Headlines

UAE’s OPEC exit hands Asia a petroyuan moment

On May 1, 2026, the United Arab Emirates formally departed from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), ending nearly six decades of membership. Most analysis has fixated on what this means for crude prices, supply discipline and Saudi Arabia’s burden of

Asia •

Football helping to combat 'domestic violence'

Sport is doing its bit to help combat that seemingly never-ending plague of “domestic abuse”. Approximately 31% of women in the EU (around 50 million) have experienced physical or sexual violence in adulthood, with 18% experiencing partner violence. Data indicates 30% have

Europe •

Iran war shows US economic coercion isn’t what it was

Two months after the United States, along with Israel, launched a war against Iran, that conflict appears far from a lasting resolution. Much commentary on the protracted nature of the conflict has centered on the limits of both the military and diplomatic approaches to the

Asia •

Myanmar’s political makeover unmasked by revolutionary reality

After five years of conflict and a tightly controlled election, Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, shed his uniform, named himself president and spoke of peace and reconciliation. The release of elected President Win Myint, the reduction of Aung San Suu Kyi’s sentence and

Asia •

Iran war redraws sea routes with Africa as the pivot

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz as well as tensions in the Red Sea are reshaping trade routes, with Africa becoming a hub of global container ship traffic, according to logistics and maritime sources. Over the past two months, the blockade has also pushed shipowners to find

Middle East •