The shoestring superpower
Some nations have acquired the capacity to cheaply and stealthily intervene in the domestic politics of rivals, exacerbating their social conflicts, undermining their institutions and making the country harder to govern
Opinion
Can journalism protect us from the new politics as usual?
Fact-checkers and journalists are the main reason we know about Boris Johnson’s misleading campaign practices during the UK election
In 10 years, what will international development cooperation look like?
Lack of certainty is exerting considerable pressure on many organizations
Revolting alliances
In the 21st century, compromise between political groups that hate each other may become a requirement for the survival of democracy
Junk TV is more toxic than we thought
Researchers are finding that mindless television can undermine democracy
Is Venezuela becoming the Libya of the Caribbean?
The differences between these two countries’ crises are obvious, but their similarities are very telling
The world’s most dangerous place: Washington D.C.
With ever-increasing audacity, President Donald Trump is testing the Constitution and the rules on which democracy depends
The war on truth
We have more information than ever before, but its veracity is often in doubt. In this century it is likely that cyberwars will be fought over who controls data and information
This is not normal
Around the world, governing is becoming more difficult and, in many cases, impossible
Femicide is a crime against all humanity
In Latin America and the Caribbean, 12 women and girls are killed every day. However, 98% of cases go unprosecuted
A team for Europe that does not excite
The back-room method of choosing the candidates for the top European Union jobs has produced a list of names that prompt little enthusiasm, but could still produce some surprises
Toni Nadal: Wimbledon abuses its authority
The uncle and ex-coach of Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal criticizes the British tournament for seeing itself as too “special” to follow the standard seeding rules
What has a bigger impact, elections or street protests?
Most protests achieve minor concessions or fail completely. But some have caused substantial political changes. What characterizes those that succeed?
Economic inequality: What’s new?
Since 2010, the share of Americans aged between 18 and 29 who hold a favorable view of capitalism has fallen from 68% to 45%
Political dialogue in Venezuela: Naïve or inevitable?
Just about everyone wants Venezuelans to engage in political dialogue. But all past “dialogues” ended up strengthening the government and weakening the opposition
Griezmann: The right moment
The news that the French forward would be leaving in the run up to the summer market is the best possible scenario, both for Atlético and for the player himself
Guardiola: Dreamer, fanatic and artist
The things that the Manchester City manager is doing are so spectacular that his influence is steering soccer toward never-before-seen greatness
How to explain the inexplicable
Liverpool took advantage of the stage fright prompted by Anfield, but Barça helped the situation along with its own fears of the game
The Premier League, in the mirror of Europe
To insist that the ball spends more time in the air than on the pitch in English soccer is to flog a debate that has long since been closed
Piqué: the kind of guy who could smoke a cigar in a bombing raid
The Barcelona defender and Van Dijk don’t need to do anything special to ensure that all eyes are on them. Being special is enough
Xavi’s Plan B
The former player has the great qualities needed to be a special manager: knowledge, passion, charisma and that conciliatory sprit that forges a team
The merit of Barça in La Liga
It is wrong to assume that success is defined by the Champions. The domestic league is a measure of a team’s strength and stamina, and an indication of consistency
Politician-eating beasts
Once the political system in some countries learns how to toss out a head of state, it seems to develop a taste for it, and starts doing it again and again
We were the lazy ones
These days, soccer players have to contest 10 or 20 more games a year than we did in my day, while pre-season matches are played out in paradisiacal destinations at 40ºC in the shade
Deconstructing Messi
It would never occur to me to say that Messi is more than Di Stéfano, Pelé, Cruyff or Maradona. But nor is he less
The Champions League and Johan’s legacy
Ajax and Totenham are fulfilling a dream and making something very complicated look easy: winning with a defined identity
Cherry blossoms and nervous bankers
While there is consensus that the capitalist system needs major reforms, there is no agreement on what these reforms should be
Is Paris burning?
Hitler would dance for joy at the sight of Notre-Dame going up in flames so many years later