Relations between the United States and Iran continued to worsen this week. While President Trump has reiterated his own openness to working with the Iranian government to deescalate tensions, his administration’s imposition of further economic sanctions offers a different story. Friday’s sanctions are the harshest yet, targeting Iran’s largest petrochemical […]
On the 13th of June, two commercial vessels were attacked in the Gulf of Oman, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. This latest attack has occurred relatively close to a similar attack in May. Occurring amidst heightened tension in the region, it is currently uncertain who is […]
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue took place in Singapore between 31 May and 2 June this year. The annual forum, which sees representatives from 28 Asia-Pacific states meeting to discuss current issues, was dominated this year by the emergent conflict between the United States and the […]
In his 1992 State of the Union address, President George H.W. Bush stated “By the grace of God, America won the Cold War”. For many people, the Cold War had already been over for a number of years. The fall of the Berlin Wall, as well as numerous revolutions throughout […]
In 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist. Much of the world rejoiced: the Cold War was finally over. The fears that had existed alongside this ideological struggle – fears of communist totalitarianism and nuclear war- began to fade. Unfortunately, nuclear conflict has continued to be a major concern and […]
On the 12th of May, four oil tankers were attacked off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Current reports indicate that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, or forces aligned with them, were responsible for these attacks. This is the latest in a long line of hostile events occurring in the Middle […]
In the face of rising tension between the United States and Iran, the Trump Administration has approved further military deployment in the Middle East. In Iran, the moderate president Hassan Rouhani has made appeals for unity, while hardliners have increased their inflammatory attacks on the United States. The United States […]
On 4 May, U.S President Donald Trump tweeted that he had a “long and very good” talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Among the topics discussed were North Korean denuclearisation, Ukraine, the political situation in Venezuela, and the possibility of a new nuclear accord. This comes after increasing tension between […]
Recent satellite images of North Korea’s main nuclear processing site show that the isolated nation may be renewing efforts to develop its nuclear arsenal. These images come mere months after February’s failed meeting in Hanoi. The images, taken by Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), show five specialized […]
On the 28th of March, it was widely reported that the U.S. Energy Secretary, Rick Perry, had approved six secret “Part 810” authorizations. These authorizations were granted to companies which are seeking to sell nuclear power technology and advice to Saudi Arabia. The pursuit of nuclear power by the Saudi […]
