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Global Affairs
Connectivity
Rubio Yerevan visit advances coordination on TRIPP Corridor and Critical Minerals
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s May 26 Yerevan stopover, en route from his recent India visit, was one of the highest-level senior level...
Iran
Iran framework deal emerging but more time required
In the middle of America's long Memorial Day weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump himself announced on May 23 that a peace deal is "largely...
Cuba
U.S. continues choking off the support lifeline for Cuba
Under unrelenting U.S. economic pressure, the Cuban economy in the first five months of 2026 has deteriorated into what many observers describe as the...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
IMEC’s Corridor of Letters
In February 2026, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones presented investors with a map titled “APSEZ rejuvenates India’s historic trade routes.” The phrase is...
China
China hosts Trump: High scores on ceremony but modest deliverables
No one should be surprised that U.S. President Donald Trump’s China visit on May 13-15 had a heavy focus on ceremony and symbolic messaging,...
Africa
France, African leaders vow to boost investment, face global challenges together
At a time of global geopolitical competition, France co-hosted the two-day Africa Forward summit on May 11-12 in Nairobi, Kenya, where French President Emmanuel...
Europe & Eurasia
European Political Community summit advances connectivity, energy security
At a time of profound geopolitical transformation, the eighth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) on May 4 brought together leaders from across...
Sanctions and related policies
U.S. powers up Iran sanctions programs
The U.S. Treasury Department, under its new program called “Economic Fury,” announced in rapid succession five sets of fresh Iran sanctions beginning on April...
The Middle East
Another Gaza flotilla intercepted amid controversy
Nearly 200 pro-Palestinian activists aboard boats allegedly carrying aid bound for Gaza were taken to the Greek island of Crete on May 1 after...
Oil & Gas
Unhappy with OPEC strategy, UAE withdraws from oil cartel
After nearly 60 years of membership, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on April 28 its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the...
Global Economy
IMF warns of global downturn risk from continuing Iran conflict
It should surprise no one that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - World Bank Spring meetings in Washington D.C. on April 13–18 were overshadowed...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Social media giants found liable for child addiction: What happens next?
On March 25, a Los Angeles jury delivered a judgment poised to reshape the social media landscape for years to come. After nine intense...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Maintaining the Port of Aqaba with IMEC Transit Fees
In early 2026, an Israeli official discussing the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) described Jordan’s concern that IMEC could divert cargo from the Port...
Global Energy Supplies
Hormuz shutdown deepens energy crisis in Asia
The Iran War and the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz is disrupting global oil and gas supplies, creating a major energy shock...
Space Exploration and Utilization
Artemis II astronauts back to earth after NASA historic moon mission
Ending a nearly 10-day journey, the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century returned to earth April 10...
Global Energy Supplies
OPEC+ countries agree to increase production, raise concern over energy infrastructure attacks
Eight countries from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, known as OPEC+, agreed on April 5 to a supply...
Freedom of Navigation
Intensive diplomacy focused on reopening Strait of Hormuz
Over the past week (March 30 - April 6) intensive diplomacy centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed in retaliation for...
Global Energy Supplies
EU calls for coordinated action to mitigate the impact of high energy prices
As the Iran war enters its second month, EU energy ministers discussed on March 31 a coordinated response to protect EU citizens and industries...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Turkmenistan is finally in the right place at the right time
Turkmenistan has for decades talked about making much greater use of its vast gas reserves to both expand export volumes and to diversify its...
Global Energy Supplies
IEA issues global energy shock warning
The war in the Middle East, the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy facilities is creating an oil shock...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
How should Europe weather a perfect storm?
The world is in chaos, with the situation changing by the minute. As I write, President Trump has announced a deal with the Ayatollah,...
Sanctions and related policies
U.S. waiver for Russia oil sanctions brings dismay, not price stability
On March 12, the United States temporarily waived existing sanctions on Russian oil that is already at sea, allowing it to be delivered to...
Oil & Gas
IEA to carry out stock release as Middle East war disrupts markets
As the war in the Middle East disrupts global oil and gas supplies leading to skyrocketing prices, the 32 Member countries of the International...
Transport
U.S. launches maritime reinsurance plan to reopen Persian Gulf shipping
The Trump administration’s March 6 plan to reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will require some time before it can be activated and...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Qatar drives dialogue and innovation in driverless e-Mobility
Set to host the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum in Doha this September, Qatar continues to get ready for showcasing the latest in and around sustainable...
Energy
With Middle East war underway, Southern Gas Corridor reinforces EU energy security
The European Union and Azerbaijan reconfirmed their strategic energy partnership this week in Baku as the EU continues to reduce its dependencies on Russian...
The Middle East
Economic shockwaves multiply as Iran war spreads
The United States' and Israel's ongoing major combat operations against Iran/Lebanon and the Islamic Republic’s indiscriminate strikes across the Middle East are escalating tensions...
The Middle East
Powerful opening salvo marks determined U.S. and Israeli strike on Iran
On February 28, a carefully coordinated American and Israeli attack on Iran -- which has for decades been calling for the destruction of both...
Minerals, Mining and Rare Earths
Uzbekistan, U.S. to jointly develop critical minerals, infrastructure, energy
Aiming to strengthen critical supply chains and drive economic growth, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has announced a historic collaboration with the...
Trade
Liberation Day tariffs overturned as flagship U.S. trade policy damaged
It was not unexpected. Warnings had been coming for months that U.S. President Donald Trump’s flagship “Liberation Day” tariffs announced last April were simply...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
The global economic tectonic plates are moving. So, what could this mean?
Love him or hate him, U.S. President Donald Trump will go down in history as the great disruptor, having completely shaken up the established...
Defense & Security
Transatlantic security relationship evolving after Munich conference
This year’s Munich Security Conference (MSC 2026) ran from February 13-15, traditionally held over the weekend. Running for three intense days, it was significantly...
Emissions targets and regulations
U.S. EPA retreats from global commitments on climate
In a sweeping climate change policy rollback, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cancelled an Obama-era scientific finding that carbon dioxide and other...
Defense & Security
Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Meeting on Syria and Iraq
On February 9, 2026, senior diplomatic and defense officials from the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS/Daesh convened in Riyadh at a meeting of the...
Minerals, Mining and Rare Earths
U.S. moves to counter Chinese dominance in critical minerals
The United States hosted the first-ever Critical Minerals Ministerial at the State Department in Washington on February 4, bringing together ministers and senior officials...
Sanctions and related policies
New U.S. Iran sanctions for recent violent repression and corruption
After the reimposition of United Nations “snapback” sanctions on Iran on September 27, 2025, in connection with unfulfilled Iranian nuclear program control and inspection...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Why the EU–India trade deal marks a strategic turning point
The Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore once said that you cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. The importance...
Global Economy
Davos 2026 — threats, climbdowns and false constructs
The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (#WEF26) convened nearly 3,000 leaders from government, business, civil society and academia under the theme...
Global Energy Supplies
Venezuelan, Iranian oil disruptions unlikely to redefine oil market trajectory
The recent U.S. actions in Venezuela and the volatile situation in Iran as the government cracks down on demonstrations currently appear to have limited...
The Negroni Diaries
Another Trump Iran pronouncement – tariff details to follow
In typical Trump style, U.S. President Donald Trump’s January 12 announcement of stiff new tariffs on Iran’s trading partners was devoid of almost all...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
EU-Mercosur: a positive step away from the folly of isolationism
It is often said that pursuing protectionism is just like locking one's self in a dark room: wind and rain might be kept out,...
International Organizations
U.S. plans to exit dozens of international organizations
Following on U.S. President Donald Trump’s highly political decisions in early 2025 to withdraw the United States from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate...
Sanctions and related policies
Venezuela: Seizures, sanctions and now a U.S. oil blockade
Amid increasing tension between the U.S. and Venezuela with new U.S. economic sanctions announced on December 11 and the U.S. military’s seizure of the...
Artificial Intelligence - AI
U.S. launches “Pax Silica” initiative to unleash AI potential
Aiming to unite the countries that host the world’s most advanced technology companies to unleash the economic potential of the new AI age, Under...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Australia’s under-16 social media ban: A new blueprint for global digital regulation?
Australia steps first -- now the question is which governments will follow and how far they will emulate Australia’s experiment. For the first time,...
Connectivity
A new EU and U.S. critical minerals project takes shape along the Lobito corridor
Despite Trump-fueled spats with the EU occurring regularly, key decision makers on both sides of the Atlantic have agreed on a joint declaration to...
Global Economy
Washington takes the reins of the G20 for 2026
Starting on December 1, the United States took the reins of the Group of 20 major economies (G20) for the first time since 2009,...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Mining in Iran: A problem that affects the oppressed Azerbaijani population
Two noteworthy events took place between late October and November. In late October, the head of the Iran Mine House, Mohammad Reza Bahraman, said,...
Environment
Stronger EU Arctic strategy needed to counter Russia and China
As the Arctic region is becoming a key geopolitical hotspot, the European Union needs to strengthen cooperation with its NATO allies to contain Russian...
Libya
Ten country statement on Libya stresses potential for unification
A strong, unified Libya is in everyone’s interest. A significant number of major powers have come together to emphasize an important new opportunity for...
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