Michael R. Pompeo

By attacking Gulf energy infrastructure, Iran aims to apply economic and geopolitical pressure as a way to avoid large-scale conflict

Instead of taking down the Islamic Republic, what the assassinations have done is harden public support and accelerate the regime's militarisation

Any disruption in the Hormuz has cascading knock-on effects that extend far beyond energy markets, impacting international trade. Al Majalla explores all this and more.

Advocates for the US-Israeli special relationship have played a special role

The current conflict is unlikely to go global for now, but the speed at which it has spread regionally is alarming. A look at history shows the geopolitical factors that led to world wars.