Sign in Subscribe

Latest

Beyond Economics: Egypt’s Political Play at the D8 Summit

Egypt hosted the 11th D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Summit in Cairo. The D8, established in Istanbul in 1997, focuses on economic cooperation between Muslim majority developing countries, and this summit was held under the theme of “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs,” a topic of particular focus for the

The Architect of Conflict? Mark Rutte’s Role in a Precarious Global Order

Surveying the global security landscape through a targeted set of metrics to identify individuals posing the greatest risk to peace, one surprising figure stood out: Mark Rutte. His emergence in this analysis surprised me, and it may surprise you as well. I ran all the usual suspects through the metrics,

Rewriting Extremism: What Al Jolani’s Rise Means for the Region

Rewriting Extremism: What Al Jolani’s Rise Means for the Region

A new Syria has emerged. Ahmed Al Sharaa—once a wanted extremist—is consolidating power while the international community scrambles to reframe the narrative, in a way that may backfire spectacularly as we will explore together throughout the piece. Türkiye, seen as the key player in the mobilization of the

Netanyahu’s Golan Gamble: Calculated Provocation or Strategic Choice?

Netanyahu’s Golan Gamble: Calculated Provocation or Strategic Choice?

Benjamin Netanyhau opened up yet another front in Syria, fueling the cycle of conflict in an attempt to perpetuate the wars in the region to hold onto his power and maintain relevance by catering to the territorial aspirations of the Israeli extreme right that is using the conflict to mobilize

After Assad: Power Shifts and the Struggle for Syria’s Future

This special edition delves into the rapid and dramatic developments in Syria, culminating in the collapse of the Assad regime after over five decades in power. In it I explore the immediate and far-reaching repercussions of this monumental shift for Syria and the broader Middle East. On December 8, the

When Business Meets Governance: A Risky Convergence

When Business Meets Governance: A Risky Convergence

With anticipated changes to the U.S. government's structure and approach to its portfolios, and with many of the people nominated for key positions in Trump’s upcoming government hailing from a variety of corporate and business backgrounds, it is a good time to take a look at

Understanding the ICC Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

Understanding the ICC Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

As promised earlier this week, this is a more thorough exploration of the warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. Here I look at the background of the Court, the basis for the warrants, the reactions in the international community, and the potential impacts

AI and diplomacy

AI and Diplomacy: Addressing the Illusion of Expertise

Less than two months ago, I started exploring the impact that AI is having on international relations and diplomacy. I explored the big picture elements of AI’s evolving role and how its rapid introduction into the diplomacy space might affect the field. I also looked at how the risk

Trump, Putin, and Biden’s Eleventh Hour Ukraine Gambit

Trump, Putin, and Biden’s Eleventh Hour Ukraine Gambit

Is Biden laying a trap for Trump by forcing his hand on Ukraine, or is this merely an eleventh-hour bid to secure his legacy? Earlier this week, the outgoing U.S. administration approved the use of ATACMS, signaling an eleventh hour policy shift; Ukraine has been pressing the U.S.

Brief: G20 Declaration – Economic Opportunities for Investment

The G20 summit held in Rio de Janeiro on 18–19 November brought together global leaders, including 18 high-level guests, heads of government, and representatives from the UN, EU, African Union, and international financial institutions. Under Brazil’s presidency, the summit’s agenda prioritized three core themes: 1. Social inclusion

Rubio’s Role: Trump’s Vision, One Deal at a Time

Rubio’s Role: Trump’s Vision, One Deal at a Time

Last week, we analyzed Trump’s nomination of Elise Stefanik as his UN ambassador. Now, it is time to delve into his choice for the nation’s top diplomatic post: Secretary of State. Trump described Marco Rubio as a highly respected leader, a powerful voice for freedom, and a strong

The Riyadh Summit: Balancing Symbolism and Strategy in the Middle East

The Riyadh Summit: Balancing Symbolism and Strategy in the Middle East

On November 11, Riyadh hosted an extraordinary joint Summit of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to address the escalating crises in Palestine and Lebanon amidst a backdrop of intensifying regional tensions. The Summit built upon its November 2023 predecessor, which convened to explore ways to address

Loyalty First, Diplomacy Second: Trump’s Choice for the UN

Loyalty First, Diplomacy Second: Trump’s Choice for the UN

Donald Trump nominated Elise Stefanik, the Chair of the House Republican Conference, as his envoy to the United Nations. The world of multilateral diplomacy was waiting to see who the president elect would appoint to the position because through his choice, an initial understanding can be formulated of how he

Brief: Saudi Arabia Tech Sector & AI

Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as the regional hub for digital technology, pushing to transform its economy and become a leader in AI and digital technology. As part of the broader vision 2030, it recently launched Project Transcendence, purportedly targeting a marker of 100 billion USD of investments. This Project