Hump Day Recommendations, Feb. 19, 2025

Read:The Autobiography of Malcolm X.” I’ve never read a book about life in America that left a bigger impact than “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” as told to writer Alex Haley. The book chronicles the strange, eventful history of a man, born Malcolm Little, who passed from foster child to petty criminal to internationally renowned activist icon – and who was assassinated before the book was published. For the record, I’m recommending this book, not because it’s Black History Month but because it remains one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read. – Willis

Face: the greatest. Some records will never be broken. During his 27 seasons as a flamethrowing Major League Baseball pitcher, Nolan Ryan struck out more than 5,000 batters, twirled seven no-hitters, and tossed more 1-hitters, 2-hitters, and 3-hitters than anyone in history. The documentary “Facing Nolan” tells the story of how the “Nolan Express” went from clunky beginnings all the way to the Hall of Fame. No Oscar nominations here, but it’s a fun doc that tells you what you want to know about Big Tex and has some great interviews with Ryan at his cattle ranch as well as former teammates, opponents, and his ride-or-die wife Ruth. And yes, of course, the Bo Jackson split lip and the Ventura headlock are in it. – Alex

Watch: “Prime Target.” I only started watching this Apple TV series starring Leo Woodall because a close friend of mine works for St John’s College at the University of Cambridge, where much of it was filmed. She told me all about the stars being on campus, so I had to give it a look. The premise is a bit silly, and the baddies are a bit corny, yet I’m finding myself looking for the next installment each week. You might too. – Tracy


Read: Factory Girls,” by Leslie T. Chang. If you are like me and like to learn about the recent histories of other countries through a good humanizing story, check this out. The book follows two young women navigating life in China’s factory cities, revealing a world where switching factories ends friendships and English classes change social statuses. Chang illuminates the largest human migration in history – made up of a majority of women under the age of 30 – while painting a portrait of modern China and the workers creating the shoes, electronics, and appliances that make the world go round.

– Riley

More from GZERO Media

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“If the G-Zero world is winning, one of the things that's also winning is impunity,” says Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. Speaking at the 2025 Munich Security Conference, Bremmer highlights the rise of global impunity and the challenges of deterrence in today’s volatile geopolitical climate.

Israelis sit together as they light candles and hold posters with the images Oded Lifschitz, Shiri Bibas, and her two children, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, seized during the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, on the day the bodies of the deceased hostages were handed over under by Hamas on Feb. 20, 2025.

REUTERS/Itay Cohen
South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol attends a hearing of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, February 20, 2025.
Matrix Images/Korea Pool

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared before two courts on Thursday. His first stop at the Seoul Central District Court made him the first sitting president — he’s not yet been formally removed from office — to face criminal prosecution.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, General Keith Kellogg, meet in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 20, 2025.
Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto

Ahead of the third anniversary on Monday of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump’sUkraine envoy, Keith Kellogg,met in Kyiv on Thursday to discuss bringing the fighting to an end as Washington’s allegiances appear to be shifting toward Moscow.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa takes the national salute below a statue of former president Nelson Mandela at the Cape Town City Hall, ahead of his State Of The Nation (SONA) address in Cape Town, South Africa February 6, 2025.
REUTERS/Nic Bothma

South Africa’s ruling coalition, made up primarily of the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance, is showing signs of a possible crack in its government of national unity.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks to the media, on the day of a Senate Republicans' weekly policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 19, 2025.

REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

Those of us who grew up in a Cold War world have long thought of Republicans as the US political party that is most consistently tough on Moscow.

Luisa Vieira

The shocking US pivot to Russia has sent the world through the political looking glass and into the upside-down era of Trumpland. Is the US abandoning its historic allies in NATO, Europe, and Canada in favor of … Russia? The short answer is yes, writes GZERO Publisher Evan Solomon. For now.

The Energy Security Hub @BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Pavilion at the Munich Security Conference held crucial talks last weekend on pressing global issues to the energy transition. Over 2.5 days of controversial and constructive talks in the heart of Munich, it became clear that energy security is not only an economic and geopolitical issue but one that’s also inextricably linked to social progress and democratic values. “There is not just one way forward,” said Dr. Heba Aguib, board member of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt. However, speed, scale, and collaboration across sectors are needed to drive the transition. “The open and collaborative approach that big tech companies are taking can serve as a model for other organizations and countries to use external expertise and resources to drive their energy initiatives, tailored to local needs,” she said. Learn more about the program here.