Faisal Al Yafai

From Moscow to South Korea, the events of the past week clearly reveal President Vladimir Putin's plan

Adopting the policies of hardline parties normalises them

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emerged victorious at the polls, but vital debates around military legitimacy and a looming pensions crisis are yet to be fully addressed

The leader of the Philippines faces an uncomfortable choice – lose face at home or stand up to a regional superpower, with no real backing

The prime minister who came to power on a promise of change was booted out in the election because he was simply more of the same

The strengths and weaknesses of the nation's parliamentary system have both been on prominent display

The future of the nation is at stake and the knock-on effects of a hurried US exit would be colossal – both for Afghans and the wider world

The mayor of London has skilfully used the US president's vitriol to position himself as a smart, courageous and likeable politician who stands up to bigotry

While both nations look forward to building a new global future together, irreconcilable differences could drive them apart

Freer movement of goods, services and people within the continent will help businesses flourish and offer greater job opportunities to a young population

Allowing the jailed Kurdish rebel leader to release statements before the Istanbul election rerun is a smart and calculated move

Washington is pushing for ostracism. Moscow is urging a rapprochement. Each is acting in its own interest, and the region should do the same

For years, EU membership has been the region's driving aspiration. Denied accession, its politics are now paralysed and increasingly volatile

The regime's latest efforts to retake vital roads will not improve the lives of the three million who live in the embattled province

Pursuing its own interests and not taking sides places the nation in a position of great strength