The Symbolism Behind Trump-Xi Meet
As Air Force One touched down in Beijing this month, the optics surrounding Donald Trump’s return to China were impossible to ignore. Nearly a decade after his first state visit in 2017,
Today: May 21, 2026
Tariffs in Yuan: Is Iran Ringing the Bell on the Petrodollar Age?
Iran’s push to collect Strait of Hormuz oil transit tariffs in Chinese yuan signals a real, though gradual, erosion of the US “petrodollar” system at the margins, but it does not yet
Germany, NATO and the Price of a U.S. Retreat
Trump’s threat to trim U.S. troops in Germany would weaken America’s military posture in Europe unless it were paired with a deliberate, allied-backed redesign of the force posture. A sudden or politically
US Targets Houthi Fuel Supply in Yemen Strike, Dozens Killed
In a significant escalation of its military campaign in Yemen, the United States launched a deadly airstrike late Thursday on the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa oil terminal along the Red Sea. The assault,
Climate Cash and the Limits of Power
In Washington, time doesn’t stand still—but the Trump administration is giving it a valiant effort. This week, a federal judge in Rhode Island reminded America of a simple truth: Congress makes the
Examining the Actual Economic Impact of U.S. Tariffs
Abstract The implementation of extensive tariffs by President Donald Trump, including a planned escalation to 104% on Chinese imports and a 10% baseline tariff on most global imports effective April 5, 2025,
America First, Prices Next: The High Cost of US Tariffs
Donald Trump stormed back into the White House on promises of economic vigor and America-first bravado. Yet now, with his aggressive tariffs shaking global markets, even Trump’s ardent supporters must pause to
Power on the Map: How Mountains, Rivers, and Coasts Rule the World
Geography has long been a silent architect of human history, sculpting the destinies of nations and empires. In the 21st century, despite the leaps of globalization and technology, the physical contours of
Disappearing Voices: The Systemic Human Rights Crisis in Balochistan
Balochistan has plunged deeper into turmoil following violent crackdowns by Pakistani authorities on peaceful protests in Quetta, bringing international scrutiny to a human rights crisis characterized by enforced disappearances and state-backed violence.
Trump’s Tariffs: A Steel Trap for American Industry?
On March 12, President Trump’s administration imposed sweeping 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, a move that has been championed as a bold step toward protecting American metal producers. But far
Wildfires in Southern California: A Call for Climate Realism
The devastating wildfires consuming neighborhoods from Pacific Palisades to Pasadena are not just a local tragedy—they are a glaring reminder of the challenges posed by climate change. My heart goes out to
The Legacy of a Peacemaker: Reassessing Jimmy Carter’s Foreign Policy
In September 1978, amid the wooded seclusion of Camp David, U.S. President Jimmy Carter orchestrated a diplomatic miracle. For 13 tense days, Carter mediated between Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat and Israeli Prime
Turkey’s Role in Syria’s Shifting Conflict Landscape
The Syrian conflict has taken a dramatic turn, with developments in Aleppo and Hama reshaping the balance of power in the region. Central to this unfolding drama is Turkey, whose strategic interests
