The Foreign Desk

Colonel-General Ratko Mladić died last week in prison in the Netherlands. Serbia has a complicated relationship with the disgraced war criminal, with many calling for a state funeral. What will his legacy be?  

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Six months into the US’s war with Iran, is any kind of military victory possible? Or is the Strait of Hormuz the US’s Suez? Rear admiral Mark Montgomery, Bloomberg’s Dina Esfandiary and historian Stephen Wertheim discuss.

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After a warm reception between Donald Trump and President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria has been removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. What stands to be gained for both sides?

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As the US retreats from Nato’s “all for one, one for all” clause, Europe is forging new defence ties. Can the West hold together without Washington? Estonia’s defence minister, Hanno Pevkur, joins the debate.

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With Moldova vulnerable to Russian pressure and EU membership still years away, could reunification with Romania offer a shortcut to greater security? Andrew Mueller explains.

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The Democrats’ centrist and progressive wings have each claimed victories in the primary cycle. Is the Democratic Party on the verge of re-assembling its circular firing squad? And who will win in November?

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Russia’s Supreme Court has barred the country’s only anti-war party from standing in parliamentary “elections”. Does the ban reflect an uptick in anti-war support or Putin’s ever-tightening grip on power?

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The migration crisis in Ceuta sparked a fierce response across Europe. Does it expose a genuine threat to the border-free Schengen zone or are governments using the surge for political gain?

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Morocco confirmed this week that it has named a major highway in Western Sahara after US president Donald Trump. But what’s the strategy behind awarding Trump a personal stake in the disputed territory? 

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Thirty years ago, it was assumed that the internet would be an engine of liberal democracy. Now, Silicon Valley’s massive wealth is embracing power and promoting right-wing ideology. How did we get here?

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