#Winners and #Losers: And the Horse You Rode In On

The Week in NBA Politics

Winner: Charles Barkley—the native Alabamian hit the campaign trail hard for Doug Jones in the waning days of Alabama’s Senate race this week, helping to drive out the African American vote that ultimately put Jones over the top. #SirCharlesInCharge

Loser: Dennis Rodman—publicly asked Donald Trump this week to make him an official peace envoy to North Korea. He then proceeded to undercut himself by saying Hillary Clinton would have been more open-minded dealing with Pyongyang. #DennisTheIncompetentMenace

The Week in Once and Future Secretaries of State

Winner: Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley—Haley went on “Face the Nation” this week and said that the women accusing Trump of sexual harassment “should be heard.” While Trump was reportedly furious, he may yet realize the PR upside of having a strong, outspoken women in his cabinet—especially if he promotes her. If nothing else, the comments set Haley up nicely for a 2020 run. #2020Foresight

Loser: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson—holds a townhall 11 months into his tenure to address the dispirited troops. Guess how it went. #TooLittleTooRex

The Week in Hanging On

Winner: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro—his Socialist Party ran the table in this week’s mayoral elections, buoyed by the opposition’s partial boycott. But credit where credit’s due—despite Venezuela’s continued misery, Maduro manages to not only hang on but actually consolidate power. He’s no Chavez, but we may have to brace ourselves that he’s no flunky, either. #MaduroSalsasOn

Loser: Ukraine—the country’s state radio company announced plans to begin broadcasting news to Crimean Tartars (and in their native language) early next year…only three years after Russia’s annexation. #RemembranceOfThingsPassed

The Week in Grand Entrances

Winner: US Climate Scientists—get long-term grants from French President Emmanuel Macron this week to fund their research and move to France for the duration of the Trump presidency. #LeShade

Loser: Citizen Roy Moore—rides in on a horse to vote for himself in Alabama’s Senate race this week, promptly comes in second in a two-man race. #HiHoSilver

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Ian Bremmer is president of Eurasia Group, foreign affairs columnist at TIME and Global Research Professor at New York University. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.