The war in Ukraine has laid bare a fundamental divide in how global powers view their responsibilities. At the heart of this contrast are two sharply different approaches: President Donald Trump’s hard-nosed individualism, rooted in economic self-interest, and Europe’s often clumsy but deeply felt commitment to collective security.

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), there are few domains as vulnerable to its potentially destabilizing influence as elections. Over the coming years, AI’s role in global political processes is poised to expand—and not necessarily for the better.

Artificial intelligence promises to bring the world to our fingertips, offering answers with unprecedented speed and precision. Tools like China’s DeepSeek AI claim to represent the next frontier of this technology—streamlined, efficient, and capable of understanding complex questions. But from my own experience, the reality of DeepSeek AI is far more troubling. It’s not just what the platform says but what it refuses to say that should give us pause.

Cracks are appearing in Hezbollah’s once-formidable foundation, and Joseph Aoun’s leadership represents an unprecedented opportunity for Lebanon to reclaim its sovereignty and move beyond the shadow of Hezbollah.

This is precisely what ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia would represent on the global stage. Ukraine is not just fighting for its land—it is fighting for the principle that borders cannot be redrawn by force. Allowing Russia to annex portions of Ukraine sends a dangerous message: that might makes right, and that sovereignty and territorial integrity are negotiable.

The year 2024 roared with seismic shifts, monumental advancements, and cultural revolutions that reverberated across the globe. From incendiary political battles to breathtaking technological leaps and cultural phenomena that captured the world's imagination, this year’s narrative is anything but ordinary.

Where do disgraced dictators and fugitive tyrants go when their regimes collapse? Increasingly, the answer lies in Moscow. Under Vladimir Putin’s leadership, Russia has solidified itself as a haven for fallen autocrats—those whose crimes and corruption leave them exiled but still valuable in the Kremlin’s geopolitical game.

The unexpected downfall of the Assad regime in Syria has reverberated throughout the Middle East, representing a significant blow to Russia's geopolitical ambitions in the area. This volatile environment fosters further instability, and Russia, with its opportunistic foreign policy, is already scouting for new avenues to extend its influence - Libya beware!