Emma Norris, Institute for Government
The publication of party manifestos is a big moment in a general election campaign. Parties set out their plans for running the country. Policies are explained. Slogans are restated. Manifestos are a "party's contract with the electorate" outlining the competing visions and policies that make up their respective programmes for government. But do they actually matter?
M. Zivanovic, Balkan Insight
The exposure of an apparent Russian spy operation in Serbia has raised fresh questions about the sustainability of the Russian-Serbian ??special relationship?? as Belgrade pursues further integration with the West.
Timothy Garton Ash, Guardian
Hers is a government for undemanding times, with none of the ambition needed to face the giant challenges of today, says Guardian columnist Timothy Garton Ash
Hans-Werner Sinn, Project Syndicate
EU emissions regulations that went into force earlier this year are clearly designed to push diesel and other internal-combustion-engine automobiles out of the European market to make way for electric vehicles. But are EVs really as climate-friendly and effective as their promoters claim?
Charles Edel, The American Interest
What really drives China todayis it Xi Jinping himself, the Belt & Road Initiative, old habits of statecraft, or the regime's authoritarian nature? Four recent books help us sort through the morass.
Bobby Ghosh, Bloomberg
The U.S. and Europe can help avert a bloodbath by making clear that the regime will be held to account.
Niall Ferguson, CapX
With the support of the Atlas Network, CapX is publishing a new series of essays, podcasts and interviews on the theme of Illiberalism in Europe, looking at the different threats to liberal economies and societies across the continent, from populism to protectionism and corruption. Earlier this year we spoke to world-renowned historian Niall Ferguson about
Kadri Liik, ECFR
Russia's new generation of foreign policy professionals bring with them a shift in attitudes that challenges centrality of the West in Russian foreign policy.
Ali Fathollah-Nejad, Brookings Institution
Lower-income households have been experiencing accumulated economic pressures, hence the vocal response on Iranian streets.
Helmut Anheier, Project Syndicate
In 1995, the sociologist Ralf Dahrendorf argued that developed countries' overriding task for the subsequent decade was to "square the circle of wealth creation, social cohesion, and political freedom. More than two decades later, most have not even attempted that feat.
Diego Cupolo, Al Monitor
Facing ongoing pressure, Turkey's Kurdish-majority HDP has called for early elections after 24 elected mayors have been removed from office.
Con Coughlin, The National
Leaders in Tehran have admitted for the first time that they're experiencing one of the hardest times since coming to power
Olivia Schieber, American Enterprise Institute
The United States has 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the Korean War and a deterrent to North Korea. The costs of that deployment are shared by both the US and the ROK, with Seoul carrying close to $1 billion annually, roughly 40 percent of the total cost. But Donald Trump wants South Korea to pay more. Specifically, 400 percent more. That's unlikely to happen.
Tanner Greer, Foreign Policy
A new book lays out the Chinese leader's stark worldview.
Dov Zakheim, The Hill
China's president faces resistance at home, sanctions by the US Congress, and economic problems compounded by the Hong Kong protests.
