foreign-affairs

Venezuela: Fucked 

Hamilton Nolan · 07/13/16 04:30PM

The Venezuelan military has seized control of the nation’s major ports and has been placed in charge of distributing food in an attempt to deter murderous, starving food bandits. That is not even the worst news.

A Very Short Guide to a Very Bad Idea: "Brexit"

Hamilton Nolan · 06/23/16 08:20AM

Today is the day—the day for the “Brexit” vote that you’ve been hearing so much about, against your will. What do you, the only very vaguely interested American, need to know?

Europe to Migrants: We're Full 

Hamilton Nolan · 03/03/16 09:48AM

Europe is currently struggling to manage its biggest wave of refugees since WWII. Today, a top official tells economic migrants: do not fucking come here.

Venezuela Is So Fucked

Hamilton Nolan · 02/03/16 01:00PM

Our nation has problems, and your nation has problems, but be thankful you don’t live in Venezuela, which is truly one of the most fucked places on earth.

America, the Cesspool of the Developed World

Hamilton Nolan · 12/11/15 10:00AM

America! The greatest country in the world—where our robust free market system ensures that our economic growth is the envy of all lesser nations! Right?

Ukraine's Twilight War Zone: Kiev Turns, Odessa Burns

Ray Lemoine · 09/17/15 09:40AM

Ukraine held together for almost a year and a half. But political violence last week showed Kiev’s power is growing more fragile than many thought. Our own photographer’s face is proof.

Ukraine's Twilight War Zone, Part Two: Bodies on the Front Line

Ray Lemoine · 08/24/15 08:33AM

“What is the value of my life? You in America only care about death if it involves your allies?” a young pro-Russian soldier at a funeral for a fallen comrade plead his case. He smelled of tobacco, gunpowder and booze. Tears streaked his face. His uniform: mismatched camo pants and shirt.

Hazel Cills · 01/19/14 09:19AM

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is quoted as saying he has no intention of quitting and insists he will remain in charge. Although more than 100,000 people have been killed in Syria's conflict, al-Assad says the issue is not up for discussion at upcoming peace talks.

Kim Jong-Un Visits Front Lines as North Korea Threatens to Use Weapons It Doesn't Have

Max Read · 03/08/13 08:17AM

Footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting a delirious troop of soldiers on the front line with South Korea was broadcast on state television on Friday following a belligerent exchange of threats between the two Koreas, which are still technically at war. "With their targets set, our intercontinental ballistic missiles and other missiles are on a standby, loaded with lighter, smaller and diversified nuclear warheads," North Korea's vice defense minister, Kang Pyo-yong, told a rally in Pyongyang. "If we push the button, they will blast off and their barrage will turn Washington, the stronghold of American imperialists and the nest of evil, and its followers, into a sea of fire." Experts don't think North Korea has perfected the technology necessary to place nuclear warheads on missiles; nevertheless, South Korea says if Pyongyang does attack with a nuke, Kim Jong-Un and his military "will be erased from the earth." North Korea cancelled its non-aggression agreements with South Korea yesterday after the U.N.—backed by China, Pyongyang's ally and largest trading partner—passed a resolution strengthening sanctions on the impoverished kingdom, but experts think Kim's belligerence is an attempt to consolidate power rather than a real threat.