Global Rivalries

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi for a crucial two-day visit starting December 4, 2025. The talks come as India continues to deepen its oil and defense ties with Russia, even as Western governments increase pressure on New Delhi to slow its cooperation.   India, the world’s third-largest oil consumer, has sharply increased its purchases of discounted Russian crude after ...

A powerful Chinese naval flotilla has entered the Philippine Sea, alarming security officials in the region and raising fears about Beijing’s growing military presence in the region. It is not clear where the flotilla is heading, although some say it is sailing toward Australia.   Analysts say the latest movement shows how fast China is expanding its reach and how serious the contest for power in the Indo-Pacific and surrounding area...

In October, Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) finalized a powerful new military agreement that could reshape security in the Pacific and influence tensions in the South China Sea. Both countries have long pushed for freedom of navigation in the disputed waters, where China’s growing claims continue to alarm nations from the Philippines to Vietnam.   Under the deal, Australia gets access to PNG’s military bases, while up to 1...

As US sanctions tighten, Russia is using a secretive network of oil tankers known as the “shadow fleet” to keep exporting oil. These ships allow Moscow to keep trading oil despite restrictions on insurance, financing, and tracking.   Since 2022, Russian-linked buyers have purchased more than two hundred secondhand tankers, many previously owned by European firms. The vessels operate under foreign flags and rely on non-Western i...

On October 23, the United States took one of its strongest steps yet against Russia by sanctioning its two biggest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. The move, which has already impacted global oil trade, aims to cut off billions of dollars in revenue that Moscow uses to fund its war in Ukraine.   Washington Targets Russia’s Main Source of Money In October, the US placed Rosneft and Lukoil on its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)...