U.S. and Japan Deepen Strategic Tech Alliance

The ‘War Games’ problem: Computer science has long understood what it takes to keep AI under control

A hit 1983 movie illustrates what computer scientists have long known: If you give an AI agent a goal but don’t control what it can and can’t do, you shouldn’t be surprised by what it does.

Data Centers Rise as Critical Energy Infrastructure

Data centers have emerged as major pillars of national energy systems, drawing comparisons to traditional power plants in their scale, strategic importance, and demand on electrical grids. Governments and energy providers are increasingly treating large-scale computing facilities as critical infrastructure requiring dedicated planning and investment.

Global Internet Security Faces a New Era of Threats

Cybersecurity experts warn that the internet is approaching a structural turning point, as aging encryption standards and the rise of quantum computing create vulnerabilities across critical digital infrastructure. Governments and private institutions are beginning to respond, though the pace of transition remains uneven.

NATO Allies Weigh the Cost of Collective Defense

European NATO members face mounting pressure to raise defense budgets as geopolitical tensions reshape the continent's security landscape. The debate over how much to spend — and on what — is dividing governments across the bloc.

U.S. Appalachians Hold 328 Years of Lithium Imports

The Appalachian region of the eastern United States contains an estimated 2.3 million metric tons of undiscovered, economically recoverable lithium — enough to replace 328 years of U.S. imports at last year's level, according to new USGS research. The deposits, concentrated in the Carolinas, Maine, and New Hampshire, are held in large-grained pegmatite rocks and could substantially reduce American dependence on foreign mineral supplies.

Big political donations have hit $7.4m this election year. Are the rules tight enough?

Large political donations in 2026 have already surpassed 2023 levels. New research shows where the money has been coming from over recent elections.

UN Chief: Inequality a 'Ticking Time Bomb'

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that unchecked global inequality poses a systemic threat to international stability, with the richest 10 per cent of the world's population now owning 75 per cent of all wealth. Speaking at a high-level leaders' event in New York, he called for an International Panel on Inequality to develop science-based solutions.

What we talk about when we talk about US strategic ‘credibility’ – from Vietnam to Iran

‘Credibility is on the line’ has long been a refrain guiding U.S. foreign policy.

U.S. Pushes Civil Nuclear Agenda at UN General Assembly

On the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States announced a series of civil nuclear initiatives, including an implementation plan for small modular reactor deployments and a major international industry consortium targeting European markets. The announcements build on a trilateral framework with Japan and South Korea signed earlier this year.

Houthi rebel offensive fuels fears of escalation in the Middle East and Europe

The Iran-backed rebel group has taken control of the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Global Powers Accelerate Development of Long-Range Strike

Major military powers are investing heavily in long-range precision strike capabilities, reshaping conventional deterrence and prompting allied nations to accelerate their own weapons programs. The trend reflects a broader shift in strategic doctrine away from short-range battlefield systems toward deep-strike munitions capable of hitting targets far behind enemy lines.

FAO Vaccinates Millions of Animals in War-Torn Sudan

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has launched a nationwide livestock vaccination campaign in Sudan targeting 9.8 million animals and 1.2 million households amid ongoing conflict. The effort is part of a broader emergency response as funding for agricultural relief covers only 11 percent of identified needs.