The Economist explains
Subjects topical and timeless, profound and peculiar, explained with The Economist's trademark clarity and brevity
The Economist explains
Was Israel’s attack on al-Shifa hospital justified?
Israel has so far offered little evidence that it was. More may yet turn up
The Economist explains
What is Iran’s axis of resistance?
The country’s Middle Eastern network of allied militias has grown more powerful
The Economist explains
The difference between a “ceasefire” and a “humanitarian pause”
And why it matters
The Economist explains
What is Israel’s Iron Beam?
Deployment of a new laser system for air defence is being accelerated
The Economist explains
How the term “genocide” is misused in the Israel-Hamas war
Accusations of the heinous crime abound
The Economist explains
What is the American State Department’s “dissent channel”?
A 50-year-old system allows diplomats to criticise their bosses
The Economist explains
Why covid-19 did not harm rich economies as badly as first thought
Britain and Italy have revised data for GDP during the pandemic
The Economist explains
Who is Herzi Halevi, the chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces?
The lieutenant general is leading Israel’s war in Gaza—but may resign after it
The Economist explains
Why Gaza’s refugee camps are so vulnerable
More than half of the enclave’s population are registered refugees
The Economist explains
What’s weird about Ireland’s GDP?
Unlike most countries, the measure provides only limited insight into the size of the economy
The Economist explains
Can Hamas’s casualty figures be trusted?
America doubts the numbers issued by Gazan officials. But there are good reasons to believe them