We discuss some results related to a phase transition model in which the potential energy induced by a double-well function is balanced by a fractional elastic energy. In particular, we present asymptotic results (such as GG -convergence, energy bounds and density estimates for level sets), flatness and rigidity results, and the construction of planelike minimizers in periodic media. Finally, we consider a nonlocal equation with a multiwell potential, motivated by models arising in crystal dislocations, and we construct orbits exhibiting symbolic dynamics, inspired by some classical results by Paul Rabinowitz.