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Al Monitor

Newspaper | United States | Centre-Left

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Discussions from Al Monitor

Geopolitics

How should the US balance trade restrictions with efforts to improve relations with Iran?

DUBAI/WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) - The United States said on Wednesday its military had completely halted trade going in and out of Iran by sea, even though President Donald Trump said talks with Tehran on ending the war could resume this week. Trump said negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials could resume in Pakistan in the next two days and Vice President JD Vance, who led weekend talks that ended without a breakthrough, said he felt positive about where things stood

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Geopolitics

What are the possible effects of Iran's support for Hezbollah on peace and security in the region?

By Laila Bassam, Tom Perry, Samia Nakhoul and Maya Gebeily BEIRUT, March 21 (Reuters) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) rebuilt Hezbollah's military command after it was mauled by Israel in 2024, plugging gaps with Iranian officers before restructuring the Lebanese group and laying plans for the war it is now waging in support of Tehran, two people familiar with these IRGC activities said

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Geopolitics

What are the important factors to consider when discussing the opening of the Hormuz Strait?

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz needs to reopen "but not at any price," adding that G7 leaders stand ready to mitigate the economic fallout from war. The Middle East war erupted after US-Israeli strikes targeting Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to virtually block the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation. Energy prices have soared since, with the strait being a key waterway for oil and gas transit

France
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Geopolitics

What are the possible effects of the US's actions in Iran on peace and safety in the region?

The United States may need to "escalate" its attacks against Iran to be able to wind down the war, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday, after President Donald Trump gave seemingly contradictory trajectories for the US military campaign. Trump on Saturday threatened to "obliterate" Iranian energy plants if Tehran did not fully open the pivotal Strait of Hormuz, just a day after saying US objectives were "very close" and that he was considering "winding down" the war

Global
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Geopolitics

What are the possible effects of US military actions on oil trade and international relations in the region?

The US military declared on Saturday it had taken out an Iranian bunker housing weapons threatening oil and gas shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, as thousands of Iranians marked Eid al-Fitr with prayer. The US statement appeared designed to calm the concerns of energy markets and of Washington's sceptical international allies, more than 20 of whom issued a statement vowing to back efforts to re-open the key sea lane

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Geopolitics

What are the benefits and challenges of the U.S. being involved in NATO compared to supporting Gulf allies?

By Steve Holland and Gram Slattery MIAMI, March 27 (Reuters) - Donald Trump said on Friday the United States does not "have to be there for NATO," comments that again raised questions about the U.S. president's commitment to the mutual defense provisions at the center of the transatlantic alliance. Speaking to an investment forum in Miami on Friday night, Trump said he was upset that European NATO countries had declined to provide material support to the U.S. as it nears the fourth week of its ongoing war on Iran

United States
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Geopolitics

What could restarting talks with Iran mean for peace or conflict in the region?

April 14 (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday the indication the United Nations had was that it was highly probable talks to end the Iran war will restart. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran talks could resume in Pakistan over the next two days, according to an interview with the New York Post. Asked what the United Nations knew about such prospects, Guterres told reporters at the U.N., "The indication we have is that it is highly probable that these talks will restart."

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Geopolitics

What are the important factors to consider when a country strengthens its fuel supply with other nations?

SYDNEY, April 12 (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will visit Brunei and Malaysia this week, continuing diplomatic efforts to secure fuel supplies from Asian allies after disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. Albanese will travel to Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Lumpur from April 14 to 17, his office said in a statement on Sunday. He is scheduled to meet Brunei's ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Foreign Minister Penny Wong would also meet her counterparts in Brunei and Malaysia, the statement said

Australia
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