Where will this end?

The world this week

Leaders

The Middle East

Only America can save Israel and Gaza from greater catastrophe

Iran, Russia and China are profiting from the mayhem

The empty seat of the US House Speaker

Speaking of goat rodeos

America’s Republicans cannot agree on a speaker. Good

How the GOP could yet, inadvertently, further the national interest

Donald Tusk, the leader of the largest opposition grouping Civic Coalition.

At last, good news

Poland shows that populists can be beaten

A victory for the rule of law in the heart of Europe

A businessman in the middle of a giant life ring

A brush with Basel

Why America’s banks need more capital

Though imperfect, regulators’ plans are necessary to keep the system safe

Polishing the crown jewels

How to make Britain’s health service AI-ready

The NHS should clean up and open up its data. Patients will benefit

Letters

On life sciences, motorists, invisible spouses, wealth management, longevity, Nobel prizes, brevity

Letters to the editor

Briefing

Buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes on Bureij refugee camp, Gaza Strip

No place for a war

As Israel’s invasion of Gaza nears, the obstacles get more daunting

It must avoid a second front, protect civilians and save hostages while fighting at close quarters

Israel’s war on Hamas

Mapping the destruction in Gaza

At least 4.3% of the enclave’s buildings appear to have been destroyed

An Israeli soldier checks the entry permit for Palestinian farmers in the West Bank village of Beit Awwa, near Hebron

When the shooting stops

Israel’s four unpalatable options for Gaza’s long-term future

The path to Israel’s preferred outcome is littered with obstacles

An aerial view of buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza City.

The coming ground invasion

Is Israel acting within the laws of war?

Even lawful evacuations and attacks on Hamas will exact a heavy civilian toll in Gaza

Maelstrom in the Middle East

The Arab world thinks differently about this war

But Israel’s evidence about a hospital strike still carries little weight

A fighter from the military wing of Hamas stands in a tunnel in the central Gaza Strip

Tunnel vision

Hamas tunnels under Gaza will be a key battlefield for Israel

Underground warfare is terrifying, claustrophobic and slow

Britain

Economic & financial indicators

The Economist explains