The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies is Stanford University’s home for nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research, teaching and policy impact in international affairs.

Welcome to the FSI Policy Roundup for October 2026. This monthly series highlights our scholars' analyses on pressing policy issues around the globe.

This month, experts at FSI tackle several of the challenges facing the world — from the governance of technology like AI and bioweapons to the Ukraine-Russia war, and the conflict with Iran. Hear from national security expert Amy Zegart on how sources of international power are changing and what that means for how nations and other actors compete politically, militarily, economically, and technologically. 

Take a deep dive using the links below, and let us know what you think by replying to this email.

The Invisible Risks of AI-generated Health Information by Matt DeVerna

After the Blue Wave by Larry Diamond

Why So Many Men Aren’t Working by Keith Humphreys

Trump’s Capitulation to Putin Is Undermining U.S. National Security by Michael McFaul

AI, Elections, and the Liar’s Dividend by Nate Persily

Longevity Policy Should Focus on Better Lives, Not Just Longer Ones by David Rehkopf

BETA: Listen to an AI-generated overview of these articles — 8:11 minute listen
(This audio was generated by Google NotebookLM and fact-checked by a human.)

Learn from FSI experts about an array of global threats, like the governance of frontier technology, the Ukraine-Russia war, the conflict with Iran, and Chinese ambitions against Taiwan. WATCH

The rules of how power works and who holds it are changing, explains Amy Zegart, and that has ramifications for national security, intelligence gathering, and deterrence. LISTEN