Don’t prod the porcupine

Taiwan may draw on the lessons of Ukraine’s successful resistance against Russia to adopt a ‘porcupine’ strategy to counter China’s conventional strength.

Introducing Keir Starmer

The true test of Prime Minister Starmer will come when his methodical approach meets a messy world.

Was it The Sun wot won it?

It is common wisdom that right-wing British newspapers help shape its political climate, so why has the Labour Party swept to power in a historic landslide victory?

Playing by the rules

The much-vaunted “rule based international order” needs the support of mid-tier nations to survive the aggression of authoritarian states.

NATO at 75

NATO’s visibility has waxed and waned, but Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine has put the alliance firmly in the spotlight and may be its greatest challenge to date.

Boycott the boycott of Israeli universities

Universities across the world are facing pressure to cut ties with Israeli institutions over the war in Gaza, but these calls misunderstand the current conflict and are part of a wider campaign to undermine Israel’s right to defend itself, and even exist.

Living in Antarctica

Antarctica is the most hostile continent on Earth, and the handful of scientists and researchers who make it their home face a host of mental as well as physical challenges.

Unlocking science for small island states

An urgent call for increased international support and collaboration for science in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) has been released in a declaration by the International Science Council SIDS Liaison Committee at the 4th international conference on SIDS in Antigua and Barbuda.

Taiwan lives

Niki Alsford’s recent book, “Taiwan Lives,” explores how the Taiwanese people have created one of the world’s most high-tech economies, a successful and vibrant democracy, and a distinctive cultural identity.

A farewell to arms?

With war raging in Ukraine and the Middle East it’s difficult to remember that the international system has accepted growing constraints on interstate use of force in most circumstances.

The ugly truth of anti-Zionism

The protests against Israel’s war on Hamas following the terrorist attack of October 2023 are all too often a thin veneer over the underlying wish to wipe Israel from the map and destroy the Jewish people.

Russia after Putin

Vladimir Putin has rubber stamped himself in power for another six years, but at 71 he has no successor, no living rivals and no retirement plan, so his eventual death will set off a vicious power struggle for the ruins of the country he leaves behind.