The Two Logics Driving Japan’s Security Policy

Japan’s security policy is shaped by two complementary objectives: maintaining US engagement in the Indo-Pacific while strengthening its own capabilities to compensate for any potential American disengagement. Tokyo is expanding its defence capabilities, particularly in intelligence, long-range missiles and space, while reviewing its strategic priorities. Japan is also deepening security partnerships with countries such as Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia. This shift does not necessarily signal a return to militarism; rather, it reflects an effort to preserve the regional order amid China’s rise and uncertainty over US commitments. However, demographic pressures and budgetary constraints continue to limit Japan’s ambitions.

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Iran-Israel-USA: The War of Imaginaries

The confrontation between Iran, Israel and the United States is not fought solely on the battlefield: political, religious and historical narratives also play a central role. The article examines how military operations are named to portray campaigns as decisive or even divinely ordained turning points. In Iran, ideas of martyrdom, oppression and resistance help legitimise the regime and its regional ambitions. Israel, meanwhile, uses symbols that frame the confrontation in terms of existential security and the possibility of political change in Iran. These narratives are more than propaganda: they shape how the actors understand their objectives and conduct their strategies. They therefore provide insight into the ideological dimension of a conflict whose consequences extend far beyond the region.

 

A Partnership Founded on Security: Post-Brexit Rapprochement Between Germany and the United Kingdom

Since Brexit, relations between Berlin and London have shifted from political distance towards gradual rapprochement, formalised by the Kensington Treaty of Friendship in 2025. Germany initially prioritised EU unity over bilateral arrangements with the United Kingdom. Europe’s changing strategic environment, shaped by the war in Ukraine and uncertainty over US engagement, has since encouraged closer cooperation. Security and defence are central pillars of this renewed relationship, alongside economic and political issues. The rapprochement reflects both countries’ desire to preserve their ability to act in an increasingly unstable international environment. It also raises questions about the role the UK can play in European security outside the EU’s institutional framework.

 

Canada: The Return of Separatist Movements

Separatism has returned to the forefront of Canadian politics, with distinct dynamics emerging in Quebec and Alberta. In Quebec, the Parti Québécois’s electoral momentum has revived the prospect of a third independence referendum, while an initiative in Alberta could trigger a process towards a separation vote. Both movements draw on criticism of federal authority, including disputes over immigration, language, climate policy and energy development. Their motivations nevertheless differ: national and linguistic identity is central in Quebec, whereas Alberta’s grievances focus more heavily on federal constraints on its economic choices. Potential influence and support from the United States have also raised concerns. The renewed separatist movements challenge Canadian federal cohesion at a time when external pressures make national unity particularly important.

 

What the River-Class Destroyer Means for Canada’s Naval Power

The River-class destroyer programme marks a major step in modernising the Royal Canadian Navy. The planned fleet of fifteen ships is intended to replace the retired Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates, with the first deliveries expected in the early 2030s. The new vessels are designed to strengthen air defence, anti-submarine warfare and long-range strike capabilities. They respond in part to concerns over Russian submarines and the need to monitor Canada’s maritime approaches and Arctic waters. The article also considers whether smaller corvettes could improve coastal surveillance and mine countermeasures. However, the fleet’s operational value will depend on funding, procurement and the Navy’s ability to recruit and retain sufficient crews.

 

Why Canada Is Restructuring Its Army

Implemented in September 2026, the Canadian Army’s restructuring aims to improve its ability to conduct large-scale operations. The reactivation of 1st Canadian Division is intended to generate a deployable manoeuvre force and move beyond a model based primarily on contributing limited contingents to allied missions. The transformation requires better integration of brigades and support units, alongside greater capacity to sustain prolonged operations. Lessons from the war in Ukraine highlight the importance of equipment, logistics and force generation. However, procurement gaps, recruitment difficulties and lengthy acquisition processes remain significant obstacles. The reform will only deliver its intended results if it is supported by faster defence investment and improved operational readiness.

 

China’s Strategic Reassessment of India

Beijing is reassessing India’s position in the regional balance of power as Sino-Indian relations cautiously improve and New Delhi seeks to diversify its partnerships. Changes in US policy towards India are contributing to this shift: Chinese strategists believe India may lose some of the support that previously strengthened its status as a rising power. Beijing is therefore reconsidering whether India should be viewed as a middle power whose diplomatic choices remain open to influence. This assessment is ambivalent, however, since China wants to preserve dialogue while limiting India’s strategic autonomy. Supply-chain dependence and economic leverage remain important tools in this approach. Border disputes and competition for influence in South Asia continue to constrain the rapprochement.

 

How Sudan Became a Laboratory for Drone Warfare, Thanks to Abu Dhabi

Sudan’s war has become a testing ground for military drones and air-defence systems. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have expanded their use of drones, moving from short-range platforms to systems capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometres away. These developments are changing operational dynamics while threatening infrastructure, urban centres and humanitarian aid operations. The article accuses the United Arab Emirates of prolonging the conflict by supplying advanced drone technology to the Rapid Support Forces, a politically sensitive allegation. The contest also involves Chinese and Turkish equipment, prompting both sides to adapt their offensive and defensive systems. Sudan illustrates the rapid spread of drone technology in modern warfare and the risks associated with its proliferation.

 

AI as a Risk to Democracy: How Artificial Intelligence Could Foster Digital Authoritarianism 

Artificial intelligence could intensify democratic vulnerabilities by giving political and state actors more powerful tools for surveillance and manipulation. Recent advances allow data to be analysed and exploited at unprecedented scale, disinformation to be personalised, and populations to be targeted more precisely. The risks are particularly acute when authoritarian regimes use these capabilities to monitor citizens and restrict public debate. The authors also highlight concerns about the growing autonomy of AI systems, which could make oversight more difficult and weaken institutions’ ability to intervene. The challenge is therefore not merely technological: it concerns political accountability, democratic safeguards and effective regulation. Robust AI governance is essential to prevent these tools from reinforcing authoritarian practices.

 

A Changing Army, a Struggling Home Front

This episode in the “Ukraine Dispatches” series examines the transformation of the Ukrainian military and the pressures facing the home front. Prolonged warfare requires constant adaptation in force organisation, personnel management and logistical support. These military demands also carry a social cost, placing pressure on families, workers and the services needed to keep the country functioning. Ukraine’s resilience therefore depends not only on the ability of combat units to adapt, but also on maintaining infrastructure and essential civilian functions. The episode encourages a broader understanding of the war beyond developments along the front line. It highlights the tension between military mobilisation, collective endurance and the preservation of everyday life in a country at war.