Nov. 9, 2017 Are these the words before the war, or more of the same?

Nov. 9, 2017 The “Abenomics” experiment remains inconclusive, both at home and abroad.

Nov. 8, 2017 Now is the beginning of a new Saudi Arabia or the end of an experiment.

Nov. 8, 2017 Old international structures are failing, and Berlin intends to look out for itself.

Nov. 7, 2017 Since taking office, the prime minister has been using economic measures to consolidate his control.

Nov. 6, 2017 Obstacles that could keep the king’s chosen successor from taking the throne are being removed.

Nov. 6, 2017 The push for independence this time will have ramifications in Spain and in Europe that will be felt for generations to come.

Nov. 3, 2017 No region is more vulnerable to the Islamic State than is Central Asia.

Nov. 3, 2017 Geography affects the development of all nations in profound ways, but rarely has it done so more strikingly than in Spain. Today the country is renowned for its beaches, but its defining geographic feature is its mountains. It is the existence – and more important, the location – of these mountains that has fostered the distinct, regional communities that make Spain so difficult to govern.

Though mountains are Spain’s most conspicuous geographic feature, they are not the only one to impede government efforts to unify the country. The weather patterns in Spain differ profoundly from region to region. Northwestern Spain gets a great deal of rain each year – sometimes as much as 80 inches a year. Compare that to the Southern Meseta, which sometimes sees as little as 10 inches of rain per year. Central and southern Spain are much dryer, though the Guadalquivir River Valley is a notable exception. Northeastern Spain has comparatively less rainfall too, but Catalonia has the Ebro River (and Valencia the Turia River) for irrigation.

Nov. 2, 2017 A defense cooperation initiative between Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. is being resurrected, this time on firmer grounds.

Nov. 2, 2017 Catalonia is only the latest reminder of how difficult it is to forge a single identity in such a diverse country.

Nov. 1, 2017 Public statements don’t guarantee a change in policy.