Economic blockades have long served as instruments of coercion, deliberately positioned in the grey zone between diplomacy and war. They have been used throughout history as a pressure tactic to force the enemy to make concessions at the negotiating table. This could be what Trump hopes to achieve by imposing a naval blockade on Iran, which continues to exercise control over what ships can enter and exit the Strait of Hormuz.

Blockading the blockade: Trump tightens his chokehold on Iran is this week’s cover story. In it, we examine the political and economic repercussions of the US naval blockade on Iran and whether such a strategy is sustainable amid Iran’s proven ability to withstand US pressure tactics.

The challenges of Syria's return

Al Majalla will examine the Arab and Western roles in the Syrian conflict in their entirety including their gambles, failures, successes, as well as future challenges

Al Majalla - London

The Yemen test

The Saudi-Iranian rapprochement in March marked an important milestone that will have major repercussions for the Middle East and beyond. In Yemen, it faces its first test.

Al Majalla - London