iran

Oil tanker and naval destroyer cross the Strait of Hormuz beneath imagery of diplomacy, finance, ports and global trade routes.

Global Public Affairs & Government Relations Weekly Brief

The U.S.–Iran tensions have intensified with military actions and sanctions impacting regional stability. Meanwhile, the U.S.–Venezuela oil agreement raises governance concerns, and China faces pressure at the G20 over trade practices. Europe responds to Russian threats, while the U.S. political landscape shifts ahead of midterm elections.

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Global Public Affairs & Government Relations Weekly Brief

Since August 22, 2026, U.S. sanctions on Iran have intensified, targetting various sectors. A notable oil agreement with Venezuela could shift energy dynamics, while U.S.-Canada trade tensions escalate into retaliatory tariffs. China modifies property financing, and regulatory changes affect tech companies. Europe boosts support for Ukraine and revisits Russian assets discussions.

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Drone flying over industrial storage tanks under a colorful sunset sky

The Shift from Deterrence to Defense: Lessons Learned

This essay analyzes the selective failure of nuclear deterrence observed in the conflicts of 2025 and 2026, highlighting cases in Ukraine, Israel, South Asia, and Iran. It advocates for a shift from deterrence by threat to deterrence by denial, emphasizing resilience and defense while warning against the impulse for nuclear proliferation among anxious allies.

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Lessons from the JCPOA: Coalition Failures and Solutions

Coalitions often fail not due to flawed strategies but because they are viewed as a destination rather than an ongoing practice. Understanding the architecture of coalitions, as demonstrated through the JCPOA and Iran’s resilient alliances, reveals essential principles for durable cooperation. Effective coalitions require depth over breadth, individual commitment, and strategic coherence through long-term planning and adaptive human architecture.

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Chessboard with chess pieces on sand desert with city skyline and oil refinery at sunset

The Impact of Iran’s Erosion on Middle East Stability

The Middle East is undergoing a significant strategic transformation as the bipolar order between Iran and the U.S.-aligned bloc disintegrates. Key events like the 2026 Iran war and the reimposition of UN sanctions have weakened Iran’s proxy network, prompting Gulf states to adopt a hedging strategy and pursue conditional partnerships, fostering a fluid, multipolar environment marked by uncertainty and adaptive policymaking.

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Map of West Africa at night showing country borders illuminated with glowing fiery lines

JNIM Transformation: Threat to Global Security in the Sahel

The security architecture of the Sahel is undergoing a fundamental transformation. In 2024, West Africa accounted for more than half of all terrorism-related deaths globally. Central to this destabilization is the rapid expansion of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). As I recently discussed in an interview with Sky News Arabia, the group is transitioning from

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Naval ships escorting several large commercial oil tankers through a narrow sea passage flanked by rocky brown hills.

Geopolitical Shifts in the Wake of the Gulf Conflict

The 2026 war reshaped the Middle East’s security landscape, highlighting the complex dynamics between Israel, Iran, and the Gulf states. While Israel achieved military objectives against Iran’s nuclear capabilities and proxies, the regime adapted rather than collapsed. The conflict’s ramifications rippled globally, affecting economies beyond the region and revealing the limits of military force in engendering political change.

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Two freight trains with containers traveling on parallel tracks through a desert towards a coastal shipping port and city skyline.

La bataille se joue sur la carte

Il existe un péril singulier dans l’instant où chacun soupire d’aise en même temps. Ce moment précède presque toujours la faute suivante. Et il est en train d’advenir. Dans une douzaine de capitales, la même conclusion confortable durcit : l’Iran est brisé, l’axe est épuisé, la longue épreuve s’achève. La tentation se comprend. Après des

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