What Actually Mattered This Week: 3 American Troops Killed in Jordan

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WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERED THIS WEEK

Biden says US ‘shall respond’ after drone strike by Iran-backed group kills 3 US troops in Jordan

Three months of the United States’ diplomatic, economic, and military efforts at deterrence in the Middle East have had…no effect.

This attack that killed US servicemen crossed a clear red line.

Expect major American strikes against Iranian military targets all but certain in the coming days.

The big question is whether there’s also a (US-brokered?) hostage deal between Israel and Hamas coming. If so, an important window opening for diplomacy.

Ukraine support package worth €50bn agreed by EU leaders

Hungary’s Viktor Orbán finally “bent the knee” to the rest of the EU by no longer blocking the deal.

The kicker: he didn’t even get any significant concessions.

Japan will no longer require floppy disks for submitting some official documents

Japan for the win!

Trump Unleashes His Doubts On NATO: 'We Don't Get So Much Out Of It'

Remember that once he clinches the nomination (imminently), his words become official GOP policy.

TRUTHS, DAMNED TRUTHS, AND STATISTICS

- Axios

THE GZERO WORLD WE’RE JUST LIVING IN

THE GRAPHIC TRUTH

YOUR GZERO WORLD

On GZERO World, I sat down with former Vice President Al Gore to get his take on the current state of American politics and the work he is now best known for—climate action.

Reporting from the 54th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the theme this year was “Rebuilding Trust in a Fractured World.” And for sure, confidence in major institutions like governments, churches, and the media is at historic lows. Add to that equation a year that will test democracy like none we’ve seen—as many as 70 elections will take place around the world in 2024. None will be more watched—whether in Davos or Des Moines—than the US presidential election.

Al Gore is no stranger to contested elections and shares his take on the current state of American politics and some positive news about the progress of climate action. The conversation touches on the most pressing topics at Davos: artificial intelligence, climate change, and deep concerns about the 2024 US election and American democracy.

For a longer, wider-ranging version of my interview check out the GZERO World podcast.

WORLD IN 60

Does the Israeli undercover hospital raid in West Bank destroy any chance of a ceasefire with Hamas?

Why is it more concerning when TikTok shares US data than when US tech companies do?

What are the wider consequences of West Africa's “Brexit” moment?

Find out in this week’s World in 60 Seconds!

Do you like what you’ve seen? Sign up for GZERO Daily by Ian Bremmer

BECAUSE THE INTERNET

I tried to get an Uber in Brussels and...

WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK

Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine’s War of Independence by Yaroslav Trofimov

With “Our enemies will vanish,” Yaroslav Trofimov has written the definitive “first draft of history” that recounts Ukraine’s response to Russia’s invasion. It’s a frightening and heartening page-turner.

DEEP THOUGHTS

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." – Alice Walker

Thanks for reading! Please subscribe to GZERO Daily for coverage on global politics. And make sure to read my latest book The Power of Crisis for a roadmap of this decade's great crises and how they might help us build a better world.

I am president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media and foreign affairs columnist at TIME. I currently teach at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and previously was a professor at New York University. You can follow me on X, Threads, Facebook, and Instagram.