Iran’s insistence that Europe do more to preserve the nuclear deal suggests that it’s worried about becoming too strategically dependent on Russia in the coming future and is anxious to find a “balancing” partner before that happens. Iranian President Rouhani is in Europe trying to get the three relevant signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal …
Continue reading Why’s Iran So Desperate for Europe to Save the Nuclear Deal?
Increased Pakistani dependence on China to help it avert resorting to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avoid a financial and economic crisis spotlights fears that the terms of Chinese investment in massive Belt and Road-related projects would not pass international muster. Concerns that China’s US$ 50 billion plus investment in Pakistani infrastructure and energy, …
Continue reading Pakistan’s Financial Crisis Puts China’s Belt and Road on the Spot
Last week, the US State Department said that Washington will attempt to persuade its allies to stop purchasing oil from Iran completely by early November. Reportedly, negotiations are already underway with representatives from India and China. Afterwards, Iranian President H. Rouhani said that he considers the USA’s wish to stop Iranian oil exports is not …
Continue reading Over the Persian Gulf, Dark Clouds have Gathered Once Again
A year after King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud made his son Mohammed bin Salman crown prince, the 32-year-old remains dependent on his father’s legitimacy and credentials to be the heir apparent. Prince Mohammed has polarized the House of Saud more than any figure in more than half a century. Last summer, the king removed …
Continue reading Why Saudi Arabia’s Powerful Crown Prince Still Needs His Father
“I have some pretty severe things we’re thinking about,” Trump said of North Korea at a news conference in Warsaw. “Doesn’t mean we’re going to do them.” What President Trump really meant is that he has painted the US into a corner with all his threats of war and really does not know what to …
The US remains adamant in its desire to cut Iran’s oil exports to zero, even if it hurts importing countries. America’s secondary sanctions on firms dealing with Iran would "snap back" on August 6 for trade in cars and metals and on November 4 for oil and banking transactions. The “wind down” period varied between 90 and …
Continue reading US, Iran Clash in Hormuz Strait: Not an Improbable Scenario
Matteo Salvini proposed the creation of a “league of Leagues” in Europe to combat illegal migration. The Italian Interior Minister and proud populist declared at a party gathering that “I think of a league of Leagues in Europe, which unites all the free movements that want to defend their borders and the wellbeing of their children… I will tour capital …
Continue reading Don’t Laugh: Salvini’s LoL Is the Greatest Threat to EuroLiberalism
1. History of the movement, structure, and ideology History The movement of Ansar Allah (Supporters of Allah), also known as the Houthis, is a paramilitary group of Zaidi Shi’ites, acting in Yemen. This is one of the moderate streams of Shia Islam, which has more than 10 million followers around the world and accounts for …
In June 2018 alone, more than 500 refugees drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. Their boats were refused access to land in either Malta, or Italy. They were force-driven back by gun-boats to the North African shores they came from, mostly Libya, but many boats capsized and countless refugees didn’t make it. These are de facto …
