A new era begins today in Afghanistan, with western forces gone and the Taliban back in power after 20 years. President Joe Biden has attempted to justify his policy choices over the war-torn country in a speech at the White House, but the recriminations will no doubt continue over his underestimating the Taliban’s ability to sweep the country and for refusing to extend the withdrawal date beyond August 31.

But, says war studies specialist Andrew Mumford, the US president has been nothing if not consistent on Afghanistan. He tells of how Biden became the “in-house pessimist” at the White House in the late 2000s over escalating America’s commitment, and has remained resolute ever since.

Mumford argues that Biden’s recent approach to Afghanistan should be understood as a reset in US foreign policy, away from the war on terror and back to great power politics: namely, China as priority number one.

Elsewhere, we bring you new research into how gambling companies are taking advantage of our online data to advertise to us in ways that are much more personalised and effective. We also look at the new power-sharing deal in Scotland between Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP and the Greens, and what it might mean for the independence movement.

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