What’s driven Qatar’s extravagant spending for this year’s World Cup? Sarath K. Ganji on a powerful strategy for global influence and the subtle tactics of “sportswashing.”
Why do American journalists keep telling the future after continually getting it wrong? James Fallows on the ideas and culture behind the predictive style in U.S. political media.
What happened to the historic turning point Germany announced back in February? Liana Fix on how a major transformation with global implications got sidetracked.
What does the outcome of the U.S. midterm elections have to do with the future of democracy in America? John Jamesen Gould on political realities, conspiracy stories, and the new media ecosystem.
What does Xi Jinping’s growing power mean for China and the world? Scott Kennedy on the historic expansion and potential limits of the Chinese president’s authority.
Why is American public trust in their Supreme Court so low? James Wallner on how the legislative branch of the U.S. government has transformed the judiciary.