Global Rivalries

Cuba’s national power grid collapsed on March 21, 2026, leaving millions without electricity and exposing the depth of the island’s worsening energy crisis. As authorities work to restore power, the blackout is disrupting daily life across the country.   Blackouts Impact Homes, Hospitals, and Businesses The outage plunged large parts of Havana and provinces like Matanzas and Holguín into darkness. By March 22, only abou...

Since joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, China has rewritten the rules of global trade. When the United States and European nations welcomed Beijing into the WTO, they hoped that integration into global markets would open China politically and economically. Instead, China leveraged the WTO to grow its economy, tighten state control, and gain influence in international trade, reshaping global markets in the process.   Why C...

The war against Iran could ultimately leave the United States in a worse strategic position than the one that existed before the conflict began.   Since February 28, when the United States launched its air campaign against Iran, analysts, governments, and media outlets worldwide have been asking the same question: what exactly is Washington trying to achieve?   Even inside Washington, the answer appears unclear. Nobody, not even Pre...

Oil tankers are beginning to crowd the waters near Singapore after dangerous conditions in the Strait of Hormuz slowed shipping across one of the world's most important oil routes. These ships carry millions of barrels of oil, and their sudden arrival in Southeast Asia is drawing attention from energy traders around the world.   The buildup follows weeks of tension in the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel-Iran war. The Strait of H...

The United States issued a fresh warning about China’s rapidly growing navy. Analysts say that Beijing’s expanding fleet is reshaping the balance of power in the South China Sea and across the region. Concern is building in Washington, which is already busy with its war against Iran, that China may take advantage the global chaos to make moves in Southeast Asia.   Why Washington Is Concerned China now has the world’s lar...