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Graphic Truth: Cruel, Cruel Summer

Polls show it’s been a tough few months for some of the world’s most prominent elected leaders. Here’s a look at the political heat that’s hit the leaders of Russia, South Korea, France, Argentina, and Australia. (yes, yes, we know – it’s not summer in Australia or Argentina, but you can still listen to the original Bananarama cut and contemplate the politics of both…) For more detail on the story behind these poll crashes, check out our full write-up.

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Participants and protesters hold posters opposing Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration and her policies on constitutional revision and military expansion during a Constitution Memorial Day rally in Tokyo, Japan, May 3, 2026.
REUTERS/Issei Kato.

Will Japan rewrite its rules of war? Europe meets (again) to shape its own defense destiny, US to “guide” ships through Hormuz

Natalie Johnson

Putin is increasingly paranoid, according to a Financial Times report out today. Security has been tightened, more time is being spent in underground bunkers, and the vast majority of his attention is being absorbed by Russia’s war with Ukraine. One reason of his concern is said to be Ukraine’s drone capabilities, which have demonstrated an ability to strike Russian airfields thousands of miles from Kyiv.