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The war in the Middle East is driving major disruptions in global energy markets and risks worsening food insecurity, particularly in low-income, import-dependent countries, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group (WBG), and the World Food Program (WFP) warned Wednesday. In a joint statement, the institutions …

After 40 days of sustained military confrontation that pushed the region to the brink of a broader Middle Eastern war—and threatened a global energy shock—the United States and Iran announced, on April 8, 2026, a ceasefire agreement mediated by Pakistan. The deal includes a two-week suspension of hostilities …

Amelie Shawn Some ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz after the ceasefire. April 8, 2026 (Shadi Al-Asaar/Anadolu) The Strait of Hormuz will remain the world’s central energy artery and the essential outlet for global oil and gas exports. It is a critical maritime chokepoint through which more …

Susan Al-Makahleh The story of American manufacturing is no longer just about competition with China. It is about something more subtle—and arguably more consequential. The real shift is happening closer to home, in Mexico, where a new industrial ecosystem is emerging, one that quietly blends Mexican labor, Chinese …

Greg Priddy President Donald Trump needs to choose a new, experienced special envoy to manage negotiations with Iran. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire with Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday evening left many analysts with more questions than answers, as it …

By Dr. Mustafa Al-Tal In a regional moment defined by calculated ambiguity and calibrated tension, ceasefires are no longer mere pauses in hostilities—they have evolved into strategic instruments for managing conflict. The so-called “two-week truce” between the United States and Iran is no exception. Rather, it is a …

The political leaders of Israel are overseeing a dramatic radicalisation of Israeli society.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fostered a culture that is damaging for Israeli citizens themselves and is at risk of isolating Israel internationally. Actions taken at the executive level and policy-implementation level are at danger …

The ongoing confrontation between the US and Iran is also setting a stage for some novel norms of warfare – those that are less visible and transformative in nature. The emergence of the nuclear age is its best manifestation. The United States for the first time in history, …

Donald Trump’s war on Iran has done what imperial wars often do. It has stripped the familiar vocabulary to the bone. The old words are still there, of course. Security. Stability. Deterrence. Order. But they no longer conceal very much. When a president threatens to wreck power plants, …