Foreign and security policyIs WWIII here? Sixty one armed conflicts in 36 countries were recorded this year, which is significantly higher than the average for the previous three decades By Nickolay Kapitonenko
Democracy and societyThe quiet power of protest songs When a song keeps us awake at night or forces us to question our own comfort, that is already a form of political work By Georgiana Banita
Economy and ecologyWar at the world’s oil chokepoint What is happening in Iran poses a deeper question for energy security: how much should the global economy depend on a single maritime chokepoint? By Laury Haytayan
Foreign and security policyThe forgotten frontline While the world focuses on Iran, the volatile conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan is intensifying — with repercussions far beyond the border By Mirco Günther, Benedikt Ivanovs
Democracy and societyIt’s still a man’s world Epstein was more than an individual perpetrator; his networks and systematic sexual exploitation reproduced social, economic and gender inequality By Lea Rahner
Democracy and societyA bold idea to raise the birthrate Make parenting less torturous By Anna Louie Sussman
Democracy and societyHow Côte d’Ivoire can inspire more women to lead The country’s political transition opens a window of opportunity for advancing women’s leadership By Nasseneba Touré Diané, Blerta Cela, Dominique Favre
Foreign and security policyWhy so tame? The US-Israeli attack on Iran puts Russia in an extremely difficult position — and yet, Moscow’s response has been rather reserved By Ruslan Suleymanov