Economics

In just five months, Syria’s Banyas port has been transformed into a new outlet for Iraqi energy. In April 2026, Baghdad began moving fuel oil through Syria for export from the Mediterranean. By September, it was using the same route in reverse — importing gasoline through Baniyas and …

By Asia Al-Atrous Two developments surrounding last week’s summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping passed with relatively little attention amid the spectacle of the state visit. The first was the decision by Washington and Beijing to extend their fragile trade truce for another …

 Dr. Mohammad Hassan Kahat When the last American soldier leaves Iraqi territory, the complex questions that made the US military presence both a security necessity and a political taboo do not leave with him. Washington’s announcement on September 30 that its withdrawal is complete ends a long military …

Dr. Bassam Rubein Jordan today cannot afford the luxury of pleasantries, nor can it bear the continued deferral of crises or the persistent practice of rotating figures who have already proven, through experience, their inadequacy in managing certain national and economic files. The challenges facing the national economy …

Dr. Sanaa Al-Husseini Foreign policy is not usually the main factor determining how Americans vote in midterm elections. But the 2026 cycle looks different, with the fallout of foreign crises now intersecting with domestic concerns. The issues raised by candidates in both parties, the results of the primaries, …

By Dan Steinbock  Following October 7, 2023, the Hamas-led offensive has been portrayed as “Israel’s 9/11,” which came out of the blue. That’s not supported by facts. The Netanyahu cabinet knew about the attack, in advance. In his fiery speech to the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister …

Neither courting Washington, diversifying security partnerships nor maintaining discreet channels with Tehran can fully shield the Gulf from the consequences of war. As the conflict with Iran continues, the six Gulf Cooperation Council states—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—find themselves facing an increasingly …

At first glance, Israel’s current political scene may look like the familiar turbulence that precedes a Knesset election. As voting day approaches on October 27, political rhetoric intensifies, parties sharpen their attacks, and campaigns increasingly appeal to some of the most sensitive instincts among voters. Fear, security, national …

Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh The U.S.–Iran confrontation has entered a phase in which military power alone is no longer sufficient to determine the course—or the end—of the war. After months of strikes, economic pressure, and disruption to shipping in the Gulf, the conflict is increasingly revolving around a different …