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Geopolitics: wars, alliances, sanctions, trade and the decisions between governments that shape the world.
1253 articles · page 26 of 27
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to join a delegation of world leaders lobbying U.S. President Donald Trump to increase supplies of Patriot missiles to Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence by thanking allies for their support and pleading for more advanced air defence systems.
The Trump administration has launched a new wave of economic sanctions against Iran, escalating its so-called 'maximum pressure' campaign as the United States finds itself locked in a six-month war that has neither subdued Tehran through airstrikes nor brought it to the negotiating table. The latest sanctions target Iranian oil exports, banking networks, and entities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in what officials describe as an attempt to 'strangle the regime’s revenue streams' and force a change in behavior.
A senior Kremlin adviser has warned that UK drone factories may be targeted by attacks from 'unknown sources', escalating tensions after Britain agreed to share blueprints for British-made missile components with Ukraine.
· 3 sourcesThe United States has deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups to the Middle East, a move that defense analysts say represents a major show of force but also strains the Navy's already stretched resources. The dual-carrier presence, confirmed by Pentagon officials, comes as Washington seeks to deter potential adversaries and reassure allies in a volatile region.
The United Kingdom has announced it will share classified technical information about the SCALP cruise missile with Ukraine, allowing the country to domestically assemble long-range weapons. The decision, revealed by a UK official in Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day, marks a significant deepening of defense cooperation and a shift toward enabling Ukraine’s self-sufficiency in missile production.
The Trump administration has announced its most aggressive sanctions push yet against Iran, vowing an 'economic D-Day' designed to cripple the regime's finances. But critics and analysts say the bold promise is likely to fall short against the entrenched realities of global finance, where sanctions evasion, third-party intermediaries, and a lack of international coordination have repeatedly blunted past efforts.
· 3 sourcesCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney faces a pivotal moment after deciding to walk away from negotiations with the Trump administration, a gamble that could reshape Canada's trade relations and test his political viability. The move, announced late Thursday, has drawn both praise and criticism, with observers warning of significant economic consequences if a new agreement is not reached.
President Trump's top trade representative, Jamieson Greer, disclosed in an interview the specific terms of an offer presented to Canada that was ultimately rejected, leading to a breakdown in bilateral trade negotiations. The offer, which included tariff reductions and market access provisions, was intended to resolve long-standing disputes, but Canada's refusal has stalled progress and raised questions about the future of the trade relationship.
For Ukraine's 35th Independence Day parade, Kyiv replaced marching soldiers with robots and drones designed for frontline combat, a stark symbol of how the war has transformed the country's military strategy and reliance on unmanned systems.
Iran’s newly appointed national security adviser, Mohsen Rezaei, has warned neighboring Gulf states against cooperating with what he called President Donald Trump’s “economic war” on Tehran, vowing to prevent “a single drop of oil” from leaving the region if they do. The tough rhetoric, reported by Erika Solomon of The New York Times, signals a sharp escalation in Iran’s posture as it braces for renewed US sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
· 3 sourcesThe United States announced a major new sanctions campaign against Iran on Monday, aiming to inflict what officials described as 'economic asphyxiation' on the Islamic Republic. The move comes six months into a war that has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, disrupted global oil markets, and left peace negotiations at an impasse.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Ukraine today on his first foreign trip since taking office, reaffirming Britain’s support for Kyiv despite a fresh warning from Moscow that such backing would carry consequences.
China has threatened retaliatory action against the United States after the Trump administration launched a fresh economic campaign to strangle Iran, vowing not to cut ties with its major trading partner and escalating a geopolitical standoff that has already halted meaningful talks to end a six-month-old conflict.
· 5 sourcesIranian officials have pledged to resist renewed U.S. economic sanctions, with a senior figure vowing that “not a single drop of oil” would leave the Persian Gulf, according to a report from The New York Times. Analysts warn that the standoff could escalate militarily as the Trump administration intensifies its campaign to squeeze Iran’s economy and curb its regional influence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concern that Russia could mobilise an additional 300,000 troops later this year, according to reports published on August 23, 2026. The warning signals a possible major escalation as the war enters its fifth year, with both sides bracing for a prolonged winter campaign.
· 3 sourcesThe United States Marine Corps has canceled a major joint military exercise with South Korea, with Seoul officials confirming the decision was communicated in June, attributed to the demands of ongoing military operations related to Iran, according to a report from the New York Times. The move marks a significant shift in the U.S.-South Korea defense posture and follows President Trump's earlier decision to truncate another joint exercise this month.
An Israeli strike hit a makeshift tent sheltering displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, killing one man, according to Al Jazeera. The reported attack underscores the intensifying Israeli bombardment of areas where civilians have sought refuge from the wider war.
The Trump administration announced on Monday a new effort to isolate Iran economically by targeting its trading partners, a dramatic escalation of its ‘maximum pressure’ policy that could reshape global energy markets and test alliances with key importers of Iranian oil.
· 2 sourcesThe Trump administration is doubling down on economic pressure against Iran, aiming to impose what officials describe as ‘crippling sanctions’ — but the success of this strategy now hinges on unprecedented cooperation from China, the Islamic Republic’s largest oil customer and trading partner. The shift comes after U.S. military action failed to achieve President Trump’s stated objectives.
New 50 percent tariffs imposed by President Trump on Canadian exports could price Canadian companies out of the U.S. market and threaten thousands of jobs, economists say, raising fears of a severe economic downturn north of the border.
The UK has struck a deal with Ukraine to use battlefield data from Kyiv's Avengers AI lab to train artificial intelligence systems aimed at protecting defence sites, railways, and energy infrastructure from protesters and foreign state actors, in what officials describe as the first agreement of its kind.
The United States has announced ‘Operation Economic Outcast,’ a sweeping new initiative to isolate Iran from the global financial system, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warning that countries will be given deadlines to cease all financial interactions with the Iranian regime or face secondary sanctions.
· 3 sourcesWith the United States and Canada locked in an intensifying trade dispute, Canada is assessing its economic leverage to retaliate against U.S. tariffs. Ottawa has signaled that it is prepared to impose countermeasures on American goods, potentially including products from politically sensitive sectors such as agriculture, steel, and aluminum.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that Iran attempted to assassinate one of his sons, a claim that comes just days after a joint U.S.-Israeli operation in Tehran killed Iran's supreme leader and four members of his family, according to Al Jazeera. The accusation marks a dramatic escalation in the already volatile confrontation between the two nations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to mobilize at least 300,000 additional troops to fuel his ongoing war in Ukraine, warning that total Russian drafts could reach 500,000 next year. Zelensky's warning comes as Russian forces have escalated ballistic missile strikes against Ukrainian targets.
The United States has announced a fresh round of sanctions against Iran and issued a stark warning to its trading partners, effectively telling countries they must choose between doing business with Washington or Tehran. The move, reported on August 25, 2026, represents a significant escalation in the long-running US campaign to isolate Iran economically, and risks further straining diplomatic relationships with allies and rivals alike.
China’s newly arrived ambassador to Australia has issued a pointed warning to Canberra, urging respect for Beijing’s ‘core interests’ amid deepening strategic frictions that risk further complicating the bilateral relationship.
The Netherlands has withdrawn from the Eurovision Song Contest, citing escalating tensions linked to the Gaza conflict, just weeks after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that countries involved in armed conflict would be ineligible to host the competition. The move intensifies scrutiny on how Eurovision navigates geopolitical rifts and tests the EBU's revised hosting rules.
Ukraine’s military offensive against Russian oil infrastructure has set off a wave of petrol panic across Central Asia, with shortages prompting fuel runs across borders and deepening energy problems for Russia’s regional allies, according to reports from the region.
Norway is moving forward with further development of Arctic oil and gas drilling, a decision that comes as the European Union reviews its long-standing opposition to new exploration in the region, citing the war in Ukraine and resulting energy security concerns.
Russia announced it will begin seizing poorly protected and inadequately repaired critical infrastructure in Ukraine, including energy and industrial facilities, as Ukrainian officials struggle to keep up with a sustained barrage of Russian missile and drone strikes. The threat, reported by Russian state media, signals a new phase in the war aimed at dismantling Ukraine’s economic backbone and increasing pressure on its Western allies.
Russia has launched a military satellite aboard a Soyuz-2.1 rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, the Defence Ministry confirmed on Monday, adding to a series of orbital deployments that underscore Moscow's push to bolster its space-based reconnaissance and communications capabilities.
In a provocative piece published in Foreign Policy, author Adam Weinstein argues that the United States is creating 'forever enemies' by failing to move beyond a sense of humiliation in its foreign policy, a stance that he claims traps nations in cycles of conflict and undermines long-term strategic interests.
The Trump administration on Monday unveiled a sweeping new round of sanctions targeting 60 entities linked to Iran’s oil exports, weapons programs and cyber operations, escalating economic pressure on Tehran despite earlier Iranian dismissals of the move as predictable and ineffective.
· 2 sourcesThe Trump administration has unveiled a plan to lease out 28 million hectares of seabed off the coasts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands for deep sea mining, a move that has drawn sharp opposition from local leaders who say they were not properly consulted and fear irreversible damage to pristine marine ecosystems. The Marine Mineral Administration (MMA) released the proposal on Tuesday, framing it as a strategic necessity to secure critical minerals needed for batteries, electronics, and defense technologies, and to counter China’s growing dominance over global supply chains. Critics argue the rush to mine the Pacific floor overlooks environmental safeguards and the rights of island communities.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham landed in Kyiv on Monday for Ukraine's Independence Day, announcing a groundbreaking deal to share classified Storm Shadow missile technology to help Kyiv produce its own long-range strike weapons. However, the prime minister's first foreign visit was overshadowed by a political storm at home after his government backtracked on a flagship housing pledge to spend the entire Affordable Homes Programme budget on social housing.
· 4 sourcesSerbia has formally requested international assistance from both the European Union and Russia to help control intense wildfires that are threatening lives, property, and natural habitats across the country, according to Serbian officials and reports from Al Jazeera.
A new report warns the world is on the verge of a severe food shortage that will drive a fresh wave of inflation, hitting the poorest nations hardest — just as Iran’s government signals it may increase fuel prices amid soaring domestic inflation and looming US sanctions, raising fears of widespread unrest.
· 3 sourcesFrench President Emmanuel Macron will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Paris next week for discussions expected to focus on energy markets, regional conflicts including the war in Ukraine and the Israel–Hamas situation, and expanding bilateral economic cooperation. The visit, confirmed by the Élysée Palace on Wednesday, comes as Saudi Arabia deepens its diplomatic engagement with Western powers and as France seeks to secure energy supplies and arms deals while navigating criticism over the crown prince’s human rights record.
A planned trip to India by Bangladesh’s opposition leader Tarique Rahman has been stalled, according to reports from Al Jazeera, as the two countries remain deadlocked over the contentious issue of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in New Delhi since leaving office. The delay underscores the growing strain in bilateral ties and the inability of both governments to move past the question of Hasina’s status.
Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, has publicly urged Israel to seize what he called a 'historic opportunity' for diplomacy, in a rare overture from the post-war Syrian government. The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, signals a potential recalibration of Syria’s regional stance, though analysts caution that deep mistrust and unresolved territorial disputes remain significant obstacles.
A new analysis from Foreign Policy reveals that the Trump administration's strategy to intensify sanctions on Iran may falter without cooperation from China, Iran's largest crude oil buyer, which so far has shown little sign of reducing purchases.
The father of a U.S. sailor deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East during the Iran war has been taken into federal immigration detention, the sailor confirmed, while a separate analysis shows the conflict is unexpectedly speeding up the green energy transition.
· 4 sourcesIran's parliament has moved forward with a draft law that would impose service fees on ships permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media reports, as Iraqi President Nizar Amidi separately declared that Iraq's territory will not be used to launch attacks against any state. The developments mark the latest escalation in regional tensions surrounding the strategic waterway.
· 2 sourcesRussian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine’s military actions have opened a ‘Pandora’s box’ and threatened to retaliate against the country’s most vulnerable economic sectors, while rejecting current peace proposals as unacceptable. The remarks, made in an interview with the state-controlled channel Vesti, signal a hardening of Moscow’s position as the war enters its third year.
Iran has announced that its weapons production continues unabated during the ongoing conflict with the United States, but officials refuse to disclose specific details, citing wartime operational security. The statement, reported by state-controlled media on August 22, 2026, offers a rare glimpse into Iran’s defense industrial base amid a high-intensity confrontation that has tested its military capabilities against advanced American forces.
The ongoing war in Gaza has led to a severe shortage of burial space, forcing families to retrieve bodies from makeshift graves as the death toll continues to rise, according to reports from the region. Al Jazeera describes the conflict as a genocidal war, a characterization that Israel strongly rejects. The crisis highlights the immense strain on Gaza’s infrastructure and the human toll of the prolonged hostilities.
Three days after the Trump administration launched its so-called 'Economic D-Day' sanctions against Iran and its trade partners, former National Security Adviser John Bolton has publicly dismissed the move as an electoral tactic rather than a serious strategy for resolving the Iran crisis, as analysts question whether the new pressure will succeed where years of previous sanctions have failed.
· 9 sources