The Economist explains

The Economist explains

A short history of political meddling with the Federal Reserve

Donald Trump’s attacks on the Fed are a throwback to the era before central-bank independence

The Economist explains

Could a waterspout have sunk a superyacht?

These columns of spray, in essence sea tornadoes, can be highly dangerous

The Economist explains

What is a carry trade?

Borrowing cheaply to buy high-yielding assets is popular, but risky

The Economist explains

The significance of liquid water on Mars

There could be an ocean’s worth deep underground

The Economist explains

Why Russian troops are attacking on motorbikes

New conditions give rise to new tactics

The Economist explains

What is “two-tier” policing?

The conspiratorial belief has spread online, fuelling disorder in Britain

The Economist explains

Would legal doping change the Olympics?

The impact would be smaller—and worse—than proponents of drug-taking claim

The Economist explains

Do vice-presidential picks matter?

If they have any effect on an election’s result, it is at the margins

The Economist explains

What led to the bitter controversy over an Olympics boxing match?

A mighty punch by an Algerian boxer has revived a politically charged dispute

The Economist explains

Is this the end of Project 2025, the plan that riled Donald Trump?

The right-wing blueprint for governing has taken centre-stage in America’s presidential campaign

The Economist explains

Who should control Western Sahara?

France becomes the latest country to back Morocco’s claim

The Economist explains

Who are the Druze, the victims of a deadly strike on Israel?

The religious minority has often been caught up in regional crossfire in the Middle East