Iran absorbs bombardment and sanctions, betting economic pain and regional strikes will force Washington to accept its terms.
Browsing: Gulf
American interceptors and early warning, not new pacts, decide Gulf security, and scarcity gives Washington powerful but risky influence.
Gulf states and Asian buyers expand joint oil storage as an immediate Hormuz hedge while pipelines remain years away.
Iran faces a choice as the US Blockade drains its oil revenue, while regional powers unite against Tehran’s shrinking influence.
Tehran’s leaders, hardened by war, pursue relentless escalation to force Washington from the Middle East and accept Iranian power.
Geoeconomic fragmentation deepened as Washington’s energy buffer and China’s reserves softened the shock, while allies faced shortages and hard choices.
Gulf states hedge between Indian economic power and Pakistani military expertise, avoiding exclusive alignment while regional conflicts expose vulnerabilities.
American resistance to data centers is pushing AI compute offshore, giving Gulf states new bargaining power over U.S. technology firms.
Russia is helping Iran build supersonic cruise missiles, transferring expertise that could let Tehran produce them independently and threaten US naval power.
Pakistan Security Guarantees cover the wrong threats, leaving Gulf states exposed to grey-zone and conventional dangers they cannot deter.