The global situation is continuously updated
As part of the Academy's effort to maintain a qualified, continuous and long-term relevant analysis of the international security situation, in-depth analyses of the world around us are continuously published on the website. Since autumn 2020, this monitoring of the world around us has mainly consisted of regular posts written by the member Michael Sahl, Ph.D. and ambassador, former Director General of the Folke Bernadotte Academy and former Secretary of State.
Michael Sahlin has extensive experience in international operations, with a particular focus on foreign and security policy analysis. The first analysis was published on October 18, 2020, in connection with the then-upcoming presidential election in the United States. Since then, the coverage of the world has gradually developed and deepened, both in content and analytical breadth, in step with changes in the international security environment.
From January 2026, external monitoring will be strengthened by the member, ambassador Lars Erik Lundin regularly contributes analyses. In connection with this, the international monitoring is given a clearer thematic focus on the USA and its role in global security policy developments.
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Quo Vadis US, On War (Iran) and Peace (Ukraine), et al – Anticipating Donald J Trump's “most consequential” State of the Union speech
"It is going to be a long speech, for me [...]
Strategic Stability at the Abyss: The Post–New START Nuclear Landscape – (“85 seconds before midnight”)
On 5 February 2026, the New START treaty expired. For [...]
Palestinian and Kurdish Dreams of Nation – and Statehood – a Nightmare? ("Hypocrisy is the homage paid by vice to virtue")
At the time of writing, two important events occurred [...]
Back to spheres of influence
New article: Between Power and Principle: Europe's Strategic Dilemma in [...]
Venezuela and Trump's further ambitions
Just in time for this year's People and Defense in Sälen - and [...]
The Cyprus issue in (mild) winds of change?
"Tomorrow I shall see Denktas, the day after I shall [...]
Silence fell over Gaza – International attention moved on
Not much mention in mainstream international media of the fate [...]
Headwinds starting to blow against Trump one year ahead of the Mid-terms
Is the triumph march to ever-increasing personal power of Donald [...]
Trump's Gaza plan: The troublesome step from Phase 1 to Phase 2
It took a long, long time for the stakeholders of [...]
Gaza after 2 years of destruction: On the verge of peace, but what kind of peace?
2 years after Hamas initiated its brutal surprise attack, October [...]
The UNGA turns 80 – A last chance (or sigh) for effective multilateralism?
This week almost all world leaders will, again, gather in [...]
On war, peace and ceasefire in our time, the Trump era
My thoughts revolve around the geopolitical and military-strategic threats and challenges. [...]
Partition as peace model, last resort? History and prospects
Partition, sometimes peaceful, sometimes not, may be universally feared as [...]
Enough! When and how, and at what cost and with what consequences, will Israel's war in Gaza end?
Will the Gaza war end – to quote TS Eliot- with [...]
Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan: The damned illusive ceasefire continues to haunt Donald Trump
What does it say about conflict and warfare in our [...]