Support in South Africa’s Election

For the first time since the end of apartheid, the party may be forced into a coalition government. Decades of broken promises have left many former supporters disillusioned.

Louis Freedberg

Asia

How Microfinance Became the ‘It’ Development Program

How Microfinance Became the ‘It’ Development Program How Microfinance Became the ‘It’ Development Program

Microfinance has been touted as a miracle cure for poverty in the global south. The reality has been a lot messier.

Feature / Mara Kardas-Nelson

Joe Biden speaks during a press conference on the final day of the NATO Summit in Madrid, Spain, on June 30, 2022.

The US Hasn’t Been This Internationally Isolated Since the Cold War Ended The US Hasn’t Been This Internationally Isolated Since the Cold War Ended

Biden, facing growing hostility in the global arena, has chosen to bolster ties with Anglophone countries rather than improve relations with the rest of the world.

Michael T. Klare

Security guards walk past the Chinese national flag at the Military Museum of Chinese People's Revolution on March 1, 2008, in Beijing, China.

Chinese Soft Power Chinese Soft Power

On this episode of American Prestige, Maria Repnikova on China’s diplomatic strategy.

American Prestige / Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

Latin America

Wayne Smith, former top US diplomat to Havana during former President Jimmy Carter's administration, is seen on May 2, 2002, in Havana, Cuba during a meeting with the media.

Wayne Smith Devoted His Career to Dialogue and Diplomacy Wayne Smith Devoted His Career to Dialogue and Diplomacy

The former Foreign Service officer liked to say “Cuba seems to have the same effect on American administrations as the full moon has on werewolves.”

Obituary / Peter Kornbluh and William M. LeoGrande

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's president-elect, announces her cabinet picks at the Interactive Museum of Economics in Mexico City on June 20, 2024.

Claudia Sheinbaum’s Election in Mexico Shows How the Left Can Win Claudia Sheinbaum’s Election in Mexico Shows How the Left Can Win

Sheinbaum’s landslide victory is thanks to her commitment to continue policies that put the interests of the working class first.

José Luis Granados Ceja

Elliott Abrams

Elliott Abrams: Convicted Liar, Defender of Dictators, Accomplice to Genocide—and Foreign Policy Wise Man Elliott Abrams: Convicted Liar, Defender of Dictators, Accomplice to Genocide—and Foreign Policy Wise Man

A career nearly as steeped in blood as Henry Kissinger’s hasn’t prevented the establishment from embracing—and whitewashing—this serial slanderer.

Eric Alterman

Middle East

Joe Biden speaks during a press conference on the final day of the NATO Summit in Madrid, Spain, on June 30, 2022.

The US Hasn’t Been This Internationally Isolated Since the Cold War Ended The US Hasn’t Been This Internationally Isolated Since the Cold War Ended

Biden, facing growing hostility in the global arena, has chosen to bolster ties with Anglophone countries rather than improve relations with the rest of the world.

Michael T. Klare

Masoud Pezeshkian visits the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in the south of Tehran on July 6, 2024.

A Surprise Win by an Iranian Reformist A Surprise Win by an Iranian Reformist

The new president in Tehran is likely to renew outreach to the United States.

Bob Dreyfuss

Screenshot of CGI image in proposal titled “From Crisis to Prosperity.”

The Awful Plan to Turn Gaza Into the Next Dubai The Awful Plan to Turn Gaza Into the Next Dubai

The Netanyahu administration seems to have learned from neighboring petrostates that spectacle can distract from ethnic cleansing.

Column / Kate Wagner

Latest in World

Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.

In the Wake of the Trump Shooting, We Need Clarity—and Caution In the Wake of the Trump Shooting, We Need Clarity—and Caution

The best way to fend off conspiracy theories and instability is by emphasizing the need for solid facts.

Jul 13, 2024 / Jeet Heer

People are seen celebrating on the statue of Marianne on the Place de la République to celebrate after the Nouveau Front populaire, an alliance of left-wing parties including La France Insoumise came in first on July 7, 2024, in Paris, France.

The Risky Politics of France’s Hung Parliament The Risky Politics of France’s Hung Parliament

In the days since the New Popular Front won the largest number of seats, political gravity has again exerted itself.

Jul 12, 2024 / Harrison Stetler

Joe Biden speaks at an event launching the Ukraine Compact at the 2024 NATO Summit on July 11, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Why Aren’t We Talking About the Great News on the Economy and Crime? Why Aren’t We Talking About the Great News on the Economy and Crime?

The Democrats have a winning election message—but do they have the right messenger?

Jul 12, 2024 / Jeet Heer

NATO heads of state participate in a Working Session of the NATO Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2024.

NATO Charts a New Course NATO Charts a New Course

Will NATO encircle China next?

Jul 12, 2024 / Sevim Dagdelen

Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters hold placards and Palestinian flags as they gather in front of the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament, in central London, on April 17, 2024.

Muslim Voters Are Sending a Message Muslim Voters Are Sending a Message

With the US election looming on the horizon, Muslim communities in the UK cast their ballots in a way that put Gaza at the forefront.

Jul 12, 2024 / Hasan Ali

President Joe Biden stumbles while walking on stage

The Democrats Are Slow-Walking Into Fascism The Democrats Are Slow-Walking Into Fascism

Is doubling down on a candidate who is almost certainly going to lose really the best the left can do?

Jul 11, 2024 / Van Gosse

x