World
Millions will go hungry if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed
Closing the Strait of Hormuz threatens a global food crisis by spiking fuel and fertilizer costs, which reduces crop yields and inflates prices, potentially starving millions.
If it starts, a nuclear-arms race will be unstoppable
The IAEA director warns that initiating a nuclear-arms race is irreversible. Once started, escalation becomes inevitable and unstoppable.
Hospitals are stuck in a deadly doom loop
Hospitals remain trapped in a fatal downward spiral, never fully recovering from the pandemic's impact.
When emigration helps bad rulers survive
New research links mass emigration to global democratic backsliding, suggesting migration patterns may inadvertently support authoritarian regimes.
How Africa is changing Catholicism
Africa’s growing Catholic population is shifting the Church’s center of gravity from Europe, creating a more complex, less predictable global landscape.
Hurricane Trump threatens to blow China off course
China’s leadership lacks consensus on who will win the Iran conflict. This internal disagreement highlights uncertainty amid regional tensions and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The War Room newsletter: The war that shaped modern Iran
Richard Cockett argues the 1980s Iran-Iraq war offers critical insights relevant to understanding contemporary Iran.
The future of Africa will be shaped by investment rather than aid
Foreign and African enterprises are driving Africa’s future through investment, not aid. This shift provides valid grounds for optimism on the continent.
America’s failing gunboat diplomacy
Trump’s bafflement mirrors outdated imperialism, signaling the collapse of America’s ineffective gunboat diplomacy.
Gulf states are burning through interceptors
Gulf states are rapidly depleting missile defense stockpiles at rates exceeding Ukraine's, placing their interceptors under intense strain.
How America and Israel built vast military targeting machines
The US and Israel are leveraging software to rapidly build vast military targeting systems. This technology accelerates the identification of potential strike locations, enhancing their operational capabilities.
India has much to lose from a world in chaos
India’s confidence in managing an unpredictable America has faded. It now faces significant risks in a chaotic global landscape.
Can Ukraine help defeat Iran’s drone swarms?
Thousands of Shahed drones are striking the Gulf. This raises questions about whether Ukraine’s expertise can help counter these Iranian drone swarms.
Binyamin Netanyahu is the big winner from the Iran war, for now
Western allies align with Israel’s Iran war narrative to avoid clashing with Trump, positioning Netanyahu as the primary beneficiary for now.
The War Room newsletter:Â Do ceasefires actually work?
Richard Cockett examines the feasibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine, questioning whether such agreements can truly succeed in ending the conflict.
Who speaks for the Muslim world?
Amidst many contenders, Turkey’s president emerges as the leading voice for the Muslim world.
A stay-calm plan to save the world
Few leaders match Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s pragmatism. This steadfast blueprint offers a calm plan to save the world.
The War Room newsletter: What is Donald Trump’s aim for Iran?
Defense editor Shashank Joshi examines Donald Trump’s potential strategies and objectives regarding Iran in The War Room newsletter.
Donald Trump’s envoys failed to reassure Europe
Trump’s envoys failed to reassure European leaders in Munich, highlighting a collapse of trust. His representatives could not allay growing concerns among allies, underscoring deep diplomatic rifts.
The Robin Hood state is coming for the rich
The article argues that tax systems are more progressive than perceived, suggesting a "Robin Hood" state is increasingly targeting the wealthy.