Middle East & Africa
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,...
Quiet talks, loud guns: The shifting momentum toward US-Iran conflict
Iran and the United States are moving closer to military conflict as diplomatic efforts regarding Tehran’s nuclear program appear to be failing. Officials from...
Iran Between Resistance and Reintegration: A Geopolitical Turning Point
Almost fifty years after the revolution in 1979 that changed the political landscape of Iran, Iran is at the crossroads of its history, which...
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei: How the 86-Year-Old Confronts His Greatest Crisis Yet
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled Iran since 1989, exercising ultimate authority over all branches of government, the military, and the judiciary. With decades of...
China rejects US militarization of Middle East, responds to Iranian threat on Jordan base
In mid-February 2026, Iranian media outlets and channels published a video documenting details of the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Zarqa, northern Jordan, from...