Central Asian dictator or Schwarzenegger in ‘Commando’? Hard to tell.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, the eccentric dictator of Turkmenistan, already has a nickname (and thank goodness): Arkadag, or “The Protector.” Too bad no one outside his country calls him that. Internationally, he's more renowned for his iron-fisted crushing of dissent. Well, that and awkward displays of machismo. Like in these videos of him jerkily playing sports. Or here, where […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/08/03/central-asian-dictator-or-schwarzenegger-in-commando-hard-to-tell/

A former Vietnamese oil executive was at large for months. Then he was rounded up in central Berlin.

BERLIN — For month, Vietnamese agents had followed the trail of a former oil executive who allegedly looted a fortune from the state-run company. They finally found him in a two-square-mile forested park in the center of Berlin last month and spirited him back to Vietnam. German authorities were stunned at what they called a state-run […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/08/03/a-former-vietnamese-oil-executive-was-at-large-for-months-then-he-was-rounded-up-in-central-berlin/

Trump vs. the world, and 4 other global stories you might have missed

In this occasional series, the London bureau of The Washington Post brings you up to speed on some of the biggest stories of the week. First up: President Trump's policies provoke a growing backlash abroad.  The biggest story: Trump vs. the world Since the end of the Obama era, global confidence in the U.S. president has […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/08/03/trump-vs-the-world-and-4-other-global-stories-you-might-have-missed/

Trump’s misguided rush to scrap the Iran deal

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter. It's beyond clear now: President Trump is intent on wrecking the nuclear deal with Iran. Last month, his administration certified Tehran's compliance with the accord, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/08/03/trumps-misguided-rush-to-scrap-the-iran-deal/

Jacinda Ardern won a powerful political post. Then the motherhood questions started.

On Tuesday, 37-year-old Jacinda Ardern was elected leader of New Zealand's Labour Party. It's a powerful position, and she's the youngest person to hold the job. (Also, only the second woman.) Just hours later, Ardern appeared on “The Project,” a current affairs show. Host Jesse Mulligan had an opportunity to ask about affordable housing or immigration, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/08/02/jacinda-ardern-won-a-powerful-political-post-then-the-motherhood-questions-started/