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 …

A Ceasefire Built on Shifting Ground It is impossible to assert with confidence that the temporary ceasefire between Washington and Tehran will hold in the coming period, or that Israel’s claimed adherence to it will remain intact. The agreement itself is already contested in its interpretation, with conflicting …

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 …

Mohammed Ayoob The Iran War is the final nail in the coffin of the post-World War II global order. The Iran War, which began on February 28, 2026, will be debated for years over strategy, escalation, and regional effects. But one of its most enduring consequences may lie …

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 …

Nearly six weeks of war in Iran have ended with President Trump claiming victory, but the ceasefire has solidified the power of Iran’s radical government, which controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global energy. Analysts believe this conflict will be seen as a major …