By engaging the Taliban early, the UAE and Qatar are seeking a first-mover advantage in advancing their interests in Afghanistan, while Saudi Arabia takes a more cautious approach. Hasan T. Alhasan حسن الحسن and Asna Wajid on Gulf States’ policies towards the Taliban go.iiss.org/Survival66-3

While Donald Trump may be the detonator of potential US–European estrangement, things may not readily return to the traditional comfort zone if Joe Biden is re-elected. Analysis by François Heisbourg | FREE TO READ go.iiss.org/SurvivalPostAm…

In The Origins of European Integration, the late Mathieu Segers illuminates why Europeans define their common project in terms of shared values. Review by Erik Jones. go.iiss.org/Survival66-3

When the fighting subsides, both Israel and Hamas are likely to be worse off than they were when the Gaza war started. Daniel Byman on the likely outcomes of the Gaza war I FREE TO READ go.iiss.org/SurvivalIsrael…

Credibly imagining an American civil war, Alex Garland’s film Civil War jolts all viewers with war’s undiscriminating perilousness and depravity before offering narrative judgement. Review by Jonathan Stevenson. go.iiss.org/Survival66-3

Security challenges in the Asia-Pacific have made the relationship between the United States and Japan more strategically vital than ever. Analysis by Robert Ward. go.iiss.org/Survival66-3

By focusing on qualitative improvements, Washington can enhance the capability of its nuclear forces and avoid fuelling a quantitative arms race. Analysis by Douglas Barrie and Timothy Wright. go.iiss.org/OptimisingUSNu…

It is increasingly difficult for Western countries to deal with China, Russia, Iran and North Korea in isolation, as there appears to be a growing overlap in their antagonistic activities. Analysis by Daniel Byman and Seth G. Jones. go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

If states are operating in an era of great-power competition, it is incumbent on them to know who is winning. Nicholas Kitchen on making net assessment work. go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

The consensus has settled on Ukraine relying on bilateral security agreements that offer neither a clear pathway nor a satisfactory alternative to NATO membership. Analysis by Dr. Liana Fix. go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

The US government may need to devise ways to stimulate free enterprise to compete with China in military technology. David C. Gompert on the US–China technology race. go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

With the bulk of Asia–Europe trade flowing via maritime routes to Turkiye’s south and railways to its north, the country’s bridge status has diminished substantially. Çağdaş Üngör on Turkiye’s geopolitical significance. go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

The EU’s most powerful instrument for stabilising countries on its periphery is enlargement. Analysis by Erik Jones and Veronica Anghel. go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

Efforts to prevent the outbreak of armed violence in Sudan would have needed higher-level involvement by powers with more influence than the UN alone could muster. Volker Perthes @perthes.bsky.social on the war in Sudan go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

The US military presence impedes what the Turkish government would now prefer: that the Assad regime re-establish its authority in northern Syria and extinguish Kurdish aspirations for autonomy. Analysis by Eray Alim. go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

While France escaped the grim prospect of an anti-EU, pro-Russian and profligate Rassemblement National government, questions remain over its political future. Catherine Fieschi on France’s recent election. go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

Relations between Italy and Germany stand for Europe’s successful emergence from the post-war Stunde Null, the link between Northern and Southern Europe, and welfare through trade. Analysis by Hanna Gesang. go.iiss.org/Survival66-4

By focusing on qualitative improvements, Washington can enhance the capability of its nuclear forces and avoid fuelling a quantitative arms race. Analysis by Douglas Barrie and Timothy Wright. go.iiss.org/OptimisingUSNu…

Brexit Britain fell deeply into the turmoil of twenty-first-century populism, yet it appeared in summer 2024 that the centre would hold. Dana H. Allin on the Labour Party’s victory. go.iiss.org/KierStarmersBr…