Bottom Line Up Front The Trump administration’s air strike campaign against the Houthis is degrading the group’s missile and drone capability, but has failed to force the group to capitulate. By targeting Houthi officials, the U.S. strikes have begun to cause significant civilian casualties, prompting criticism from U.S. and global …

The eruption of violence in Ashrafiyet Sahnaya and surrounding areas has exposed the profound failures of the Syrian state to protect its citizens—especially its minorities—in the supposed aftermath of dictatorship. Far from being an isolated flare-up, the events represent a deepening crisis rooted in sectarian marginalisation, government negligence, and a …

The ongoing discussions between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the new Syrian administration over the integration of military forces have hit a series of roadblocks, reflecting deeper tensions in the country’s post-Assad transition. While the administration pushes for a unified army under the Ministry of Defense, the SDF seeks …

The Syrian government has firmly rejected recent calls for international protection following a wave of violent unrest in the southern suburbs of Damascus, even as senior officials emphasised constructive dialogue with the United States over Syria’s future. Speaking from New York, Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani hailed what he described …

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The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water, is at the heart of the Eurasian landmass. Its unique geography, geostrategic location and ecological importance make it one of the most significant natural features on the planet. The Caspian is situated between the major energy-consuming markets of Asia and …

Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers were shunned by foreign governments after seizing power in 2021 but have recently notched up some big wins in their diplomatic efforts to forge international ties. This week, Indian special envoy Anand Prakash was in Kabul for talks with senior Taliban leaders on boosting political and trade …

The Russia–Ukraine war has shaped regional political, economic and security dynamics. The three South Caucasus nations—Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia—are geographically located in Russia’s backyard and strongly connected to Russia. They have maintained a relationship with Russia while strengthening ties with the US and the European Union (EU). Other regional powers …

Russia’s population has declined for the last seven years as the fertility rate, the number of women of reproductive age, and the immigration rate continue to decrease. According to Russian demographer Aleksey Raksha, Russian women gave birth to fewer than 294,000 babies during the first three months of 2025, the …

Beijing’s High-Risk Approach to Its Economic Confrontation With Washington How did the world’s two largest economies stumble toward a trade war that neither truly seeks and which the rest of the world can’t afford? Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” ceremony on April 2, during which he unveiled tariffs …