The Iranian regime has announced the closure of the strait of Hormuz and threatened to target ships attempting to transit the narrow waterway. Some have already been damaged. While this could seriously harm global energy supply and raise costs, the consequences actually extend far beyond these markets.
The strait of...
Events in the Middle East during February and March 2026 again disrupted the flows of shipping trade to the eastern and western spheres of the international system.
Given that the global economy is maritime based and rests on secure and predictable flows of goods by sea, the...
By Mirna Fahmy
The date of February 28, 2026, carried immense symbolic weight as it marked the tenth day of Ramadan and the Jewish Shabbat Zachor. This specific Shabbat is...
By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
South Africa has put their hat in the ring in regards to mediating the war between Iran and Israel as Ramaphosa explained to the media at...
In presenting the 2026 national budget to South Africa’s parliament on 25 February, finance minister Enoch Godongwana characterised this as the turning point in South Africa’s public finances – heralding improved confidence, increased growth and rising infrastructure investment.
For over a decade, the size of the deficit and the rise in public...
By Mirna Fahmy
The date of February 28, 2026, carried immense symbolic weight as it marked the tenth day of Ramadan and the Jewish Shabbat Zachor. This specific Shabbat is dedicated to remembering the ancient enmity of Amalek, an ancestor of Haman, who served as...
In presenting the 2026 national budget to South Africa’s parliament on 25 February, finance minister Enoch Godongwana characterised this as the turning point in South Africa’s public finances – heralding improved...
By Mirna Fahmy
In 2026, extreme weather has already made a strong impact across the Northern Hemisphere. North America has faced historic blizzards, while Eurasia has experienced record-breaking cold. At...
By Virginia Keppler-Young
Referring to himself as an authentic product from Taiwan, Representative Oliver Liao, a career diplomat of the Republic of China (Taiwan), not only presented authentic Taiwanese dishes, but he is a pro at flipping an oyster omelette.
And he definitely knows how to make the tastiest Bubble tea,...
By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
The Continental Extractive Industries Programme (CEIP) is a pan-African initiative which serves as a flagship for the African Union Development Agency...
By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
The Compendium of Africa’s Strategic Minerals was launched at the Mining Indaba, as it aims to reframe the sector through the...