The World Today

Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly and threatens to transform politics, economics and societies. Experts weigh in on the opportunities and dangers around AI. Read the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org, the international affairs magazine of @chathamhouse.org | bit.ly/4j3LdmZ |

The future of the Middle East depends on whether Washington and Tehran can reach an understanding with one another on the emerging post-war order in the Middle East. Read Mohsen Milani's analysis on the impact of the Iran war on the Persian Gulf for the latest issue of @theworldtoday.org.

The prospect of a third impeachment vote, alongside possible Congressional investigations by Democrats, provide a powerful incentive for Donald Trump and those around him to undermine the 2026 midterms. Read the latest analysis by Bruce Stokes for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

The 7 October attacks heavily shape current public opinion in Israel. A country that suffered the worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust is not interested in receiving lectures. Read Yaakov Katz's reporting from Israel ahead of today's general election for @theworldtoday.org.

The 7 October attacks heavily shape current public opinion in Israel. A country that suffered the worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust is not interested in receiving lectures. Read Yaakov Katz's reporting from Israel ahead of tomorrow's general election for @theworldtoday.org.

Xi Jinping plans to return China to global preeminence. He will succeed if Beijing can pull off two major pivots in its strategy: establish leadership over the Global South — and take control of Taiwan. Read Steve Tsang's analysis on China's ambitions for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Israel's opposition led by former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot, the former Israel Defence Forces chief of staff, have called for accountability for the failures that led to 7 October. Read Yaakov Katz's analysis ahead of Israel's general election for @theworldtoday.org.

The future of the Middle East depends on whether Washington and Tehran can reach a strategic understanding with one another on the emerging post-war order in the Persian Gulf. Read Mohsen Milani's analysis on the impact of the Iran war on the Persian Gulf for the latest issue of @theworldtoday.org.

In a televised address to the nation in July, Donald Trump reiterated claims about widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election and accused China of interfering in America’s electoral system. Read the latest analysis by Bruce Stokes on the 2026 US midterms for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

The erosion of Israel’s diplomatic and moral standing in Europe and the United States should be a major issue in the run-up to Israel's general election on 27 October. It is barely being discussed. Read Yaakov Katz's analysis on next week's general election in Israel for @theworldtoday.org.

Russia’s business elite find themselves at the mercy of an increasingly interventionist Russian state — with few effective levers to influence the terms of the relationship with the Kremlin. Read Natalya Kovaleva's analysis for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Having turned the Strait of Hormuz into a symbol of resistance against the United States and Israel, Iran is unlikely to restore Hormuz to the pre-war status quo that existed on 28 February. Read Mohsen Milani's analysis on the impact of the Iran war for the latest issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Hezbollah’s disarmament is seen as key to rehabilitating Lebanon — and to an Israeli withdrawal from the south. At present the Israeli military occupies a buffer zone that stretches 10km into Lebanese territory. Read Lemma Shehadi's reporting from Lebanon for the latest issue of @theworldtoday.org.

The erosion of Israel’s diplomatic and moral standing in Europe and the United States should be a major issue in the run-up to Israel's general election on 27 October. It is barely being discussed. Read Yaakov Katz's reporting from Israel on next week's general election for @theworldtoday.org.

In a televised address to the nation in July, Donald Trump reiterated claims about widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election and accused China of interfering in America’s electoral system. Read the latest analysis by Bruce Stokes on the 2026 US midterms for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Xi Jinping plans to return China to global preeminence. He will succeed if Beijing can pull off two major pivots in its strategy: establish leadership over the Global South — and take control of Taiwan. Read Steve Tsang's analysis on China's ambitions for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Amid rising crime and high unemployment, anti-migrant groups have spread harmful myths across South Africa about foreign nationals causing unemployment, committing crimes and being a burden on services. Read @kirir.bsky.social's reporting for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Current polling ahead of the midterms shows that only 58 per cent of Democrats expect a free and fair election in November, down from 81 per cent four years ago. Read the latest analysis by Bruce Stokes on the 2026 US midterms for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

The erosion of Israel’s diplomatic and moral standing in Europe and the United States should be a major issue in the run-up to Israel's general election on 27 October. It is barely being discussed. Read Yaakov Katz's reporting from Israel on next week's general election for @theworldtoday.org

Russia’s business elite find themselves at the mercy of an increasingly interventionist Russian state — with few effective levers to influence the terms of the relationship with the Kremlin. Read Natalya Kovaleva's analysis for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Western policymakers need to consider the consequences for the future of international sanctions if the shadow fleet becomes a permanent ‘parallel’ fleet within the global shipping landscape. Read Nitya Labh's analysis on the shadow fleet for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Hezbollah’s disarmament is seen as key to rehabilitating Lebanon — and to an Israeli withdrawal from the south. At present the Israeli military occupies a buffer zone that stretches 10km into Lebanese territory. Read Lemma Shehadi's reporting from Lebanon for the latest issue of @theworldtoday.org.

The erosion of Israel’s diplomatic and moral standing in Europe and the United States should be a major issue in the run-up to Israel's general election on 27 October. It is barely being discussed. Read Yaakov Katz's analysis on next week's general election in Israel for @theworldtoday.org.

Western policymakers need to consider the consequences for the international sanctions system if the shadow fleet becomes a permanent ‘parallel’ fleet within the global shipping landscape. Read Nitya Labh's analysis on the shadow fleet for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Xi Jinping plans to return China to global preeminence. He will succeed if Beijing can pull off two major pivots in its strategy: establish leadership over the Global South — and take control of Taiwan. Read Steve Tsang's analysis on China's ambitions for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Hezbollah’s disarmament is seen as key to an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon — and to rehabilitating Lebanon. The IDF currently occupies a buffer zone that stretches 10km into Lebanese territory. Read Lemma Shehadi's reporting for the latest issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Having turned the Strait of Hormuz into a symbol of resistance against the United States and Israel, Iran is unlikely to restore Hormuz to the pre-war status quo that existed on 28 February. Read Mohsen Milani's analysis on the impact of the Iran war for the latest issue of @theworldtoday.org.

The projected increase in biofuel production internationally will require an extra 36 million hectares of agricultural land by 2030 – an area similar to the size of Germany. Read @patricksch.bsky.social's analysis on the risks around the use of biofuels for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Israelis deserve to hear how Netanyahu plans to reverse the erosion of support in the US. They deserve to hear how Bennett and Eisenkot will rebuild ties with allies — without compromising Israel’s security. Read Yaakov Katz's analysis on Israel's upcoming general election for @theworldtoday.org.

Russia's elites are being squeezed. International sanctions have cut off the exit once available to Russia's wealthiest. Vladimir Putin meanwhile has grown more willing to nationalize what remains of Russia's economy. Read Natalya Kovaleva's analysis for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Demand for sanctioned oil is entrenching the dark fleet into the global economy. Following the energy shock triggered by the Strait of Hormuz crisis, countries around the world turned to sanctioned crude. Read Nitya Labh's analysis on the shadow fleet for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Amid rising crime and high unemployment, anti-migrant groups have spread harmful myths across South Africa about foreign nationals causing unemployment, committing crimes and being a burden on services. Read @kirir.bsky.social's reporting for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Xi Jinping plans to return China to global preeminence. He will succeed if Beijing can pull off two major pivots in its strategy: establish leadership over the Global South — and take control of Taiwan. Read Steve Tsang's analysis on China's ambitions for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Current polling ahead of the midterms shows that only 58 per cent of Democrats expect a free and fair election in November, down from 81 per cent four years ago. Read the latest analysis by Bruce Stokes on the 2026 US midterms for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Demand for sanctioned oil is entrenching the dark fleet into the global economy. Following the energy shock triggered by the Strait of Hormuz crisis, countries around the world turned to sanctioned crude. Read Nitya Labh's analysis on the shadow fleet for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Current polling ahead of the midterms shows that only 58 per cent of Democrats expect a free and fair election in November, down from 81 per cent four years ago. Read the latest analysis by Bruce Stokes on the 2026 US midterms for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Xi Jinping plans to return China to global preeminence. He will succeed if Beijing can pull off two major pivots in its strategy: establish leadership over the Global South — and take control of Taiwan. Read Steve Tsang's analysis on China's ambitions for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Unemployment in South Africa remains stubbornly high, while rampant crime has added to middle-class security concerns. In the absence of tangible economic progress, the blame has shifted to migrants. Read @kirir.bsky.social's reporting on South Africa for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Russia's elites are being squeezed. International sanctions have cut off the exit once available to Russia's wealthiest. Vladimir Putin meanwhile has grown more willing to nationalize what remains of Russia's economy. Read Natalya Kovaleva's analysis for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Having turned the Strait of Hormuz into a symbol of resistance against the United States and Israel, Tehran is unwilling to restore the strait to the pre-war status quo that existed on 28 February. Read Mohsen Milani's latest analysis for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

The projected increase in biofuel production internationally will require an extra 36 million hectares of agricultural land by 2030 – an area similar to the size of Germany. Read @patricksch.bsky.social's analysis on the risks around the use of biofuels for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Over a million people – more than 15 per cent of Lebanon’s population – have been displaced from the south in the past two years. Lebanon’s fragile government now faces a long-term displacement crisis it can ill afford. Read Lemma Shehadi's reporting for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Having turned the Strait of Hormuz into a symbol of resistance against the United States and Israel, Tehran is unwilling to restore the strait to the pre-war status quo that existed on 28 February. Read Mohsen Milani's latest analysis for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Amid rising crime and high unemployment, anti-migrant groups have spread harmful myths across South Africa about foreign nationals causing unemployment, committing crimes and being a burden on services. Read @kirir.bsky.social's reporting for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Russia's elites are being squeezed. International sanctions have cut off the exit once available to Russia's wealthiest. Vladimir Putin meanwhile has grown more willing to nationalize what remains of Russia's economy. Read Natalya Kovaleva's analysis for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Were the Trump administration to allege fraud in the midterms, compliant local officials could try to seize ballots or voting machines — as was attempted in the 2020 presidential election. Read the latest analysis by Bruce Stokes on the 2026 US midterms for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Xi Jinping's plan's to return China to global preeminence. He will succeed if Beijing can pull off two major pivots in its strategy: establish leadership over the Global South — and secure Taiwan. Read Steve Tsang's analysis on China's global ambitions for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

Russia's elites are being squeezed. International sanctions have cut off the exit once available to Russia's wealthiest. Vladimir Putin meanwhile has grown more willing to nationalize what remains of Russia's economy. Read Natalya Kovaleva's analysis for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

"People have been cheering for the Houthis because they see them as standing up for Palestine — with no regard for the suffering they have caused in Yemen." For the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org, Farea Al-Muslimi discusses his experience as an analyst covering the Houthis in Yemen.

Amid rising crime and high unemployment, anti-migrant groups have spread harmful myths across South Africa about foreign nationals causing unemployment, committing crimes and being a burden on services. Read @kirir.bsky.social's reporting for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.

"The moment I realized that rape as a weapon of war is not unique to Iraq — I realized that my community was bigger than the Yazidis." Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad talks about her mission to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence for the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org.