Marc Champion

The way the war is unfolding is drawing the Gulf states in, because they cannot afford for it to end with a wounded, vengeful Islamic Republic in charge of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iran war is now all about the future of Hormuz

It is a geopolitical tool and deterrent far more powerful than Teheran’s network of proxies, and more exploitable than owning a nuclear arsenal

When it comes to culture wars, Russian President Vladimir Putin (above) and his US counterpart Donald Trump are allies; liberal Europe is the enemy.

Why Russia loves the US National Security Strategy

Europe’s liberal, pluralist leaderships pose a threat to the domestic political narratives that both Trump and Putin depend on to stay in power

The ceasefire that was supposed to be Trump’s (right) key goal at the summit did not get a mention until in a Truth Social post on Aug 16, when the US president said he had adopted Putin’s format of negotiating a full settlement as the war continues.

Trump and Putin’s Alaska theatrics imperil Ukraine – and Europe

Two versions of the US president could have attended the tete-a-tete. Unfortunately, the wrong one did

Zelensky’s move to place an independent investigative agency, prosecutor’s office and court pursuing high-level corruption under his own control provoked street protests across Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky needs to rescue his own presidency

A misstep on corruption has punctured his once-heroic image

In a broad sense, the outbreak of another war in the Middle East has sucked attention, energy and resources away from Ukraine, leaving Russian President Vladimir Putin with a free hand.

The US bombing of Iran was a win for... Putin

Trump needs to see that Putin has played him; the Kremlin has leveraged his desperation for a ceasefire to further Russia’s war aims

Hundreds of people attend the funeral of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander and other military commanders killed during Israeli strikes on Iran.

This isn’t the Iranian regime change you’re looking for

Driven to paranoia by the level of Israeli intelligence penetration, a brutal domestic crackdown is underway

At the World Economic Forum, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen laid out a range of policy proposals aimed at reinvigorating Europe.

Trump inherited a strong America. That’s a weak Europe’s problem

The old world is especially unprepared for a protector turned rival

If Donald Trump wins the 2024 US election, the shock would be greater than in 2016, as Team Trump will be able to hit the ground running.

No, Europe won't be ready for Trump 2.0 either

GERMAN Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says Europe is better prepared for a second Donald Trump presidency than it was for the “total shock” of the first. If only that were true. The reality is tha...