Confluence

This Week- With Confluence

Your Weekly Geopolitical Updates 

Warfare Outside the Battlefield 

The past week witnessed a whirlpool of warfare developments. The ICJ’s ruling stopped short of a binding ceasefire in Gaza so fighting has continued not only in Palestine but also

The Tragic Realities of the Middle East

The Middle East resembles a tragic Bond film – the IDF taking out top Hamas, IRGC and Hezbollah leaders; Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipments; the US’s defensive responses to

New Year, Same Conflict?

When John Lennon and Yoko Ono sang ‘War is Over’ in 1972, not many would have predicted that come the end of 2023, war would in fact still be raging.

Christmas in the Trenches

‘Twas the night after Christmas and the state of the world was marred by economic recession and conflict. Multiple UN resolutions calling for a ceasefire later, conflict continues in Gaza, with

Global Cooperation- Success or Illusion?

It is common for the end of the year to warrant reflection and today we ask, is global cooperation a success or not? In the latest round of UN Security Council

Global Power Tensions – Middle East, Climate and More

Much like DC’s supervillain Harvey Dent, the world this past week also appears to have two faces. One face showcases the resumption of conflict, highlighting how fragile the world we

The ‘Right’ Way of Politics

Everybody look to their right’. In her popular song ‘Price Tag’, Jessie J was certainly not talking about political inclinations, but looking to their right is what a lot of
Geopolitical Deja Vu- American Shutdown, China-SE Asia Diplomacy, and Increasing Climate Concerns

Geopolitical Deja Vu- American Shutdown, China-SE Asia Diplomacy, and Increasing Climate Concerns

Another week, another American scrutiny. Just over a month after the last possibility of funding drying up for US federal agencies, it faces yet another threat of a shutdown. Stuck

Geopolitical Rifts Continue 

For games and sports enthusiast MBS, the past week witnessed another feather being added to Saudi Arabia’s hat as the announcement came that the country would be hosting the 2034
The-Chess-Board-of-Middle-Eastern-Geopolitics

The Chess Board of Middle Eastern Geopolitics

The past week saw further intensification of violence across Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Amid Pro-Palestine protests across the world, the pressure on Israel for a ceasefire is

GCC Makes Its Mark in Cross-Continent Influence

All eyes are on the developments in the Middle East as Israeli airstrikes intensified this past week after Hamas’s 7 October attack. Negotiations allowed for the entry of aid into
Situation Update: Israel-Hamas War

Situation Update: Israel-Hamas War

The Israel-Hamas war took yet another sombre turn after a devastating explosion at the Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist hospital in the Gaza Strip on the night of the 17th of October
Oh, How the Diplomatic Tables Turn

Oh, How the Diplomatic Tables Turn

The world this past week has been rather grim with ongoing violence across Israel and Palestine and a less than positive global economic forecast. Restrictions on free trade are surging

Surprise, Surprise – Hamas Unveils the Untethered World Order

The past week started off with relative peace, but the surprise Hamas attack on Israel reminded everyone of the untethered global world – where wars call for wars and global

US Government Evades Shutdown Whilst Huawei Continues to Shine

‘Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered’ would appear to be the state of onlookers with respect to the geopolitical developments of the past week.
Geopolitical Clashes All Round

Geopolitical Clashes All Round

The world this past week took a Dickensian turn- it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Mere weeks after international cooperation at G20, it was
A Triad of Power Emerges

A Triad of Power Emerges

As election season draws closer for the US, it seems not a moment of rest can be expected for the ‘leader of the free world’. At home, Joe Biden faces prospects

GCC Giants- Who does International Relations Best?

With regional and global collaboration at a high during G20, we take a look at some of the activities undertaken by the UAE and Saudi Arabia.