RUSI Newsbrief

An unstable Bangladesh mired in radical Islamism and political violence has long been India’s geopolitical nightmare. One hopes that the US soon recognises that this is not conducive to its interests, either, and puts pressure on Bangladesh’s interim government to protect its minorities and restore stability.

The experience of the US’s defeat in Vietnam shows that ending the war in Ukraine requires a comprehensive strategy, combining military, economic and diplomatic pressures to force Russian withdrawal and secure lasting peace.

Kazakhstan’s multivector foreign policy has enabled it to navigate great power rivalries, safeguarding its autonomy while emerging as a key middle power on the global stage.

As African states turn to nuclear power to meet growing energy demands, they do so against a backdrop of intensifying global geopolitical competition, raising questions about sovereignty, alliances and long-term societal impacts.

As Israel continues to grapple with the loss of its aura of inviolability following last year's Hamas attack, Iran is struggling to maintain influence as its proxies in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen suffer heavy losses. Both countries know that an all-out war would be catastrophic, yet neither side can afford to back down entirely.

With Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression in Ukraine approaching its third anniversary, the financial, technological and demographic hurdles facing the Russian economy are more severe than is commonly understood. Contrary to what the Kremlin would like others to believe, time is not on Russia’s side.

Already struggling to get out of its deepest economic downturn in 120 years, Latin America now must brace for the possibility of another Donald Trump presidency. Judging by the Republican candidate's campaign promises and longstanding positions on trade and immigration policy, the implications would be dire.

There is good reason to think that, even if Russia and Ukraine reached a peace deal, Vladimir Putin would readily abandon it and re-invade Ukraine at the first opportunity. That is why any agreement must include a guarantee from NATO to protect Ukraine’s independence in the long term.

Having ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after nearly 16 years of corrupt, authoritarian rule, Bangladeshi youth are exercising political agency and articulating a vision of good governance and a merit-based society. Though a democratic renewal is far from assured, it is more likely if young people remain committed and ready to mobilise.

Contrary to what many Western policymakers and commentators once hoped, recent analyses have added to the evidence that trade does not always foster democracy or liberalise regimes. Instead, China’s greater integration with the developing world appears to be doing precisely the opposite.