Opinion

  Fifty years ago, the US had the moon to itself. Starting in 1969, when the first of six Apollo missions touched down, it seemed likely that American astronauts would make a long-term home on the lunar surface. Instead, the US sent its last manned mission there in 1972, and won’t be returning any time soon. That’s a shame: The ...

  It may be wishful thinking, but it’s just possible that Vladimir Putin has done us a great favour. He has alerted us to the true threat of cyberwarfare in a way that — again, just possibly — might prompt us to view it as a serious national danger and begin to take effective countermeasures. Of course, Americans are aware ...

  Almost 12 months after they were forced to buy up stocks to put a floor under the market, China’s brokerages are in a bad place again. The anticipated trading rush after a link between the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges opened Dec. 5 hasn’t eventuated and investors are punishing firms including Guotai Junan International Holdings Ltd. and Haitong ...

  With a month to go before he assumes responsibility for the US military, President-elect Donald Trump is already demonstrating his aggravation over runaway costs. Recent tweets have targeted the high price of not just Air Force One, a relatively minor project, but also the new F-35 fighter, the largest defense contract in history. He’s also called for a lifetime ...

  Ties between Taipei and Beijing were already frosty since China-sceptic Tsai Ing-wen took power in Taiwan in May. This marked the demise of eight years of cross-strait rapprochement. But Taiwanese leader’s unprecedented phone call to US President-elect Donald Trump further angered Beijing. Tsai’s call was the first between a Taiwanese and US leader since Washington switched recognition from Taipei ...

  We’ve heard a lot over this past election year about the economic struggles of Rust Belt states. But the most economically troubled state in the country may be Wyoming. That at least is the verdict of the Bloomberg Economic Evaluation of States index, which currently ranks Wyoming dead last in absolute terms as well as in percentage change since ...

  To firms planning to buy other companies with borrowed money in the new year: Please take a moment to reconsider and learn from those who have gone before you. US consumers feel great, right? The presidential election is over. Talk of jobs and infrastructure spending, coupled with stock-market indices flirting with all-time highs, is stoking excitement for the future ...

  Few presidents have come into office as likely to fail as Donald Trump. This isn’t because of his various character flaws, or because he leads a divided party and nation. It’s because his central aim, to restore the age of American “greatness” — and in particular to bring back manufacturing jobs — is simply not doable. An overwhelming 85 ...

  Bob Gates has worked in senior national-security positions for the last five presidents, Republican and Democratic. So it’s noteworthy — and to me, encouraging — that he is advising President-elect Donald Trump, too. Gates, a former defense secretary, CIA director and deputy national security adviser, spoke with me by telephone on Wednesday about the advice he’s giving Trump and ...

  Few Italian operas come as epic as Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA. Thanks to an ill-timed and hubristic takeover as well as some questionable accounting practices, the 544-year-old pillar of Siena is on the brink of an ignominious nationalization. The final act, though, will drag on. One Italian official presented the outline of Monte Paschi’s rescue to ...