Snapshots

United Kingdom

Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson speaks during a session in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Nov. 23, 2022, after the U.K. Supreme Court ruled that Scotland does not have the right to hold another independence referendum without the consent of the U.K. government. 

Politics

The Supreme Court ruling will force Scotland’s government to delay its push for independence to the U.K.’s 2024 general election and could spur more calls for unilateral moves in the future.

U.K. Court Strikes Down a New Scottish Independence Referendum

Poland

Ukraine

Russia

A suspected missile crater in Przewodow, Poland.

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

After missile-linked explosions killed two people in Poland's town of Przewodow near Ukraine, Poland will likely trigger NATO's Article IV.

The Key Questions Surrounding the Missile-Linked Explosions in Poland

Europe

Ireland

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill holds a press conference outside the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast on Nov. 9, 2022, after the United Kingdom announced an extended deadline for Northern Ireland's main parties to form a government before a new election is triggered. 

Economics

London now has a few more months to hash out a deal with Brussels on customs controls in the Irish Sea, which has barred the formation of a regional government in Belfast.

By Delaying Northern Ireland's Election, the U.K. Buys More Time to Settle Its Trade Disputes With the EU

Canada

United States

Japan

Germany

France

Italy

Officials from Germany, Ghana, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, the African Union, the European Union, France, the United States and Kenya participate in a working session at a G-7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Muenster, western Germany, on Nov. 4, 2022. 

The world’s most developed economies are generally poised to ride out the impending global recession -- with debt-ridden Italy being the one possible exception.

Assessing the Risk of Debt Crises in G-7 Countries

Libya

A photo shows the Mellitah Oil and Gas terminal in western Libya, which is a joint venture between Italy's Eni and Libya's National Oil Company. 

Energy

Efforts by countries like Turkey and Egypt to further their own interests by exploiting Libya's internal rivalries risk disrupting peace talks and the country's energy exports.

External Meddling in Libya's Crisis Portends More Infighting and Oil Blockades

Ethiopia

Redwan Hussein (second from the left), a representative of the Ethiopian government, and Getachew Reda (second from the right), a representative of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), sign a peace agreement in Pretoria, South Africa, on Nov. 2, 2022.

The government has inked a preliminary deal with Tigrayan rebels to end their two-year war. But historical grievances, implementation challenges, mistrust and third-party spoilers will risk returning the country to violence.

 In Ethiopia, Will a 'Permanent' Cessation of Hostilities Actually Install Lasting Peace?

Iran

Israel

People demonstrate outside the Iranian embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022, after the city was hit by swarms of drones sold by Iran to Russia, leaving at least three dead. 

While unlikely to offer up its advanced defense systems like the Iron Dome, Israel could provide more intelligence that actively helps Kyiv fend off Iran-backed Russian troops. 

Amid Increased Iranian Support to Russia, Israel Cautiously Increases Aid to Ukraine

Brazil

A supporter of Brazil's former left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrates on a street in Sao Paulo after da Silva was declared the winner of the country's presidential election on Oct. 30, 2022. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Brazil's polarized and conservative political climate will constrain President-elect da Silva from enacting his left-wing policy agenda -- especially if his predecessor refuses to concede. 

Brazil Gives Bolsonaro the Boot. What Now?

Nigeria

Police officers stand on a street in Lagos on Oct. 1, 2022, as supporters march to campaign for a third-party candidate running in Nigeria's 2023 presidential election.

The recent use of tear gas on protesters demanding police reforms underscores the threat of state violence to political participation ahead of next year’s general elections.

Two Years After the 'Lekki Massacre,' Police Brutality Still Looms Large Over Nigerian Elections

Sudan

Demonstrators march in a protest in the area south of Sudan's capital Khartoum on Oct. 25, 2022, on the first anniversary of the military coup. 

Even if an agreement is reached, civilian resistance groups' refusal to make concessions to the military may continue to fuel violent unrest. 

A Year After the Military Coup, Is Sudan Any Closer to a Power-Sharing Deal?

A photo taken on Oct. 19, 2022, shows a general view of France's National Assembly during the reading of the government's 2023 budget.

The deep fragmentation within the National Assembly risks impeding the French government's ability to respond to high inflation, slow economic growth and geopolitical tensions with Russia.

A Rammed-Through Budget Bill Highlights France's Political Fragmentation

Hong Kong SAR, China

China

Taiwan

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party on Oct. 16, 2022, in Beijing, China. 

Social Issues

President Xi's address at the twice-a-decade political meeting painted a picture of a government and economy beset by both internal and external enemies.

A Half-Time Report on China's 20th Party Congress

U.S.-China Relations

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