By looking at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ryuta Ito explains how anger and overconfidence drive leaders to adopt unrealistic goals in conflicts. — Throughout history, world leaders have often overplayed their hands and pursued goals that may not be achievable, especially in cases of conflict. Policy-makers would do well to understand the potentially catastrophic risks that can come with overestimating their own abilities.

Ruth Deyermond, Juliet Kaarbo, Kai Oppermann and Ryan Beasley investigate the Trump administration’s Russia policy and implications for the Russia–Ukraine war — Despite a wide range of ongoing legal proceedings, former US President Donald Trump appears on track to secure the Republican nomination for the presidency. While the domestic and international implications of a second Trump administration are difficult to predict fully, one area of concern is how his possible re-election might…

Karen Philippa Larsen and Katja Lindskov Jacobsen explore the economics of the Wagner Group and how Russia benefits from the limitations of western interventions — On 24 August 2023, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will have lasted for 18 months. While waging this brutal war in Ukraine, Russia is also increasingly engaged on the African continent in ways that demand a careful response. Russia’s presence in Africa largely unfolds through the infamous Wagner Group. Ostensibly a…

Marika Theros and Sahar Halaimzai investigate the thinking behind the disastrous international withdrawal from Afghanistan and its potential to cause further crises — Two years after the withdrawal of international forces and the Taliban’s takeover plunged Afghanistan into compounding humanitarian, security and human rights crises, President Biden’s recent remarks on Taliban ‘help’ to US counter-terrorism efforts against Al-Qaeda in the country struck a jarring note. Days later, the chair of the UK House…

Christian Bueger argues that ocean policy-makers must avoid fragmentation and pay more attention to blue justice and maritime security — For all its crises in other areas, 2023 has bought hope that the international community is on its way to better safeguarding and protecting the oceans. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and growing geopolitical tensions, June 2023 saw the adoption of a new international treaty for the…

The only thing worse than judging a book by its cover is judging an edited volume by its potential. More often than not, our reviewers have complaints: there is no overarching theoretical framework; the chapters are too short or too superficial; the geographical distribution is lacking; the issues are underexplored…

Thuy T. Do, Chanintira na Thalang and Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby discuss how Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines contest and contribute to the liberal international order — Amid rising US–China competition, many believe that the future of the liberal international order (LIO) will be determined by the relationship between these two great powers. Yet, while both states are undeniably influential, they are far from alone in determining the fate of the international system.

Editor Andrew Dorman provides advice for responding to a ‘revise and resubmit’ — At once filled with promise and potentially frustrating, ‘revise and resubmit’ is perhaps the most emotionally confusing result when submitting an academic manuscript. While contradicting reviewer feedback and the prospect of further changes with no guarantee of success can be daunting, for those able to effectively navigate these challenges the…

It’s that time of the year! Book Reviews Editor Mariana Vieira shares her top ten books, recently reviewed in International Affairs, that will take you on a journey around the globe and into the past. Explore the selection below, covering topics from conflict-resolution to environmental and private diplomacy as well…