Project Syndicate
@projectsyndicate.bsky.social
The World’s Opinion Page, featuring exclusive commentaries by scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and civic activists.
The oil, and the money it brings in, are clearly driving Donald Trump’s interest in Venezuela. But there are also broader political issues at play, Anas Alhajji notes. bit.ly/4aYORux
The Biggest Questions About Venezuelan Oil
Anas Alhajji parses the US president's motivations for seizing and controlling the country’s vast crude reserves.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 8:47 AM
The oil, and the money it brings in, are clearly driving Donald Trump’s interest in Venezuela. But there are also broader political issues at play, Anas Alhajji notes. bit.ly/4aYORux
Donald Trump’s meeting with opposition leader María Corina Machado has done little to reassure Venezuelans increasingly troubled by his approach to the country’s future, writes Piotr H. Kosicki. bit.ly/3LyGknQ
Trump Is Putting Venezuelan Democracy on Hold
Piotr H. Kosicki calls for civic mobilization as the White House prioritizes regime continuity over popular sovereignty.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Donald Trump’s meeting with opposition leader María Corina Machado has done little to reassure Venezuelans increasingly troubled by his approach to the country’s future, writes Piotr H. Kosicki. bit.ly/3LyGknQ
Corporate balance sheets, sovereign credit ratings, supply chains, and risk pricing show that the transition to carbon-neutrality is happening despite politics, not because of it, writes NatureFinance's Julie McCarthy. bit.ly/3NB61EN
As Climate Diplomacy Stalls, the Economics Are Racing Ahead
Julie McCarthy points out that market forces, not politicians, are driving the developments that really matter.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Corporate balance sheets, sovereign credit ratings, supply chains, and risk pricing show that the transition to carbon-neutrality is happening despite politics, not because of it, writes NatureFinance's Julie McCarthy. bit.ly/3NB61EN
Nicolás Maduro’s removal has left Venezuela with no good options. The most likely outcome is an arrangement with the US that allows Chavismo to endure, while the worst-case scenario is a dangerous power vacuum, writes Terry Lynn Karl. bit.ly/45gLg7u
Trump’s Petrostate Dilemma in Venezuela
Terry Lynn Karl explains why the US intervention could put its goal – control of vast oil reserves – out of reach.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Nicolás Maduro’s removal has left Venezuela with no good options. The most likely outcome is an arrangement with the US that allows Chavismo to endure, while the worst-case scenario is a dangerous power vacuum, writes Terry Lynn Karl. bit.ly/45gLg7u
Charles Ferguson sees a very real risk that unless news organizations, journalists, writers, and documentary filmmakers are compensated sufficiently, the AI industry will kill the very sources upon which it depends to provide accurate results. bit.ly/4sKAUXv
January 16, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Charles Ferguson sees a very real risk that unless news organizations, journalists, writers, and documentary filmmakers are compensated sufficiently, the AI industry will kill the very sources upon which it depends to provide accurate results. bit.ly/4sKAUXv
The current food system is buckling, with roughly 673 million people going to bed hungry every night. The @fao.org's Yurdi Yasmi explains what must be done. bit.ly/4qW9GeG
How to Feed Ten Billion People
Yurdi Yasmi shows that humanity already has the tools and knowledge to end and prevent hunger.
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The current food system is buckling, with roughly 673 million people going to bed hungry every night. The @fao.org's Yurdi Yasmi explains what must be done. bit.ly/4qW9GeG
While nothing is guaranteed, Sir Ronald Cohen's claim that investing and capitalism are in the early stages of a transformation does not seem overly speculative, concludes Nobel laureate Michael Spence. bit.ly/3ZcMwVE
The Impact of Impact Investing
Michael Spence assesses venture capitalist Ronald Cohen’s argument that a purpose-driven “revolution” is underway.
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 4:04 PM
While nothing is guaranteed, Sir Ronald Cohen's claim that investing and capitalism are in the early stages of a transformation does not seem overly speculative, concludes Nobel laureate Michael Spence. bit.ly/3ZcMwVE
@elerianm.bsky.social sees, in the clash between Donald Trump's administration and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a chance to reaffirm the central bank's independence – and the need for reform. bit.ly/4sEZJEl
January 16, 2026 at 1:26 PM
@elerianm.bsky.social sees, in the clash between Donald Trump's administration and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a chance to reaffirm the central bank's independence – and the need for reform. bit.ly/4sEZJEl
Allowing AI to displace human workers without a collective response would exacerbate inequality and entrench injustice, raising the risk of political unrest, warns Peter G. Kirchschläger. bit.ly/4qlPMKd
What Happens When Paid Work Disappears?
Peter G. Kirchschläger outlines a framework for sustaining social stability amid the coming mass displacement of human labor.
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Allowing AI to displace human workers without a collective response would exacerbate inequality and entrench injustice, raising the risk of political unrest, warns Peter G. Kirchschläger. bit.ly/4qlPMKd
Reposted by Project Syndicate
"My own morality." That's what Donald Trump says is the only thing that can check his power on the world stage.
But does he even have a morality? If so, what is it? Read my latest @projectsyndicate.bsky.social column to find out: www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/t...
But does he even have a morality? If so, what is it? Read my latest @projectsyndicate.bsky.social column to find out: www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/t...
Trump’s Anti-Moral Morality
Peter Singer examines the historical roots and contemporary flaws of America’s turn to “might-makes-right” foreign policy.
www.project-syndicate.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:16 AM
"My own morality." That's what Donald Trump says is the only thing that can check his power on the world stage.
But does he even have a morality? If so, what is it? Read my latest @projectsyndicate.bsky.social column to find out: www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/t...
But does he even have a morality? If so, what is it? Read my latest @projectsyndicate.bsky.social column to find out: www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/t...
While there is no direct precedent for the current rift between the US Federal Reserve and the White House, lessons from two episodes in history should guide the responses from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Congress, writes Gabriel Chodorow-Reich. bit.ly/3NnBPNl
Why Jerome Powell Had to Say No
Gabriel Chodorow-Reich points to historical precedents for the escalating attacks on the US Federal Reserve’s independence.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 3:29 PM
While there is no direct precedent for the current rift between the US Federal Reserve and the White House, lessons from two episodes in history should guide the responses from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Congress, writes Gabriel Chodorow-Reich. bit.ly/3NnBPNl
Far from being evidence of Trump’s policy schizophrenia, recent developments reflect an administration-wide effort to restore an older world order, namely the one that prevailed before World War I, Benn Steil writes. bit.ly/3YGCtId
Trump’s New Old World Order
Benn Steil traces the 19th-century roots of the current US administration's foreign-policy priorities.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Far from being evidence of Trump’s policy schizophrenia, recent developments reflect an administration-wide effort to restore an older world order, namely the one that prevailed before World War I, Benn Steil writes. bit.ly/3YGCtId
The European Union’s recent penalty against Elon Musk’s X marks the start of what is likely to become a bitter struggle to curb the spread of AI-driven slop, writes @coricrider.com. bit.ly/4qSstYe
Europe Enters the Slop War
Cori Crider urges EU leaders to take a hard line against US tech barons’ efforts to subvert democratic institutions.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 3:17 PM
The European Union’s recent penalty against Elon Musk’s X marks the start of what is likely to become a bitter struggle to curb the spread of AI-driven slop, writes @coricrider.com. bit.ly/4qSstYe
In a fragmented international order, the ability to work across borders and manage shared resources is a strategic asset that will pay dividends now and well into the future. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan understand this, notes Daniel Sleat. bit.ly/4qU5ex2
Central Asia’s Road to Stability
Dan Sleat explains how the three countries that share the Fergana Valley have managed to put their differences aside.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 3:14 PM
In a fragmented international order, the ability to work across borders and manage shared resources is a strategic asset that will pay dividends now and well into the future. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan understand this, notes Daniel Sleat. bit.ly/4qU5ex2
Reposted by Project Syndicate
New in ProSyn: we’ve entered a Slop War. X/Grok is just the latest skirmish.
The coming battle pits citizens, parents, and honest traders against the slop pornographers, scammers, and would-be dictators. We know what they want. It’s up to us to stop them.
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/e...
The coming battle pits citizens, parents, and honest traders against the slop pornographers, scammers, and would-be dictators. We know what they want. It’s up to us to stop them.
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/e...
Europe Enters the Slop War
Cori Crider urges EU leaders to take a hard line against US tech barons’ efforts to subvert democratic institutions.
www.project-syndicate.org
January 15, 2026 at 8:13 AM
New in ProSyn: we’ve entered a Slop War. X/Grok is just the latest skirmish.
The coming battle pits citizens, parents, and honest traders against the slop pornographers, scammers, and would-be dictators. We know what they want. It’s up to us to stop them.
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/e...
The coming battle pits citizens, parents, and honest traders against the slop pornographers, scammers, and would-be dictators. We know what they want. It’s up to us to stop them.
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/e...
Vladimir Putin's preference for thinking before he reacts often comes across as shrewd and confident. But in the case of the US attack on Venezuela, it may betray a sense of weakness, notes Nina L. Khrushcheva – or, at least, profound uncertainty. bit.ly/49IHGo3
Why Is Putin Silent on Venezuela?
Nina L. Khrushcheva suspects that the Trump administration’s recent actions may have shaken the Russian leader’s confidence.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Vladimir Putin's preference for thinking before he reacts often comes across as shrewd and confident. But in the case of the US attack on Venezuela, it may betray a sense of weakness, notes Nina L. Khrushcheva – or, at least, profound uncertainty. bit.ly/49IHGo3
Reposted by Project Syndicate
Europe Is Stronger Than Its Leaders Think
My latest for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social to counter the dominant narrative of a weak EU doomed to fail
prosyn.org/nsSlUOT
My latest for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social to counter the dominant narrative of a weak EU doomed to fail
prosyn.org/nsSlUOT
Europe Is Stronger Than Its Leaders Think
Alberto Alemanno warns policymakers against panic-driven reforms that threaten to undo hard-won gains.
prosyn.org
January 13, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Europe Is Stronger Than Its Leaders Think
My latest for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social to counter the dominant narrative of a weak EU doomed to fail
prosyn.org/nsSlUOT
My latest for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social to counter the dominant narrative of a weak EU doomed to fail
prosyn.org/nsSlUOT
There is a method behind the apparent madness of Donald Trump’s foreign-policy agenda. Nowhere has its spheres-of-influence logic been more evident than in the illegal abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, writes Jayati Ghosh. bit.ly/49B3yRZ
A Gangster’s-Eye View of Global Power
Jayati Ghosh urges international cooperation that does not depend on the US to counter the threat posed by a rogue America.
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 5:03 PM
There is a method behind the apparent madness of Donald Trump’s foreign-policy agenda. Nowhere has its spheres-of-influence logic been more evident than in the illegal abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, writes Jayati Ghosh. bit.ly/49B3yRZ
The US is seeking to reduce its current-account deficit, maintain low and stable inflation, and preserve its technological dominance. These objectives are incompatible, write Moreno Bertoldi and Marco Buti. bit.ly/4pFM78W
The World’s Two Largest Economies Should Slow Their Investment Race
Moreno Bertoldi & Marco Buti highlight the growing tension in the US and China between technological ambition and macroeconomic reality.
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 4:58 PM
The US is seeking to reduce its current-account deficit, maintain low and stable inflation, and preserve its technological dominance. These objectives are incompatible, write Moreno Bertoldi and Marco Buti. bit.ly/4pFM78W
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller’s appeal to what he assumes is an iron law of history rules out all hope of moral progress. Yet the evidence of moral progress is all around us, notes @petersinger.info. bit.ly/3LtWRcG
Trump’s Anti-Moral Morality
Peter Singer examines the historical roots and contemporary flaws of America’s turn to “might-makes-right” foreign policy.
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 4:50 PM
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller’s appeal to what he assumes is an iron law of history rules out all hope of moral progress. Yet the evidence of moral progress is all around us, notes @petersinger.info. bit.ly/3LtWRcG
The countries that align their climate commitments, industrial policies, and infrastructure pipelines with credible, data-driven, AI-augmented processes will set the rules of the game for everyone, Bertrand Badré and Saurabh Mishra argue. bit.ly/49THEe9
The AI We Need for Sustainable Infrastructure
Bertrand Badré & Saurabh Mishra see great potential to improve how the world builds things, but only if the construction sector gets on board.
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 4:06 PM
The countries that align their climate commitments, industrial policies, and infrastructure pipelines with credible, data-driven, AI-augmented processes will set the rules of the game for everyone, Bertrand Badré and Saurabh Mishra argue. bit.ly/49THEe9
Despite the claims of Donald Trump and his MAGA acolytes, the European Union is not in decline. In fact, the EU has succeeded beyond its founders’ most optimistic expectations, argues Alberto Alemanno. bit.ly/49AEsD3
Europe Is Stronger Than Its Leaders Think
Alberto Alemanno warns policymakers against panic-driven reforms that threaten to undo hard-won gains.
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Despite the claims of Donald Trump and his MAGA acolytes, the European Union is not in decline. In fact, the EU has succeeded beyond its founders’ most optimistic expectations, argues Alberto Alemanno. bit.ly/49AEsD3
Fed independence exists to insulate policymakers from short-term politics and preserve price stability through professional judgment. Donald Trump’s push for lower interest rates now puts that framework at risk, writes Anne O. Krueger. bit.ly/4jCm94K
The Last Days of Fed Independence?
Anne O. Krueger warns that politicizing monetary policy raises the cost of bringing prices back under control.
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Fed independence exists to insulate policymakers from short-term politics and preserve price stability through professional judgment. Donald Trump’s push for lower interest rates now puts that framework at risk, writes Anne O. Krueger. bit.ly/4jCm94K
The signing of a long-overdue EU-Mercosur agreement this week sends a clear message: Europe will stand firm in defending the rules-based trade and multilateral system, writes @carloscuerpo.bsky.social. bit.ly/4qKJDXQ
The EU-Mercosur Deal Puts Principles into Practice
Carlos Cuerpo explains how the European Union and key Latin American countries are keeping multilateralism and open trade alive.
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 3:08 PM
The signing of a long-overdue EU-Mercosur agreement this week sends a clear message: Europe will stand firm in defending the rules-based trade and multilateral system, writes @carloscuerpo.bsky.social. bit.ly/4qKJDXQ
Grok's latest scandal – in which it generated sexualized images of children – underscores a central lesson of the AI era: governance failures can scale as quickly as technological capabilities, @publiccitizen.bsky.social's J.B. Branch observes. bit.ly/4sCG8EJ
Grok Is Testing Whether AI Governance Means Anything
J.B. Branch fears that if the generation of sexualized images of children doesn’t prompt a harsh response, nothing will.
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Grok's latest scandal – in which it generated sexualized images of children – underscores a central lesson of the AI era: governance failures can scale as quickly as technological capabilities, @publiccitizen.bsky.social's J.B. Branch observes. bit.ly/4sCG8EJ