Diplomacy
EUROPE
British Council Squeezed: Crumbling Bridge of Soft Power
As rivals invest in their global reach Britain is letting its primary cultural bridge crumble under a mountain of debt that the government refuses to forgive.
BUSINESS
National Security Strategy: The Era of Investment Power
Washington has stopped acting like a global policeman and started operating like a hedge fund, trading lectures for massive sovereign wealth deposits.
Gaza War
EU–Egypt €7.4bn Pact: Can Money Buy Influence?
Europe bets €7.4bn on Egypt, turning Cairo from border guard to Gaza mediator as Brussels tests cash-for-diplomacy influence.
EUROPE
Diplomatic Immunity No Longer: What Mali’s Arrest Means for Europe
Mali’s arrest of a French embassy worker signals a new era in West Africa, where Sahel states push back against Western influence.
Gaza War
The Language of War: Europe Braces for Iran-Israel Rerun
Iranian diplomats walked away from another meeting room in Istanbul last month, leaving European officials staring at empty chairs and dwindling hopes.
Popular
Gen Z Picks Up a Needle: Sewing’s Unlikely Digital-Age Revival
As sewing workshops filled up and repair videos accumulated millions of views on TikTok in late 2025, younger people began turning to analog craft in growing numbers, citing everything from screen fatigue to fast fashion guilt.
Too Many Captains, Too Few Ships: Britain’s New Right
The digital hype of millions of views on X could not mask the lack of a real foundation as competing leaders fought for control over a fragile Britain’s New Right.
Ireland’s Basic Income for Artists Becomes Permanent
As Ireland confirmed in February 2026 that its Basic Income for the Arts scheme would become permanent, creative work moved closer to public infrastructure than private risk.
How Rob Jetten Reclaimed the Dutch Centre
After a season of political chaos, the Netherlands' youngest premier has shown that the centre can hold when it offers real paths forward.
Rats Take Selfies: What One Art Project Says About Life Online
French artist Lignier trains rats to take photos, revealing how reward systems mirror social media conditioning and online performance


