The Ladder

The war that began on 28 February has moved from the air to the sea. Talks keep resuming and collapsing, while October brought the most attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz since the war began.

Europe's largest war since 1945 enters its fifth winter. Russia is striking Ukraine's power grid at record scale while losing ground at the front. A new round of talks is set for Abu Dhabi.

The lowest rung of the six, and the one that matters most. Russian drones keep crossing into NATO countries. Each crossing is small; together they test whether the alliance's mutual-defense promise still holds.

Tension along the border is at its highest in years. A mine blast in the DMZ, propaganda loudspeakers back on, and North Korea's seventeenth ballistic missile event of the year.

No shots, but steady pressure. Beijing pairs diplomacy with drills, coast guard patrols and rehearsals of a blockade. US commanders say Beijing wants its military able to take Taiwan by 2027.

Two nuclear powers that fought for four days in May 2025 and never fully stood down. Embassies are run by deputies, a water treaty is suspended, and border shootings keep both capitals on edge.