Global Policy Pulse

Strait of Hormuz Tensions

• 🔥 Trump Demands Japanese Warships: Trump has publicly demanded that Japan send warships to help reopen the Strait of...

Key angles on allies navigating US pressure amid Iran strait closure:

• Japan's vulnerability: Imports 90% energy via Hormuz; strait blocked after...

• No EU needed: Kremlin dismisses European involvement as "unnecessary" despite interest.
• Putin open: Russia remains ready for direct Ukraine...

Regional diplomatic pushback intensifies as Arab and Islamic foreign ministers convene in Riyadh over ongoing Iranian attacks.

• Key agenda:...

China's Foreign Ministry holds daily briefing reacting to Trump’s request on securing the Strait of Hormuz, addressing U.S.-China relations, regional...

Israel-Iran clashes disrupt key shipping lanes, raising global oil risks:

• Iran blames US: FM calls it America's war, allows only limited Hormuz...

Key global snapshot amid escalating Middle East conflicts (March 16-17, 2026):

• IDF ground ops in southern Lebanon: "Limited and targeted" raids and...

Zelenskyy warns the Iran-involved war is delaying Ukraine peace negotiations and complicating Western focus, urging US-UK unity.

US Counterterrorism Director Resigns Over Iran War

• 🔥 Joe Kent Steps Down: Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center and Trump...

EU foreign ministers discuss securing the Strait of Hormuz today, but show no positive responses to US President Donald's overture. Highlights transatlantic tensions in key waterway.

• Iran confirms security chief Ali Larijani's killing, a key figure for Trump ceasefire talks
• FM Araghchi issues major statement on ceasefire
• Netanyahu blocks Trump's Iran diplomacy paths
  Iran's stance hardens post-loss, complicating de-escalation.

• Ukraine peace talks halted by Iran war focus, giving Kremlin breathing room.
• Trump admin's Middle East shift eases US diplomatic pressure on...

From Green Beret to NCTC head: Ex-CIA officer with 11 combat tours and Gold Star husband quits over U.S.-Israel Iran strikes.

• Trump loyalist...

Key dissent from within: Joe Kent, Trump-appointed NCTC director, resigned citing no imminent Iranian threat and pressure from Israel's...

Trump diplomacy in action: Envoys from President Donald Trump's “Board of Peace” met Hamas representatives in Cairo to safeguard the Gaza ceasefire.

Global fallout intensifies from Israel-Iran clashes:

• Strike confirmations: Netanyahu verifies Israel killed Iran's security chief; Israel claims...

China and Vietnam held the inaugural '3+3' strategic dialogue ministerial meeting in Hanoi, chaired by foreign ministers and ministers of public security and national defense. Signals deepening bilateral coordination on key security fronts.

Amid Middle East tensions, China denies linking the Xi-Trump summit to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, stressing that Beijing and Washington remain in communication on the potential meeting. This signals steady great-power diplomacy.

US-Iran War Escalations

• 🔥 Israeli Strikes Kill Iranian Leaders: Israel's Defense Minister Katz stated the military killed Iran's security chief...

• Targeted killings escalate US-Israeli war on Iran: Israel's strikes killed security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani,...