https://www.csmonitor.comGlobal news coverage from The Christian Science Monitor.https://images.csmonitor.com/csm/2024/04/1172291_2_csmlogo_feed_250x30_standard.pnghttps://www.csmonitor.comChristian Science Monitor. All rights reserved.300en-usMon, 25 May 2026 10:58:04 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2026/0522/This-unlikely-friendship-could-herald-new-era-of-South-Korea-Japan-cooperation?icid=rssb3d0b70039e1e800e0629fb972d24c42Despite coming from different ends of the political spectrum – and lingering tensions between their countries – Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung are forging a deep partnership.Fri, 22 May 2026 16:51:42 EDTAnn Scott Tysonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2026/0522/seoul-housing-prices-south-korea-real-estate?icid=rss1fff2cc2a3eb2ea04b6e49a208ba3f8bIn South Korea, President Lee Jae-myung sees housing affordability as an existential challenge for the future of the country.Fri, 22 May 2026 16:00:10 EDTKelly Kasulis Chohttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0522/phoenix-library-gaza-war-rebuilding-omar-hamad?icid=rssaaa250ffee4529425f148cbf5175c665Opened April 2026, the Phoenix Library in Gaza City is rebuilding a culture of reading with books salvaged from more than two years of destruction.Fri, 22 May 2026 10:56:15 EDTGhada Abdulfattahhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2026/0521/norway-middle-powers-human-rights-us-peace?icid=rssa0c0974cd6f3f5f95fe5993e8da77834With the United States withdrawing from global humanitarian efforts, is there an opportunity for middle power Norway to step into the gap?Thu, 21 May 2026 16:41:18 EDTMark Sappenfieldhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0521/Iran-economy-internet-blackout-blockade-business?icid=rssb8c2bd4917be40dfc908d64a768e70abWar, an internet blackout, and a shipping blockade: The people of Iran are living through an economic meltdown. The way out of it is far from clear.Thu, 21 May 2026 16:27:40 EDTScott Petersonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0520/iran-ai-slopaganda-propaganda-social-media-trump?icid=rsse28f98ed3f1e2e9a2abaf57c0a01f603Iran’s viral social media campaign has been slick, savvy, and accessible to a Western audience. It seems to have caught the U.S. completely off guard.Wed, 20 May 2026 17:15:31 EDTScott PetersonCaitlin Babcockhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2026/0520/argentina-milei-labor-reform-union?icid=rss20592a1f4986fd3b8f2f803afdfcb935Argentina’s overhauled labor law is meant to modernize the workforce and loosen the grip of historically powerful unions. But in an administration focused on cost-cutting, some workers find the legislation one shock too many.Wed, 20 May 2026 14:51:58 EDTConstance Mallerethttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2026/0520/ukraine-drone-technology-zelenskyy-diplomacy-iran-war?icid=rss3234573d4e40b1a7691fa9bab85eb5dfUkraine has turned its advances in drone technology into a diplomatic asset. Not so long ago, President Zelenskyy visited foreign capitals to beg for assistance. Now, he seals deals for drone sales and tech-sharing – as a desirable security partner.Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:09 EDTHoward LaFranchihttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2026/0519/russia-china-putin-visit-xi-trump?icid=rss0e8719ede8274818bcad3a229c473094By visiting Beijing, Vladimir Putin is trying to bolster relations between Russia and China – and to limit their vulnerability to U.S. adventurism.Tue, 19 May 2026 17:04:44 EDTFred Weirhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2026/0519/north-korea-south-korea-reunification-kim-jong-un?icid=rss53cc40f9161cacf450ed8c0278e437d4The government in North Korea has abandoned its official goal of unification with South Korea. Now, the leadership in South Korea has to figure out if it will do the same.Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:10 EDTKelly Kasulis Chohttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0518/qatar-diplomacy-mediation-iran-war-lng?icid=rss2299378ec3d3d3ee00888abab361e5c8Before the war, Qatar had built itself into a diplomatic power by mediating disputes near and far. Hit hard by Iran, the tiny Persian Gulf country is not wavering in that mission, seen as central to its identity. Still, it recognizes it has security needs, too.Mon, 18 May 2026 17:06:52 EDTTaylor Luckhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0516/lebanon-israel-first-responders-hezbollah?icid=rssa4e961b4fe369d6aff2ee8ea344fefb9Lebanese first responders face unprecedented casualties from Israeli strikes. Carrying their colleagues’ loss, they continue with deepened resolve.Sat, 16 May 2026 05:00:10 EDTScott Petersonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2026/0515/Trump-Xi-Beijing-summit-US-China?icid=rss60d18fc5a773581c9091a9b78e264f60The highly anticipated summit in Beijing showcased how China today is more willing than ever to directly challenge the United States. Fri, 15 May 2026 17:59:22 EDTAnn Scott Tysonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/2026/0515/Norway-electric-energy-crunch-consumers?icid=rss9b20746cbacae943458211220aa20a46Norway’s money and hydropower have insulated it from the world’s energy pressures – until now.  The way it solves these challenges could set a global example. Fri, 15 May 2026 16:30:44 EDTMark Sappenfieldhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2026/0515/uk-prime-minister-keir-starmer-andy-burnham-wes-streeting?icid=rss8c98a41b598bf64fa5c89c7ecb654eecA looming challenge from Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham appears set to topple Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Why does Britain seem no longer governable?Fri, 15 May 2026 14:31:42 EDTMark Rice-Oxleyhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/2026/0515/american-visionary-art-museum-baltimore?icid=rss9acb613150bdaf07abf85c248088fa13If it’s silliness you’re after, it’s hard to beat “Fifi,” a 15-foot-tall kinetic pink poodle, and other unusual pieces at the American Visionary Art Museum.Fri, 15 May 2026 11:36:05 EDTMelanie Stetson FreemanScott Baldaufhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/2026/0514/cost-of-living-inflation-solutions-consumers?icid=rss4ce8947b8ef68ae6c47772f93dce873cConsumers worldwide have felt squeezed for many reasons, including the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz. So, they’ve come up with their own solutions.Thu, 14 May 2026 18:39:34 EDTOgar MondayMark SappenfieldAudrey Thiberthttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2026/0514/Trump-xi-meeting-business-CEOs-Taiwan?icid=rssfc159c1ff3d6f1cb9b577fcf7e3bbac1Chinese leader Xi Jinping has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump and a cadre of American CEOs to Beijing.Thu, 14 May 2026 11:58:21 EDTAnn Scott Tysonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2026/0513/france-macron-speech-interruption-africa-summit?icid=rssb59f433e82fc7f4625ffce5e457a5c19France is trying to bolster its fading influence in Africa, with promises of big investment and equal partnership. But its colonial history continues to create road bumps.Wed, 13 May 2026 15:56:14 EDTRyan Lenora Brownhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2026/0513/xi-trump-meeting-taiwan-trust?icid=rss94876df6d20855ac02bbbe3b2e4effe4In Taiwan, people’s willingness to stand up to coercion from China is closely related to their trust that the United States will come to their aid.Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:16 EDTAnn Scott Tyson