Economy & Politics | Meer

A German soldier stands guard before the United Nations headquarters, symbolizing the tension between Germany’s military resurgence and its obligation to uphold the UN Charter’s peace mandate

Is a reunified Germany back on the warpath?

The UN Charter and the Return of War Politics

London, United Kingdom, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her first speech on the UK economy at HM Treasury

What will Rachel Reeves’s legacy look like?

Britain’s first female chancellor of the exchequer faces a crossroads in her career

A person affected by social media misinformation and its impact

How social media fuels conspiracy theories and violence

Misinformation on social media leads to real-world violence

The fire of decline: a symbol of how tyranny destroys itself

The Mad King's decline

Trump's second term and the crisis of American democracy

A man sitting at a bus stop and vaping, reflecting how people often turn to vaping as a way to cope with stress or anxiety in an increasingly hectic world

Weaponising stress: winners and losers in vape sales

How manufacturers and retailers profit while the stressed public pays the true price

President Donald J. Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walk through the entrance of Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020, before a bilateral program

Trump burns the India bridge

Washington targeting India with 50 per cent tariff sends New Delhi to the arms of Russia, China

A student writing on the chalkboard

From chalk dust to comfort zones

How the classroom became a comedy of triggers

A man symbolizing the weight of humanity’s unhealed wounds and the repetition of past atrocities

Looking into the mirror of the past

How humanity’s failure to learn from history fuels today’s cycles of hatred and violence

An Indigenous woman in traditional attire gazes over the Amazon River at sunset in Belém, Brazil, as the city prepares to host COP30, symbolizing the deep connection between climate action and ancestral philosophies of Mother Earth

COP30 and the struggle for a new paradigm

Nature does not belong to us; we belong to nature

A dramatic illustration of a nuclear explosion unleashing destruction across a barren landscape, capturing the terrifying force of apocalypse

Living under the shadow of armageddon

Reflections on disarmament, security, and the folly of nuclear normalisation

Soviet prisoners of war dressed in new clothes near the Arctic Circle at Rovaniemi, Finland, during the Winter War, fought in temperatures down to −43 °C

Weaponization of demography in the post-Soviet space

How citizenship and demographic strategies shape geopolitics and state sovereignty after the USSR collapse

Two officers sit on a the floow, dressed as airsoft players wearing protective glasses, helmets, and holding airsoft guns

Can Taylor Swift stop tanks?

Why soft power falls short in a hard power world

Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip during the Gaza War 23-25

Israel's war on Gaza: the last chapter?

The escalating conflict and humanitarian catastrophe

German Army soldiers in Afghanistan in front of Dingo infantry mobility vehicles, 2009

Europe's strategic awakening

Confronting new realities in defense amid shifting global alliances

Former President Barack Obama spoke with Jimmy Kimmel between taped segments of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles, California, on March 12, 2015

What Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension really means

The silencing of late-night satire isn’t just about one host, it’s a warning sign of corporate control and shrinking free expression in America

From post-war prosperity to neoliberal growth, wealth flourishes while social roots wither

Times, they are a-changing

From post-war politics to neoliberalism and right-wing conservatism

A student writing on the blackboard in a classroom, Bengaluru, India

Are we well-educated or merely well-informed?

India being in the forefront of economic, social, and media struggles to address the issue of information

White Shinkansen bullet trains at Tokyo train stations showcase Japan's advanced railway technology and efficient public transport system, Japan

Challenges of transport in Europe

Not all railways lead to Rome

Preparation and precision turn a trip into a professional success

Business travel protocol

Safeguarding corporate image and ROI through strategic planning

A person holding a 'We the People' sign, surrounded by a crowd—this iconic sign became a symbol of the Women's Marches held around the world

The F-word is complicated

The paradox of modern womanhood

Stop the Genocide, Free Palestine, 2023 protest in support of Palestinians, Finland

Palestine’s genocide and global silence

How Israel’s policies, US protection, and global inaction perpetuate an unfolding tragedy

Janis Ehling, General Secretary of Germany’s Die Linke

Interview with Die Linke's Janis Ehling

“We rose like the phoenix from the ashes”: the man behind the party’s come-from-behind victory in the February 2025 Bundestag elections

Young woman preparing a bespoke Andersen home EV charger to power her fully electric Jaguar I-Pace

The future of transport and global society

From the horseless carriage to human-less driving

Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the Grand Canyon University “You’re Being Brainwashed” tour stop in Phoenix, Arizona, October 28, 2024, USA

The death of dialogue: losing Charlie Kirk

On society’s loss of trust, nuance, and our belief in human good

Bold, confrontational, and visually arresting: Ramparts covers from the 1960s and ’70s captured the urgency of the New Left, taking aim at war, racism, and state power

Ramparts Magazine and the New Left’s lost voice

The rise and fall of the voice for revolutionary change in 1960s America

A young boy gazing out from the window of a refugee camp tent, symbolizing the hardship and uncertainty faced by displaced Syrian families

Biopolitics & the asylum process in The Beekeeper of Aleppo

Trauma, dehumanization, and the refugee experience through Christy Lefteri’s fictional lens

The scream of humanity in an age of digital domination

The technocratic assault of AI

The silent construction of a power technostructure

Canvas painting at the African Craft Village offers a vibrant display of local creativity

The real Africa won't fit your frame

A continent too vast for your stereotypes

Francisco Rizi, Auto-da-fé in Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

Cancellation, inquisition, and fatwa

Existential and conceptual clarifications

A man stands among the destroyed ruins of his hometown in Idlib, Syria

Why international institutions fail on global issues

Weak enforcement, power imbalances, and outdated structures undermine global governance

A picture of the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran

The Iran blowback and what it means for Russia

As Iran weakens facing Israel and the U.S., Russia watches uneasily

Nakitela Epur is pictured with her eleven-month-old daughter, Epuu, who is recovering well after being treated for acute malnutrition in the pediatric ward in Lodwar District Hospital, in Kenya's northern Turkana county

Health, nutrition and sustainable development

Old paradigms, embracing new frameworks for lasting change

A hand pouring sand out, reflecting how peace sometimes requires us to loosen our grip on old troubles

The Abraham Accords’ new dawn

Handshakes across the desert

Displaced people try to return to the northern Gaza Strip, 2024, Palestine

The fraud of the two-state solution

A diplomatic ruse that entrenches apartheid

In 2024, President Biden poses for a family photo with NATO leaders in Washington, D.C, USA

The evolving role of NATO in the Black Sea region

NATO's role in promoting regional stability and security

Former US first lady Eleanor Roosevelt holding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1949

The MAGA destruction of human dignity

A challenge to the very heart of civilization

A man cools off with a garden hose shower during the 2011 summer heat wave

Climate change and mental health

Unseen battles of the mind and home in an overheated world

A Tin Man’s lament: the missing heart in global leadership

If I only had a heart: finding peace in a war-torn age

What the Tin Man, ancient scriptures, and today’s global conflicts reveal about our moral crossroads

Mines in the Congo employ child workers like Patrice, 15, who began mining at the age of eight

Global climate tipping points and rising risks

From solar power to EVs and climate finance, how shifts are reshaping our future

Silhouettes of people stand against a backdrop of AI circuits and government symbols, reflecting the tension between technology, politics, and community

Roberto Siconolfi on Trump’s revolution from above

Politics, technology, and the shifting balance between state power and communities

Digital networks are reshaping borders and creating new spaces for global collaboration

The territorial dimensions of development

Reimagining global governance in a networked world

The Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway: Trump’s allies are pressuring the committee to award him the prize, despite critics warning that his record undermines the spirit of peace the medal represents

Donald Trump’s campaign for the Nobel Prize

The case against the American president’s effort to win one of the world’s most coveted awards

Newspapers displayed on the streets of France, capturing the essence of daily life and media culture

Free expression at risk: CNews and media pluralism in France

How increased regulation threatens diversity of opinion and democratic principles

Smart city projects like NEOM in Saudi Arabia feature stunning elements such as waterfalls, lagoon water pools, and innovative lighting designs, showcasing the future of urban living

Saudi Arabia's journey toward a smarter society in 2024

Harnessing AI for progress and prosperity

On 4 September 2015, Syrian refugees staged a protest on the platform of Keleti railway station in Budapest, Hungary, amid the escalating refugee crisis in Central Europe

When multiculturalism meets politics

The dilemma of multiculturalism as a model for immigrant integration

Aerial view of wind turbines standing tall near a vast field, symbolizing the synergy between renewable energy and agriculture

Energy sovereignty in Europe: what's at stake?

Geopolitics as an catalyst for policy change

A shadowy figure quietly supports a litigant in a tense courtroom, symbolizing the hidden forces influencing modern legal battles

‘Third-party funding’ is running riot in European courts

European politicians seem worryingly unaware of apparent attempts to manipulate European courts

Two investors analyzing the markets outcomes to invest on startups

Where investors are putting their money in 2025

Everyday investors are using technology and values-driven strategies to rethink the future of finance

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are often considered assets in financial terms

From mobile money to Web3

Africa’s leap into the future of finance

Heavy rains in Somalia, coupled with recent disputes between clans, has resulted in over four thousand IDPs seeking shelter at an AMISOM military base near the town of Jowhar

The climate migration crisis: risks and opportunities

Understanding the impacts of climate-induced migration and the need for international legal protections

A professor wearing a black turtleneck sweater holds a silver MacBook while teaching in a classroom, encouraging active learning at the university

Bridging theory and practice in education

Innovative teaching methods to create more engaging and career-ready learning experiences

A connected world: stablecoins and regulation open new pathways for global trade

The GENIUS Act for crypto global transparency

Harnessing regulated stablecoins for global trade and financial inclusion

The Indian flag, the Indian army, and statues of national heroes symbolize the country's strength, pride, and rich history

The rise of far-right politics: global threat to democracy?

The impact of leaders like Meloni, Trump, Modi, and Milei on democracy and the political landscape in India

Spanish Armed Forces soldiers prepare weapon systems during Saber Strike 24 at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, April 17, 2024. Defender is a U.S. European Command scheduled, U.S.

Spain’s defense dilemma: security and political resistance

Spain faces internal divisions and geopolitical shifts as the EU pursues military expansion

Organ transport team preparing to board an airplane

Egypt’s organ trade goes digital

Unverified claims linking influencers to trafficking expose a society caught between rumor, inequality, and illicit transplants

A woman gently holds a growing tree in her hand, symbolizing care for nature and growth

Corporate sustainability: dead & buried or just resting?

From shared value to greenhushing: tracing the rise and fall of a corporate ideal

CSTO collective peacekeeping forces in Kazakhstan 2022, Belarus soldier

Crisis of the CSTO: Russia’s waning security grip

Russia’s war in Ukraine exposes CSTO fractures, shifting loyalties, and declining influence in the post-Soviet space

The New York Times and Financial Times newspapers displayed on a stand in Paris, France, offering a glimpse into global news and finance saying "Trump storms back"

The U.S. foreign policy upheaval: back to the basics?

Trump-led changes in U.S. foreign policy have been years in the making

As smoke billows from the coal power station's steel drum, the complexity of the socio-economic impacts of transitioning away from coal becomes increasingly evident

Is the Just Transition a governance challenge?

Examining social, economic, and governance impacts of South Africa's shift from coal to renewables

Eco-city with wind turbines and green rooftops representing development that does not sacrifice the environmental good

The 21st century development agenda

Refining local solutions to address shared global challenges

A polar bear affected by global warming, alone by the water in a cold Arctic setting

Guns, gold, and glaciers

The Arctic as the new battleground for global powers

Almajiri boys engaged in learning Quranic verses and traditional education in Northern Nigeria

The Almajiri crisis: reforming education in Northern Nigeria

Addressing child begging and ensuring access to quality education amidst economic challenges

On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, President Donald J. Trump stood before a plaque near Yuma, Arizona, commemorating the completion of the 200th mile of the new border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border

Trump’s presidency: what to expect

A presidency poised for transformative policies amid deepening controversies and polarization

An allegorical painting of censorship and power: a cracked globe held in shadow, puppet strings above, and empty glowing screens reflecting how manipulation shapes what the world sees—and what it never hears

News that isn't news

Hidden truths behind the Western narrative

A table with the flags of Germany and China displayed on top of it

Germany’s port deal with China

From the failed “Energiewende” to the Hamburg port deal

President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, and Turkish President Kenan Evren, along with Senay Gurvit, pose on the North Portico before a state dinner on June 27, 1988

Military coups and their impact on voter behavior in Turkey

The influence of political turmoil on electoral trends and political alignments

Aerial view of Apple Park, Apple Inc.’s corporate headquarters in Cupertino, California. Its rooftop is lined with solar panels generating 17 MWp, making it one of the largest solar roofs in the world. This photo was taken from a Cessna 172M

Success lessons from innovation societies

Inside the ecosystems powering innovation from Silicon Valley to Singapore

Historic illustration of the Lobito Corridor deal, a century-old infrastructure vision still shaping Africa’s logistics debates today

Lobito Corridor and the endless struggle to connect Africa

Why Africa’s most-hyped corridor is nothing new and still hard to build

Walden Bello and Wolfgang Streeck discuss the current political and social landscape of Germany and Europe, including the rise of the AfD, immigration, the crisis of the left, and Europe's relationship with the United States and Russia

Interview with Wolfgang Streeck

Discussing the German question and Europe’s future

At Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025, President Donald J. Trump greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin for direct peace talks on the Ukraine conflict

The significance of the Trump–Putin talks in Alaska

Why this meeting could reshape Ukraine’s fate and deepen U.S.–Europe divides

A professional working remotely from a cozy café, blending productivity with a relaxed atmosphere

Work culture through the generations

From baby boomers to gen Z, shifting priorities are reshaping workplace norms

A person in an office analyzing and reviewing financial graphs for market insights

Stock market analysis: the impact of AI tools like DeepSeek

Advanced machine learning and predictive analytics shaping the future of investing in the US stock market

A vibrant marketplace by the bay, where prosperity sparkles on the surface while deeper inequities remain unseen

Miami: a city made by mass marketing

The making of a modern American metropolis through mass marketing and speculation

Yassine Mansouri and his strong strategic achievements that have brought Morocco into a new era

Morocco’s intelligence vanguard

How royal leadership and Yassine Mansouri’s vision turned Morocco into a global model for security

Understanding the geostrategic situation in Latin America requires abandoning the classic frameworks of interpretation and assuming that we are facing a form of covert and prolonged war

For a geostrategic upgrade

The invisible architecture of power in Latin America and the decline of traditional strategic thinking

Albania’s constitutional court approved a migration deal with Italy

Fortress Europe: the crisis of hospitality and asylum reform

Examining the impact of the 'Safe Third Countries' deal on Europe's migration policies and ethics

Visitors at the arch of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima, Japan

The spinning coin: nuclear memory and social dementia

Eighty years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a call for reason, empathy, and global renewal in an age shadowed by war, climate crisis, and moral drift

A pump jack extracting crude oil against the backdrop of a sunset

What US-Russia energy opportunities is Trump eyeing?

The recent favors and concessions to Putin have a purpose: business

A marijuana leaf resting atop a surface reminiscent of a map, representing more countries accepting the benefits of the plant

The global shift towards marijuana legalization

A case for the Philippines

A man climbing a light tower during protests in Paris, France

Human rights activism in the era of capitalism

The flaws and mobilizing for systemic change

Tourists taking a selfie in front of the Shah-Do Shamshira Mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan

Afghanistan and the forgotten wars: a crisis in silence

Decades of war, Taliban rule, and the world’s silent witness

$A colourful world that is surrounded by masses not paying attention to it, showing the fractured reality of our world, one with chances for increased instability$

The revival of geopolitical blocs

NATO, BRICS, and a fractured world order

Rituals create shared experiences that bring people together and brands can foster a sense of belonging and connection through meaningful traditions

Cultivating loyalty through rituals

Building lasting connections between brands and audiences

A young woman stands on a green grass field under daylight in Kashmir, India

Kashmir and Central Asian relations

A tapestry of trade, power, and passage

A group of people stands atop a hill, proudly holding the flag of China, with Beijing in the background

China’s shift: from BRI to GDI

China’s evolving foreign policy and sustainable multilateralism

A powerful visual metaphor for modern propaganda: disinformation as the new bullet, weaponized through media, politics, and digital influence

The political use of disinformation

How lies became the new weapon of power

Deccan Development Society (India) farmers - climate transition needs to support agroecological alternatives like these @ Ashish Kothari

The world’s highest court plugs for climate action

But will the world’s powerful elite heed it?

A man in a gray long-sleeved shirt rests his head on the table, crying at work

LinkedIn’s shift toward drama over expertise

How the platform’s algorithm is amplifying emotional storytelling—and what that means for the future of professional content

Humanity gazing up at planet Earth, emphasizing our shared planetary home and the need to unite as one global community to address our common challenges

Without answers, we must nevertheless struggle for the light

A path to peace and freedom through common humanity

A planet divided: one half teeming with life, the other scorched by imbalance—echoing the urgent call to restore harmony

Koyaanisqatsi: life out of balance

Without heart, love, and respect, the world collapses

Protesters holding signs that read 'Police Brutality' stand defiantly in front of a line of police officers

The silent erosion of freedom

A journalist's reckoning with police brutality and authoritarianism in Germany

The painting depicts an idealized battle near the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis of Athens. The Greek leader (left to center) resembles Georgios Karaiskakis. During the 1825-1828 invasion, the Ottoman army, with troops from Asia, Africa, and Europe, is symbolized by a camel among the retreating forces. Original title: Kampfszene

Broken dreams: Philhellenes in the Greek War of Independence

A harsh lesson in revolution and the limits of romantic idealism

A powerful eruption at Mount Sinabung, Indonesia, with a massive ash cloud rising into the sky during the day

A stark reminder of extreme weather's global impact

The Climate Risk Index 2025 reveals where extreme weather is hitting hardest and why we must act now

A powerful portrait of Donald Trump set against the American flag and Capitol dome, symbolizing the turbulent intersection of leadership, national identity, and executive power in modern America

Trying to understand what is happening in the US

Trump, the deep state, and the battle for America’s soul

Marketing trends with AI automation

How AI is reshaping marketing strategies for entrepreneurs and small businesses

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