Foreign and security policyThe price of silence Five years of Taliban rule raise an uncomfortable question: what exactly has isolation achieved? By Abdullah Fahimi
Democracy and societyThe limits of fear As Putin’s repressive state tightens its grip, Russians are finding ever subtler ways to resist By Nina L. Khrushcheva
Foreign and security policyThe art of playing giants Xi Jinping headed to North Korea to secure China’s influence. But the real winner of the summit is Kim Jong Un By Eric Ballbach
Foreign and security policySteppe manoeuvre Kazakhstan and Mongolia are reshaping Central Asia — reducing their dependence on China and Russia By Rassul Kospanov, Vlad Paddak
Interviews‘Russia and China have perhaps never been so close’ Alexey Yusupov on Russia’s waning influence, Putin’s dependence on China and the risks of the partnership with Beijing
Democracy and societyThe last woman standing What forms of organising can survive targeted oppression? Turkish feminists hold the answer By Selime Büyükgöze
Interviews‘India can become one pole in a future multipolar world’ Happymon Jacob on India’s foreign policy, its economic vulnerability and the rivalry between the US and China
Foreign and security policyThe art of war — but scratch the art The May summit between Xi and Trump is shaping up to be a historic mismatch between a long-term strategist and a false prophet touting his successes By Stephen S. Roach
Future of social democracyNothing lasts forever And though we keep hearing that its race is run, social democracy can still stage a comeback. Its chance may lie in Asia By Mirco Günther
Foreign and security policyThe forgotten frontline While the world focuses on Iran, the volatile conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan is intensifying — with repercussions far beyond the border By Mirco Günther, Benedikt Ivanovs
Pakistan the peacemaker With tensions rising, Islamabad has stepped into a pivotal role, helping sustain the only viable channel between Washington and Tehran
Concrete fever In an ever-hotter Europe, how we design our streets will become one of the defining political decisions of our time
The limits of fear As Putin’s repressive state tightens its grip, Russians are finding ever subtler ways to resist