海角大神

Remember "Black Hawk Down"? You鈥檒l recall that Osama bin Laden fled to Africa in the 1990s. Al Qaeda-trained fighters attacked US troops in Somalia. There鈥檚 a certain d茅j脿 vu quality to the conversation about why US forces are in Niger.

We鈥檝e seen this before. President Trump comes out guns blazing, attacking a key Republican ally 鈥� this time on tax reform. But will it matter?

A Russian celebrity is running for president. That鈥檚 not too unusual. But is she simply a Kremlin-approved distraction, or will Ksenia Sobchak raise difficult issues, such as rampant corruption?

This next story is about women who have chosen not to hate their enemies. It鈥檚 about an organization of Israeli and Palestinian women defying societal and political norms in a concerted push for peace.

Yes, there鈥檚 noteworthy progress on stopping the exploitation of children. Leaders are exhibiting the courage to enforce labor laws, effectively protecting childhood innocence. But there鈥檚 still work to be done.

The world鈥檚 largest economies are awash in red ink, the International Monetary Fund reported in October. And they are hard-pressed to service their debts, which on average amount to more than twice their domestic output. China accounts for much of this global rise in debt. After a leadership reshuffle this week, Beijing may start to finally tackle the problem. But one country in particular, Argentina, has shown how to change attitudes and turn around an unhealthy dependence on debt-fueled spending.

In 2001, after decades of subsidizing basic services in order to win elections, populist leaders in Argentina decided to stop paying foreign creditors. The debt default was the largest in modern history. The country saw a run on its banks. Inflation ballooned and the economy deflated. The government started to lie about economic statistics. Once one of the world鈥檚 wealthiest countries, Argentina dropped to 66th.

In 2015, voters elected a new president, Mauricio Macri, who promised to tackle the debt crisis and make Argentina a 鈥渘ormal鈥� country. The former engineer and Buenos Aires mayor cut energy subsidies, ended currency controls, and started other reforms that have allowed Argentina to win back the favor of international financial markets. The economy is expected to grow 2 to 3 percent this year. Inflation is down by half.

In midterm elections on Oct. 22, voters endorsed Mr. Macri鈥檚 reforms, showing an appreciation for the idea that social services should not be paid by excess borrowing. Macri鈥檚 Cambiemos (Let鈥檚 Change) coalition picked up seats in the Senate and lower house. It became the first party since 1985 to win in Argentina鈥檚 five largest electoral districts.

The electoral boost will allow Macri to pursue further reforms and chip away at Argentina鈥檚 debt.

鈥淲e have entered into a period of permanent reform,鈥� he said after the election.

Countries in deep debt, from China to the United States, can take a cue from Macri鈥檚 progress. Attitudes toward debt can shift. After suffering a historic default, Argentina may end up being a model of financial probity.