International Affairs - The Geopolitical Desk (Page 2)

A closed deal doesn’t mean an open strait

While many hope the U.S. and Iran are now aligned in regards to opening the strait, the reality is both countries have created two different realities that they refuse to compromise.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 16 Jun 2026

A closed deal doesn’t mean an open strait

From shining city to fortress: America against its own order

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 12 May 2026

From shining city to fortress: America against its own order

How the Iran war could redefine Iraq's fragile state

Iraq has long found itself in an uncomfortable position between its two main international partners, Iran and the United States. It has managed to maintain a delicate balance, but the current conflict threatens to upend that equilibrium.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 26 Apr 2026

How the Iran war could redefine Iraq's fragile state

The realist who saw the end of the Middle East coming

Mohammed Soliman predicted the Middle East's transformation before the Iran war made it impossible to ignore. In this interview, the engineer-turned-strategist explains why the region is now "West Asia" and why that distinction matters for Europe, India and the future of AI infrastructure.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 1 Apr 2026

The realist who saw the end of the Middle East coming

Could Mahmoud Hamza be next under Washington’s new anti-Islamist sanctions drive?

The Trump administration’s decision to designate key Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist organisations is not just another sanctions move. It marks a structural shift in how Washington approaches political Islam, and more importantly, how it intends to use that framework as a geopolitical tool.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 18 Mar 2026

Could Mahmoud Hamza be next under Washington’s new anti-Islamist sanctions drive?

Saudi’s growing role in U.S. entertainment

Riyadh's growing investment in the sector is helping establish the kingdom as a global player, while strengthening its domestic capabilities.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 17 Mar 2026

Saudi’s growing role in U.S. entertainment

Israel may be preparing to annex parts of southern Lebanon

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 17 Mar 2026

Israel may be preparing to annex parts of southern Lebanon

Power struggle inside Trump’s foreign policy team as Witkoff eyes North Africa

U.S. officials are discussing transferring the North Africa portfolio from Massad Boulos to Trump confidant Steve Witkoff as Washington grows frustrated with stalled diplomacy across Libya, Sudan and the Morocco-Algeria dispute, according to multiple American and regional sources.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 17 Mar 2026

Power struggle inside Trump’s foreign policy team as Witkoff eyes North Africa

Khamenei is dead, long live Khamenei: Iran’s regime after wartime succession

The death of Ali Khamenei was expected to shake the Islamic Republic. Instead, Iran’s wartime succession and the rise of Mojtaba Khamenei reveal a regime that remains cohesive under pressure. National mobilisation, institutional loyalty and war dynamics may reinforce rather than weaken the system.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 9 Mar 2026

Khamenei is dead, long live Khamenei: Iran’s regime after wartime succession

What are the conditions for a ceasefire in the U.S.–Israel war on Iran?

Despite intensifying strikes, the Iran war may still move toward a ceasefire. Energy market pressure, Gulf diplomacy, Iranian missile capabilities, succession politics in Tehran and Washington’s strategic choices will determine whether the conflict widens or stabilises.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 8 Mar 2026

What are the conditions for a ceasefire in the U.S.–Israel war on Iran?

Iran’s escalation scenarios: how the war could disrupt oil, shipping and global aviation

The war on Iran is entering a dangerous phase. From disruption in the Strait of Hormuz to potential attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and aviation hubs, several scenarios could shake global oil markets, shipping routes and regional security across West Asia.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 7 Mar 2026

Iran’s escalation scenarios: how the war could disrupt oil, shipping and global aviation

Why escalation may be Iran’s only working strategy

While the U.S. and Israel have a dizzying array of strategic goals, ranging from Iran’s military weakening, change within the regime and regime change, Iran simultaneously follows two broad approaches which aim at forcing the U.S. to throw in the towel and allowing the Islamic Republic to survive.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 7 Mar 2026

Why escalation may be Iran’s only working strategy