Subscriber-only live events

As Ukraine’s counter-offensive continues, the authority of Vladimir Putin was undermined by a rift with the paramilitary Wagner Group. What does the dissent mean for Russia and the war? Join our editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes; deputy editor, Edward Carr; defence editor, Shashank Joshi; and Russia and eastern Europe editor, Arkady Ostrovsky to discuss the situation in the Kremlin, the West’s response and potential NATO security guarantees for Ukraine. There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the live event. You can also submit them in advance to [email protected].

After enduring months of brutal attacks, Ukraine forces have begun ground assaults on Russian positions in the south-east of the country. How prepared is Ukraine for a sustained offensive? Can Russia defend its positions? What is the impact of the humanitarian crisis following the Kakhovka dam collapse? And what additional military assistance from the West is needed? Join our editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes; deputy editor, Edward Carr; defence editor, Shashank Joshi; and Russia and eastern Europe editor, Arkady Ostrovsky to discuss the war’s latest phase. There will be a chance to ask questions during the live event.

As money becomes digital, new opportunities and problems emerge, from the speed of transactions to the risks of sudden, massive disruptions in banking and the economy. How can society balance innovation with safety? Our finance editors will discuss how business and consumers will be affected, what regulations are needed and what is to cheer—and fear. They will also explore the lessons of the crypto crash, the future of e-currencies and “gov-coins”, and bank runs in the digital era. There will be the opportunity to ask questions throughout this subscriber-only event.

Can humanity harness the benefits of artificial intelligence—without being destroyed by it? So called “foundation models” like large language models (LLMs) underpin the latest wave of AI technology, and are built into services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. We’ll explore how LLMs work and what their limits are, and ask how society can use AI safely. Discover who’s developing and controlling these models and what may be the cultural and political impacts. Join our editors and correspondents to analyse the critical issues in the rise of AI. There will be a chance to submit questions.

As Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary, its political system is in crisis. What does recent turmoil mean for the country’s future? Our editors discuss Israel’s competing factions, modern Zionism, shifting relationships with foreign governments and new forces that will shape the country. They will also explore the effects of changing demographics, the growing ultra-Orthodox community and the easing of external pressures on Israel, which may exacerbate fractures within it. There will be the opportunity to ask questions throughout this subscriber-only event.

More than a year after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, how has the war reshaped global political alliances? Join our editors for a discussion of the deepening partnership between China and Russia and for prescient perspectives on the changing geopolitical order. There will be the opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.

Rising interest rates have left banks worryingly exposed. Three midsized lenders have collapsed in America and Credit Suisse has been absorbed by UBS. Fourteen years after the global financial crisis, how secure are banks and can policymakers make the system safer? Join our editors to discuss the risks of a new banking crisis. There will be the opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.

With toddlers on iPads and pensioners playing Wordle, video games have evolved from a niche hobby to a mass medium worth more than music or cinema. Join our editors for a discussion of gaming and its future, from the role of the metaverse to questions about streaming, privacy and geopolitical soft power. There will be the opportunity to ask questions throughout the session, which is exclusive to subscribers.

Twelve months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both countries are paying a high price. Join our editors for an in-depth discussion about the state of the conflict and risks of escalation. Topics covered will include tactics on the battlefield, the prospects for peace talks, the interests of China and NATO, and what might lie ahead in 2023. The panel welcomes questions from the audience to shape the conversation.

Join our editors as they discuss what reconnecting China with the outside world means for the country and the global economy.  China’s reopening after abandoning its zero-covid policy may prove to be the biggest economic event of the year. Find out how the economy is expected to bounce back. The panel welcomes questions from the audience to shape the conversation.