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The Ukraine war is no longer just a conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It has expanded far beyond Europe, reaching into the Middle East and even Africa. But how did this happen? The growing conflict involving Iran has pushed modern drone warfare directly onto NATO’s doorstep and into the strategic calculations of its allies. At the same time, global energy markets have become increasingly interconnected as instability around the Strait of Hormuz threatens one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. As a result, many countries are being forced to rely more heavily on energy supplies from the United States, China, and other regions outside the Middle East. This has also transformed Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian oil refineries into something much larger than a regional military tactic. What began as an effort to weaken Russia’s war economy has evolved into a form of kinetic economic warfare with global consequences — affecting fuel prices, supply chains, and energy ...

Trump's special military operation in Iran has now been going on for almost two months. In this time, not much has been achieved. So what is America's plan with this war? In this week's blog post, I want to explore what is going on in Iran: what America's goals are, and how this conflict might end. THE WAR SO FAR Iran has been going through a very turbulent time over the past year. There were widespread protests, during which many people died. These protests were largely related to the economic situation in Iran. Many people felt that the regime did not support them. Young people in particular felt that they had no opportunities. Trump appears to have seen an opportunity to encourage these protests to grow. Alongside the unrest, he took the chance to launch attacks. Two months on, however, we still do not know exactly why. During the time the war has been going on, Ali Khamenei has been killed and replaced by his son. We have not seen the son publicly since the start of...

Three weeks in, and the war in Iran is only growing more complicated. As noted last week, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, oil prices are still elevated, and questions about America’s intentions in Iran persist—still unresolved after all this time. One notable development in the conversation surrounding this conflict is the comparison being drawn between Iran and Ukraine: which war matters more, and which is more likely to reshape the balance of power on the global stage? That’s the question I want to explore in this post. In the shadow of a new and escalating crisis, are we beginning to forget Ukraine? WHAT IS GOING ON IN IRAN? At this stage, the situation in Iran remains tense but largely unchanged in its broader trajectory. Reports continue to suggest ongoing exchanges between Iran and opposing forces in the region, with military activity contributing to instability across neighboring countries. States such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are feeling the spillover effects o...

The conflict in Iran has now stretched nearly two weeks, with casualties mounting among both civilians and regime forces. America’s objectives remain unclear, though former President Trump has suggested goals ranging from regime change to dismantling Iran’s nuclear program—and even targeting its ballistic missile capabilities. The war has already triggered a well-known but deeply concerning consequence: the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow yet strategically critical waterway, controlled by Iran, is a vital artery for global oil shipments. Fears of missile strikes and drone attacks have made navigating it extremely hazardous, halting maritime traffic indefinitely. In this post, I want to focus on the Strait of Hormuz. Let's look at why it matters, how its closure reverberates across the global oil market, and what it could mean for the future trajectory of the conflict. WHAT AND WHERE IS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but critical waterway in the ...

We were struck by another shocking development over the weekend when the United States launched a major military operation against Iran early Saturday morning. The strikes included extensive air and missile attacks across multiple targets in the country. In the initial assaults, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly killed along with a number of senior Iranian officials, including top military leaders such as the defense minister and commanders of the Revolutionary Guard. In this blog post, I want to briefly explore what this attack on Iran means, how it might escalate, and the legal questions surrounding it. This is not without precedent — even in Venezuela, there have been U.S.-led strikes against the Maduro regime that were carried out without consultation. Former President Trump did not seek approval from Congress, the United Nations, or allied nations in those actions. WHAT HAPPENED IN IRAN? First, let's discuss what happened in Iran over the weekend. T...

Since last week, global attention has been gripped by the rapidly escalating crisis in the Middle East. Israel’s unprecedented strike on Iranian nuclear facilities has raised urgent questions: Will this conflict spiral into a broader regional war? Will the United States be drawn in? And what role might Russia play, given its close ties with Tehran? But in this blog post, I want to shift the focus. Rather than speculate on what may unfold in the Middle East, I want to examine how this development could impact the ongoing war in Ukraine. For those of us in Europe, it's crucial that we don’t lose sight of the conflict unfolding on our doorstep—even as new crises emerge elsewhere. THE EVENTS IN IRAN We discussed this briefly in our last post on asymmetric warfare. Basically, on 13th June 2025, 61 days after Trump's ultimatum to Iran to come to the negotiating table, Israel launched Operation "Rising Lion". This was a large-scale, coordinated Israeli military operation tar...

Evin Prison, located on the outskirts of Tehran, the capital of Iran, is a name that strikes fear and curiosity into the hearts and minds of many. Infamous for its harsh conditions and human rights violations, Evin Prison is a symbol of the broader issues surrounding justice, freedom, and governance in Iran.  In this blog post, we will delve into the history, conditions, and the international outcry surrounding Evin Prison. The Evin Prison Complex sprawled out on the side of the Alborz mountains.  THE HISTORY OF EVIN PRISON Evin Prison has a long and complex history dating back to its establishment in 1972 under the Shah of Iran's regime, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Initially built to house political prisoners, the prison quickly became a symbol of state repression and torture. However, after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Evin Prison's role and the composition of its inmates underwent significant changes. It is located at the base of the Alborz mountains, in the former home of Zi...