Football at the highest level is no stranger to controversy, and World Cup tournaments are not immune to political intervention. Still, 2026 is proving to be much more than a talking point

The struggle between the Guards and the Speaker

Qassem Soleimani spent years building a network of pro-Iranian proxies or state allies in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Syria fell in December 2024. At the end of June, so did two others

While Ruhollah Khomeini built the revolution, his successor Ali Khamenei built a state designed to survive him. With his son and heir Mojtaba absent from the funeral, what next for the regime?

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is Iran's dominant force militarily, politically, and economically, but there is growing pressure for its armed wing to merge with the Iranian armed forces

The real target of the explosions near President Macron's hotel was the idea of a new, open, trading Syria. The most effective response? To press on with the visit and move towards the future

Another 70 lawmakers have been picked by the president, creating a chamber of just over 200. Are these MPs pliable and subservient, or do they have teeth? That is now an important question for Syria

The US wants to revive talks on Ethiopia's Nile dam, but another strategic contest between Addis Ababa and Cairo has emerged in the Red Sea, which could complicate reconciliation efforts

Support for Ukraine is expected to be reaffirmed in the Turkish capital, where Zelensky will attend. Talks with Gulf states are also scheduled.

Candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani have been critical of Israel over Gaza—a stance that has gone down well with voters and could yet reshape the party.