Since negotiations began to end the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, Tehran has demanded reparations for damages it has incurred from what it alleges was an illegal war, along with the release of billions of dollars in assets frozen by Washington. As negotiations continue over the terms of a final settlement,, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has proposed a different destination for the $24 billion in frozen funds: directing… Continue reading The Legal Mirage in the U.S. Strategy for Iranian Assets

Governing an Ungovernable Space  For much of modern history, a state’s global influence was measured through military power, territorial reach, international alliances, and financial clout. Today, however, the influence of states extends through digital media that shape how societies absorb information, interpret political events, and manage crises. Algorithms embedded within social media platforms and search engines… Continue reading Gulf Digital Sovereignty in the Age of AI Warfare

The U.S.-Israel war against Iran, and Tehran’s subsequent missile and drone retaliation against the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states hosting American forces, has revived a longstanding strategic question regarding the nature of U.S. military bases abroad, and whose interests they ultimately serve. It has also reopened a lively debate among Gulf analysts, policymakers, and commentators over whether the continued U.S. military footprint remains the most effective… Continue reading U.S. Bases in the GCC: A Security Model Under Attack