Bear hug? China’s take on Ukraine

Last night, the populist-right leader announced that she will run in the French presidential election next year. Our correspondent analyses the Le Pen dynasty and explains how this decision will shape the campaign. The world’s first refuge for whales once held in captivity. And o ...  Show more

As NATO leaders gather for the annual summit in Turkey today, the thorniest issue is off the agenda: fractures within the alliance. Our correspondent travels to the Baltics, where a strategic shift is already evident. First there was vibe coding, now vibe lawyering is coming to c ...  Show more

China appears content to let the carnage continue in Ukraine, anticipating a win for Vladimir Putin. Its <a href="https://www.economist.com/china/2022/03/12/xi-jinping-places-a-bet-on-russia?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=d ...

After backing Russia’s grievances against NATO, China now finds itself treading a <a href="https://www.economist.com/china/2022/02/26/xi-jinping-drew-closer-to-russia-on-the-eve-of-war-in-ukraine?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content ...  Show more

Will China provide lethal aid to Russia for the war in Ukraine? That’s the big question that looms over the meetings this week between Russia and China’s presidents. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what has come out of the meetings so far, and how the US is respondi ...  Show more

Russian forces are having some successes in eastern Ukraine; our defence editor discusses the situation on the ground and what may <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2022/05/26/ukraine-needs-support-not-timorous-advice?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_ ...