Latest from across our blogs

UkraineAlert

Feb 5, 2026

Ukrainian democracy is proving its resilience in wartime conditions

By Oleksiy Goncharenko

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion four years ago, Ukrainians have accepted the necessity of wartime measures to concentrate power while remaining committed to safeguarding the country’s hard-won democratic gains, writes Oleksiy Goncharenko.

Civil Society
Conflict

UkraineAlert

Feb 5, 2026

Vladimir Putin must not have a veto over security guarantees for Ukraine

By Iulian Romanyshyn

If European leaders want to secure a place at the negotiating table, they must demonstrate to the Kremlin that Russia does not have a veto over security guarantees for Ukraine, writes Iulian Romanyshyn.

Conflict
European Union

MENASource

Feb 5, 2026

How Iran’s water bankruptcy seeped into the protest movement

By Nik Kowsar

Many of Iran’s protest hubs overlap with areas where severe water shortages in recent years have made life increasingly difficult for people.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Energy & Environment

MENASource

Feb 5, 2026

How Israeli technology could help solve Iran’s water crisis

By Joseph Epstein and Dalga Khatinoglu

Iran faces a stark choice: find ways to access the world’s most advanced water technologies, or continue toward a crisis.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Energy & Environment

MENASource

Feb 5, 2026

Washington’s UNRWA report shows how public discourse is divorced from reality

By Melanie Robbins 

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees has become a proxy theater for unresolved political questions.

Education
International Organizations

Econographics

Feb 4, 2026

What the data shows—and doesn’t show—about the future of the dollar

By Hung Tran

Is there genuine demand to “sell America,” or does the recent dollar weakness fall within historical fluctuations? More data will be needed to answer that question.

Dollar Dominance
Economy & Business

Econographics

Feb 4, 2026

Understanding the vibe shift on the dollar

By Daniel McDowell, Bart Piasecki, Jessie Yin

Gold prices surged to record highs last week, driven by trade tensions, tariffs, and dollar uncertainty. For some, the rally signals rising skepticism about the greenback’s stability—even as policymakers insist the US remains committed to a strong dollar.

Dollar Dominance
Economy & Business

AfricaSource

Feb 4, 2026

The United States and Nigeria must rebuild their engagement architecture for a new global era

By Gbemisola Abudu

The diplomatic tools currently available to the United States and Nigeria are intended for episodic and sector-specific engagement, holding back the relationship’s potential.

Nigeria
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Feb 3, 2026

Why the Muslim Brotherhood is staying calm amid crackdowns in Jordan

By Aaron Magid

Despite widespread popularity, the Islamist faction did not organize large-scale protests, lowered its media profile, and avoided attacks.

Extremism
Intelligence

AfricaSource

Feb 3, 2026

Climate adaptation: The investment the Global South cannot afford to delay

By Sara Lemniei

Adaptation offers the fastest and most cost-effective way forward; it reduces physical climate risk before it becomes a fiscal, health, and security crisis.

Africa
Climate Change & Climate Action