The White House Wrecking Ball
President Trump’s demolition of the East Wing to make way for a ballroom seems to mirror his determination to remake America.
Embargoes and Sanctions
Putin Calls U.S. Sanctions ‘Unfriendly Act’ and Says Russia Won’t Bend
President Vladimir V. Putin warned of an overwhelming response if the Trump administration arms Kyiv with powerful missiles it seeks.
E.U. Approves Sweeping Sanctions Targeting Russian Gas and Crypto
European leaders signed off on the new measures just hours after President Trump imposed sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil companies.
Trump Imposes Sanctions on Russian Oil Companies as His Frustration With Putin Mounts
The sanctions are among the most significant measures that the United States has taken against the Russian energy sector since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Chevron Thrives in Venezuela Despite Threats by Trump
Chevron enjoys unusual sway in socialist-led Venezuela, positioning the energy colossus to gain from whatever comes of the crisis between Washington and Caracas.
With Tariff Threat and Trade Controls, China and U.S. Renew Game of Chicken
Xi Jinping’s need to project strength before a crucial meeting of Communist Party leaders may help explain why Beijing announced new rare earth controls.
Spies, Burgers and Bombs: After a New War, Old Wounds Resurface in Tehran
A deep sense of unease has gripped Iran since American and Israeli airstrikes in June, but on a recent visit to the capital, we found that many Iranians seemed to be just trying to get by.
Syria’s New Leaders Are Talking to Russia, a Former Enemy
President Ahmed al-Shara is making his first trip to Moscow, which backed the regime his rebels overthrew. Both sides have reasons to put the past aside.
Venezuela’s Maduro Offered the U.S. His Nation’s Riches to Avoid Conflict
Venezuela’s autocrat had proposed allocating his country’s oil wealth and other natural resources to the U.S. and ending deals with American adversaries to appease President Trump.
Iran, a Longtime Hamas Backer, Signals Support for Truce Deal With Israel
With its regional influence vastly diminished in the two years since the Israel-Hamas war began, Iran had a muted response to the new cease-fire agreement.