Israel's strategy in Gaza is only keeping Hamas in power: deterred, but not replaced, with no real alternative given a chance. A different outcome calls for a different approach.
West & Central Asia · Defense · Global politics
A summer of escalation in the Black Sea has hurt Ukraine economically and is exacerbating world food security. A truce is needed—as is a broader reframing of Europe’s Ukraine strategy.
Europe · West & Central Asia · Defense · Global politics
As the U.S. stumbles in its war with Iran, we are likely to see an acceleration of its disengagement from the region.
West & Central Asia · North America · Defense · Global politics
Can Gulf Arab countries help break the deadlock over Trump’s Gaza peace plan? Expert comment LToremark 21 September 2026 Gulf Arab states increasingly view Israel as the main obstacle to progress on the peace plan – and may hope for an opening after Israel’s October elections. Almost a year after US President Donald Trump unveiled his 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which was adopted by both Israel and Hamas and paved the way for the release of all Israeli hostages, the peace process appears to have hit a wall. The two sides remain fundamentally divided over the sequencing of demilitarization and Israeli withdrawal. So far, Hamas has refused to give up its heavy weapons unless Israel halts all military operations and withdraws its forces from the parts of Gaza it currently controls – approximately 60 per cent of the strip – while Israel says it will not withdraw until Hamas disarms. Although President Trump continues to argue that the situation in Gaza is under control, his envoy Jared Kushner, who recently visited Israel, and the director-general of his Board of Peace, Nikolay Mladenov, have so far been unable to launch the second phase of the process. Related work The Iran war has left Gaza neglected In September, Kushner acknowledged that the task of demilitarizing Gaza was proving far more difficult than initially expected: ‘We are starting to understand the scope of the militarization of Gaza. It is beyond your comprehension’. In August, he had told Fox News that he expected Hamas to begin handing over its weapons in ‘ as few as 30 days ’. Meanwhile, the humanitarian sit
West & Central Asia · North America · Defense · Global politics
The UAE built its power by turning itself into a hub that binds it to every great power at once. The war with Iran has tested this strategy and is forcing a rethink in Abu Dhabi
West & Central Asia · North America · Defense · Oil & energy · Global politics
Yemen's Houthi rebels are in a position to shape the next phase of the conflict between the United States and Iran if they attempt to renew their blockade of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. And no one should assume that a deal with Iran will bind what the Houthis do next.
West & Central Asia · North America · Defense
The incident raises the possibility that top secret weapons technology may have been exposed to a foreign adversary — including China.
East Asia · North America · Defense
‘Coupling without fusion’: Canada and Europe test a new kind of alliance Expert comment jon.wallace 18 September 2026 The deeper relationship proposed by Carney and von der Leyen could send a powerful geopolitical message. But can agreement be reached without antagonizing EU candidate countries? There is something rather extraordinary about the geopolitical times we live in. They are making what seemed impossible yesterday possible today, and what once sounded laughable increasingly credible. This week’s proposals for closer integration between Canada and the EU undoubtedly belongs to that category. On 16 September, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the EU’s first ‘associate member’. The next day, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney used his address to the European Parliament to set out an unusually ambitious programme of economic and strategic integration. Canada and Europe, he argued , should cooperate across critical minerals, defence production, artificial intelligence and computing, energy, space and payments. They should move towards ‘seamless’ digital trade in non-agricultural goods and services. And they should expand opportunities for young Canadians and Europeans to live, work and study across the Atlantic. Canada also eyes access to the EU’s Horizon research programme. If the concept of associate membership is yet to be properly defined – starting with meaningful legal substance – Carney’s address gave it discernible geopolitical purpose. His argument rests on a lesson he has repeated since his Davos speech in January 2026:
Europe · North America · Defense · Oil & energy · Global politics
The Zaidi government’s objective to collect weapons is constrained by regional conflict, but it can take certain measures at home.
West & Central Asia · Defense · Global politics
Artificial Intelligence, Real Fears: Is it time to slow down? Audio sseth.drupal@c… 18 September 2026 On this week’s episode of Independent Thinking, our experts discuss the growing fears around the development of AI. A call by leaders of the tech giants on the frontier of Artificial Intelligence to ‘slow the pace’ of its development has sparked debate over the risks associated with AI. Does AI represent an existential threat, and if so, how urgent are the warnings? Or can humanity harness this powerful technology to our benefit? Our experts discuss the implications for international security, from cyber to the increasing use of AI in today’s conflict zones, and the dynamics of the race toward the cutting edge – not only among industry competitors, but also in the realm of geopolitics. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Dr Marion Messmer, director of our International Security Programme, and Alex Krasodomski, director of our Digital Society Programme. About Independent Thinking Independent Thinking is a weekly international affairs podcast hosted by our director Bronwen Maddox, in conversation with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts providing insight on the latest international issues. More ways to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify . Explore our other Chatham House podcasts .
Defense · Cybersecurity
At a federal technology summit earlier this year, a senior Pentagon official described a moment his office was proud of. Facing a congressional reporting deadline, and with a workforce hollowed […]
North America · Defense · Cybersecurity
Lawmakers have expressed concerns for years that the move would give China access to sensitive technology.
West & Central Asia · North America · Defense · Global politics
The potential move comes after the Pentagon sought to pull troops from the country earlier this year.
Europe · North America · Defense · Global politics
Image credit: Senior Airman Renee Blundon, US Air Force
North America · Defense
Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development […]
North America · Defense
Military leaders warn the risks of falling behind adversaries in artificial intelligence research outweigh the potential risks of the technology.
North America · Defense · Cybersecurity
Sign up here to receive Bellingcat’s biggest investigations by email as soon as they are published. WARNING: This report contains links to graphic images and footage. A joint Bellingcat and Jeune Afrique investigation into drone strikes carried out by the Malian military adds new details about the attacks which frequently are carried out in civilian areas and have […] The post “A Recurring Pattern”: Civilians Paying the Price in Mali’s Drone Campaign appeared first on bellingcat .
West Africa · Defense
Turkey is neither drifting away from the West nor is it coming home. It has become an embedded outsider: a middle power that has learned to build strategic autonomy from inside the Western system rather than by leaving it.
Europe · West & Central Asia · Defense · Global politics
Since World War II, the US Army has built its combined arms approach around the complementary employment of armor, infantry, artillery, and engineers. That foundation remains sound. Yet contemporary conflicts […]
North America · Defense
Interwar periods are inherently challenging for militaries, who must balance lessons from previous wars with emergent technologies and tactics being tested in observable wars. Much of future warfighting is being […]
Europe · Defense
