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The pace of change since United States special forces captured Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s dictator, has been breath-taking. But will Donald Trump “run” Venezuela down the barrel of a gun, or will he be more collaborative? econ.st/49eKYjR
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
January 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The pace of change since United States special forces captured Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s dictator, has been breath-taking. But will Donald Trump “run” Venezuela down the barrel of a gun, or will he be more collaborative? econ.st/49eKYjR
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
The Republican majority leader in the Senate is under pressure. But those close to him say he is playing the long game
What John Thune is for
The Republican majority leader in the Senate is under pressure
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 5:20 PM
The Republican majority leader in the Senate is under pressure. But those close to him say he is playing the long game
The fate of chavismo—and Venezuela’s regime—now rests, at least in part, with Delcy Rodríguez
Venezuela’s new dictator is a regime loyalist—and America’s hostage
Delcy Rodríguez called building a socialist state her “personal revenge”. Now Donald Trump wants to “run” her country
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 5:10 PM
The fate of chavismo—and Venezuela’s regime—now rests, at least in part, with Delcy Rodríguez
The notion that Uncle Sam will soon be commanding global oil markets, dictating production not just in Venezuela but across South America, is fanciful
Donald Trump’s great Venezuelan oil gamble
The country has the world’s largest petroleum reserves. Getting them out of the ground will be tortuous
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The notion that Uncle Sam will soon be commanding global oil markets, dictating production not just in Venezuela but across South America, is fanciful
It seems more collaborative than coercive. That will worry the democratic opposition
Donald Trump’s Venezuela oil deal is already up and running
It seems more collaborative than coercive. That will worry the democratic opposition
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 4:50 PM
It seems more collaborative than coercive. That will worry the democratic opposition
Venezuela owes at least $95bn to three groups of creditors, who hope America will ease sanctions to allow negotiations with its government. Much could still go wrong
Venezuela’s astoundingly messy debts are about to get messier
Oil majors, hedge funds, Chinese lenders—all have a stake
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Venezuela owes at least $95bn to three groups of creditors, who hope America will ease sanctions to allow negotiations with its government. Much could still go wrong
Jason Burke’s new book tells the story of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, its subgroups and associated network of militant organisations. It is an engrossing chronicle of the tumult and violence of the 1970s
The lessons of the terrorist violence of the 1970s
A new book offers an engrossing chronicle of a tumultuous period
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Jason Burke’s new book tells the story of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, its subgroups and associated network of militant organisations. It is an engrossing chronicle of the tumult and violence of the 1970s
Too often, a promotion is a precursor to problems. They are frequently used to reward past performance, not to select for future success econ.st/3LrCm0b
Illustration: Paul Blow
Illustration: Paul Blow
January 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Too often, a promotion is a precursor to problems. They are frequently used to reward past performance, not to select for future success econ.st/3LrCm0b
Illustration: Paul Blow
Illustration: Paul Blow
When rich-world interest rates began to surge in 2022, renting became a better deal than buying. There is reason to think that the winning streak for renters will continue
Is it better to rent or buy?
Much depends on long-term interest rates
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 3:40 PM
When rich-world interest rates began to surge in 2022, renting became a better deal than buying. There is reason to think that the winning streak for renters will continue
The fatal shooting of an American citizen by an ICE agent raises grave questions—not only about excessive force, but about accountability itself. Our New York bureau chief explains
Checks and Balance: A chilling week in Minnesota
The shooting of an American citizen by an ICE agent raises grave questions, argues Charlotte Howard, our New York bureau chief
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 3:30 PM
The fatal shooting of an American citizen by an ICE agent raises grave questions—not only about excessive force, but about accountability itself. Our New York bureau chief explains
“Venezuela needs a civilian government constrained by law, respectful of individual freedoms, accountable to voters and capable of rebuilding institutions,” Ricardo Hausmann writes in a guest essay. “Donald Trump appears not to understand this”
Peace and prosperity in Venezuela will come from democracy, not oil, writes Ricardo Hausmann
Wishing otherwise, as Donald Trump does, is delusional
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 3:20 PM
“Venezuela needs a civilian government constrained by law, respectful of individual freedoms, accountable to voters and capable of rebuilding institutions,” Ricardo Hausmann writes in a guest essay. “Donald Trump appears not to understand this”
Is the world entering a new cold war? Will Donald Trump’s tariffs dampen global growth? Could the AI bubble burst? Find out what to expect in the coming year with The World Ahead
Tom Standage’s ten trends to watch in 2026
This is Donald Trump’s world—we’re all just living in it. As the Trumpnado spins on in 2026, here are ten trends to watch from the editor of The World Ahead
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Is the world entering a new cold war? Will Donald Trump’s tariffs dampen global growth? Could the AI bubble burst? Find out what to expect in the coming year with The World Ahead
The internet has not simply increased the number of cults. It has also splintered them, says one lawyer who specialises in cases involving coercive groups
Social media are helping cults to recruit and control members
The internet has replaced door-to-door evangelists with online influencers
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 2:40 PM
The internet has not simply increased the number of cults. It has also splintered them, says one lawyer who specialises in cases involving coercive groups
It is true that protectionism has not yet derailed growth. But industrial policies and tariffs have also failed in their central aim: arresting the decline of manufacturing jobs
Do not mistake a resilient global economy for populist success
Protectionism is failing to revive manufacturing
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM
It is true that protectionism has not yet derailed growth. But industrial policies and tariffs have also failed in their central aim: arresting the decline of manufacturing jobs
This “may be a moment where the people of Iran take charge of their own destiny”, Israel’s prime minister says. “Revolutions are best done from within.” Read our interview with Binyamin Netanyahu
Binyamin Netanyahu’s plan to win Israeli—and global—hearts and minds
Israel’s longest-serving prime minister is determined to regain his nation’s trust and restore its image abroad
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 2:20 PM
This “may be a moment where the people of Iran take charge of their own destiny”, Israel’s prime minister says. “Revolutions are best done from within.” Read our interview with Binyamin Netanyahu
If Iran’s government cannot reform its way out of trouble, repression is backfiring too
Facing protests at home and threats abroad, the Iranian regime looks rattled
America’s raid in Venezuela has some officials in Tehran wondering if their country will be next
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 2:20 PM
If Iran’s government cannot reform its way out of trouble, repression is backfiring too
It is true that protectionism has not yet derailed growth. But industrial policies and tariffs have also failed in their central aim: arresting the decline of manufacturing jobs econ.st/4qf3MWk
Illustration: Ben Hickey
Illustration: Ben Hickey
January 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM
It is true that protectionism has not yet derailed growth. But industrial policies and tariffs have also failed in their central aim: arresting the decline of manufacturing jobs econ.st/4qf3MWk
Illustration: Ben Hickey
Illustration: Ben Hickey
The American public, and the world economy, have become Donald Trump’s unwitting test subjects. This will have serious consequences that will start to show in the coming year
America is going through a big economic experiment
In 2026 the consequences of Donald Trump’s economic policies, including on tariffs and immigration, will become clearer
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM
The American public, and the world economy, have become Donald Trump’s unwitting test subjects. This will have serious consequences that will start to show in the coming year
One scientist reckons he can take land that is currently of little worth and turn it into something useful and valuable. Here’s how
A way to expand Earth’s arable land
Make the semi-desert bloom by enridging it
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 1:20 PM
One scientist reckons he can take land that is currently of little worth and turn it into something useful and valuable. Here’s how
In a savannah, a good place for animals to find food is a watering hole. Not so in a rainforest. So hungry predators have to look elsewhere for prey
Where should predators hang out if there are no watering holes?
Salt licks are a good option
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
In a savannah, a good place for animals to find food is a watering hole. Not so in a rainforest. So hungry predators have to look elsewhere for prey
Their allies think the key to victory is strategic deployment of hazelnut butter
A weapon that could help red squirrels in their Battle of Britain
Their allies think the key to victory is strategic deployment of hazelnut butter
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Their allies think the key to victory is strategic deployment of hazelnut butter
For as long as people have been producing films, they have been producing remakes. And in 2026, as in every year before it, there will be more
There are lots of cinematic remakes to watch out for
More cinematic remakes and reboots are coming in 2026, including a live-action “Moana”, “The Mummy” and “Resident Evil”, based on a Japanese video game
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 12:40 PM
For as long as people have been producing films, they have been producing remakes. And in 2026, as in every year before it, there will be more
“Many bodies were actually obliterated.”
On “The Weekend Intelligence” Laura Clouting, curator at the Imperial War Museum, explains why Britain began to honour their fallen during the first world war
On “The Weekend Intelligence” Laura Clouting, curator at the Imperial War Museum, explains why Britain began to honour their fallen during the first world war
Honouring the dead
How past wars shape death rituals today
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 12:30 PM
“Many bodies were actually obliterated.”
On “The Weekend Intelligence” Laura Clouting, curator at the Imperial War Museum, explains why Britain began to honour their fallen during the first world war
On “The Weekend Intelligence” Laura Clouting, curator at the Imperial War Museum, explains why Britain began to honour their fallen during the first world war
For the first time in modern history, wine is experiencing a secular decline that has nothing to do with broader financial conditions. People are just drinking less of it. We explain why in The World Ahead
The world has hit “peak wine”
Consumption of wine is in secular decline, thanks to demographic and cultural shifts. But it is not all sour grapes: expect premium wines to fare better in 2026
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 12:20 PM
For the first time in modern history, wine is experiencing a secular decline that has nothing to do with broader financial conditions. People are just drinking less of it. We explain why in The World Ahead
The American republic is turning 250. We’re marking the anniversary with a seven-part audit, complete with maps, charts and only mild condescension. Read the first chapter now econ.st/3Nbx0Xy
January 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM
The American republic is turning 250. We’re marking the anniversary with a seven-part audit, complete with maps, charts and only mild condescension. Read the first chapter now econ.st/3Nbx0Xy