diplomacy
6 briefs
Putin Wants to Talk. Ukraine Has Heard This Before.
Russia is proposing direct negotiations in Istanbul on May 15 with no preconditions. The last time that happened, Kyiv drafted a deal and then dropped it under Western pressure. Putin is betting the circumstances are different now.
Pakistan's Both Sides
Pakistan is hosting US-Iran peace talks while simultaneously sending fighter jets to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defense pact. The two moves are not contradictory. They are Pakistan's bet on being indispensable to everyone.
The Handshake and the Warplanes
Xi met Taiwan's opposition leader in Beijing while sending 16 warplanes toward the island. The signal was not diplomatic.
32 Hours of Nothing
Putin announced a ceasefire for Orthodox Easter. Ukraine accepted. The war did not.
Beijing Invited the Opposition. Taiwan's Government Should Be Alarmed.
The KMT chair's 'Journey of Peace' to Beijing is a sophisticated move to split Taiwanese politics before Trump meets Xi.
The Iran Ceasefire: Trump's Victory Lap Is a Cover Story
The deal was built on Iran's 10-point plan. Calling that a win requires ignoring what the plan says.