Top story per country this week, ranked by coverage volume. Select a story to visit the full country summary, or a region name to visit the region overview.
Central-Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe’s security declarations have never been more ambitious, but the states making them are fracturing faster than the architecture they are building.
Romania
Government formation hits deadlock as presidential consultations begin
Poland
Pentagon cancels 4,000-troop deployment to Poland, sparking political row
Ukraine
Ukraine launches largest-ever drone barrage on Moscow region in retaliation for Kyiv strikes
Hungary
Prime Minister demands President resign; photo-exclusion incident triggers national debate
Czech Republic
Parliament passes resolution against Sudeten German assembly in Brno, straining Czech-German relations
Nordic-Baltic
The Nordic-Baltic states are arming faster than they can warn, shelter, or trust their closest ally.
Latvia
Stray Ukrainian drones bring down Latvia’s coalition: Siliņa resigns, Kulbergs nominated to form government
Norway
Indian Prime Minister visits Norway for first time in 43 years for talks and India-Nordic Summit
Finland
Ukrainian drone threat to Helsinki region prompts emergency alert, airport closure, and government review of warning systems
Sweden
Indian Prime Minister visits Gothenburg as Sweden and India elevate ties to Strategic Partnership
Estonia
‘Spring Storm 2026,’ Estonia’s largest annual military exercise, mobilises thousands of reservists and allied forces
Lithuania
Prime minister’s adviser fired after investigation exposes EU-funded ghost training; Financial Crime Investigation Service and Special Investigation Service open criminal inquiries
Western Europe
The governments building Europe’s security architecture are too weak to defend it from the political forces waiting to take power.
Spain
People’s Party wins Andalusia regional election but loses absolute majority; Socialists record worst-ever result, Vox becomes kingmaker
Italy
Modena car-ramming and stabbing attack prompts national response and coalition row over immigration
United Kingdom
Prime Minister fights to survive Labour leadership crisis after heavy local election losses
Germany
104th German Catholic Congress in Würzburg draws Chancellor and President into political debate over democracy
France
Hantavirus crisis: Prime Minister takes charge of government response as patient remains in intensive care
Asia-Pacific
The allies America implied it might sell are building the capacity to survive the deal.
Indonesia
Rupiah hits record lows above Rp17,500 while President’s dismissive comments draw backlash from economists
Australia
Labor’s 2026 budget breaks negative gearing and capital gains tax promises, triggering political crisis and falling poll numbers
Taiwan
President rejects being ‘traded away’ after US President describes arms sales as a China bargaining chip following Beijing summit
South Korea
More than 45,000 Samsung workers threaten largest-ever chipmaker strike; government seeks emergency arbitration
Japan
Prime Minister to meet South Korean President in Andong on May 19-20 with near-state-visit honours
Near East and South Asia
The Near East has no neutrals, only combatants whose cover stories are giving way.
United Arab Emirates
Indian Prime Minister’s Abu Dhabi stopover yields defence pact, $5bn investment, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company energy deals
Pakistan
Pakistan’s Iran-US mediation peaks: Naqvi visits Tehran, US President credits Islamabad, US congressman praises army chief and Prime Minister
Turkey
Central bank releases revised inflation report raising 2026 interim target from 16% to 24%, signals no rate cuts
India
BRICS foreign ministers meet in New Delhi as Iran war and internal divisions test bloc unity; summit ends without joint statement
Saudi Arabia
Foreign Minister conducts intensive diplomatic tour across Europe and the Gulf amid Iran war
The Americas
The Americas’ leaders are governing against their promises, each betting the contradiction stays manageable before voters make it the issue.
Brazil
Flávio Bolsonaro-Vorcaro ‘Dark Horse’ film scandal triggers Federal Police investigation, shifts polls, and draws Workers’ Party digital offensive
Chile
President installs new Codelco board as production audit scandal deepens
Canada
Prime Minister and Alberta’s premier sign pipeline and carbon pricing deal targeting 2027 construction start
Mexico
US arrests of Sinaloa officials tied to Rocha Moya cartel charges trigger sovereignty crisis and presidential response