On the night of June 24, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Israel claimed it had achieved its military objectives by destroying key Iranian nuclear …
Opinion
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Opinion
King Donald: The cult of personality that replaced Republican ideology is destroying the party
by Alex Johnsonby Alex Johnson“No one knows what I’m going to do!” Trump grinned on June 19 when asked about possible plans for strikes on Iran. It was a unique moment in U.S. history: …
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Opinion
Fission under pressure: Can the Islamic Republic withstand Israel’s onslaught?
by Alex Johnsonby Alex JohnsonIn the early hours of June 18, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared that the battle against “the terrorist Zionist regime” had begun. The Iranian military’s General Staff announced a …
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Opinion
War as usual: Who stands to win from Israel’s strike on Iran — and who will take the fall
by Alex Johnsonby Alex JohnsonThe Israeli strike on Iran that occurred on the night of June 13 was not unexpected, but it still caught many observers unprepared. The Israelis eliminated Iran’s top military brass …
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Opinion
Marching in Trump’s shadow: How Britain’s far right scored its first local election victory
by Alex Johnsonby Alex Johnson© Phil Noble / Reuters Dominic Cummings, the influential political strategist and former adviser to ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said in a May 28 interview with Sky News that Nigel …
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Opinion
Fool’s Golden Dome: Why Trump’s space-based missile defense plan is both costly and ineffective for the U.S.
by Alex Johnsonby Alex JohnsonOn May 20, Donald Trump announced his plan for creating the “Golden Dome” — a missile defense system that, according to the president’s projections, will cost $200 billion and can …
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Opinion
A familiar profile: Putin revives Stalin-era repressive tactics to target critics, “enemies of the people” — and those who stay “silent”
by Alex Johnsonby Alex JohnsonAt the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that wrapped up in mid-May, Russia’s Ministry of Justice advocated for the immediate criminal prosecution of so-called “foreign agents” — while simultaneously proposing …
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Opinion
A dish best served cold: Vladimir Milov on why the slow pace of sanctions should not be considered a failure
by Alex Johnsonby Alex JohnsonIn late May, reports emerged that the European Commission is weighing a cut in the price cap on Russian oil — from the current $60 down to $45 per barrel. …
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Opinion
Ties that bind: How Trump’s second term is reshaping (but not breaking) the transatlantic relationship
by Alex Johnsonby Alex JohnsonOn May 19, during their first joint summit since Brexit, the European Union and the UK signed a security and defense partnership. The agreement came amid repeated threats from U.S. …
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Opinion
Stage prop talks: Why the Istanbul meeting could not portend peace for Ukraine
by Alex Johnsonby Alex JohnsonAs should have been expected, Vladimir Putin did not show up for the peace talks in Turkey, and the direct discussions themselves were delayed for at least 24 hours. Putin …