Global Rivalries
A US-China Cold War Sounds Grim. The Alternatives Are Worse
For more than three decades after the Cold War, the world lived under a system shaped by one dominant power: the United States. That era is now ending. China’s rise, Russia’s assault on the post-Cold War order, and growing strains in the West all point to a world that is becoming more contested and more dangerous. The question is not whether the old order will survive. It will not. The real question is what replaces it. The w...
Jul 20, 2026
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The Saudi-UAE Alliance Is Breaking Apart—and the Middle East Could Break With It
For much of the past decade, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates appeared to be among the Arab world's closest strategic partners. Together, they shaped regional policy, launched military campaigns, coordinated oil strategy, and sought to counter both Iranian influence and Islamist movements across the Middle East. Fast forward to today, and the partnership that once defined Gulf politics now appears to be entering a messy breakup....
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How Russia Uses an Indian Company to Get Oil to Global Markets Despite Sanctions
Ukraine is attacking Russian oil refineries while the West tightens sanctions designed to cut Moscow's energy revenues. Yet Russian oil continues reaching international markets. How is that possible? A major reason is companies like India's Nayara Energy. Sanctioned by the European Union in 2025, the refinery is one of the clearest examples of how Russia uses foreign companies to process and sell its oil despite Western restrictions. Its...
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United States Blacklists Chinese Auto Giants in Latest Tech Clash
On June 8, 2026, the US Department of Defense intensified economic and technological pressure on Beijing by adding several of China's largest technology and automotive companies to its Section 1260H list of "Chinese military companies." The updated list includes BYD, Nio, CATL, Alibaba, Baidu, and dozens of China's leading manufacturing and technology firms, marking a significant expansion of Washington's national security focus beyond t...
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How Post-Soviet States Are Redefining Nuclear Security in Central Asia
Nuclear security in the post-Soviet world is no longer defined by a shared Soviet legacy. From Russia's emphasis on nuclear deterrence to Central Asia's growing focus on safety, civilian energy, and non-proliferation, former Soviet republics are pursuing increasingly different approaches to managing nuclear risks. Turkmenistan's recent hosting of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) workshop offers a glimpse into how these changi...
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