Ohio cat rumors – and why misinformation about minorities goes viral
A Good Chat with researchers studying ways to combat dangerous rumors against minorities elsewhere.
Key takeaways from the 2024 NATO summit
Projecting a strong alliance isn’t easy, especially when American politics are so uncertain.
Will Congress shut down the government over aid to Israel and Ukraine?
Four experts examine how U.S. foreign policy is dividing both Republicans and Democrats.
Urban flooding has everything to do with real estate corruption
In Bengaluru and elsewhere, shady land deals and the effects of climate change are a disastrous mix
Most Republicans ignored constituents’ opinions on marriage equality
In roughly 90 percent of U.S. congressional districts, a majority support marriage rights for same-sex couples, my research finds. So why didn’t more Republicans vote in favor?
Many Ethiopians see illegal migration as the only escape from violence
Governments and asylum systems offer women few protections, our research finds
What to watch for at the 2022 NATO summit
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine complicates discussions of the alliance’s new Strategic Concept
Americans aren’t asking for transgender sports bans. So why pass them?
Conservative Republicans are pushing a policy agenda.
A Sinn Fein win in Northern Ireland could bring big changes
What might happen to political power sharing — and calls for Irish reunification?
Russians think they’re engaged in a heroic struggle with the West
A new survey finds that the public in Russia believes President Vladimir Putin’s rationale for the ‘military operation’ in Ukraine.
Could Ukraine become neutral, like Switzerland? Five things to know.
Neutral countries today are nonaligned — and well-armed
Congressional Democrats and Republicans are united in confronting Russia. That unity won’t last.
Americans generally oppose Russia and support freedom, no matter their party.
The Islamic State’s leader died this month. What type of leader might come next?
Our book on terrorist leaders gives some clues
Facebook’s global outage wasn’t the result of a hack, but big political questions lurk behind it
‘Public’ Internet relies on private networks and technical protocols that have to work in sync
20 years after 9/11, the U.S. is again in a great power confrontation
The end of the Cold War scrambled U.S. foreign policy — and then 9/11 scrambled it again. Here’s what remains the same.
How Black Lives Matter demands accountability on Twitter — and when it works
Twitter offers a new way to apply collective pressure toward social change
NATO is about to launch a formal strategic review. Here’s what that means.
This week’s summit is about more than photo-ops and discussions of repairing the alliance.
Ulster loyalists are burning buses and cars in Belfast, thanks to Brexit
Here’s how the U.K. decision to leave the E.U. upset Northern Ireland’s fragile peace
People are talking up the prospects of a united Ireland. It’s easier said than done.
Sinn Fein might say that’s what it wants, but working out the details won’t be easy.
Post-prison, people just want normal things. Americans say that’s too much to expect.
Stigma holds back those who’ve served time, and it’s visited on their children, my research finds
Trump changed how the U.S. assigns the label ‘terrorist.’ Can the Biden administration change it back?
Trump changed ‘designation’ from a foreign policy tool to one aimed at influencing American public opinion
Members of Congress want a commission to investigate the Capitol invasion. Here’s when these work.
Some commissions kick the can down the road. Some prompt real change.
Had LGBT voters stayed home, Trump might have won the 2020 presidential election
In 2020, more U.S. voters identified as LGBT than ever before. Here’s where it mattered most.
11 openly LGBTQ lawmakers will take their seats in the next Congress. That’s a record in both numbers and diversity.
The “rainbow wave” hit state legislatures, as well.
How the coronavirus pandemic is fueling ethnic hatred
The economic crisis is pushing megacities’ dominant groups to be less tolerant and more resentful of outsiders.
What the new ‘Mulan’ movie gets right about women in combat
Women can be bad guys, too.
Police reforms helped bring peace to Northern Ireland
Crime rates have dropped. And many Catholics no longer see the police as a hostile force.
Is Trump hurting the military?
Using the military as a political prop may have these three consequences.
Millions of people in India’s slums can’t keep each other at a distance during pandemic lockdown
Many can’t easily access clean water or sanitation
After 3 years, Northern Ireland’s legislators have finally gone back to work. What happened?
Here’s what brought Sinn Fein and the Unionists back together — and what could tear them apart again.
Biden plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. Here’s what we learned about America’s longest war.
Here are experts’ key takeaways on the war in Afghanistan, drawn from the Afghanistan Papers.
‘The Crown’ explains why Trump is a weak head of state
Presidents should balance pleasing their supporters with uniting the country. Trump got only the memo about the first part.
When the Berlin Wall fell 30 years ago, it shook up U.S. politics. Here’s how.
Republicans have been divided on foreign policy ever since the Cold War ended.
Was Rep. Katie Hill held to a higher standard than men in Congress? This research suggests she was.
Society expects women to be more honest and ethical than men — and punishes them more when they’re not
Republicans say that Trump’s quid pro quos were normal. Here’s why they’re wrong.
The body of existing testimony shows how Trump has crossed the line
Most Turks support the Syrian invasion. Here’s why.
New polls suggest that Turkish citizens have turned against Syrian refugees
The Trump administration wasn’t rooting out corruption in Ukraine. It was encouraging it.
In the past, Ukraine’s elite benefited from bribery, embezzlement and self-dealing of state contracts.
What to expect when you are expecting a Trump ‘transcript’
The record of Trump’s call with Ukraine’s president won’t tell the whole story. Not even close.
The Pentagon is moving money to pay for Trump’s border wall. Here are the consequences.
This politicizes the military even more. It also has constitutional problems.
Who’s winning the Democratic debates? Here’s what Google search trends can’t tell you.
What do those search spikes really mean, anyway?
Trump and his advisers are probably wrong about what foreign policy Americans want
But, then, so are most foreign policy elites. Here’s what they’re missing.
How cyber operations can help manage crisis escalation with Iran
The research suggests this might be a digital off-ramp to war.
Trump’s Iran strategy is a Twitter thread. It’s hard to know where to start.
Political scientists explain Trump’s strategy and how we got here.
Northern Ireland’s peace was already in trouble. Brexit is making things harder to fix.
Can Lyra McKee’s shooting bring everyone back to the negotiating table?
Congress has NATO’s back, despite Trump’s unilateralism
Surveys show deep bipartisan support for the alliance.
NATO turns 70 this week. Here’s how the alliance stays relevant — despite Trump.
The alliance has ways to cope.
Could there be a second Brexit referendum?
That could stir up more problems.
The Senate and intelligence community rebuked Trump on national security this week.
Here's why that matters — a lot.
It’s a big deal that Trump didn’t allow notes on his meetings with Putin
Editors' note: In light of a January 2019 Washington Post
This is the one norm Trump didn’t break when he pulled troops out of Syria
Over the holidays, President Trump lashed out at outgoing Defense
International peacebuilding really can build peace — but perhaps not how you expect
[caption id="attachment_73379" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Soldiers and police at the scene
Why is the Senate challenging Trump on Yemen?
Here’s what you need to know.
Eight white-majority districts elected Black members of Congress this year
That's a breakthrough.
Israel-Hamas fighting erupted just as negotiations advanced. What started it, and why does it matter?
[caption id="attachment_80233" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A ball of fire rises above
When President Trump heads to Europe, discussion turns to burden-sharing.
Editors' note: On Tuesday, Trump tweeted that French President Emmanuel
5 reasons to be concerned about deploying U.S. troops along the southern border
The first few hundred U.S. troops arrived along the southern
Chinese leaders tried before to assimilate the Uighurs. This time it might face less resistance.
[caption id="attachment_79596" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese military police attend an anti-terrorist
Could anything – even Taylor Swift – boost the youth vote in 2018?
Last week, with a post on Instagram, Taylor Swift urged young
What is the Global Magnitsky Act, and why are U.S. senators invoking this on Saudi Arabia?
Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he
Are protests in Africa politically or economically motivated? This new book has answers.
[caption id="attachment_77099" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Protesters surround a bonfire on a
No matter what Trump says, Russia is unique in trying to hack other countries’ democracies
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/segments/trump-putin-address-election-interference/2018/07/16/baff2fa8-890e-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf_video.html Not everyone hacks democracy. States don’t “all do it,”
How worried are you about an impending trade war? That might depend on what your fellow party members think.
[caption id="attachment_75577" align="aligncenter" width="960"] (MaryLB/iStock)[/caption] In late September 2015, then-candidate
Does ‘zero tolerance’ protect the U.S. from terrorism or crime? Let’s examine the evidence.
[caption id="attachment_75064" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Children stand and hold protest signs
Did bin Laden’s death help the Islamic State?
[caption id="attachment_72869" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An undated photo shows al-Qaeda leader
What North and South Korea can learn from German reunification
South Korea’s Moon Jae-in and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un
How Brexit could kill Northern Ireland’s peace accords
[caption id="attachment_70043" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A billboard in West Belfast, shown Dec.
Here’s why #BoycottTheNRA worked so quickly
After the tragic Valentine’s Day shooting of 17 people at
Should the U.S. only give foreign aid to its friends? Well, define ‘friends.’
[caption id="attachment_39929" align="aligncenter" width="2366"] Flags of member nations fly outside
How Catalonia’s election was biased in favor of the separatists
[caption id="attachment_67560" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Catalan independence celebrate at
The Philippines just extended martial law. How far will Duterte go to stop terrorism?
[caption id="attachment_67314" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte salutes soldiers
After Mugabe, can ZANU-PF still rule Zimbabwe?
[caption id="attachment_67297" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Zimbabwe's new president Emmerson Mnangagwa receives
In Germany, Merkel’s center-right party may be trying to form a government with the center-left. That could be a problem.
[caption id="attachment_66975" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chancellor Angela Merkel attends the weekly
The Internet isn’t saving local news. Here’s how that’s hurting democracy.
[caption id="attachment_64714" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this Nov. 1, 2016, photo,
In Tuesday’s elections, women won big. Here are three things we learned about women and politics.
[caption id="attachment_66041" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Jennifer Carroll Foy holds campaign literature
Will Catalonia’s separatists win in December? The voting system is stacked in their favor.
Catalonia’s Oct. 27 unilateral declaration of independence from Spain has gained
Federal disaster aid for Puerto Rico isn’t foreign aid — but Trump acts that way
Puerto Rico was back in the news Thursday — this
Sixteen years after 9/11, are we any better at fighting terrorism?
[caption id="attachment_44889" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The National 9/11 Flag is unfurled
Cyberwarfare has taken a new turn. Yes, it’s time to worry.
[caption id="attachment_60848" align="aligncenter" width="960"] (Ritchie B. Tongo/European Pressphoto Agency)[/caption] The
This is why al-Shabab won’t be going away anytime soon
[caption id="attachment_60645" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Students in Nairobi protest an attack
This is why so many Republicans are ready to ignore public opinion on health care
[caption id="attachment_60380" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
So Congress is challenging the president about sanctions? That has a long history.
This week, in a 98-to-2 vote, the Senate approved a
Duterte has put part of the Philippines under martial law. Here’s how dangerous that can be.
[caption id="attachment_59804" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Filipino residents walk past an armored
This is how the U.K. election may destabilize Northern Ireland
[caption id="attachment_59820" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Staff begin counting votes in Titanic Exhibition
Puerto Rico votes on statehood on Sunday — for the fifth time. Here’s what’s at stake.
[caption id="attachment_59539" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People carry a large Puerto Rican
50 years after the Six-Day War, Israel’s pre-1967 borders are still a hot topic. Here’s why.
[caption id="attachment_59473" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The Israeli barrier between the Palestinian
Trump seeks greater collaboration with Saudi Arabia, but will this boost counterterrorism?
[caption id="attachment_58837" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump meets with Saudi King
Trump isn’t a huge fan of NATO. But his complaints are off target.
Although there was relief in Europe when President Trump declared last
This is why Trump’s loose tongue has compromised U.S. security
On Monday night, The Washington Post reported that President Trump
Here’s what happened in the first round of France’s presidential election, and what happens next
http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/macron-and-le-pen-faceoff-for-french-presidency/2017/04/24/c44af520-2932-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_video.html On Sunday, French citizens went to the polls in
Trump wants an immigration system overhaul. Do Americans agree?
[caption id="attachment_56328" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An immigration detainee stands near a
Wealthier nations can learn from how tiny Djibouti welcomes refugees
[caption id="attachment_56099" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Children play on April 13, 2015,
Turkey’s Kurdish conflict has surged again. Here is why.
[caption id="attachment_55581" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Police arrest anti-government protesters on Nov. 4,
Trump’s plan for Syria safe zones could put civilians at even more risk
[caption id="attachment_54539" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Displaced civilians fleeing violence from forces
Trump’s border wall ignores a long history of U.S. cooperation with Mexico. That’s a problem.
[caption id="attachment_54090" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Marchers in Mexico City protest Donald
Everything you need to know about the Russian art of ‘kompromat’
[caption id="attachment_52427" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President-elect Donald Trump arrives to hold
5 things we can learn from the Russian hacking scandal
[caption id="attachment_26050" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] (Kacper Pempel/Reuters)[/caption] On Friday, we learned
The electoral college badly distorts the vote. And it’s going to get worse.
[caption id="attachment_49696" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Protesters demonstrate against President-elect Donald Trump
Everything you need to know about election observers — and why the U.S. needs them
[caption id="attachment_48344" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Voters line up Oct. 20 during
5 things to know about the new U.N. secretary general
[caption id="attachment_47703" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees António
How social media undermined Egypt’s democratic transition
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A shop in Tahrir Square is