Editors’ Picks: Is Europe’s northern flank stable?

Plus: How Sweden became public enemy No. 1. JULY 28, 2023  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](  |  [SUBSCRIBE](     Sponsored by [University of San Diego, Kroc School of Peace Studies]( [A Russian soldier patrols a military base on Kotelny Island in the Russian Arctic, on April 3, 2019. ]( A Russian soldier patrols a military base on Kotelny Island in the Russian Arctic, on April 3, 2019. Maxime Popov/AFP via Getty Images [1]( [Europe’s Northern Flank Is More Stable Than You Think]( Are NATO, Russia, and China about to play a new Great Game in the Arctic? Don’t hold your breath. By Jo Inge Bekkevold, Paal Sigurd Hilde   [2]( [How Sweden Became Public Enemy No. 1]( Leaders in Iran and Iraq are using outrage at Quran burnings to deflect attention from their domestic woes while Russia helps disseminate disinformation. By Elisabeth Braw   [3]( [The Mineral-Rich Want to Get Richer]( The world’s biggest reserves of lithium and nickel are concentrated in a handful of nations. And they want to cash in. By Christina Lu   Expert analysis for the global reader. [Subscribe today](.   [4]( [‘Rainbow Hunters’ Target LGBTQ Chinese Students]( Crackdowns against gender and sexual minorities are terrifying activists. By Bibek Bhandari, Elgar Hu   [5]( [Congress Seeks to Tighten Rules on Foreign Lobbying]( There’s bipartisan support—but taking aim at the wrong problem. By Ashley Ahn     SPONSORED [Make a World of Difference]( Earn your M.S. in Humanitarian Action 100% online in 20 months and cultivate the skills and knowledge needed to help prevent, respond to and recover from complex global humanitarian emergencies. Make a positive impact with skills recognized by employers in the field as critical to the success of humanitarian aid workers. [Learn more.](   foreignpolicy.com/subscribe Geopolitics matters [Get a closer look at the big picture. Access FP's daily reporting and analysis of global politics, plus magazine packages that go deeper than the headlines.](foreignpolicy.com/subscribe) [SUBSCRIBE TODAY](foreignpolicy.com/subscribe)   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's Editors' Picks newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Reach the [right online audience]( with us. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.