I frequently travel overseas, and invariably my foreign friends ask, with varying degrees of bewilderment: What in the world is going on in your country?Here is what I say. First, do not misinterpret the 2016 election.Contrary to some commentary, the American political

President Donald Trump’s critics have consistently underestimated his political communication skills, perhaps because he is so different from predecessors such as Franklin D.

In early November, US President Barack Obama reportedly contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin personally to warn against cyber attacks aimed at the American presidential election.The previous month, the director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, and Jeh Johnson, the s

In many Western democracies, this is a year of revolt against elites.The success of the Brexit campaign in Britain, Donald Trump’s unexpected capture of the Republican Party in the United States, and populist parties’ success in Germany and elsewhere strike many as heralding the

A trend towards greater authoritarianism seems to be spreading worldwide.Vladimir Putin has successfully used nationalism to tighten his control over Russia and seems to enjoy great popularity.

Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presumptive US presidential nominee, has expressed deep scepticism about the value of America’s alliances.

Britain joined what became the European Union in 1973.

Donald Trump’s lead in the race for the Republican Party’s nomination as its presidential candidate in November has caused consternation.The Republican establishment fears he will not be able to defeat Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee.

In 1973, US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, following a period of American preoccupation with Vietnam and China, declared a “year of Europe”.More recently, after President Barack Obama announced a US strategic “pivot”, or rebalancing, towards Asia, many Europeans worried abou