2016’s turmoil and unpredictability carried over into 2017—a year marked by a continued backlash against refugees and migrants in Europe, deeper fault lines in the Middle East between regional rivals, and hardening nationalist attitudes from the United States to China. Here at World Politics Review, we looked for the trend lines behind the headlines, and we hope our 10 most-read articles of 2017 reflect that kind of coverage, as well as the diverse interests of our readers. The list below is based on unique page views. Where will we find the stories of 2018?
1. Why Once-Welcoming Countries in Scandinavia Closed Their Borders to Refugees
Rik Rutten
Jan. 3, 2017
2. India Takes a Bold Approach in Border Standoff With China, but the Endgame Is Unclear
Anubhav Gupta
Aug. 6, 2017
3. Why China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ Project Will Fail—and How It’s Already Succeeded
The Editors, an interview with Salvatore Babones
May 29, 2017
4. Why India and the United Arab Emirates Are Moving Closer Together
Saurav Jha
Jan. 26, 2017
5. Ethiopia’s Crackdown on Dissent Leaves Youth With Dangerous Options
Kelsey Lilley
April 25, 2017
6. How Egypt Is Slowly Losing Its Hold Over the Nile River
Julian Hattem
July 6, 2017
7. Is the Diplomatic Tide Shifting in the Rivalry Between Saudi Arabia and Iran?
Frida Ghitis
May 10, 2017
8. Is Iran Actually Losing Ground in the Shifting Geopolitics of the Middle East?
Ellen Laipson
March 20, 2017
9. Old Game, New Stakes: How the Gulf Crisis Could Reshape the Horn of Africa
Michael Woldemariam
July 31, 2017
10. Greece’s Debt Crisis Isn’t Over—and It Could Still Bring Down Europe
Yiannis Baboulias
March 15, 2017