Asia Pacific

Iran’s new protocol for the Strait of Hormuz is not a normal maritime regulation. It is a wartime instrument being repackaged as a postwar order. The Reuters report on the ceasefire bargain, the Reuters report on Tehran’s preconditions, and the Reuters report on the Islamabad talks all point …

Xi Jinping has called for the international rule of law to be upheld in the Middle East, in a pointed critique of the ongoing Iran war involving the United States and Israel. Speaking during a meeting in Beijing with Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Xi warned …

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 …

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 shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz exposes global energy vulnerabilities that have triggered price shocks, food risks, and supply disruptions.   The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has abruptly severed a fifth of global oil and LNG supply. Beyond spiking energy prices, a supply chain shock …

Eric Alter So far, attempts to negotiate a comprehensive US-Iran agreement have been stymied by maximalist demands. According to most reports, diplomatic efforts to end the Iran War have fizzled out. Iran appears to have ended indirect negotiations, following President Donald Trump’s ominous and demented threats to destroy …

Michael D. Swaine Continued clashes in the Middle East could seriously destabilize US-China relations and lead to confrontation in the Taiwan Strait. The now-paused war in Iran obviously has huge implications for peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond. Among these, the impact of the conflict on the …

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 …