Politics

Learning to Listen in an Election Year

The Argosy's politics desk has a new occupant — the first of the post-founder era, inheriting an archive of ceasefires, coups, and confessions, eight weeks before the American midterms. A...

What Watching Elections Taught Me

Over three years and dozens of countries, this column watched voters hire and fire the powerful — strongmen and centrists, insurgents and heirs, landslides and photo finishes. For his final...

The Week the Old Rules Died

In a single week, the United States and Israel struck Iran, the Supreme Leader was killed, the Strait of Hormuz closed, and a forty-year confrontation entered territory no doctrine ever...

The Mayor of the World's City

New York has elected Zohran Mamdani, a thirty-four-year-old democratic socialist, as its mayor. A city election became a global event because everyone understands what New York is: the stage...

The Day the Guns Went Quiet: Inside the Gaza Ceasefire

Two years after October 7th, the hostages are home and the guns are quiet. The ceasefire that ended the Gaza war is a genuine diplomatic achievement — and a deeply fragile one. Understanding...

The Republic of the Group Chat: How Nepal's Gen Z Toppled a Government in a Week

It began with a social media ban and ended with a government gone. Nepal's September uprising — organized by teenagers and twenty-somethings with no party, no leader, and no patience left —...

The World Woke Up to a Different America

Donald Trump's stunning return to the presidency is less a victory for one man and more a verdict on a nation deeply at war with itself, signaling a seismic and unpredictable shift for the...

The End of a Chaotic Era

The UK's general election wasn't an endorsement of Labour, but a furious eviction of a Conservative Party that had overseen years of turmoil. Britain has voted, above all else, for a rest.

A Tremor Through the Center: EU Elections Signal a Sharp Rightward Turn for the Continent

Nationalist and far-right parties have made stunning gains in the European Parliament elections, delivering a political earthquake in France and a historic rebuke to the government in...

A Victory That Tastes Like Defeat: How Voters Humbled Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi secured his third term, but his party's loss of a majority was a stunning rebuke from voters who proved that in a democracy, no leader is invincible.

The People Push Back: Modi Claims a Third Term, But Loses His Aura of Invincibility

In a stunning twist, Narendra Modi's BJP has lost its parliamentary majority, forcing the Indian strongman into coalition rule and signaling a remarkable revival for a long-beleaguered...

Is Mexico's Democracy in Danger?

Claudia Sheinbaum's election as Mexico's first female president is a historic moment of progress. But the immense power she now wields could pose a grave threat to the country's democratic...

A Shattered Ceiling, A Formidable Mandate: Claudia Sheinbaum Makes History in Mexico

In a landslide victory, scientist Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected Mexico's first female president, a moment of immense symbolic power that also grants her ruling Morena party a mandate of...

Has the Rainbow Nation's Dream Expired?

The stunning collapse of the ANC has ended a thirty-year political era, forcing South Africa to confront whether the foundational promise of its post-apartheid democracy has been broken.

What is the Point of an Election Without Choice?

Russia's presidential election was a ritual of power, not a democratic contest. Its true purpose was to send a message: there is no alternative to Putin, and the war will continue.

Behind Prabowo's 'Cute' Facade: A Nation's Anxious Gamble

Indonesia has elected a former general with a dark human rights record, thanks to a masterful rebranding campaign. Now, the nation waits to see whether the statesman or the strongman will...

The General's Last Stand: Prabowo Subianto, A Man of Contradictions, Wins Indonesia's Presidency

Riding a wave of populist nationalism and the immense popularity of the outgoing president, former general Prabowo Subianto is set to lead Indonesia, raising questions about the future of...

This New Government Has an Immediate Legitimacy Crisis

Pakistan's surreal election produced a government of the losers, by the losers, and for the losers. It's a recipe for profound instability in a country that can't afford it.

Beijing Drew a Red Line, and Taiwan Stepped Right Over It

Despite months of intense military and rhetorical pressure, Taiwanese voters chose a pro-sovereignty president in a clear act of democratic defiance with profound geopolitical consequences.

Javier Milei's Radical Victory Promises to Transform Argentina's Economic Model

The libertarian economist defeats Peronist candidate Sergio Massa in a runoff election that could fundamentally reshape Latin America's second-largest economy.

Poland's Opposition Coalition Ends Eight Years of Law and Justice Party Rule

Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition leads a democratic alliance to victory, promising to restore rule of law and repair relationships with European Union partners.

New Zealand's National Party Returns to Power as Voters Reject Labour's Economic Record

Christopher Luxon leads the center-right to victory over Jacinda Ardern's successor Chris Hipkins, ending six years of Labour government amid cost-of-living concerns.

Guatemala's Bernardo Arévalo Wins Presidency Despite Institutional Attacks on Democracy

The progressive candidate overcomes legal challenges and establishment opposition to secure victory in a runoff election that tested Guatemala's democratic institutions.

Spain's Pedro Sánchez Secures Second Term Through Complex Coalition Politics

The Socialist leader navigates fragmented results and Catalan separatist demands to form a new government after the conservative People's Party fails to gain majority support.

Sierra Leone's Julius Bio Wins Disputed Second Term Amid Economic Crisis and Electoral Concerns

President Bio's narrow victory over Samura Kamara triggers opposition allegations of fraud and international concerns about transparency in West Africa's democratic test case.

Erdoğan Secures Third Term as Turkey's Democratic Opposition Falls Short

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan defeats opposition candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in a runoff election, extending his two-decade rule despite economic challenges and earthquake criticism.

Thailand's Progressive Parties Triumph in Historic Election, Challenging Military-Backed Rule

The Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai delivered a stunning rebuke to military-backed parties, but forming a government remains uncertain due to Senate complications.

Finland's Conservative Coalition Ousts Social Democrats in Tight Parliamentary Election

The National Coalition Party narrowly defeats Prime Minister Sanna Marin's Social Democrats, promising fiscal restraint and a harder line on immigration while maintaining strong NATO...

Bola Tinubu Wins Nigeria's Most Contested Presidential Election Amid Widespread Allegations

The ruling party candidate defeats opposition rivals in an election marked by technical failures, low turnout, and allegations of irregularities that threaten to undermine democratic...