Dear Reader,

The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has prompted fundamental questions about the future of Western foreign policy, with America stepping back from its usual role on the world stage. For Allister Heath, the crisis confirms that the era of US dominance is over. Racked with self-doubt, US elites have lost their faith in once-formative values like capitalism, democracy and even the American dream itself.

Back in Westminster, the Government is facing extreme pressure to reform the pensions triple lock. Some argue that major rises are unjustifiable at a time of economic uncertainty. However, as Jessica Beard sets out, British pensioners are suffering from one of the worst deals in the developed world. Here's how we're lagging so far behind.

The actor Daniel Craig caused a stir this week when he said it would be 'distasteful' to leave an inheritance for his children. But he is just one of many celebrities and plutocrats to withhold vast fortunes from their offspring. Miranda Levy takes us on a tour of the SKI club (parents who “Spend their Kids' Inheritance”), featuring the likes of Sting, Nigella Lawson and Bill Gates, and finds out how it feels to be disinherited.

(Stay up to date with the latest family talking points and advice with our free Parenting newsletter.)

A new study from the University of Oxford suggests that the arrival of the delta variant has changed our working assumptions about Covid-19. Vaccinated people now carry the same viral load as the unvaccinated, researchers found, despite studies of other variants showing far lower levels for those who had been double jabbed. This could be a game-changing development which undermines many of the Government’s strategies.

Chris

PS: For just 1, get three months of unlimited access to The Telegraph's website and app in our summer sale. Subscribe and start your free trial here.

My Choices

We hope you enjoyed our newsletter. If you have questions or feedback, please visit our help page. If you have questions about your Telegraph subscription, including delivery issues or technical ones, please visit this page and contact us that way.

If you would like a letter to the Editor published in The Telegraph, email it to dtletters@telegraph.co.uk. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers.