REGIONS

Dr. Dan Steinbock At the peak of the crisis, oil surged to $110–116/bbl. But it remains volatile at $90–100 after ceasefire pause. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) took an even harder hit. Oil price surged more than 50%, but LNG soared as much as 143% – a 3-year high. …

The U. S. and Iran did not reach an agreement to end their ongoing war after lengthy talks in Islamabad, which raised concerns about the ceasefire. Each side blamed the other for the failure of the 21-hour negotiations, which have resulted in numerous casualties and increased global oil …

Hadi Elis The Tamil people possess one of the world’s oldest continuous cultural and civilizational identities. Historian Michael Wood once described the Tamils as “the last surviving classical civilization on Earth,” noting their remarkable ability to preserve ancient traditions, language, and literature despite centuries of external pressures. Their …

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 …

Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh History rarely repeats itself—but it often rehearses. And sometimes, as Henry Kissinger once understood better than most, it disguises its turning points as technical meetings, obscure channels, and carefully staged ambiguities. In 1972, a quiet backchannel in Islamabad—facilitated through Pakistani intermediaries—helped orchestrate one of the …

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 …

Uwe Bott and Stephan Richter Messrs. Vance, Musk and Thiel deliberately misdirect their claim of “civilizational erasure” solely on Europe.  Their real goal is to distract from the universal challenges. No question, a broad range of Europe’s mature democracies are under assault, not just by wannabe autocrats at …