Open Dialogue Research Journal
The United States is dramatically increasing its military presence in the Middle East, as President Donald Trump orders the deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region. The move is widely seen as an effort to intensify pressure on Iran amid fragile negotiations over its nuclear and […]
The cascading consequences of such a blockade, which might not ultimately be imposed due it entailing a high risk of war with Iran, could simultaneously weaken Russia, India, and China. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump 2.0 is considering imposing a Venezuelan-like oil blockade against Iran. It hasn’t yet done so […]
In recent days of February 2026, global media have been actively discussing a new executive order by the U.S. President, which introduces a mechanism of additional ad valorem duties—up to 25% or more—on goods imported into the United States from any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise […]
The sharp rise in tensions between the United States and Iran in early 2026 has once again pushed the Middle East to the edge of a major conflict. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of a possible “regional war”, the United States has deployed a powerful aircraft carrier […]
Armenia might have to accept the return of the ~200,000 Azeris who fled during the chaotic Soviet collapse (and the descendants), grant them equal language rights, teach in schools that they consider Armenia to be “Western Azerbaijan”, and possibly agree to a Schengen-like deal with Azerbaijan. Vice President JD Vance’s […]
The timing amidst continued US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine suggests that the US expects this ramped-up pressure to raise the chances of coercing concessions from Russia. Vice President JD Vance’s trips to Armenia and Azerbaijan were aimed at advancing several interconnected strategic goals. The most immediate was making progress on implementing the “Trump […]
The negotiations are a disaster from the start Special Ambassador Steve Witkoff no doubt talked to President Trump about the US-Iran meeting in Oman. We don’t have a special wiretap on his call to the President, but it is a sure bet Witkoff told the President things were going well […]
In 2026, the World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted a troubling trend: European diplomacy is experiencing a systemic crisis. The forum, traditionally a platform for discussing global economic, climate, and strategic initiatives, now demonstrates that real diplomatic decisions are gradually being replaced by media spectacles, symbolic gestures, and public showmanship. […]
In early 2026, Minnesota—and Minneapolis in particular—found itself at the epicenter of what many are already calling not just strict immigration enforcement, but a full-scale militarized assault by federal authorities on their own population. What began as promised mass deportations of undocumented migrants quickly spiraled into chaos, where U.S. citizens, […]
An Invasion is Unlikely The Trump administration has fundamentally changed direction on Iran. US NATO Ambassador Matt Whitaker says the US will not try and force regime change in Iran, suggesting that “we don’t want another Libya scenario.” Whitaker says “We’re not asking for much, just stop killing your people […]
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