With less than a week to go until one of the most consequential US elections of modern times, all outcomes remain in the balance: Trump, Harris or perhaps even no result at all, given the extreme closeness of the race and the probability of lengthy legal challenges from either side.
Beside the profound consequences (if Trump wins) for democracy in the US, the election is also set to have a major impact on the rest of the world. Andrew Roth surveys the likely global ramifications at a time when American leadership and diplomacy has been under scrutiny over flashpoints such as Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, civil war raging in Sudan, and warnings of growing trade and military competition between the US and China.
Robert Tait takes a deep look at the polling figures and asks whether, despite the seemingly narrowing gap between Harris and Trump, the Democrats really have good reason to panic.
There’s also the low-down from our correspondents in the seven battleground swing states whose electoral college votes will decide the outcome of the election. Though Alexander Hurst, a US national living in Europe, says perhaps the moment has come for America’s often-ignored overseas voters to stand up and be counted.
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Five essential reads in this week’s edition
1
Spotlight | Israel and Iran’s war comes out of the shadows
The Observer’s Simon Tisdall considers the consequences for the region of Israel’s weekend missile strikes on Iran
2
Environment | The Colombian warlord who reneged on deforestation
As the Cop16 nature summit in Colombia comes to a close, Luke Taylor tells a story that highlights the country’s complex relationship between environmental aspiration and political will
3
Feature | The brain collector
Using cutting-edge methods, Alexandra Morton-Hayward is unravelling the extraordinary mysteries of grey matter – even as hers betrays her. By Kermit Pattison
4
Opinion | It’s time to tell it how it is: Trump has fascist instincts
Those who know him best use the F-word to describe the former president. Every warning light is flashing red, argues Jonathan Freedland
5
Culture | The intersection of art and war in Ukraine
Poets, artists, playwrights and musicians are fighting and dying in Ukraine, and their work is capturing the horror and emotion of the conflict, finds Charlotte Higgins
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What else we’ve been reading
If school holidays or bad weather sparks a need for indoor activities, get out your games. Tim Clarke’s piece on how games can change your life reminds us that there may be health benefits, but the biggest reason to play is that it’s fun and you can!
Neil Willis, production editor
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Other highlights from the Guardian website
• Audio | US politics: why Elon Musk needs Donald Trump to win
• Video | What went wrong for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United?
• Gallery | Web designers: tiny ‘peacock spiders’ depicted in all their glory
• Interactive | US presidential polls tracker: Trump v Harris latest national averages
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