FEBRUARY 18. 2026

Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Cut Short in Geneva

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of stalling negotiations.

What’s Behind Ethiopia’s Double-Digit Growth

And can Addis Ababa’s economic boon last?

The Carney Doctrine Can Be More Than a Davos Speech

Middle powers need real institutions to resist superpower gravity.

Cold Plunge

A dispatch from the Art Editor

Bored by Biathlon? The Winter Games Need Ping Pong.

Bringing some popular indoor sports to the Winter Olympics would dramatically expand their global reach.

How Worried Should We Be About Nuclear War?

Rafael Grossi, the head of the U. N. ’s nuclear watchdog, says abandoning the idea of nonproliferation would be a “dramatic mistake. ”

Billions in Pledges Expected for Trump’s Board of Peace but Doubts Persist

An inaugural meeting in Washington will focus on Gaza’s reconstruction.

Trump Is Strong-Arming the World Out of Climate Action

Washington is leveraging its power to intimidate countries that are trying to protect the planet.

Philadelphia Could Elect Its First Muslim Congressman. He’s Not Sure Where He Stands on Israel.

With no stated policy on Israel and Palestine, Sharif Street is trying to walk a fine line in a crowded Pennsylvania primary.

Iran Dangerously Misunderstands Its Situation

Tehran thinks it has negotiations with the United States under control. The results could be catastrophic.

What’s behind your eye-popping power bill? We broke it down, region by region.

The culprit depends on where you live — but it’s probably not data centers .

Tech Is the Bright Spot in India-U. S. Relations

The AI models are American, but the food that feeds the beast is being enriched in India.

Why Indonesia Is All-In on Trump’s Board of Peace

Some other Southeast Asian countries are steering clear.

FEBRUARY 17. 2026

The Myth of ‘996’ Work Culture

In most Chinese workplaces, the stereotype is far from the reality.

A U. S. -India Trade Deal Can’t Restore Lost Trust

Trump’s approach has done damage to bilateral ties that won’t so easily be repaired.

Despite court order, a critical FEMA program remains frozen

Months after a judge ordered the Trump administration to restore climate adaptation grants, FEMA insiders say the agency hasn’t budged.

A Hectic Day for U. S. Negotiators

Washington is trying to tackle Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the Russia-Ukraine war at the same time.

Trump Is Playing Good Cop/Bad Cop With Europe

The United States is conducting diplomacy by way of the "Law and Order" television show.

Can Trump’s Plan for Warehouse Immigrant Detention Camps Be Stopped?

ICE has the money it needs to turn warehouses into prisons for immigrants. But local pressure stopped one project in its tracks.

It’s Correct and Moral to Use the Olympics to Speak Out About Politics

The Winter Olympics can't be separated from our national project — so athletes have every right to criticize the Trump administration.