Russia-CIS

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 …

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 …

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 …

Donald Trump’s war on Iran has done what imperial wars often do. It has stripped the familiar vocabulary to the bone. The old words are still there, of course. Security. Stability. Deterrence. Order. But they no longer conceal very much. When a president threatens to wreck power plants, …

In this interview, Pradeep S. Mehta, discusses and reviews further a number of questions that emerged during the four-day conference in Cameroon. Delegates attend the World Trade Organisation (WTO) 14th ministerial meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 28, 2026. WTO/Handout via REUTERS The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World …

The Iran War has tightened global gas markets, but Russia no longer has the flexibility, routes, or market power to turn turmoil into strategic gain. When the Iran War disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and tightened global gas balances, a familiar assumption quickly resurfaced: Russia, possessing the largest proven natural gas …

Italy has refused permission for U.S. military aircraft to use a key air base in Sicily for operations linked to the Middle East, according to a source familiar with the matter. The decision concerns the Naval Air Station Sigonella, a strategic hub frequently used for NATO and U.S. …