All the news and in-depth analysis on the topic of geopolitics.
The US delayed strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure by five days after Trump’s March 21 threat against power plants unless Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing blockade has driven oil prices up 20%, boosting Russia’s revenues by $15 billion. Operation Epic Fury, launched February 28 with Israel, targeted over 5,000 Iranian sites, crippling its navy and air force.
The Trump administration imposed a military blockade on Iranian ports, restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20 million barrels of oil daily or 27% of global maritime petroleum trade. Brent crude surged past $100 per barrel, deemed the largest disruption in global oil market history by the IEA. Over 40 U.S. allies, convened by the UK, are developing a Plan B blending diplomacy, sanctions, and military operations to secure the channel.
The Strait of Hormuz, which carries 27% of global maritime oil trade, has seen daily tanker transits collapse from 135 to just 21 vessels following Iranian restrictions in April. Brent crude surged 64% in March to breach $100 per barrel - its highest close since August 2022 - redefining inflation outlooks and global geopolitical calculations.
Iran’s March 4 Strait of Hormuz closure disrupted 20 million barrels per day, 27% of global maritime oil trade. Brent hit $119.50 on March 9, posting 64% March gain, a record since 1988 per LSEG data. Korean equities down 24% month-to-date as of March 31 amid volatility.
The 14-day US-Iran ceasefire brokered by Pakistan and China on April 7 frays under President Trump’s April 10 ultimatum to revert Iran to the Stone Age unless it clears the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rebounds to $97/barrel after a 14% drop, with the Dow 2.3% below January peaks amid geopolitical volatility. Operation Epic Fury inflicted 1,444 Iranian fatalities and disrupts 27% of global seaborne oil trade.
Strait of Hormuz closure since March 4, 2026, halts 20 million barrels/day, or 27% of global maritime oil trade, surging Brent crude to $120/barrel with a record 64% March gain. Despite a US-brokered temporary ceasefire on April 8, Iran restricts transit to 5 ships daily versus 80 pre-war, charging over $1 million tolls per vessel. US money markets draw $8 trillion in safe-haven flows as North American producers gain from the supply shock.
The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, averting escalation just hours before Donald Trump’s deadline after six weeks of fierce conflict. This deal exposes the boundaries of aggressive rhetoric against global economic pressures. Yet regional fragility endures as Israel unleashes its heaviest strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, underscoring the tenuous nature of this de-escalation.
By 2040, nearly half the world's population will live in water-stressed areas. Dams are no longer just infrastructure; they are becoming strategic weapons in a global struggle for survival.
The era of borderless globalization is over. As Washington and Beijing carve the world into competing technological and economic blocs, the concept of national sovereignty is undergoing a radical transformation.
By 2050, one in four people on Earth will be African. This demographic surge offers a massive economic opportunity, but also creates unprecedented pressure on infrastructure, governance, and the environment.