Gulfif

Iraq’s most powerful armed factions are increasingly prioritizing political influence over confrontation. Iraq has long offered fertile ground for armed groups operating outside state authority. The Mahdi Army that emerged after 2003 showed how readily such forces could take root, and sectarian militias played a major role in the upheaval of the mid-to-late 2000s—confounding the U.S. occupation, deepening Iraq’s fault lines, and setting the stage for the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) the following decade.

From Hormuz to the Four Seas: Iraq’s Search for Energy Security Disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz have underscored Iraq’s vulnerability to overreliance on a single maritime chokepoint, prompting an urgent need for Baghdad to diversify its energy infrastructure.

President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official visit reception, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 15, 2026

As the war with Iran deepens, congressional lawmakers increasingly clash over war powers, executive authority, and the future of U.S. engagement in the Gulf.

The GCC states’ recent diversification of their defense partnerships might be a necessary step—but it is not enough to protect the region on its own.

Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the Gulf war reflects an effort to prevent a regional conflict from collapsing into a wider security crisis that would directly threaten Islamabad’s economy, border stability, and relations with the GCC.

As the risk of renewed U.S.-Iran conflict rises, Tehran has moved quickly to adapt to wartime realities while attempting to limit the impact on border security, domestic stability, and the broader economy. Despite obvious constraints, the Islamic Republic has had a measure of success in maintaining control at home while circumventing U.S. pressure in the Strait of Hormuz through shadow tankers and ship-to-ship transfers to sustain oil exports. This has reignited Western debates over whether sanctions and military actions are enough to curb Tehran’s economic capabilities.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz restructured global energy flows, revealing how quickly supply, pricing, and influence can shift amid maritime disruption.

Russia, Iran, and the Limits of Great-Power Mediation