This week's magazine story. How did America, Israel and others move from avoiding targeting countries' leaders to political assassination and cross-border detention becoming the new norms?

When it comes to killing politically prominent people, countries are often best placed to do so, as a long history of state assassinations attests. But is there any evidence that it is effective?

For decades, the United States adhered to international norms governing arrests and assassinations of political leaders beyond its borders. That script has now been ripped up.

Throughout history, kings have been killed, but this has been turbocharged by the US and Israel in recent years, with senior state officials no longer immune from targeting. What are the implications?

Donald Trump and Ahmed al-Sharaa have formed a good relationship which has helped Syria immensely, but Trump's term ends in 2028, so institutional relations are now a priority.

Sabre-rattling social media statements are par for the course with the US president, whose performative declarations keep everyone guessing, but do they produce lasting results?

A move towards reconstruction and governance in areas not controlled by Hamas was not the plan but is arguably better than nothing. At least it gives Gazans some hope.

There are elements of a more permanent ceasefire agreement that Islamabad can control, contrive, or consult on, but others are beyond its grasp.

Seizing Castro could prove more costly and less effective than the capture of Maduro

As support for Israel weakens across the US political spectrum, once-taboo questions about military aid, lobbying influence, and US backing are moving into the mainstream