In the United States, it's the memo that few people are paying attention to. But in Russia, the new nuclear posture review is raising more than a few alarms. Russians see it as the US opening the door to the use of nuclear weapons outside the bounds of mutual assured destruction – a shift in decades of philosophy that makes US-Russia relations more uncertain.

When Sen. Chuck Schumer announced a two-year budget deal Wednesday, he was all smiles. The deal was the result of months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, and each side got things it wanted – even if it wasn't perfect. But there's a flip side to this bipartisan story. The budget process itself is Exhibit A of how highly dysfunctional Congress has become. 

To observers abroad, it's clear why the ANC would want to oust Zuma: years of corruption scandals and a tough election coming up. But just as telling about South Africa today is why a leader who mismanaged the economy and faces 18 charges of corruption had such staying power. What do South African voters see in the former liberation fighter?

Israel is wrestling with some of the same questions the United States did before the Pentagon opened all combat jobs to women in 2016. For the women soldiers, like the men, it comes down to duty, honor, and sacrifice – without restriction.

Museums used to rack their brains trying to figure out how to get young people through the door. Not anymore, thanks to social media – as anyone who's ever tried to see the "Mona Lisa" at the Louvre is aware. West Coast museums are creating selfie-ready exhibits – and selling out installations as if they're rock concerts. But does art have to be photogenic, and should it be reduced to a backdrop?

Of all the refugee crises in the world, from those in Syria to Myanmar to Libya, the one least recognized as a crisis is Venezuela’s. That perception changed in recent days, however, after a tour of Latin America by United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The massive influx of Venezuelans into the rest of the region was a major topic, helping turn a distant issue about the country’s economic implosion into an explosion of empathy for the rising number of refugees.

The shift in concern should add to the diplomatic momentum for a solution in Venezuela, where poverty and hunger are now the norm and President Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorial grip will probably increase after a pseudo-election planned for April.

Providing aid to the refugees could send a subtle message – as it has done in other world trouble spots – that innocent civilians deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

The people in Venezuela already know the state of the crisis. The economy continues to shrink. Basic goods are in short supply. The country now has the highest inflation rate in the world. Its oil production has stagnated while the government has defaulted on some foreign debt payments. The regime needs to rely more and more on the military to quell dissent. And Mr. Maduro has refused humanitarian relief, fearing the country will be forced to make concessions.

A poll this week revealed that 85 percent of Venezuelans say the country is in a “grave humanitarian crisis.” Less than a third plan to vote in the coming election.

In neighboring Colombia, almost half a million Venezuelans have already “voted with their feet” by fleeing across the border. And every day, hundreds more arrive in Colombia as well as in places such as Brazil, Panama, and Argentina. Colombia says the migration is now its top concern. The government has opened its first shelter and made plans for large-scale camps. Mr. Tillerson promised to consider US aid for the effort.

Venezuela’s “deep” crisis, says Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, is the “result of the failed [socialist] revolution led by President Maduro.”

Helping Venezuela’s refugees is one way to encourage the rest of Latin America to unite and take stronger action toward restoring democracy in that country. And sending a message of hope from outside might convince more Venezuelans at home that they are not alone. They deserve both basic goods and basic rights.