Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a drone strike late last month. While his death is significant, it is unlikely to be the death knell of his terrorist network.

The most recent Commission of Inquiry established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021 released its first report in June. It indicates the UNHRC may do more damage to the public idea of human rights than good, and that, therefore, improved institutional design for international governance of human rights is needed.

The Pacific Islands Forum is torn between competing influences. This will have consequences for the Forum’s cohesion.

At long last, Boris Johnson will vacate the UK prime ministership, and with it, leadership of the Tory party. But who will take his place?

In a historic move NATO included Women, Peace and Security front and centre of its new Strategic Concept. While this represents progress, the challenge remains for NATO to operationalise its policy commitments in practice.

Kurds have again been betrayed, this time to enable Sweden and Finland to apply for NATO membership. The trilateral memorandum between these two countries and Turkey paves the way for the extradition of political refugees to Turkey.

The recent European Council summit demonstrated a willingness to potentially accept new states, like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Australia should follow their lead and engage further with Eurasia.

Members of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) under the age of 35 interested in deepening their awareness of Asia have until 30 August to apply for the Euan Crone Asian Awareness Scholarship.

Despite the decline of unions, there are many signs of worker resistance. This is related to rising inequality, union inroads into seemingly impenetrable occupations and industries, the development by unions of international links and digital tools, and the inevitable pressure for labour reform.

As the Ukrainian war continues to drag, experts have pointed to a likely recession in Russia. However, this analysis misses Putin’s grand strategy for his power legitimacy, which may ironically end his reign.

The European Union is slowly cutting off Russia’s lifeline. For Ukraine it may be too little, too late.