2025 has gone by in dog years. Hard to believe this was the year of Trump’s second inauguration, of Zelensky’s infamous meeting in the Oval Office, of the fall of El Fasher, of ceasefires agreed and violated. Some of the stories that will stay with me:

Third time’s the charm? Zelensky heads back to the White House today. Where things stand going into his meeting with Trump:

Why didn’t Biden do more on Gaza? Former Israeli ambassador Rabinovich’s view: “Netanyahu excelled in the game of playing Republicans against Democrats and using support among Democrats and Christian fundamentalists in order to stand up to the Biden Administration.”

U.S. viewers – Follow the BBC’s live coverage of the Gaza deal announcement here: www.bbc.com/watch-live-n...

Madagascar and Morocco are the latest countries making headlines as “Gen Z protests” sweep the globe. Dr. @misskstrong.bsky.social connects the dots on BBC News.

First reactions to Hamas’ “yes, but” response to Trump’s Gaza peace plan largely positive. Former Biden official Ambassador Barbara Leaf tells me it’s the first time she’s been optimistic in two years.

International journalists must be allowed into Gaza. A joint call from the BBC, @afp.com, @reuters.com + @apnews.com:

How could the US support NATO’s new operation ‘Eastern Sentry’? @jteurope.bsky.social sees aircraft, Patriot batteries, intelligence, logistics support as options.

With judges in Brazil issuing their verdicts on whether to convict Bolsonaro, I’m thinking of the crucial weeks ahead of the January 8 attacks in Brasília. My documentary from then offers an up-close look at Bolsonarismo: youtu.be/8DSXkbPUF0g

The next pandemic? “We are not as ready as we were,” says Dr. Debra Houry, who resigned in protest from the CDC last week. She warns less access to data and fewer ready responders mean the US has taken a step back after lessons learned from Covid.

With Russia’s massive overnight attack even hitting the center of Kyiv, what hope is left for a US-negotiated peace for Ukraine? Former Ukrainian foreign minister Vadym Prystaiko tells me the person with Trump’s ear is his wife, Melania.

Former Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo on what authorities will be looking at following the shooting at a Catholic school.

Rather than voters picking politicians, politicians picking voters. With the redistricting arms race on, I spoke to @samwang.bsky.social for a big-picture view of gerrymandering.

Full-circle moment for my rather British upbringing in the U.S. Delighted to be supporting the #BBCNews team in DC as a presenter and correspondent for the next 6 months. Should be a nice quiet posting…

“I don’t think anybody can call it a good deal” – former European Commissioner for Trade @ceciliamalmstrom.bsky.social tells me the EU-US agreement is a bunch of concessions from the European Union: youtu.be/ayKCG8SD9pw?...

What does the whiplash from the United States’ back-and-forth on Ukraine policy mean for Kyiv? Diplomatic and military insights this week on To The Point: youtu.be/kTurmeDx3kM?...

How did the 90s rallying cry of "girl power!” help entrench neoliberal feminism in development strategies in East and Southern Africa and beyond? Can’t wait to read @bellowsblakely.bsky.social’s new book with @uchicagopress.bsky.social.

Conflicting accounts of U.S. success in “obliterating” Iran’s nuclear program, and what credible assurances Tehran would need in negotiations. @jekavanagh.bsky.social @janelledumalaon.bsky.social @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social youtu.be/RIMV8v-1Gjw?...

After Zelenskyy’s meeting with new chancellor in Berlin, a look at how far German gov is now willing to go in boosting Ukraine’s military capabilities. With Marina Miron @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Gideon Rose @americanacademy.bsky.social‬⁩ @johnkampfner.bsky.social youtu.be/MMYK0tRHiW4?...

Merz has confirmed lifting of range restrictions on Western weapons sent to Ukraine – Kyiv now allowed to target military sites inside Russia. @nathalietocci.bsky.social on this major departure in German FP: youtu.be/Wi_68ethHPk?...

Will India-Pakistan tensions boil over? @sushantsingh.bsky.social says conflict “looks likely.” Context on why previous checks on escalation might not hold: youtu.be/R7_Od4SADRU&...

How have the EU and China responded to Trump’s tariffs? @jackeparrock.bsky.social + @melissakchan.bsky.social report from Brussels and Taipei. youtu.be/ReQxA4CM_mA?...

In Gaza, @unicef.org staffer shares details of “truly terrifying” night as Israel breaks ceasefire in place since January: youtu.be/AmFttwL62b8?...

Afghans who helped the US are in limbo amid Trump’s suspension of refugee resettlement program and Pakistan ramping up deportations. One family’s story: youtu.be/4drGRTEblG8?...

With US military aid to Ukraine on hold, could Europe help fill the gap? Excellent look at capabilities and limitations with @general-ben.bsky.social @carlomasala1.bsky.social @spagung.bsky.social: youtu.be/Ua3cSN-x6F4?...

What’s in Arab leaders’ alternative plan for the reconstruction of Gaza? Interview with @gawhary.bsky.social. youtube.com/watch?v=I_IK...

In style and substance, how will chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz face Germany‘s myriad crises? Our panel looks at the ailing economy and European security under Trump. youtu.be/rVhZphAnodo?...

Greenland, Canada. What’s behind Trump’s apparent expansionist ambitions? Our preview of the world ahead: youtu.be/9JeomHqigeg?...

Oil giant Shell has won a major climate case that would have had repercussions for all large polluters. Interview with the director of the group who brought the case. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XNd...

What are the possible consequences of hardline immigration policies under Trump? Reporting from the border by Aitor Sáez and insights on Mexico’s role from @carinzissis.bsky.social youtu.be/e-2QNJfrD40?...

Is Trump and Erdogan’s personal “chemistry” enough to reset US-Turkey relations? youtu.be/MblqaNVl6Sw?...

What will a new Trump Administration mean for Germany? youtu.be/gshUEZukI8s?...

Just in: Zelenskyy wants Andrii Sybiha as new Ukrainian foreign minister after Kuleba’s resignation, MP Yevheniia Kravchuk tells me.

What are the promises and perils of AI? And who gets to decide how it will be used? New documentary out this week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kspk...

Anger that Mongolia rolled out the red carpet for Putin instead of arresting him on an ICC warrant. Why didn’t they? What enforcement mechanisms exist? youtu.be/A25lYv2l_4c?...

What did German Chancellor Scholz achieve with his trip to China? youtu.be/T8W_hVINLn8

Germany’s top court bans far-right party Die Heimat (formerly the NPD) from accessing state funds. What could this mean for the AfD? youtu.be/ql8yp-9Csn4

Well this is dark. New study presenting “consistent evidence that online search to evaluate the truthfulness of false news articles actually increases the probability of believing them.” @joshuabenton.com

Fears war will spread in the region after a top Hamas official killed in strike in Beirut. How will Hezbollah respond? youtu.be/xjeZ0ot9I_Qo

Glad to see many people I know who’ve got good takes on Germany-EU politics are here on Bluesky. @philipoltermann.bsky.social @nvondarza.bsky.social @jpuglierin.bsky.social @clarer.bsky.social Steadily this place is becoming a good network for news and analysis.

A sliver of good news as some desperately needed humanitarian aid has finally crossed into #Gaza from Egypt. But still a drop in the bucket. The latest:

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