Post-war Gulf faces a trilemma: deeper integration, stagnant status quo, or a new Saudi-Emirati rift inviting foreign interference.

Trump’s papal mockery reveals clash between sanctified power and a gospel of moral restraint.

Rubio celebrates colonial expansion as allies admit rules-based order was always a hypocritical fiction.

Jordan’s strategic wartime role strains its economy and deepens political rift with Israel.

Lebanon talks demand Hezbollah dismantlement while Israeli strikes erode state capacity to enforce it.

Iranian officials face ICC accessory liability for complicity in Russian drone crimes against Ukraine.

Declining US arms dominance may reduce complicity in Middle East civilian harm and war crimes.

Pentagon unit director served on board of firm that trained Khashoggi’s Saudi killers.

Iran war confirms regime resilience and Hormuz leverage but exposes critical US assumption failures.

The 2026 war has dismantled Iran’s conventional base but failed to trigger regime collapse, resulting in global energy instability.