Woke is not new. Consider it an old IED buried and forgotten, but even when dormant an always latent explosive that any heavy traffic—that is, 2020—could finally ignite.

Europe’s future includes a post-Merkel Germany, the fallout over the AUKUS technology deal, a shaky NATO alliance post-Afghanistan, Ukraine’s uncertain outlook, plus Russian control of natural gas supplies. Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster and John Cochrane discuss the mood on the other side of the Atlantic, as well as President Biden’s UN address and China’s financial reckoning.

All the political stars fell into alignment for Gavin Newsom as the state recall proposal failed by about a 2-to-1 margin. Less than two months ago, recall polls were evenly split as Newsom was fighting for his political life. 

Will the changes of the past 20 years be enough to end 350 years of a unique relationship?