Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February has stoked fears that Chinese President Xi Jinping is plotting his own aggression against Taiwan. The United States and its NATO allies seem to be “all in” on repelling Russia’s invasion, but how far will the US be willing to go to defend Taiwan, and has its longstanding policy of “strategic ambiguity” on that question really run its course?
Nearly three months after Russia launched its invasion, Western countries appear more committed than ever to Ukraine’s defense, and, in some quarters, to Russia’s defeat. We asked PS commentators what outcome the West, Russia, and Ukrainians themselves can realistically expect.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has prompted growing calls for European governments to halt imports of Russian hydrocarbons immediately. But, especially when it comes to natural gas, is Europe willing to bear the costs of such a dramatic shift?
Predicting the end of the greenback’s international dominance has long been a popular, if fruitless, pastime. But, with the recent freezing of much of Russia’s foreign-exchange reserves triggering fresh speculation about alternatives to the dollar, we asked PS commentators whether this time might be different.
Fears of a global recession are mounting as the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine batters a world economy that had not fully recovered from COVID-19. In the event of a severe downturn, will rich countries concerned about boosting growth and taming inflation be inclined to help crisis-hit poorer economies?
As the Ukraine war continues, far more than the French presidency will be at stake when the incumbent Emmanuel Macron faces Marine Le Pen, his far-right challenger who favors closer ties with Russia, in the second-round runoff on April 24. We asked PS commentators to consider the domestic, regional, and security implications of a Le Pen victory.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has triggered further spikes in energy and food prices, increasing the pressure on US and eurozone central bankers who had been slow to respond to earlier inflation risks. We asked PS commentators how much, and how fast, they should tighten monetary policy.
While the terrible human and physical cost of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is understandably the focus of political attention, the fight against global warming risks becoming another casualty of the war. What can policymakers do to prevent 2022 from being a lost year for climate action?
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine led Western governments to impose severe financial and economic sanctions aimed at weakening Russia. But what are the unprecedentedly punitive measures likely to achieve?
After one month, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is already having major economic and environmental consequences far beyond Europe. What should policymakers do to mitigate the war’s impact on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people?
The risk that the ongoing conflict will cause devastating radiation leaks from Ukraine’s nuclear power plants is bad enough. But with Russian President Vladimir Putin threatening to use nuclear weapons if the West tries to intervene militarily, could an already horrific conventional war become something far worse?
As Russia’s pitiless war on Ukraine enters its third week, many hope that China will intervene to help end the conflict. But will President Xi Jinping see this as a chance to step up and demonstrate responsible global leadership by China, or will he continue to back Vladimir Putin “limitlessly”?
Despite unprecedented economic sanctions, the Kremlin is receiving more revenue from oil and gas exports than it was when the Ukraine invasion began, prompting calls for an end to purchases of Russian energy. But with Western leaders fearing a further spike in prices, is there a better alternative?
