World The Briefing
Houthi attack on Riyadh: Saudi Arabia reports missiles downed
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh. The Houthi count has moved, the damage accounts differ, and the 2022 truce is in question.
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World
World Explainer
Climate finance before COP31: $300bn pledge repeats the $100bn design
Rich countries promised $100bn a year by 2020 and reported meeting it in 2022, partly, a think tank says, by relabelling aid. Ahead of the COP31 leaders' summit in Antalya, Hardin's commons problem and Ostrom's answer to it suggest the $300bn goal has the same weak point.
World Explainer
How Novaya Gazeta is being closed without a ban
Novaya Gazeta was due to shut its servers on 9 November after a lease was ended and, its editor says, banks fell into line. Milton fought licensing in Areopagitica. His argument fits the method, not the legal form.
World Explainer
Who governs South Africa's councils now that most are hung?
After the 4 November 2026 election, 139 of 213 councils have no single-party majority. Arend Lijphart's work on democratic design helps explain why the rules matter as much as the result.
World The Briefing
Paraguay president Peña removed: Machiavelli's test of accusation
The Senate removed President Santiago Peña after the Ueno Bank collapse and refused him 72 more hours to answer. Machiavelli's test separates lawful accusation from calumny by process.
World The Briefing
Indonesian police name three officers as suspects in wiretapping case
Police name three officers as suspects over alleged wiretaps of the President, ministers and media figures, and over data erased to remove traces. Guilt is unproven.
World Leader
Congress Must Decide Whether Iran's Pause Becomes War Again
The Democrats' win lands in a fragile pause in the Iran war, with Israel reportedly urging new strikes. Who should decide on renewed combat, the president or Congress? Thucydides on haste, and the best case for flexibility.