The latest edition of Guardian Weekly examines the declining global influence of the United States, following a period of high-stakes brinkmanship with Iran. Patrick Wintour, who previously wrote about an interregnum in global history, returns to this theme, highlighting how Donald Trump’s aborted threat against Iran exposed the limits of his apocalyptic foreign policy and pointed to wider American decline. The US appears untrustworthy and strategically isolated, as negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz faltered after 21 frantic hours in Islamabad.
Relations between the US and the UK are under growing strain, and columnist Simon Tisdall urges King Charles III to ditch protocol on his upcoming Washington visit and deliver hard truths to US representatives. In Europe, opponents of rightwing populism found hope as Hungary’s election ended 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s government; Ashifa Kassam and Flora Garamvolgyi report on whether successor Péter Magyar will be much different.
Other highlights include a feature on the brutal reality for foreign students in the UK, where universities rely on full fees from overseas applicants, leading to unscrupulous recruiters and debt. Science writer Oliver Milman meets Tim Friede, who was bitten by snakes 200 times on purpose to help stop snakebite deaths. In culture, Jim Jarmusch discusses his new film, and a guide to the late singer Asha Bhosle’s best recordings is provided.
Marie-Louise Eta makes football history as the first woman head coach of a men’s team in a top-five European league, taking charge of Union Berlin. The edition also covers Israel’s plans for Lebanon and Jonathan Freedland’s opinion that Netanyahu-ism has achieved nothing for Israelis.
