Europe

Across Europe, NATO countries are watching Ukraine closely. Their interest isn’t just in the outcome of the war, but how the war is being fought, what tools are being used and the role innovation is playing on the battlefield. The World’s Daniel Ofman reports from Riga, Latvia.

The domesticated versions of wild Mediterranean shrubs are the world’s sole source of gum mastic — a clear resin that has been used by humans for at least 2,500 years. Today, some growers are trying to keep up that tradition.

Evan Gershkovich, a US reporter for The Wall Street Journal, was sentenced in Moscow court on July 19 to 16 years in prison on espionage charges. The Wall Street Journal and the US government have called this a “sham trial” and vehemently deny the charges. The World’s Daniel Ofman reports on the plight of Gershkovich and other Americans detained in Russia on baseless charges.

A court in Moscow handed Russian American journalist Masha Gessen an eight-year prison term in absentia for criticizing the Russian military. Gessen, who lives in the US and is a columnist for the New York Times, could end up being imprisoned if they travel to a country with an extradition treaty with Russia.

The World’s host Carolyn Beeler speaks with NATO historian Mary Sarotte about the timing of the Putin-Modi meeting and other key details surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.