Poland Wire

Lula’s UN address points to two starkly different visions of Brazilian nationalism ahead of crucial election

When Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22, 2026, the Brazilian president posed a question to both an international and domestic audience: Who is to decide Brazil’s future?

SyndicatedAndre Pagliarini, Assistant Professor of History and International Studies, Louisiana State University22 Sept 20267 min read

Three Ts will dominate Trump-Xi summit – but expect little movement on trade, less on Taiwan and who knows on tech

When Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping last sat down in May 2026, talk was centered on three Ts: trade, technology and Taiwan.

SyndicatedRana Mitter, Professor of U.S.-Asia Relations, Harvard Kennedy School21 Sept 20266 min read

Could AI really kill all humans? Most scenarios require physical access, making AI armageddon unlikely

In August 2026, an experiment using “frontier”, or cutting edge, artificial intelligence models went further than planned.

SyndicatedAlessandro Di Nuovo, Director Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Professor of Machine Intelligence, Sheffield Hallam University21 Sept 20264 min read

Forgotten Mozart notebook reveals how a young woman learned to compose

A small notebook found in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (the national library of France) has turned out to be one of the most important Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart discoveries in decades.

SyndicatedStacy Olive Jarvis, PhD Candidate in in Musicology, University of Birmingham21 Sept 20264 min read

As war in the Middle East widens, Saudi Arabia’s new defence pact could face a major test

Last Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he had a “big decision” coming up about Iran’s regime:

SyndicatedAmin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Australian National University; The University of Western Australia; Victoria University21 Sept 20265 min read

Nepal could show the world how to recover sustainably from a major disaster

With chances of further sensational hydropower tunnel rescues dimming, the devastating ice-rock avalanche in August at the Nepal-Tibet border and catastrophic floods downstream are no longer making global headlines.

SyndicatedSara Shneiderman, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology and School of Public Policy & Global Affairs; Ivan Head South-North IDRC Chair, University of British Columbia20 Sept 20265 min read

Today's briefing

Trump declares victory in Greenland, but the deal exposes a deeper crisis of trust
SyndicatedShannon Brincat, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of the Sunshine Coast20 Sept 20265 min read
Mark Carney: a master of statecraft in an era short of great orators
SyndicatedMark Shanahan, Associate Professor of Political Engagement, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences, University of Surrey18 Sept 20264 min read
When does being ‘apolitical’ become a political act? An ethicist on the Ed Sheeran saga
SyndicatedJacqueline Boaks, Philosopher, Curtin Centre for Applied Ethics, Curtin University18 Sept 20264 min read
The International Olympic Committee wants mental health screening in elite sports. Here’s why
SyndicatedRosemary Purcell, Professorial Fellow, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne18 Sept 20264 min read
Your robotic vacuum is a witness: What home robots mean for evidence, privacy and the law
SyndicatedHenry F. Fradella, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University17 Sept 20265 min read
Why AI consciousness could become the next great societal divide
SyndicatedLucius Caviola, Assistant Professor in the Social Science of AI, Institute for Technology and Humanity, University of Cambridge17 Sept 20264 min read