Damsana Ranadhiran

America's universities have a curious explanation for importing foreign workers: apparently, the world's most prestigious academic institutions cannot find enough Americans who know accounting, operate Excel spreadsheets, or conduct scientific research. Stanford University, a global symbol of American intellectual excellence, offers a revealing case study in how temporary work visas may be serving institutional financial interests rather than filling genuine gaps in the domestic labor market.

The security of Saudi Arabia is no longer merely a regional concern. It is a strategic imperative for the global economy. When missiles threaten Riyadh's airports, drones target oil refineries, and attacks endanger the infrastructure that keeps energy flowing to international markets, the consequences extend far beyond the Arabian Peninsula. From European factories and Asian industrial hubs to airlines and ordinary consumers worldwide, the cost of insecurity is becoming impossible to ignore. Yet while the world depends on Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure, the burden of defending it remains disproportionately concentrated on the Kingdom itself.

The growing convergence between the radical left and Islamist political movements is becoming a contentious issue in Western democracies, raising questions about ideological alliances, political polarization and the future of liberal institutions. As France confronts another wave of violent unrest, a Washington-based political watchdog is warning that similar ideological coalitions could influence the United States ahead of the November midterm elections. Supporters of this warning describe the phenomenon as the “Red-Green Alliance”-a

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's position on the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia marks a significant moment in an escalating regional crisis that extends far beyond Yemen. At its core, the confrontation reflects a longstanding struggle over sovereignty, regional influence and the right of Arab states to determine their own political and security priorities without external interference.

The United States may be able to influence India's energy choices through tariffs, diplomacy, and trade incentives, but forcing New Delhi to abandon Russian crude is a far more complicated challenge. India's dependence on imported energy, the economics of oil refining, and its long-standing relationship with Moscow make a complete break unlikely in the near future. Although Venezuela offers an additional source of crude, it cannot easily replace the scale, availability, and commercial advantages of Russian supplies.

Collective defense is often measured through military spending, troop numbers, advanced weapons and the ability to sustain combat operations. Yet these conventional indicators do not fully capture what makes an alliance effective. Strategic geography, access to critical infrastructure, operational coordination and political commitment can be equally important. The experience of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) demonstrates how smaller states can make contributions to regional security that extend far beyond their military size.

The Irish political debate has once again been dominated by controversy over the Triple Lock Agreement, the country's long-standing tradition of military neutrality, and whether a referendum should be held before any fundamental change is made to this important principle.

The frequent meetings between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2026 may suggest that Washington and Beijing are entering a more stable phase of their relationship. Yet beneath the diplomatic ceremonies, flattering remarks and promises of cooperation, the rivalry between the world’s two largest economies remains deeply entrenched. Their engagement has […]

The frequent meetings between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2026 may suggest that Washington and Beijing are entering a more stable phase of their relationship. Yet beneath the diplomatic ceremonies, flattering remarks and promises of cooperation, the rivalry between the world's two largest economies remains deeply entrenched. Their engagement has helped prevent tensions from escalating, but it has produced few substantive agreements capable of resolving their most consequential disputes.

For nearly five decades, United Nations peacekeepers have monitored one of the Middle East’s most volatile frontiers. Their presence in southern Lebanon has helped maintain communication, observe security developments and support efforts to prevent renewed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Now, as the United Nations prepares to end the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) […]