Commentary and Analysis

Over the weekend, North Korea launched a new cruise missile. It's unlikely to shift American public opinion.

Populations around the world remain divided over how comfortable they are returning to normal life as the Delta variant spreads.

With the global infection rate increasing for the first time since April, some countries are pumping the brakes on ambitious recovery plans.

In some countries the year of the pandemic is coming to a close, with successful vaccination campaigns providing an exit from pandemic restrictions. But that’s not the case everywhere.

While coronavirus restrictions are being incrementally removed in certain countries, some people are feeling concern at returning to the activities that had characterized their pre-pandemic lives.

Although cases have declined significantly in Europe, the United States, and much of East Asia, the pandemic remains a major threat in South America, India, and several other nations around the world.

Karl Friedhoff examines South Korea's careful negotiation of its security alliance with the United States, along with its economic dependence on China.

Following high profile pauses to the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, as well as surging cases in different parts of the world, it is clear that the gains in some countries do not signal an end to the pandemic.

With high-profile suspensions of the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccine, fear of potential side effects and uneven efficacy of vaccine rollouts are causing concern for some.

Outbreaks continue to emerge even as vaccinations increase; some countries feel safe to engage in more normal activities while others introduce new restrictions.