Economics

The signing of the Wadi Araba Peace Treaty in 1994 between Jordan and Israel marked a historic moment that appeared to promise stability in a turbulent region. The treaty, which made Jordan the second Arab country to establish official ties with Israel, resolved border and water disputes and …

As Voltaire noted, “History is replete with the sound of silken slippers (the US being the dominant strategic and economic power) going downstairs and wooden shoes (the rise of the rest) coming up.” The stage looks set for a new competition for power between the United States and …

Since 2023, the world has been navigating a balanced phase in a new economic transition model. This global shift influences energy transitions, food systems, and the interconnected realms of geopolitics and military strategy. Beginning in 2000, and more prominently between 2011 and 2022, the economic transition followed a …

Russia is redefining its strategy in Southeast Asia with renewed attention to energy cooperation, technology transfer, and multilateral cooperation. The adoption of new engagement protocols in 2025 is an expression of Russia’s desire to boost its influence in Southeast Asia through partnerships that resonate with the region’s evolving …

President Donald Trump’s first overseas trip of his second term included visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—notably excluding Israel. The trip was framed as an opportunity to secure economic deals, strengthen U.S.-Gulf partnerships, and advance Trump’s signature foreign policy achievement from his first …

On May 13, 2025, in a surprise announcement during his first post-inauguration Gulf tour, President Donald Trump declared that he will be “ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness.” The venue — the Saudi–U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh — …

In December 2024, history recorded the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria when Russian support should have been at its peak. Over the past three years, Moscow confidently implemented a new strategy in Syria by replacing regular troops with the Wagner Group and securing influence through …

As China and the European Union (EU) mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the global geopolitical landscape presents both a challenge and an opportunity for a deeper, more meaningful partnership between the two. Recent gestures of goodwill from both sides suggest a thaw in what has, …

What happens when the world’s oldest traditions are combined with cutting-edge digital technologies? Faith and diplomacy could just discover their next revolution. In the not-too-distant past, religious leaders had to travel across boundaries to address their people. Today, they use social media platforms, AI-powered assistants, and virtual services …