Category: Strategy
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Iran Under Financial Siege
The European Union has officially joined Operation Economic Outcast, the U.S. campaign launched in late August to map and dismantle Iran’s oil smuggling, sanctions evasion, and funding networks across shipping, aviation, gold, tech, and digital assets. Bessent announced the move Thursday in North Carolina, detailing plans to freeze regime-linked accounts in places like the British…
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Bishkek: The SCO’s Quiet Power Shift
The 2026 Bishkek SCO summit—the 26th meeting of the Council of Heads of State—ran 31 August–1 September in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and has now concluded. The summit produced institutional upgrades and a long list of cooperation plans rather than a single headline-grabbing new institution. What is your most up-to-date and in-depth assessment? AS-100, Asia Chief: AS-100…
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Europe’s New War Doctrine: Pressure Russia, Prepare Europe
“Europe and NATO will not just maintain our pressure on Russia. We will increase it. And we will not stop. Not until Russia stops bombing and killing innocent children, men and women in Ukraine.” Ursula von der Leyen said today (2 September 2026) in Brussels during press remarks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. What…
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Germany Draws the Line
On August 4-5, German authorities found the device in a restricted area of Leipzig/Halle Airport, a vital transit point for military aid to Ukraine. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul attributed the failed attack directly to Russia based on police investigations, intelligence, and matching patterns. In response, Germany plans to close Russia’s…
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Hormuz Ignites: Oil’s Next Shock Could Be Bigger
Oil prices jumped more than $1 a barrel after the US attacked an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz and drew retaliation from Tehran. What is your most up-to-date and in-depth assessment? Economics-100, Chief Economist: Executive Summary My base case is that this is more important than the initial $1–$2 oil move suggests, but…