THE TAKE

The Russia-Ukraine grain deal is over. Who gains?

Russia has bombed grain stores in Ukraine and pulled out of a deal that had allowed safe passage of food exports through the Black Sea.Ukraine is a major exporter of grains, and the deal, brokered by the United…

How South Africa discovered COVID variant Omicron

Today we’re assessing the global reaction to the Omicron variant and the allegations of injustice that surround it.

Standoff at the Belarus border

People seeking to migrate through Belarus and Poland are stuck at the border, and neither country wants them. EU officials have called it “weaponization of migrants” by Belarus, but for the people at the border,…

How one of Bosnia’s presidents may tear the country apart

Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik is taking steps that international leaders warn are “tantamount to secession” and there are fears his threats could dismantle the delicate agreement holding the country together. The war in Bosnia…

Why money matters at the COP26 climate talks

As world leaders meet in Glasgow for the COP26 climate talks, one of the biggest topics of conversation is money. There’s a lot to discuss: who has money versus who doesn’t, and what’s been promised…

Germany’s fractured future

Sixteen years of Angela Merkel in Germany have ended in an election with a three-way split, and nothing yet is settled – including the legacy of Merkel, whose stability helped reshape a continent. The possible…

The subtext of France and Australia’s submarine deal

It was supposed to be an announcement of a pact, not the start of a foreign relations crisis between allies. But as Australia announced a new security partnership with the UK and the US, dubbed…

A year of pandemic and inequality

A year ago this week, the coronavirus outbreak was officially declared a pandemic. Now, Pfizer, a leading vaccine manufacturer, is being accused of bullying governments with negotiation tactics so harsh that deals have been delayed…

Special episode: After inauguration, what’s next for the US?

Donald Trump is leaving office today as Joseph Biden assumes the presidency and command over a deeply divided nation. But the transfer of power is taking place under military presence as scores of National Guard…