Global Rivalries

Germany's debate over Russian gas is no longer just about energy. It has become a political fault line touching on economic competitiveness, support for Ukraine, relations with Russia, and the future direction of German foreign policy.   The issue returned to the spotlight after Markus Frohnmaier, foreign policy spokesman for Alternative for Germany (AfD), met senior Russian officials in St. Petersburg and called for the Nord Stream gas pi...

Western intelligence agencies are warning that China is using fake job offers, online recruiters, and consulting fronts to turn ordinary professional networking sites into hunting grounds for espionage.   On June 3, 2026, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, issued a rare joint public warning about what it described as an aggressive Chinese intelligen...

Argentina is playing more than 17,000 kilometers from Bangladesh, yet millions of fans watch Argentina as if the blue-and-white shirt represents them too. Across the country, streets fill with flags, murals of Messi and Diego Maradona cover walls, and families gather through the night for matches that begin in the early morning.   The scale of that support is striking. Bangladeshi writer and sports commentator Rajib Hasan has estimated tha...

A dramatic court case in Angola is putting Russia's activities in Africa under a spotlight. Two Russian nationals, political consultant Igor Ratchin and translator Lev Lakshtanov, went on trial in March 2026 after being arrested months earlier. Angolan prosecutors accuse them of helping organize anti-government protests, spreading disinformation, and attempting to influence the country's next presidential election.   The pair face 11 charg...

Global conflict mediation is changing fast. For decades, Western powers led most peace talks. They set the rules and often controlled the outcomes. But that system is now under pressure.   The wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar have exposed limits in Western-led diplomacy. Critics point to uneven responses and growing mistrust. As a result, new actors are stepping forward. Regional powers like ASEAN states, Turkey, and Oman are building th...