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July 12, 2026, 12:37 PM - 6 min read
When things feel uncertain or dangerous, people might reach for the visionary. Yet the very leaders we feel most drawn to in those moments – the boldly confident, the certain, the inspiring – may not always be well-suited to navigating such complexity, if they resist the open-minded, ambiguity-tolerant thinking that difficult problems require.
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July 10, 2026, 02:18 PM - 6 min read
Khamenei’s funeral was designed as a powerful political and diplomatic tool to project defiance and continued resistance against what Iran has called “global arrogance”. The government aimed to demonstrate its legitimacy, regional reach, public support and continued mobilising capacity despite the isolation efforts of its enemies. This mission seems to have been accomplished.
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July 8, 2026, 12:58 PM - 6 min read
It is extremely unlikely that Putin will give in to pressure and withdraw from Ukraine. With both sides convinced they can win, there is little prospect of the war ending any time soon.
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July 7, 2026, 12:46 PM - 5 min read
It is widely expected that Burnham will become prime minister through an internal Labour party manoeuvre rather than a general election. But this would reinforce the same uncomfortable point. The UK accepts major political transitions without the electorate ever casting a vote. Once again, the public may simply be expected to accommodate the outcome.
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July 6, 2026, 04:46 PM - 6 min read
Poland president Karol Nawrocki has stripped Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle. Political spats between the two countries over historical memory are nothing new. But this is the first since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to escalate to this degree. And the fact is that it has more to do with domestic Polish politics than any long-term rift between Poland and Ukraine.
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July 2, 2026, 01:40 PM - 6 min read
The geopolitical challenge facing the country is growing, the pace of its spending response is arguably lacking and, of the partners able to help close the gap, Japan is the partner Wellington is most likely to prioritise. Allies are already signalling they expect more from New Zealand – and the cost of moving too slowly will be measured not only incapability, but in credibility.
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June 30, 2026, 02:26 PM - 5 min read
The relationship between the EU and China is entering a contentious stage. Their differences are set to intensify as China seeks to maintain its global dominance in manufacturing and make strides in key technologies that were once the preserve of advanced European economies.
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June 18, 2026, 12:53 PM - 7 min read
Whenever political leaders align themselves with combat sports, the significance lies less in the sport itself than in what the spectacle symbolises. A combat event staged as part of a national celebration transforms athletic competition into a ritual of collective identity and public values.
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June 15, 2026, 12:34 PM - 5 min read
The first half of 2026 has been full of risks. Wars, tariffs and shaky military alliances have changed everything. NATO has been undermined, spending priorities have changed, and trading relationships are not as solid as they used to be. Perhaps now is the time for the EU to grab hold of some important economic innovations and stop being so dependent on the US.
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June 14, 2026, 07:54 PM - 4 min read
Former army general Roberto Vannacci, popularly known as “Il Generale”, is drawing massive crowds for his rapidly expanding fledgling party, "Futuro Nazionale."
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May 31, 2026, 03:28 PM - 6 min read
For military juntas, the jihadist threat justifies continued rule and repression. For Russia, the region has become a showcase for anti-western influence and security partnerships in Africa. For western actors, jihadist expansion, migration concerns and fears of regional instability are used as reasons for security engagement despite repeated failures. The complex interactions between these actors have resulted in a continuous, strategic circle of violence, where civilians are the first victims.
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May 29, 2026, 03:19 PM - 6 min read
The recent influx of international leaders to China, including Trump and Putin, may be a reflection of growing uncertainty in the global order and made China appear more central to global diplomacy. But this visibility does not necessarily translate into effective global leadership.
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