Politics

Who – or what – will replace Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei

Michael Stephens, RAND Europe and John Kennedy, RAND Europe Leadership transitions in dictatorships can signal upheaval – for better or worse – and in Iran that moment has now arrived. The death of the...

‘Destruction is not the same as political success’: US bombing of Iran shows little evidence of endgame strategy

Farah N. Jan, University of Pennsylvania Shortly after the opening salvo of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, 2026 – with missiles targeting cities across the country, some of which killed Supreme Leader...

The oil price surge is just one symptom of a supply chain network that is not fit for this age of global tensions

Politics
Maryam Lotfi, Cardiff University The escalating conflict between Iran, the US and Israel has taken a critical turn. The strait of Hormuz – one of the most important shipping routes for oil and gas – is facing significant disruption. The strait is the main route connecting Persian Gulf ports in Iran and some of the region’s other oil producers to the open ocean. The strikes on Iran are already having tangible effects: energy flows are slowing, markets are reacting and supply chains are under pressure. This is not just a regional conflict – it is a global supply chain crisis unfolding in real time. As an expert on supply chains, I am...

Cyprus: Strategic Crossroads in Eastern Mediterranean Politics

Cyprus occupies a distinctive geopolitical position in Eastern Mediterranean affairs, serving as a meeting point between European Union structures and Middle Eastern regional dynamics....

Cyprus: Strategic Crossroads in Eastern Mediterranean Politics

Cyprus
Cyprus occupies a distinctive geopolitical position in Eastern Mediterranean affairs, serving as a meeting...

Israel’s Political System: Structure, Evolution, and Regional Dynamics

Israel operates as a parliamentary democracy with a complex political system shaped by coalition-building, proportional representation, and deeply rooted constitutional traditions. The country's political landscape reflects ongoing tensions between national security concerns, social...

Who – or what – will replace Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei

Michael Stephens, RAND Europe and John Kennedy, RAND Europe Leadership transitions in dictatorships can signal upheaval – for better or worse – and in Iran that moment has now arrived. The death of the...

British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus: Strategic Anchors for Regional Stability

The United Kingdom maintains two sovereign base areas on the island of Cyprus—Akrotiri and Dhekelia—representing a distinctive form of...