Mecca
WORLD
Houthi Attacks Put the Mecca Pact on Trial
A defence pact promising that an attack on one means an attack on all is only as credible as what happens the first time that promise is tested.
WORLD
Mecca Pact Reorders the Region’s Power Balance
A missile barrage on Najran leaves old alliances wanting, as Saudi Arabia leans on Ankara and Islamabad for a diplomatic defence pact.
EUROPE
All Roads Lead to Mecca: Syria’s New Patron
Syria’s new interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, visited Mecca after arriving in Riyadh yesterday in a trip that indicates the future order of regional power in Syria.
Popular
Super Intelligence: The Datacentre Is the New Science Lab
As Europe funds brilliant laboratories, are datacentre owners harvesting the discoveries?
Strasbourg Naked Golden Trump Trolls the Monument Tradition
A naked golden Trump in Strasbourg shows how statues, once made to flatter rulers, now serve to roast them.
Hanning Affair Hurts German Intel Cred
Germany's ex-spymaster undermined allied confidence and gave Moscow-friendly politicians a talking point.
Rubio Cherry-Picks Ancient Greece to Sell Modern Nationalism
Rubio urged the West to copy ancient Greek loyalty, yet ancient Athens thrived on argument, dissent and noisy assemblies.
Young Voters Could Decide France’s Next President
Hate-speech allegations bruise Bardella and energise Mélenchon, but household finances and young-voter turnout will determine who wins France's presidency.
