Chatham House

07/10/2026

Kaliningrad remains a key forward position for Russia but its near-complete isolation, in a Baltic region dominated by NATO, presents Moscow with a serious military challenge.

Moscow’s nuclear rhetoric should be taken seriously. But Baltic states know grey zone attacks and territorial incursions are equally serious threats.

07/10/2026

Nepal's recovery from August's catastrophic glacial flood will test the efficiency of the UN's Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. It will also resurface questions about the responsibilities of the greatest carbon emitters.

Nepal’s recovery from August’s catastrophic glacial flood will test the efficiency of the UN’s Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. It will also resurface questions about the responsibilities of the greatest carbon emitters.

07/10/2026

"The cost of an 'Iron Dome', entry level probably £80 billion over ten years - entry level."

Britain’s opposition Conservative Party has proposed building a new missile and drone defence system to protect the UK.

In July of this year, General Sir Richard Barrons, a Senior Consulting Fellow for Chatham House and one of the principal leaders of the UK’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review, gave evidence to the House of Commons Defence Committee on the likely cost of such a defence system.

06/10/2026

In order to win control of the US Senate, Democrats need to win in three states represented by Republicans. Current polling suggests their best chances are in Alaska, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Iowa.

Polls suggest Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives as American voters are dissatisfied with President Trump and his policies.

06/10/2026

"I think we are now at the edge of a new full-scale war in Yemen in which further regional and international actors are getting involved."

Farea Al-Muslimi (Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Programme) on the offensive by Yemeni government forces against the Houthis near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, via CNN.

06/10/2026

The decision by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call a snap election in Spain is a risky move and fires the starting gun on a year of vital elections across Europe.

Announcing the election, Sánchez set himself in opposition to President Trump and Javier Milei as well as Spain’s populist right. Much will depend on the prime minister’s ability to rally a fragmented left.

05/10/2026

The spectre of former US President Joe Biden’s failed 2024 re-election campaign is looming large over Lula da Silva's own re-election bid against Flávio Bolsonaro — the son of his political nemesis, Jair Bolsonaro.

Beyond the drama of two rival populists, it is crime policy that may swing Brazil’s October election.

05/10/2026

As fighting escalates in Tigray and the neighbouring areas, there are fears that Ethiopia's internal instability could spill over into Eritrea, Sudan and the wider Horn of Africa.

As fighting escalates in Tigray and neighbouring areas, there are fears that Ethiopia’s internal instability could spill over into the wider Horn of Africa region.

05/10/2026

A Flávio Bolsonaro victory in Brazil would create another friendly South American government for the Trump administration — adding to the White House's list of Trump-aligned leaders.

A Bolsonaro victory would mean Trump-aligned governments dominate South America.

05/10/2026

"Donald Trump has weighed in on elections in Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia, in El Salvador, Peru, Ecuador, in Chile and in Argentina. This would add another country or government in his column".

Christopher Sabatini joined Kristie Lu Stout to discuss the runoff between Flávio Bolsonaro and President Lula da Silva in Brazil, via CNN.