Hypersonic missiles are now a reality. If the risks are to be managed, arms-control is vital, argues Douglas Barrie of the International Institute for Strategic Studies

International Institute for Strategic Studies 19 Oct 2019

Geopolitics

There's a glimmer of hope for peace in Eastern Ukraine. Here's what needs to happen now

A peace-deal mechanism for parts of Eastern Ukraine now exists. But the Ukrainian government needs to tread carefully to achieve an end to conflict

International Crisis Group 09 Oct 2019

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Deadly violence in the Sahel is worsening and spreading. More than a military strategy is needed to end it

Efforts to defeat militants in the region have largely failed. A fresh, multi-stakeholder approach is now needed, argues Flore Berger, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies

International Institute for Strategic Studies 02 Oct 2019

Information Technology

New watchdog funded by tech giants will fight against online extremism

Giants like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Microsoft will invest in this organization to stifle terrorist efforts, as well as monitoring extremist views that could evolve into violent acts.

Michelle Nichols and Thomson Reuters Foundation · Reuters 01 Oct 2019

International Security

Is Europe ready for its own army?

NATO's changing role means an integrated European defence strategy could now have a positive geopolitical role to play in the region, argues Fyodor Basov, of the Valdai Discussion Club

Valdai Discussion Club 25 Sep 2019

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

How al Qaeda has regrouped and is ready to strike at the West once again

Almost two turbulent decades on from its most spectacular attack, al Qaeda is once again intensely focused on attacking the West

RAND Corporation 19 Sep 2019

Space

Why we need a new global code of conduct for outer space

Rules governing human activity in space have been in place for only a few decades, but they now need to be revised to reflect dramatic changes in the use of space

Chatham House 11 Sep 2019

International Security

How can we protect cultural landmarks from war?

The ancient Syrian city of Palmyra was partly destroyed by the Islamic State in 2015 and the Bamiyan Buddha statues were blown up by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. Cultural sites are...

Adela Suliman · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 09 Sep 2019

Nuclear Security

The world faces a new nuclear arms race – and this time it's much more complex

U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals could soon be freed of any restraint from treaties – and the results will be profound, writes Rakesh Sood, of the Observer Research Foundation

Observer Research Foundation 28 Aug 2019

International Security

France's new space-defence strategy explained

France’s plans to take defence into space include the potential weoponisation of satellites – part of the the country's goal of ‘strategic autonomy’, explains Arthur Laudrain of IISS

International Institute for Strategic Studies 24 Aug 2019

Future of Energy

How falling demand for oil is set to transform international relations

Past energy transitions can teach us a great deal about the effects of today’s trend away from hydrocarbons, argues Paul Stevens, of Chatham House

Chatham House 20 Aug 2019

Geopolitics

China and the U.S. need to embrace the idea of benign competition. Here’s why

If competition between China and the U.S. is inevitable, the two countries must find a way of avoiding a zero-sum game, or risk sliding into a cold war

China Institute of International Studies 13 Aug 2019

International Security

How to prevent the Middle East’s 1914 moment

The standoff between the U.S. and Iran is reminiscent of tensions on the eve of World War I. A small incident could set off a region-wide conflict, argues the International Crisis Group

International Crisis Group 09 Aug 2019