The International Criminal Court (ICC or Court) has called for the leaders of Israel and Hamas to stand trial for their crimes in the ongoing Israel-Palestine war. While their arrests are unlikely, the decision has made them international pariahs.

Niki Alsford’s recent book, “Taiwan Lives,” explores how the Taiwanese people have transformed their home, a product of settler colonialism, into one of the world’s most high-tech economies, with a successful and vibrant democracy, and a distinctive cultural identity.

French and German credibility has reached new lows on the Ukraine issue, risking European security as each seeks to sure up political and geopolitical influence. Solidarity is weak, and arms corporations have proven influential in national decisions for EU integration on security matters. 

South Africa is moving away from the party that brought Nelson Mandela to power, and the nation beyond Apartheid. For many, however, the future looks bleak, even with a potential change in leader.

AUKUS is a program with big promises for reinforcing regional security through technology transfer and multination force interoperability. Bringing Japan into the Pillar II platform will enhance capabilities and strengthen deterrence.  

Ongoing violence in Sudan is causing a severe humanitarian crisis. The involvement of international actors is exacerbating the escalation.

A further deepening of far right forces in Croatia, Slovakia, and India threaten to strain democratic processes. Meanwhile, in the Republic of Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol faces a determined opposition in the national assembly, with a major swing toward the liberal opposition. 

The election of Senegal’s new president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, is a glimmer of hope in an era of democratic backsliding. As a young leader himself, he should seek to inspire a democratic revival among young Africans.

In the shadow of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East it is challenging to imagine a farewell to wars. Hans Blix’s latest book surveys modern international relations, and with the critical mind of a lawyer and diplomatic practitioner, demonstrates how, over the last two centuries, the international system has accepted growing constraints on interstate use of force.   

Since 1994, the Rwandan genocide has emerged as a grand signifier of the “failure to prevent” and an important preface for the “responsibility to protect” doctrine. Rwanda’s remarkable economic success and its ongoing efforts to reconcile traumatised communities also deserves reflection.  

The state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to the United States this week has been billed as a doubling down of Japan on the US Japan alliance. In reality, it is a continuation of the incremental and sustained investment in the bilateral relationship over decades to deal with regional and global security challenges.