Headlines

How (and why) AI is eroding US democracy

In the first few weeks of his presidency, Donald Trump announced a massive AI infrastructure project dubbed Stargate. It was an unexpected and rather odd event for a new administration’s first major initiative. It now seems obvious that the project was a highly coordinated

Asia

Can Vietnam satisfy Washington before trade ties fray?

Vietnam’s relationship with the United States is entering a new phase. While the two countries have strengthened cooperation on semiconductors, critical minerals and Indo-Pacific security, Hanoi’s record trade surplus with Washington is testing the economic foundations of the

Asia

G7 leaders tackle reliance on China for critical minerals

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France, June 17 - G7 host France is pushing partners to agree a statement on critical minerals on Wednesday that could include measures to help the West reduce its reliance on China and shield investors from counter-measures and dumping, diplomats said.

Asia

All the ways Iran beat Trump into submission

After three months of war with two of the world’s most technologically and militarily advanced countries, Iran has proved far more resilient than anticipated. Indeed, strategically at least, Tehran appears to now have the upper hand in the conflict. How has this situation come

Asia

Trump’s Iran deal: Realpolitik triumphs — for now

Washington has a habit of dressing up its foreign policy in the language of moral purpose. Presidents invoke democracy, human rights, and the rules-based international order as if they were divine mandates rather than rhetorical conveniences. So there is something almost

Asia