Protests against ICE raids swell in LA; Freedom Flotilla Coalition activists are seized; and demonstrators flood the streets in Madrid. Amid rising political instability, what is the function of protests?

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We discuss Andrew Mueller’s latest trip to Odesa during a big week in Ukraine and consider what comes next for the war.

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As Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, visits Washington, we discuss where the thorny transatlantic relationship might go next.

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The US announces that it will scale down military operations in Syria, Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni meet in Rome, South Korea’s new president and why last-minute bookings are on the rise.

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Nuclear talks between Iran and the US, the UK’s major defence-review programme, the collapse of the Dutch coalition government and should child-free hotels exist? Plus: Alexis Lerner on her book ‘Post-Soviet Graffiti’.

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Ukraine and Russia agree to a prisoner swap but little else in Istanbul. And: Poland’s presidential election shows Maga sentiments are alive and well in Europe.

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As Donald Trump accuses Beijing of violating the China-US trade deal, we discuss what’s next for the tariff turbulence.

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As the Chega party is confirmed to lead the opposition in Portugal, we discuss the implication of rising hard-right sentiment across Europe. Plus: what’s next for Sudan and the winners of Trump’s Harvard crackdown.

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