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Category: Diplomacy

Donald Trump, Mark Savaya, and JD Vance standing together and smiling in front of American flags.

Trump’s Iraq Strategy: Unconventional Envoy Appointment Signals Transactional Diplomacy Shift

December 25, 2025

In a major shift toward “business-oriented diplomacy,” President Trump has appointed Detroit entrepreneur Mark Savaya as the U.S. Special Envoy to Iraq. A Chaldean-American with deep regional ties but no traditional diplomatic background, Savaya is tasked with stabilizing Iraq’s economy and curbing Iranian influence. His mission—focused on disarming militias and opening Iraqi oil and energy markets—signals a pragmatic, deal-driven era for U.S.-Iraq relations that prioritizes economic sovereignty over conventional foreign policy.

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Vladimir Putin and Nicolas Maduro shaking hands and smiling in a formal, gold-decorated room with national flags.

Sanctions Regime Erosion: Economic Coercion Transitions to Asset Seizure

December 24, 2025

As the U.S. intensifies its economic pressure with a late-2025 oil blockade, Venezuela is successfully bypassing restrictions through strategic alliances with China, Russia, and Iran. This shift highlights the growing ineffectiveness of unilateral coercive measures, as sanctioned nations build alternative financial networks while the humanitarian toll on ordinary citizens fuels a global pushback against Western financial dominance.

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The flag of Iraq and the United Nations flag standing side-by-side in front of a wall with a large, faded UN emblem.

Regional Mediation and Civilizational Cooperation: Revising Huntington’s Framework

December 19, 2025

The conclusion of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq’s 22-year mandate signifies a critical moment in Middle Eastern political dynamics. It encourages a reevaluation of how regional actors might resolve ongoing conflicts through mediation and cooperation instead of confrontation, highlighting the potential for regional diplomatic leadership to offer new conflict resolution frameworks beyond conventional great power intervention.

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A wide view of many people sitting in rows on the ground in the courtyard of a large, white mosque with a tall minaret.

Bangladesh Political Transition: International Engagement with Islamist Movements

December 19, 2025

Bangladesh is undergoing significant political changes after the 2024 government transition, with increased international engagement, particularly from the United States, with various political groups ahead of the February 2026 elections. This diplomatic activity has spotlighted Islamist political movements, prompting discussions about strategic considerations, the future of democratic development, and implications for regional stability.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro shaking hands in front of several Chinese and Venezuelan flags

China-Venezuela Partnership: Testing All-Weather Alliance Under Pressure

December 18, 2025

Recent U.S. military actions near Venezuela have challenged China’s commitment to its partnership with Caracas, showcasing a mix of rhetorical support, economic engagement, and military cooperation, but lacking in security guarantees or substantial financial support. This situation highlights China’s strategy in managing partnerships under Western influence and the limitations of its declarations of solidarity.

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A wide shot of various national flags, including the US, UK, and Turkey, flying in a circle in front of a modern brick and glass building.

Transatlantic Alliance Transformation: Strategic Implications of American Reorientation

December 18, 2025

The North Atlantic relationship is undergoing a significant transformation due to shifting American strategic priorities from alliance-based internationalism to sphere-of-influence arrangements among major powers. This change, evident in recent policies and diplomatic actions, raises important questions regarding the sustainability of the transatlantic security architecture and its implications for both American and European interests.

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Donald Trump sitting at his desk in the Oval Office, speaking to a delegation of officials seated across from him

Damascus Gains International Legitimacy Through White House Visit Yet Internal Challenges Persist

December 17, 2025

Ahmed al-Sharaa’s meeting with President Trump on November 10 marked a significant diplomatic achievement for Syria, resulting in the removal of UN Security Council sanctions and a suspension of the Caesar Act for six months. However, consolidating this international recognition domestically is challenging due to Kurdish forces’ resistance to integration, demands for autonomy from Druze leaders, and Israeli military expansion in southern Syria.

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A jigsaw puzzle where the pieces show the American flag, with a missing piece being replaced by a dark piece featuring a map of the Middle East

Business Entanglements Shape American Foreign Policy Execution

December 16, 2025

The intersection of commercial interests and diplomatic decision-making is a defining feature of current American foreign policy, as evidenced by dropped prosecutions, controversial pardons, and Gulf investments. These cases highlight the influence of personal business relationships on international relations, raising questions about conflict of interest, transparency, and strategic coherence.

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres shaking hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani in front of UN and Iraqi flags

Regional Powers Position Mediation Capacity as Alternative to Civilizational Conflict Paradigm

December 16, 2025

UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s visits to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iraq mark a potential shift from external crisis management to regional diplomatic leadership, particularly highlighted by the formal closure of UNAMI after 22 years. This development challenges Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” framework by illustrating how culturally connected states can effectively mediate conflicts that hinder international institutions.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaking at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels

Brussels’ Global Gateway Faces Credibility Crisis as Developing Nations Seek Substantive Partnerships

December 15, 2025

European attempts to build strategic partnerships with developing nations face significant skepticism, particularly as major initiatives like the €300 billion Global Gateway program are criticized for failing to produce expected changes. Global South partners express doubts that Brussels is offering new resources for infrastructure and development, instead viewing these efforts as a mere rebranding of existing commitments in contrast to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

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