A currency exchange rate board in Santiago, Chile

Instead of the major economic crisis that was previously predicted, Latin America appears to be in a period of stagflation—growing too slowly to meet populations’ needs, with high but not crisis-level inflation. But several presidents are now questioning the independence of the central banks, a potential warning sign to the region.

Ivorian Minister of Economy and Finance Adama Coulibaly

African delegations flew to Washington this week for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank’s annual spring meetings. But those seeking a breakthrough on their key priorities—including inflation and debt distress—are likely to leave town disappointed at the lack of concrete gains made.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley

Classified U.C. intelligence documents revealing secret plans related to the Ukrainian military were leaked across social media channels last week, taking U.S. government officials by surprise. While it will likely have no influence on the course of the war, the leak offers insights into how the war is playing out.

French President Emmanuel Macron

Observers across Europe reacted furiously to remarks French President Emmanuel Macron made last week imploring Europe not to behave like “vassals” of the U.S., amid its intensifying geopolitical competition with China. But the reaction by European capitals to Macron’s statements are more revealing than his original remarks.

Nicaraguan Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes.

Friction between Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and the Catholic Church is not new. But tense relations reached boiling point during Easter celebrations last week with further arrests in Ortega’s latest brazen crackdown, putting the devout in the middle of a power struggle between two mighty forces.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron embarked on a three-day state visit to China last week, during which the war in Ukraine, Europe’s ties with Beijing and trade between France and China topped his agenda. But Macron’s messaging during the trip was confusing and raised questions about his vision of European strategic autonomy.

Three Russian mercenaries in northern Mali.

Mali’s government is struggling to assert its authority as more communities fall to various Islamist groups. After a decade of faltering counterinsurgency efforts, it might be time to take a closer look at the biggest obstacle to stability —the Malian state’s chronic inability to counteract shadow governance structures.

The erosion of the independent judiciary in countries like Poland and Hungary has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Europe, prompting calls for judicial reform and strengthening the rule of law, similar to efforts in Israel to protect an independent judiciary.

The recent protests that erupted across Israel in opposition to a proposed “judicial reform” put the spotlight on an increasingly prominent issue: the politicization of the judiciary. More and more, democratically elected governments around the world have been dismantling checks and balances to undermine judicial independence.

Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq receives Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s gradual emergence from diplomatic isolation has gained further momentum with his country’s reestablishment of official relations with Saudi Arabia. But Syria’s isolation may not be over quite yet, despite the seeming progress Damascus has made in engagement with its regional neighbors.

In the aftermath of the civil war in South Sudan, the International Criminal Court has been investigating alleged human rights violations and war crimes committed by various parties, seeking to hold accountable those responsible for the atrocities.

A recent report from the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan documented terrible human rights violations taking place in the country, named individual perpetrators and called for prosecutions. But certain obstacles could prevent the International Criminal Court from being the venue for such a trial.

During his presidency, Lula da Silva was known for prioritizing diplomatic relations with Latin American countries, as well as forging partnerships with global powers such as Russia and China, while maintaining a complex relationship with the US.

One hundred days into his new term in office, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is returning to familiar policy approaches in an effort to restore Brazil’s regional and global leadership. But a difficult domestic political and economic environment may constrain his foreign policy ambitions.

The recent controversial abortion ban in Poland, implemented by the ruling right-wing party PiS, has sparked a nationwide debate about women's rights and the role of politics in regulating reproductive health.

The unprecedented case of an activist being sentenced for providing another woman with abortion pills has put Poland’s near-total ban on abortion back in the spotlight. It could also make abortion a major topic ahead of parliamentary elections due this fall, highlighting the country’s split between liberals and social conservatives.

The human rights record of President Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Movement in Uganda has been criticized by international organizations, with concerns raised about suppression of political opposition and media freedom.

Few Ugandans alive today have memories of any other leader besides President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country for 40 years. But for now, there is no certainty that Museveni plans to step down, nor is there a succession plan to facilitate an orderly transition that would preserve peace and stability in the event he does.

The upcoming Summit for Democracy aims to address the growing threat of autocracy and authoritarianism around the world, with the US seeking to strengthen alliances and counter the influence of countries like China and Russia, while conflicts like the ongoing war in Ukraine underscore the urgency of the issue.

With everything that happened last week, one could easily have missed what is nevertheless an ostensibly central pillar of President Joe Biden’s foreign policy: the second Summit for Democracy. Some critics say the summit risks becoming an “inconsequential talk shop.” In fact, it has already crossed that line.

South Korea has been grappling with a low birth rate for years, but progress has been slow due to deeply entrenched gender inequalities and a strong anti-feminist sentiment that has persisted in politics and society.

South Korea is emblematic of East Asia’s well-documented coming demographic crisis. Yet while the issue has preoccupied successive governments, including that of current President Yoon Suk Yeol, their proposed policy responses have failed to address the root of the problem: the country’s still-pervasive traditional gender roles.

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has deepened under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, prompting the government to seek an IMF bailout, while political tensions continue to simmer amidst concerns about corruption and human rights abuses.

A year after mass protests forced the resignation of the government, Sri Lanka is making some progress on its economic and debt crises. But the country is not out of danger. Its humanitarian crisis is far from over, and some of the forces that helped create the catastrophe are still embedded in the country’s centers of power.

The Scottish National Party, led by Nicola Sturgeon, has long championed independence for Scotland, and the issue remains a central topic in Scottish politics.

The sharp divides that emerged in the Scottish National Party’s recent leadership election reflected the extent to which factional tensions were long held in check through hopes that Scottish independence could be achieved soon. Yet in the past 18 months, this sense of political self-confidence within the SNP has gradually dissipated.

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