International Affairs - The Geopolitical Desk (Page 7)

What is the point of the UN Support Mission in Libya?

In recent years, UNSMIL has failed to provide meaningful leadership, allowing Libya’s political crisis to deepen with no clear path forward. While it has thus far fallen short of its mandate, it still retains the opportunity to recalibrate, though time and public confidence are running out.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 4 Aug 2025

Iran’s strategic drift and Israel’s unfinished war

While the regional landscape remains volatile, this report outlines several pragmatic recommendations that could help Iran navigate its way out of the current quagmire through diplomatic recalibration, strategic restraint, and internal realignment.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 31 Jul 2025

Iran’s strategic drift and Israel’s unfinished war

The Gulf’s strategic pivot after the Israel-Iran war

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 30 Jul 2025

The Gulf’s strategic pivot after the Israel-Iran war

What really happened in Suwayda?

A ten-day episode of fighting erupted across Suwayda, in southern Syria, on July 12. What began as a local clash between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin tribal armed groups quickly spiraled into a full-scale tribal war on a national level.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 24 Jul 2025

Regaining Europe’s neutrality towards Iran

Europe’s current Iran policy is confused, reactive and counterproductive. This special report outlines the shortcomings of current policy, identifies opportunities for realignment and recommends specific steps ahead of the July 25 Istanbul meeting to restore Europe’s credibility and influence.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 24 Jul 2025

Regaining Europe’s neutrality towards Iran

Trump envoy to begin Maghreb tour as US pushes for diplomatic reset in North Africa

EXCLUSIVE – Massad Boulos, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Presidential Advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs, is preparing to embark on a tour of the Maghreb in the coming days.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 20 Jul 2025

Trump envoy to begin Maghreb tour as US pushes for diplomatic reset in North Africa

Egypt mediates between Libyan and Sudanese armies

The growing regional prominence of the Libyan National Army (LNA) has led Egypt to seek a stronger relationship with al-Rajma in order to address the geopolitical concerns of Cairo.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 19 Jul 2025

Egypt mediates between Libyan and Sudanese armies

Washington’s evolving policy and the tribal balance in northeast Syria

With the overthrow of Bashar al‑Assad on December 8, 2024, the diplomatic cards in Syria have been completely reshuffled, ushering in a new phase of uncertainty and opportunity. In this context, the United States is subtly but significantly recalibrating its posture in northeast Syria.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 17 Jul 2025

Washington’s evolving policy and the tribal balance in northeast Syria

Did Iran's military strike a new status quo or get knocked-out?

Despite sustaining major damage in its recent conflict with Israel, Iran played its weak card well and is now seeking to reinforce deterrence and preserve regime survival.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 1 Jul 2025

Did Iran's military strike a new status quo or get knocked-out?

Iranian politics between tracking “domestic traitors” and crystallising unity

Amid mass arrests and a sweeping search for internal enemies, Iran’s leadership is doubling down on national unity. With questions swirling around succession and the regime’s survival instincts, this piece explores how Iran is managing post-conflict uncertainty.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 1 Jul 2025

Iranian politics between tracking “domestic traitors” and crystallising unity

Playing a weaker hand? Iran's strategic recalibration for nuclear talks

Tehran is weighing diplomacy against strategic ambiguity, seeking to revive nuclear negotiations, rally the Global South and preserve regime survival without surrendering core redlines.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 30 Jun 2025

Assessing the risks of state collapse in Iran

State collapse in Iran may not be the most likely outcome of the current war with Israel, but U.S. involvement and attempts at regime change could lead this way, thus triggering serious regional instability.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 24 Jun 2025