Freedom of Navigation
Global Economy
Economic storm clouds gather as Trump declares Iran ceasefire is over
U.S. President Donald Trump would have dominated the July 7-8 NATO Ankara Summit in almost all circumstances but renewed high intensity U.S. military activity...
Global Economy
U.S. breaks out of its deepening isolation at Évian G7 Summit
The 2026 G7 Summit was held in Évian-les-Bains, France, from 15–17 June. Compared with the more fractious 2025 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, G7 leaders...
Asia & Pacific
Australia, India, Japan, and U.S. tackle Indo-Pacific challenges
In the midst of conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and increased pressure on global supply chains, the Foreign Minister of Australia, the External Affairs Minister of...
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...
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...
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
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,...
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...
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...
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...
Defense & Security
G7 condemns China’s large-scale military drills around Taiwan
In a statement issued on April 6, 2025, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States...
Yemen
Washington targets Houthi leaders for terrorism, Russia ties and weapons procurement
Under U.S. President Donald Trump, there is no ambivalence in Washington regarding the Houthis. Handling all of the statutory requirements required to press the...
Defense & Security
United States-Japan-Philippines inaugural maritime dialogue focuses on Chinese provocations
The United States, Philippines, and Japan raised “serious concerns” over China’s repeated blocking and continuing harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea...
Freedom of Navigation
China’s “dangerous and escalatory” activities against the Philippines in the South China Sea sparks condemnation from Washington
On August 31, the U.S. Department of State issued a strongly worded statement condemning the latest in a series of dangerous and escalatory actions...
The Philippines
Manila rejects Beijing’s South China Sea demands as “absurd”
The Philippine Coast Guard accused its Chinese counterpart on June 7 of blocking efforts to evacuate a sick member of its armed forces in...
Democracy & Human Rights
G7 Italy 2024 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Addressing Global Challenges, Fostering Partnerships
The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the...
Defense & Security
New U.S.-Japan-Philippines Pacific bulwark established
The leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States met in Washington April 11 for the first ever trilateral summit with a deep...
The Philippines
U.S. condemns latest PRC actions in South China Sea as dangerous
Coming just days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Manila (March 19), Washington released on March 23 a strongly worded statement of...
Terrorism
Washington strongly condemns Houthi attacks on shipping
The U.S. State Department issued a strongly worded condemnation of Houthi attacks on international shipping on February 21st, equating many Houthi attacks with piracy.Washington...
Terrorism
US designates Yemen’s Houthis as terrorist organization
The Biden administration announced on January 17 that it is re-designating the Houthis, an Iranian-backed, Yemeni Shia Islamist group, as a terrorist organization. The...
Defense & Security
Joint Statement on the Trilateral United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Indo-Pacific Dialogue
The inaugural Trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue between the United States Japan and South Korea was held on January 5, with this new format presented as...
Defense & Security
Washington strongly supports Manila in latest confrontation with Beijing
After a difficult year in the loosely defined maritime boundary region between China and the Philippines, including vessel collisions and Chinese use of water...
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