Middle East & Africa
Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader Who Shaped Iran’s Theocracy Through Four Decades
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for 36 years, transformed the country into a formidable anti-U.S. presence in the Middle East while suppressing domestic...
Who is Ali Larijani, the Influential Power Broker in Tehran
Veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani has become a prominent figure in Iran's security leadership after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei due...
Netanyahu’s ‘Hexagon’: What Modi’s Israel Visit Reveals About Middle East Realignment
When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped off the plane in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, the optics were striking. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu...
Iran and the Limits of Maximum Pressure
As the third and seemingly decisive round of talks in Geneva concluded, the Trump administration had avoided diplomatic deadlock — but only by narrowing...
Russia’s Arctic Allure: How Gulf Tourists Are Powering a New Travel Boom Amid War
In sub-zero temperatures just outside Moscow, husky sleds glide across snow-laden fields carrying visitors from Oman and the United Arab Emirates. For many, it...
Beyond the Rhetoric: The State of Iran’s Military Capabilities
U. S. President Donald Trump, in his State of the Union speech, made a case for a potential attack on Iran, stating he would...
US–Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Geneva Amid Military Tensions
Iran and the United States are set to resume indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva on Thursday, seeking to resolve their long-running dispute over Tehran’s...
Beijing Unveils Competing Vision for Gaza After Rejecting US-Led Initiative
China officially announced in late January 2026 its refusal to join the Board of Peace at the “International Peace Council for the Administration of...
Congo’s Cobalt Curbs Expose China’s Critical Metals Vulnerability
China has long been viewed as the powerhouse of critical minerals, particularly those used in batteries for electric vehicles. In 2024, it accounted for...
From Map Dots to Linchpins: How Small Islands Rewire Indian Ocean Power
Authors: Amna Hashmi and Amina Munir
Geopolitics considered landmass to be destiny for centuries. Empires grew by dominating space; great powers gauged power in boundaries,...