Editor’s Picks: May 16th 2019

<p>A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, as the <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2019/05/16/a-new-kind-of-cold-war" target="_blank">rivalry</a> between China and the United States grows, surging <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2019/05/18/sanctions-create-business-risks-and-opportunities" target="_blank">sanctions</a> create both risks and unexpected business opportunities. Why the feeble Afghan government is <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2019/05/18/why-afghanistans-government-is-losing-the-war-with-the-taliban" target="_blank">losing</a> the war against the Taliban (10’23). And a tale of <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/05/18/why-people-in-senegal-pay-a-fortune-for-fancy-sheep" target="_blank">golden fleeces</a>—why people in Senegal pay a fortune for fancy sheep (20’19)</p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>