Richard Wolff: China Won the Economic War; the West Fragments

Mar 20, 2026

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Newspaper Slams Internet Blackouts & Growing Restrictions inside Russia

Mar 25, 2026 | In the Russian papers you won't find criticism of Russia’s war on Ukraine. But one paper today has an editorial slamming internet blackouts and increasing restrictions in Russia: “Where is the cut-off point, the line in our personal & collective experience we’re not prepared to cross, where we would say no, we can’t live without this, we don’t want to?”

'We Learned the Lesson...': EU Chief Makes Shocking Admission During Speech at Australian Parliament

Mar 24, 2026 | World News: In a striking moment at the Australian Parliament, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a candid admission, saying “we learned the lesson…” during a major speech that touched on global security, economic resilience, and shifting geopolitical realities. Her remarks have sparked widespread attention, as she reflected on past challenges and the need for stronger international cooperation in an increasingly unstable world.

Addressing lawmakers, the EU chief highlighted lessons drawn from recent global crises, emphasizing the importance of unity, preparedness, and strategic independence. The speech underscores Europe’s evolving stance on global partnerships and its approach to emerging threats. Watch the full address as Ursula von der Leyen delivers a powerful message on lessons learned, future strategy, and the changing world order.

US Plays with Total War Insanity | Patrick Henningsen

Mar 24, 2026 | The Iran War is a multi-decade history of step-by-step escalation to get to total war and the peak of the strategy is around the corner. Today I'm speak with Patrick Henningsen, American journalist, geopolitical analyst, and founder of 21st Century Wire.

Where Have Cuba's Friends Gone? | DW News

Mar 24, 2026 | Cuba is facing one of its worst crises in decades. After the U.S. imposed a near total oil blockade on the island — and warned of tariffs on any country willing to supply fuel — Cuba’s long standing alliances in Latin America have begun to crumble.

With Venezuela’s President Maduro removed and its oil shipments cut off, the island has plunged deeper into blackouts, shortages and a growing humanitarian emergency.

Why are Cuba’s traditional left wing allies staying silent? And how is U.S. pressure reshaping diplomacy across the region?

DW speaks with Christopher Sabatini, Senior Research Fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, to understand why Mexico, Brazil and Colombia are keeping their distance and what Cuba’s future could look like as it becomes increasingly isolated.

L'Australie et l'Union européenne signent un vaste accord de libre-échange

LE FIGARO : L’accord a été signé par la présidente de la Commission européenne Ursula von der Leyen et le premier ministre australien Anthony Albanese, à Canberra.

L'Australie et l'Union européenne (UE) ont signé mardi à Canberra un vaste accord de libre-échange, conclu au terme d’années de négociations pour stimuler le commerce bilatéral, malgré les protestations d’agriculteurs européens. Le texte a été signé lors de la première visite de la présidente de la Commission européenne Ursula von der Leyen dans le pays depuis son entrée en fonction, alors que les deux partenaires font face à des incertitudes renforcées par la guerre au Moyen-Orient.

L’Australie et l’UE sont également convenus de renforcer leur coopération en matière de défense et d’améliorer l’accès européen aux minéraux critiques australiens. Bruxelles comme Canberra cherchent à diversifier les débouchés de leurs exportations, pour faire face aux pressions des États-Unis et de la Chine. L’UE est aujourd’hui le troisième partenaire commercial bilatéral de l’Australie et sa deuxième source d’investissements étrangers. « L’UE et l’Australie sont peut-être géographiquement très éloignées, mais nous ne pourrions être plus proches dans notre vision du monde », a déclaré Mme von der Leyen. « C’est un moment important pour notre nation, nous sécurisons un accord avec la deuxième économie du monde », a souligné le premier ministre australien Anthony Albanese. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mardi 24 March 2026

À cause du Brexit, la Grande-Bretagne est laissée pour compte ! — © Mark Alexander

Has Meloni Turned against Trump over Iran as Key Referendum Tests Her Leadership?

Mar 23, 2026 | Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s criticism of the US-Israeli war on Iran has exposed cracks in her relationship with US President Donald Trump.

She was supposed to be Europe’s ‘Trump whisperer’ but Meloni has even compared the Iran war to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Italian public opinion is firmly against being drawn into the conflict and this weekend Meloni faced a key test of her leadership with a crucial referendum on judicial reform.

So, has Meloni chosen domestic loyalty over transatlantic relations?

Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:

Riccardo Alcaro, Head of Research of the Programme at the Istituto Affari Internazionali
Marta Grande, Former President of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Chamber of Deputies of Italy
Amy Frederiksen, Republican Strategist

Switzerland’s New Deal with the EU Explained

March 21, 2026

Stock Markets Plunge after Trump’s Ultimatum on Iran

THE GUARDIAN: Stocks slump in Asia and Europe, gold slides and investors brace for higher oil prices after US president’s threat

Global stock markets dropped sharply on Monday after Donald Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants unless the strait of Hormuz is opened.

Stock markets in Asia and Europe slumped at the start of the week. Japan’s Nikkei share index dropping by 3.4%, China’s CSI 300 down 2.8%, and the South Korean Kospi fell 6.5%.

In Europe, Spain’s Ibex was off 1.9%, France’s CAC 40 index declined 1.5%, Germany’s Dax dropped 1.9% and the FTSE 100 fell nearly 1.5%.

The US president said on Saturday that he was giving Iran 48 hours – until shortly before midnight GMT on Monday – to open the strait, which carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Tehran has said it will “irreversibly destroy” essential infrastructure across the Middle East, including vital water systems, if the US follows through on Trump’s threat. » | Lauren Almeida | Monday, March 23, 2026

Top Economist: Why the Iran War Will Destroy the US Empire

Premiered March 11, 2026

Iran erklärt: Straße von Hormus ist offen – außer für Schiffe von „Feinden“

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Die Straße von Hormus sei weiterhin passierbar, erklärt der iranische Vertreter bei der UN-Seefahrtsorganisation. „Feindliche“ Schiffe seien allerdings ausgenommen.

Eine Passage durch Straße von Hormus bleibt nach iranischen Angaben möglich, mit Ausnahme von Schiffen, die mit „Irans Feinden“ in Verbindung stehen, wie die iranische Nachrichtenagentur Mehr auf Telegram mitteilte. Das habe der Iran in einer Stellungnahme an die Internationale Seeschifffahrts-Organisation (IMO) erklärt, hieß es.

Der Schiffsverkehr durch die Straße von Hormus ist aufgrund des Iran-Kriegs stark eingeschränkt. Die strategisch wichtige Handelsroute ist für etwa ein Fünftel der weltweiten Öl- und LNG-Transporte von zentraler Bedeutung. Die weitgehende Blockade hat weltweit für steigende Energiepreise gesorgt. » | Anika Schlünz | Sonntag, 22. März 2026

Iran-Krieg: Spanien friert die Mieten ein: Spanien beschließt wegen des Iran-Kriegs einen Mietenstopp. Das milliardenschwere Entlastungspaket gegen die Kriegsfolgen führte zuvor zu massivem Streit in der Koalition. »

Iran Warns of ‘Irreversible Damage’ to Regional Infrastructure If Power Plants Attacked

THE GUARDIAN: In a post on X, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that critical infrastructure and energy facilities in the Middle East could be “irreversibly destroyed” if Iranian power plants are attacked. He wrote:

”Immediately after the power plants and infrastructure in our country are targeted, the critical infrastructure, energy infrastructure, and oil facilities throughout the region will be considered legitimate targets and will be destroyed in an irreversible manner, and the price of oil will remain high for a long time.”

Click here for more » | Sunday, March 2026

‘The Stakes Are Enormous’: How a Prolonged Iran War Could Shock the Global Economy

THE GUARDIAN: Donald Trump’s ‘little excursion’ is likely to have long-term effects, from oil prices to inflation to growth, say experts

In the days after the US and Israel first bombed Iran, financial markets bet the economic fallout from Donald Trump’s “little excursion” in the Middle East would be short-lived.

“There are risks from higher oil prices longer term. But this is a tail risk,” one US-based fund manger said after the airstrike killing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “History has shown time and time again that geopolitical flare-ups like this tend to be short-lived. This one should prove to be no exception.’’

Goldman Sachs told clients it expected temporary disruption. “Oil prices to decline throughout the year. But risks are skewed to the upside,” its analysts wrote. UniCredit suggested crude would be capped at about $80 a barrel. “Given its struggle for survival, the Iranian regime has an incentive to keep its response measured”.

Three weeks later, the prospect of a drawn-out war is causing mounting economic problems. Oil prices have soared above $100 a barrel, European gas prices have doubled, volatility stalks financial markets, and consumers worldwide are bracing for a surge in living costs. Central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, Bank of England and European Central Bank, warn the war could have a material impact on inflation and dent global growth.

“Market wisdom still holds that the war will end quickly, with the strait of Hormuz soon to reopen,” said Albert Edwards, a senior analyst at Société Générale. “Maybe the market is right, but in my opinion the risks are asymmetric that stagflation bursts the complacency bubble.”

With each day, more problems are emerging. From the soaring price of petrol and diesel for motorists, to cancelled flights and the worst travel disruption since the Covid pandemic. » | Richard Partington | Sunday, March 22, 2026

How the Gulf Countries Are Responding to the Iran War Energy Shock

Mar 21, 2026 | As energy prices rise, the US is increasingly looking for ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping.

So what are the workarounds? And can any of them stave off an energy crisis?

Iran Launches Attack on Israel’s Top Secret Nuclear Facility in Negev Desert | BBC News

Mar 21, 2026 | Iranian missiles have struck an Israeli town housing the country’s top secret nuclear facility, believed to be the site of its nuclear weapons arsenal. The Shimon Perez Negev Nuclear Research Centre contains a nuclear reactor and is close to the town of Dimona in the Negev desert in southern Israel.

Around 100 people are reported to have been injured in Dimona, when the missiles hit residential buildings. There are unconfirmed reports of multiple deaths. Injuries and deaths were also reported in the southern Israeli city of Arad. Iran said the strike on Dimona was in retaliation for an Israeli attack earlier in the day on its nuclear facilities at Natanz. Iran's nuclear agency said the site had come under attack but there had been no leakage of radioactivity.

Iran’s state news agency said: “The enemy has once again received an unforgettable lesson. The missile attack on the Dimona area has once again sent a clear message: No area is safe from Iranian missiles. The enemy must surrender before it is too late.”

The United Arab Emirates also reported many people injured there in the latest missile attacks by Iran. The UAE’s defence ministry said it had intercepted hundreds of missiles. Israel and the US have continued their airstrikes on Iran’s capital Tehran, while US Central Command said it had degraded Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

G7 foreign ministers have issued a statement calling for an “immediate end” to Iranian strikes in the Gulf region. They also said they were prepared to take measures to protect global energy supplies.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Joe Inwood, Esyllt Carr and Damian Grammaticas.

Could the US Lose the War in Iran?

Mar 21, 2026 | Is the United States really winning the war against Iran—or is the situation more complicated than it seems? Despite massive airstrikes and thousands of Iranian targets destroyed, Iran continues to launch drone attacks, strike oil infrastructure, and disrupt global shipping.

How is a country with far fewer military resources still able to challenge the world’s most powerful military? Anthony Davis breaks down the strategy behind modern asymmetric warfare—where weaker nations use cheap drones, missiles, and strategic geography to impose huge costs on stronger opponents. He also explores how the Strait of Hormuz, global oil markets, and economic pressure could play a decisive role in the conflict, as Trump begs former allies for assistance.


ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.

Michael Lambert: Top Ten Brexit Lies and Starmer's Stupid Red Lines

Mar 21, 2026 | Is the "Brexit Omertà" finally over?

In this video, I break down why senior Labour politicians are suddenly finding their voices to criticize the economic damage of leaving the EU.

We look at the latest YouGov data showing a massive 82% of Labour voters now support rejoining the EU—leaving Keir Starmer in a nearly impossible political position. Why did he set "Red Lines" back in 2022 that ruled out the Single Market and Customs Union, and can he ever walk them back?

Bernie Sanders: We Are Living in Dangerous Times

Mar 20, 2026 | Trump’s authoritarianism. War in Iran. A corrupt campaign system owned by billionaires. Attacks on voting rights. And an AI revolution with no guardrails.

Le Kremlin affirme vouloir aider Cuba, sans évoquer de livraison de pétrole russe

LE FIGARO : Le gouvernement américain, qui a récemment assoupli ses sanctions contre le pétrole russe, a souligné jeudi qu’il interdisait toujours la livraison à Cuba d’hydrocarbures venant de Russie.

Le Kremlin a affirmé vendredi discuter avec Cuba, pays allié de Moscou, des moyens d'aider l'île soumise à un blocus pétrolier américain, se refusant néanmoins à commenter des informations sur une livraison secrète de gazole d'origine russe. « Nous sommes en contact constant avec les autorités cubaines, avec nos amis cubains et nous discutons avec eux des moyens d'aider Cuba dans la situation difficile dans laquelle elle se trouve », a déclaré le porte-parole de la présidence russe, Dmitri Peskov, lors de son point presse quotidien.

Cuba n’a plus importé de pétrole depuis le 9 janvier

« C'est tout ce que je peux dire sur le sujet », a-t-il ajouté. Selon le service de suivi maritime Windward, un pétrolier s'apprête à livrer clandestinement « d'ici quelques jours » du gazole d'origine russe à Cuba s'il parvient à atteindre l'île. Le Sea Horse, battant pavillon de Hong Kong et qui n'est pas visé par des sanctions, transporterait selon Windward environ 190.000 barils de gazole russe, chargé depuis un autre navire au large de Chypre début février. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 20 mars 2026

Related article in English here.

What the Attacks Oil & Gas Facilities in the Middle East Mean for Global Energy Security | DW News

Mar 20, 2026 | US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against any further attacks on gas facilities in Qatar after Tehran carried out multiple strikes on key infrastructure. Iran targeted the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas hub on Wednesday, causing significant damage to the world’s largest LNG complex, which processes gas from Qatar’s North Field. Tehran says the attack was in response to an earlier Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars facilities. Gas is critical to Iran’s energy supply, providing roughly 80 percent of its electricity.