Economics

Dimitra Staikou As Henry Kissinger once observed, diplomacy is ultimately the art of limiting power. In Pakistan’s case, however, the late-March 2026 ceasefire between the United States and Iran did not demonstrate diplomatic strength—it exposed its limits. Rather than shaping outcomes, Islamabad revealed that it lacks both the …

Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh Behind the sealed doors of Islamabad, the negotiations between the United States and Iran were never about drafting a mere “agreement.” What unfolded was something far more intricate—an extension of conflict itself, reconfigured into the language of diplomacy. Public imagination, ever hungry for binary conclusions, …

Top U. S. and Iranian officials met in Islamabad to discuss ending their ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has caused significant harm. Key topics include Iran’s demand for a ceasefire in Lebanon, where fighting has resulted in nearly 2,000 fatalities among Hezbollah militants since March. Iran …

Top finance officials from around the world are meeting in Washington this week due to the impacts of the ongoing war in the Middle East, which follows the disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World …

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the U. S. Navy would begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following unsuccessful talks with Iran, endangering a fragile two-week ceasefire. Trump stated that the Navy would take action against vessels in international waters that had paid Iran a …

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. …

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 …