Caught between Iranian collapse, Gulf instability, and a closed Strait of Hormuz, Beijing faces a geopolitical dilemma with no neat solution

A two-week truce has sparked a cautious market rebound, but deep anxiety persists over renewed escalation and its impact on global growth and inflation

Even if the ceasefire holds, it will take months to undo the damage.

The critically acclaimed Swedish author Ia Genberg talks memory, money, and the quiet craft of storytelling

Iran's attacks on two big Gulf producers threw the industry a curveball. Although alternatives exist, the UAE and Bahrain facilities will be hard to replace.

The IRGC doesn't just defend the state, it runs it. To wave the white flag wouldn't just mean giving up its arms; it would mean dismantling the organisation and its patronage networks.

Moscow saw oil and gas revenue double in April and was happy to see US resources diverted away from Ukraine. But an extended war could have carried serious costs for the Kremlin.

Iran discovered his Achilles' heel—a market slump.

A tour of the newest movie releases and an older classic for good measure

If the ceasefire collapses, China has an interest in getting the two sides back to the table, but it would be a difficult task given Tehran's deep mistrust of the US and Israel.