arab spring

A French navy boat intercepts and redirects a suspected Russian oil tanker in the Gulf of Fos-sur-Mer, near Martigues, France, on January 25, 2026.

Russia reportedly smuggles its oil in droves, Tunisia slips further away from democracy, Argentina’s labor reform bill clears another hurdle, Rough day for diamond giant

$90 billion: The amount of revenue that Russia has reportedly made from smuggled crude oil exports, after 48 companies worked together to help disguise the origin of the oil and circumvent sanctions that have been imposed since the full-scale war on Ukraine began.

A U.S. soldier watches as a statue of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein fall in central Baghdad, Iraq, in April 2003.

Was Iraq a success or failure?

On the 20th anniversary of the war, some things are undoubtedly better. However, Iraq has fallen far short of the hopes and promises of the war’s proponents.

COVID vaccine mandates are coming; political instability in Tunisia

COVID vaccine mandates are coming; political instability in Tunisia

As COVID-19 cases rise, are vaccine mandates coming? What's happening in Tunisia and how will it affect the broader region? Are you watching the Olympics? What's your favorite event? Ian Bremmer shares his perspective on global politics this week.