US and Saudi Arabia strike Iraq paramilitary strikes as Trump meets Netanyahu
Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) confirmed that several of its headquarters had been targeted, reporting casualties and damage to its...
Geostrategy
UN pauses air strikes on Iran amid reports of concerns over Patriot shortage
Iranian foreign ministry, meanwhile, says progress has been made in the talks held over the weekend between Tehran and Oman...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Bapco Energies declares force majeure on operations
Manama, Bahrain --- Bapco Energies BSC (Closed), Bahrain’s integrated energy company, announced force majeure on its group operations on Monday....
- The company said the move follows the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East and a recent attack on its refinery complex.
- Bapco Energies said all local market needs remain fully secured through proactive plans to ensure the continuity of supplies and meet domestic demand without disruption.
Geostrategy
US assets outperform as geopolitical shock reshapes markets
The dollar still functions as the world’s primary safe haven, and in moments of acute geopolitical uncertainty, capital flows toward...
- Before hostilities erupted, global positioning had leaned heavily toward non-US outperformance
- Emerging markets, Europe and parts of Asia had been enjoying one of their strongest relative runs against US assets in years
Geostrategy
OpenAI faces backlash over Pentagon AI deal
OpenAI is facing online backlash after signing a deal with the United States Department of Defense to deploy its AI...
- The controversy has also boosted rival AI platform Claude, developed by Anthropic, which recently overtook ChatGPT as the top AI app
- Critics warn that the Pentagon partnership could allow AI technology to be used for surveillance or military purposes
Geostrategy
Riyadh Emerges as Escape Hub for Super-Rich Fleeing UAE After Iran Strikes
With airspace across parts of the Middle East locked down and thousands of flights cancelled or delayed, King Khalid International...
- According to reports, billionaires and senior executives have been leaving Dubai and Abu Dhabi after Iranian drones and missiles targeted multiple locations
- With airspace across parts of the Middle East locked down and thousands of flights cancelled, King Khalid International Airport remains one of the few hubs still operating
Geostrategy
UK withdraws Tehran embassy staff as Trump weighs Iran strikes; JD Vance says “no chance” of long war
Reports suggest some of Trump’s advisers would prefer Israel to initiate any strike, calculating that American public opinion would be...
- The UK government confirmed it had taken “the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw UK staff from Iran,” adding that its embassy would continue to operate remotely
- At the same time, the US has asked non-emergency staff and family members at its embassy in Jerusalem to leave Israel, reflecting broader fears of regional escalation
Geostrategy
From Wall Street to Cairo: Face-to-face dialogue defines global leadership
True global leadership is forged through sustained, face-to-face dialogue, cross-cultural immersion, and relationships that transcend digital convenience and headline-driven narratives.
- The East-West Art of Dialogue Fellowship bridges American and Egyptian emerging leaders
- Face-to-face dialogue remains central to building durable global leadership networks
Geostrategy
Iran, US hold indirect nuclear talks in Geneva amid rising military tensions
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described the negotiations as “very intensive” and said there were “constructive proposals” concerning both...
- The talks are being mediated by Badr al-Busaidi, the foreign minister of Oman, which has long acted as a channel between Tehran and Washington
- At the same time, the U.S. has deployed additional warships and aircraft to the region, raising fears of possible military escalation if diplomacy fails
Geostrategy
India to US: 8 nations issue Middle East travel advisories amid Iran tensions
Several governments have urged their citizens to leave Iran immediately, while others are pulling non-essential embassy personnel from sensitive locations,...
- Several governments have urged their citizens to leave Iran immediately, while others are pulling non-essential embassy personnel from sensitive locations, citing security concerns
- The advisories reflect growing concern over regional instability, with governments seeking to safeguard their nationals as geopolitical tensions intensify
Geostrategy
Middle East tensions rise as Iran eyes Chinese anti-ship missiles amid Trump warning
Negotiations between Tehran and Beijing began at least two years ago but gained momentum after a 12-day conflict between Israel...
- The proposed agreement centres on the Chinese-made CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles, which reportedly have a range of around 290 kilometres
- Designed to fly low and fast to evade shipborne defence systems, the missiles could substantially enhance Iran’s maritime strike capabilities
Geostrategy
US-Iran talks set for Geneva amid military buildup
The renewed diplomacy comes as Washington has deployed two aircraft carriers, additional jets and ships, and reinforced air defenses across...
- A previous diplomatic effort was derailed last year by Israeli air strikes on Iran, triggering a 12-day conflict in June that briefly drew in US forces targeting Iranian facilities
- The security situation has led several countries — including Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia — to urge their citizens to leave Iran.
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US and Saudi Arabia strike Iraq paramilitary strikes as Trump meets Netanyahu
Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) confirmed that several of its headquarters had been targeted, reporting casualties and damage to its...
Geostrategy
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Iran warns US, Israel against attacks as Khamenei funeral preparations begin
The warning came as US-Iran diplomacy remained on track after Doha talks. Iran's deputy foreign minister said the Doha negotiations...
Geostrategy
Doha negotiators agree hotline as Trump says US-Iran talks progressing
Technical negotiators focused on implementing the ceasefire framework, sanctions relief and Hormuz arrangements despite lingering regional security tensions.
Geostrategy
Trump says Iran denuclearization ‘moving along well’ as Doha talks continue
Technical negotiations continue over shipping, sanctions and ceasefire implementation as mediators work to translate the June accord into practice.
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Iran demands MoU implementation before US talks in Doha
Trump said US envoys were travelling to Qatar for what he described as a "perhaps important, perhaps not" meeting, adding...
- Strait of Hormuz dispute remains major obstacle as Tehran demands sanctions relief and asset releases before broader negotiations begin.
- Brent crude, the primary international benchmark, has dipped with investors eyeing potential US-Iran talks in Doha.
Business
GCC asset management reaches $2.7 trillion as retail growth outpaces institutions
Boston Consulting Group says regional asset managers must strengthen distribution capabilities and technology adoption as industry competition intensifies globally.
- Retail assets outpaced institutional growth, highlighting accelerating demand despite institutional investors continuing to dominate regional assets under management.
- BCG says distribution capabilities, AI adoption and technology investment will increasingly determine competitive advantage for regional asset managers.
Geostrategy
US and Iran agree to halt strikes, pursue technical talks: Official
AFP quoted an American official as saying that the technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the...
- Hezbollah on Monday said it reserved the right to self-defence after several Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon despite a truce.
- Lebanese Parliament Speaker and Hezbollah ally Nabih Berri also said the trilateral framework would not pass.