Iranโs gamble of subsidy reform during protests
Iran is attempting to reform its subsidy regime in the middle of its most combustible protest cycle in years.
Weekly Newsletter
Sign up to the 5-minute global briefing trusted by diplomats, policymakers and executives operating in the world's most complex regions.
Advanced Reporting
Access expert reporting, country forecasts, situation reports, scenario mapping and field data on high-impact regions and industries.
Learn more
Meet the team, see our methodology and find out why we believe itโs time to rethink how news and analysis about geopolitics are produced.
Exclusive to subscribers
Subscribe for free
Iranโs gamble of subsidy reform during protests
Iran is attempting to reform its subsidy regime in the middle of its most combustible protest cycle in years.
Why Gulf states need a unified foreign policy approach
Without a common foreign policy goal, the Gulf states have engaged in trivial rivalries that have carried serious security and human costs for the region. It's time to rethink that approach.
Libya 2026: A clash of competing visions
Facing growing economic, political, and security challenges, Libya is on the verge of a new status quo. What that will look like, however, remains unclear as domestic and international actors compete over the countryโs future.
Is Iran shielding the state or its people?
Iran is navigating a prolonged period of structural strain in which economic fragility, energy imbalances, and deep social change increasingly intersect.
The strategic sectors Russia wonโt surrender
Despite intense Western sanctions, Russia has been able to maintain both arms and nuclear energy exports in an effort to sustain its economy.
Is Ahmed al-Sharaa redefining the geopolitical chessboard?
The now-iconic Washington Post photograph of Ahmed al-Sharaa calmly contemplating a chessboard during his visit to Washington reflects the strategy that has defined his rise: a blend of calculation, patience and a willingness to play a long game with pieces others assumed were unwinnable.
How Rabat built a global case for Western Sahara
Resolution 2797 has been a crowning achievement for Morocco's diplomatic efforts to advocate for its control over the Western Sahara and could reshape North Africa's political dynamics.
How Washington is redefining Pakistanโs critical minerals value chain
Pakistan offers a node between Gulf capital, American technology, and the resource-hungry Indo-Pacific for the worldโs few most critical minerals
North Africa
See all
The networks behind Libyaโs instability
Through corruption and opportunism, 111st Brigade commander Abdulsalam al-Zoubi has recently become a dominant figure in western Libya, but in the country's cyclical politics of violence, it's unclear how long heย couldย remain.
Middle East
See all
What comes after Yemen's southern takeover?
The capture of southern Yemen by separatist forces has altered the dynamics of the countryโs long-festering civil war. Rising tensions among both rivals and allies now threaten either a renewed outbreak of fighting or a continuation of prolonged stagnation.
Iran
See all
Iranโs gamble of subsidy reform during protests
Iran is attempting to reform its subsidy regime in the middle of its most combustible protest cycle in years.
United States
See all
Is Ahmed al-Sharaa redefining the geopolitical chessboard?
The now-iconic Washington Post photograph of Ahmed al-Sharaa calmly contemplating a chessboard during his visit to Washington reflects the strategy that has defined his rise: a blend of calculation, patience and a willingness to play a long game with pieces others assumed were unwinnable.
International Affairs
See all
Why Gulf states need a unified foreign policy approach
Without a common foreign policy goal, the Gulf states have engaged in trivial rivalries that have carried serious security and human costs for the region. It's time to rethink that approach.
Defense & Security
See all
What comes after Yemen's southern takeover?
The capture of southern Yemen by separatist forces has altered the dynamics of the countryโs long-festering civil war. Rising tensions among both rivals and allies now threaten either a renewed outbreak of fighting or a continuation of prolonged stagnation.
Economy & Trade
See all
Iranโs gamble of subsidy reform during protests
Iran is attempting to reform its subsidy regime in the middle of its most combustible protest cycle in years.
Our writers
See all
Oliver Crowley
Oliver is a co-founder and editor of The Geopolitical Desk. He writes our flagship weekly newsletter, drawing on years of fieldwork in the Middle East and North Africa. His approach blends local insight with clear, evidence-driven reporting.
All articlesNewsletters
From our partners
Navigating Gulf markets through the eyes of a veteran investor
In this interview, investor and advisor Munder Shuhumi breaks down the opportunities and risks facing foreign investors in the GCC. From Saudi Arabiaโs Vision 2030 to navigating local partnerships and due diligence, Shuhumi shares essential insights on doing business in the Gulf.
