How to end the Middle East’s agony

The world this week

Leaders

The war between Israel and Hamas

How to end the Middle East’s agony

War is spreading across the region. There is an alternative

Online media

The end of the social network

As Facebook turns 20, social apps are being transformed

An Egyptian vendor sits behind half of a poster of Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the Egyptian president, in Cairo

Financial crisis in Cairo

Egypt doesn’t deserve a bail-out, but should get one

The Middle East cannot afford the collapse of its most populous country

Three children showing throw stars cutouts

A charter for change

The evidence in favour of charter schools in America has strengthened

Meanwhile, both parties have run away from them

A British soldier drives a tank during a training exercise

Beating retreat

How to fix British defence

It needs more money and more people, but also reform

Letters

On Europe’s single market, Israel and genocide, the death penalty, shipping sanctions, lawn bowls

Letters to the editor

Briefing

Not posting, but watching

As Facebook turns 20, politics is out; impersonal video feeds are in

Social media are more popular than ever, but social networks are dying

Britain

A Chinook on a training sortie in Snowdonia, Wales

International

Economic & financial indicators

The Economist explains

The Economist reads