Geopolitics & Defense
Geopolitics, conflicts and defense: Ukraine and Russia, the Middle East, China and Taiwan, NATO, military industry, sanctions, trade and energy security.
About this list
This reading list brings together items from the sources selected for Geopolitics & Defense. Open each item at its original source for the complete article, episode or video. This is a selection of current coverage, not a complete archive.
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Rubio meets Iraq’s PM as remaining US troops prepare exit
The meeting in New York comes less than two weeks before remaining US troops are set to leave Iraq.
Saudi Arabia pauses star-studded Red Sea film festival as Houthis hit kingdom
The postponement arrives as attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants are increasingly disrupting the kingdom’s economy and could also impact other high-profile international events.
Iran threatens to expand war with new weapons if US attacks resume
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to expand its attacks in the region and use new weapons.
Prize Courts Revived for Iran Seizures || Peter Zeihan
The U.S. military has been seizing Iranian shadow fleet vessels at the instruction of the Trump administration. But until now, they couldn't do anything with that seized cargo. Fear not, the prize court system is here to save the day. Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihan Full Newsletter: https://bit.ly/4yD865t
UAE’s Gargash expects ‘prolonged’ war, calls for Iran-Gulf security talks
“We need a new mindset that these sort of discussions ... can happen at an Iranian-American level, it should also take place at an Iranian-Arab level,” Gargash told Al-Monitor.
How to Work Together Like Early Rome || Peter Zeihan
As the global order breaks apart, countries and communities that can incorporate the learnings from early Rome can weather the storm much better than others. We're talking about integrating economies, infrastructure, and security. Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihan
Bioweapons, AI, and the end of the world, with Annie Jacobsen
For decades, nuclear war has represented the ultimate doomsday scenario. But investigative journalist and author Annie Jacobsen says biological warfare may pose an even greater overall threat. Unlike nuclear weapons, which require tightly controlled materials, enormously expensive delivery systems, and specialized expertise, the barriers to developing biological weapons can be far lower. And artificial intelligence could lower them further.
Lebanon charges 5 in alleged Hezbollah operation to train Assad loyalists
A Lebanese military court has charged the five, including an Assad-era Syrian officer and Hezbollah members, with running a cross-border security network planning attacks in Syria’s coastal region.
Flies to Poop
The Houthis have an email address. You send them your ship's name, your transponder number, and they send you back a bank account. It's all very cultured. And the Iranians could have taken oil to $200 back in March but... They didn't. The Houthis could have flattened the East-West Pipeline seven years ago but... They didn't. So when everybody on Twitter is losing their toupees over Brent at 110, ask the better question: not what could happen, but why it hasn't. This is piracy, not jihad. These guys want to get P - A - I - D.
Can AI-Driven Robots Save Japan? || Peter Zeihan
Japan has long been a pioneer in methodologies and technologies to save society from a demographic crisis. Japan's next endeavour is developing AI-powered robots for industrial, agricultural, healthcare, and logistics applications. Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihan Full Newsletter: https://bit.ly/472ikQR
Trump administration approves $24B sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia
Trump first announced the planned sale in November 2025, ahead of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments
The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime.
Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones: What to know
Serbian President Vucic said the factory will put together “state-of-the-art” Israeli-designed drones and employ around 100 workers.
Turkey’s Erdogan to run for ‘final’ third term in 2028, adviser says
If Turkey’s parliament votes to move the next election up during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s second term, he could constitutionally run for third.
Syrian singer Assala returns to Damascus stage after 15-year exile
The Syrian star, one of the Arab world’s most famous artists, had been in self-exile since 2011 after she openly supported the uprising against the since-ousted Assad government.
What Is Zelensky's Political Future? || Peter Zeihan
Volodymyr Zelensky’s historical legacy is still being written. Sure, he's remained highly popular as a wartime leader and would likely be reelected if elections were held tomorrow. But a lot of his legacy depends upon the outcome of the Ukraine War. Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihan Full Newsletter: https://bit.ly/4j2z1D2
How to Understand the New Age of War: A Conversation With Lawrence D. Freedman
By some measures, there is more war in the world today than at any point since World War II. Today’s wars have brought a level of destruction, disruption, and global risk that would have been hard to imagine not long ago, often in places where such combat seemed a thing of the past. Policymakers once again worry about nuclear use, and military planners once again contemplate war between great powers, including the United States and China, and NATO and Russia.
How Is Finland Managing the Russia Threat?
Shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia’s northern neighbors—Finland and Sweden—decided to join NATO in order to strengthen their security vis-a-vis a belligerent Moscow. In the fifth year of the Russia-Ukraine war, the risks are nevertheless on Europe's doorstep, and some argue that Russia may even launch a kinetic attack against its neighbors in the not-so-distant future—including against Finland. How is Finland responding to these risks? How has NATO membership contributed to Finnish security?
Israel, Morocco agree to exchange ambassadors, open embassies
The move will mark the first time Morocco and Israel have exchanged ambassadors.
‘Ask Me Anything,’ and Why Ravi’s Kyiv Visit Left Him So Worried
It’s time for another ask-me-anything edition of FP Live. After a trip to Kyiv, FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal explained why new developments in drone technology have him worried about conflicts around the world. Plus, he takes on the energy market, why both the United States and Iran have overreached in their ongoing conflict, and how Chinese President Xi Jinping sees the world.
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