A Military Backdown and Millions Take to the Street: Political Focus

For those watching in alarm as tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated over the week – with Iran shooting down a U.S. spy drone over one of the world’s most strategically important waterways – there was some relief Friday when it was revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump planned, then called off, retaliatory air strikes. 

His restraint in the face of significant pressure from hawks led by National Security Advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has created breathing space for an unexpected move: diplomacy.

There’s no such space for Hong Kong’s embattled leader, Carrie Lam, who is facing continuing mass protests calling for her resignation, providing some of the most compelling images of the week.