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COMMENT: A new world of asymmetrical diplomacy

The world has changed in a very fundamental way. For most of the last century the world has been run on the lines of Great Power Geopolitics: them and us; the enlightened and the barbaric; the rich and the poor.

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TCHAKAROV: Armenia after an opposition victory — Georgia 2.0?

An opposition win would not be an economic, political or geopolitical disaster.

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Far-right outsider edges left in Colombia first round to set up ideological runoff

A flamboyant lawyer versus a communist senator's son. Colombia's presidential runoff pits two radically different visions of the country's future against each other.

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The magnet wars and how China still holds the keys to electric mobility

While Western carmakers rush to roll out new electric models, their production lines remain tethered to an extraction and refining network dominated by a single superpower - China.

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Warsaw-Kyiv relations hit new low as Nawrocki seeks to strip Zelenskiy of Poland’s highest honour

Rift after Kyiv named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which Poland accuses of genocide.

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Kremlin wants “full partnership” with Afghan Taliban, military-technical deal signed

Russia is the only country in the world to formally recognise Afghanistan’s rulers, though Central Asia is slowly but surely building relations.

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Bulgaria the latest addition to the EU’s Excessive Deficit Club

Bulgaria has barely had time to celebrate joining the eurozone monetary union at the start of this year before the European Commission is set to turn around and throw it into the rapidly growing financial delinquents club.

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Euroclear appeals immediate enforcement of $256bn Russian Central Bank ruling

Euroclear has appealed the immediate enforcement of a RUB18.2 trillion ($256bn) Moscow court ruling won by Russia's central bank, as the EU weighs using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine.

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Panama-flagged tanker hit by explosion in Iraqi waters in Persian Gulf

Turkey releases official 1Q GDP growth at 2.5% y/y

COMMENT: Did Israel's Netanyahu lose the war he claims to have won?

Panama-flagged tanker hit by explosion in Iraqi waters in Persian Gulf

A cargo vessel was struck by an explosion from an unknown projectile 40 nautical miles southeast of Umm Qasr, Iraq, UKMTO confirmed, with authorities investigating.

Turkey releases official 1Q GDP growth at 2.5% y/y

The civil servants of economic management tend to release a lower figure in the initial digestion, before revising it up in following releases.

COMMENT: Did Israel's Netanyahu lose the war he claims to have won?

The most useful comparison for the Iran war of 2026 is not the Six-Day War of 1967. It is the Suez Crisis of 1956. The point is being made openly in Tel Aviv, by columnists who have lost patience with the Netanyahu camp's victory rhetoric.

News

Iran suspends nuclear talks with US over Israeli operations in Lebanon and Gaza

Iran suspends nuclear talks with the US via mediators, citing Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon and Gaza, and warns of Strait of Hormuz closure and new resistance fronts.

US and Iran report latest strikes around Strait of Hormuz

US and Iran reported a fresh wave of strikes around the Strait of Hormuz, the third escalation in a week, as the IRGC said it hit a US-used air base after an attack on Sirri Island and talks stalled.

Hegseth praises US-China stability but warns over Beijing’s military build-up

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said relations between Washington and Beijing are “better than they have been in many years” under President Donald Trump, but warned of China’s rapid military expansion.

China pledges base commodity support to Cambodia amid supply pressures

China has pledged supplies of oil, gas and agricultural fertiliser to Cambodia as the country faces rising energy and input costs that are weighing on farmers, rural households and small businesses.

Poland’s opposition eyes local referendums as campaign tool after Kraków mayor’s shock ouster

Poland’s right-wing opposition is seeking to turn the successful recall of Kraków Mayor Aleksander Miszalski into a broader campaign tool, with other large cities now discussed as potential targets before next year’s parliamentary election.

Iran suspends nuclear talks with US over Israeli operations in Lebanon and Gaza

2 hours ago

US and Iran report latest strikes around Strait of Hormuz

9 hours ago

Hegseth praises US-China stability but warns over Beijing’s military build-up

15 hours ago

China pledges base commodity support to Cambodia amid supply pressures

16 hours ago

Poland’s opposition eyes local referendums as campaign tool after Kraków mayor’s shock ouster

19 hours ago

More News

Tech

From Soviet antihistamine to Alzheimer's breakthrough: a UK biotech bets on a molecule the world forgot

A small UK-registered biotech company believes it has found an Alzheimer's treatment that is safer, cheaper and more effective than anything currently on the market — and it has done so by revisiting a molecule first synthesised by Soviet chemists.

Japanese groups weigh backing SoftBank-led AI venture

According to people familiar with the matter cited by the agency, the companies are examining plans to invest tens of millions of yen each, equivalent to several hundred thousand US dollars.

Russian state banks buy into e-commerce with Sber and Ozon deal next

Sberbank negotiates purchase of Ozon stake, after VTB and fellow e-commerce platform Wildberries confirm partnership deal.

BC Partners faces legal challenge over United Media sale

United Group founder and former CEO have launched legal proceedings against private equity firm BC Partners, seeking to block the planned sale of United's Southeast European media assets.

Argentina unveils ‘Super RIGI’ bill to attract billion-dollar technology investments

Argentina's government has sent to Congress a new investment incentive bill dubbed "Super RIGI", targeting projects worth at least $1bn in sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors and advanced biotechnology.

From Soviet antihistamine to Alzheimer's breakthrough: a UK biotech bets on a molecule the world forgot

3 days ago

Japanese groups weigh backing SoftBank-led AI venture

3 days ago

Russian state banks buy into e-commerce with Sber and Ozon deal next

3 days ago

BC Partners faces legal challenge over United Media sale

4 days ago

Argentina unveils ‘Super RIGI’ bill to attract billion-dollar technology investments

5 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

BERTRAND: Thucydides trap is not real, but threat of WWIII is

I actually suspect that no-one seriously believes in the existence of the "Thucydides trap": not the Chinese, not the West, and probably not even Graham Allison, the author of the concept (he's too smart for this).

RAGOZIN: Melnyk reburial signals ideological shift in Ukraine

During his seven years as president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s attitude to Ukraine’s history has changed radically.

COMMENT: Now there’s a thing – Deutsche Welle circulates Erdogan regime’s line in English but butters up opposition in Turkish

Core tenet of German foreign policy means a public veneer of democratic solidarity, but a reality of accommodating strongmen.

BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Defiant Ozel declares Erdogan will be ousted by 60% of voters in snap poll

Unfortunately, as per usual, the CHP does not appear to be living in the real world.

Millions of Ukrainians may remain in EU for years even after war ends

Ukrainian refugees are likely to remain in the European Union for years – and possibly permanently – even if the war with Russia ends, according to a new report by the Clingendael Institute.

BERTRAND: Thucydides trap is not real, but threat of WWIII is

1 day ago

RAGOZIN: Melnyk reburial signals ideological shift in Ukraine

3 days ago

COMMENT: Now there’s a thing – Deutsche Welle circulates Erdogan regime’s line in English but butters up opposition in Turkish

3 days ago

BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Defiant Ozel declares Erdogan will be ousted by 60% of voters in snap poll

5 days ago

Millions of Ukrainians may remain in EU for years even after war ends

7 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Russian manufacturing PMI downturn eases as output returns despite weaker demand

Russia’s manufacturing sector remained in the red in May, although the pace of decline eased slightly as factories increased production to clear backlogs despite a sharper fall in new orders, according to S&P Global data.

Seoul shares hit record high as tech rally extends

South Korean equities opened at a fresh record high on June 1, as strong demand for technology stocks outweighed uncertainty surrounding negotiations between the US and Iran over a peace agreement.

BofA goes short on 2-month dollar/lira forward contract for 3.3% monthly carry return

Bank’s analysts say Turkey’s rising political uncertainty has led to a repricing of risk, creating a more attractive entry point.

China’s economic growth leaves Japan in the dust.

Thirty years ago in its heyday Japan’s economy was bigger than the whole of Asia combined. Today it is the size of just three Chinese coastal regions.

India's depreciating currency a symptom of structural problems for New Delhi

The Indian rupee lost nearly 11% of its value against the US dollar y/y between May 2025 and May 2026, a slide that makes it the worst performing currency in the world against the greenback.

Russian manufacturing PMI downturn eases as output returns despite weaker demand

8 hours ago

Seoul shares hit record high as tech rally extends

14 hours ago

BofA goes short on 2-month dollar/lira forward contract for 3.3% monthly carry return

22 hours ago

China’s economic growth leaves Japan in the dust.

1 day ago

India's depreciating currency a symptom of structural problems for New Delhi

1 day ago

More Data

Features

Tbilisi counts the cost of Trump Tower

Local residents fear development will destroy "green lungs" of Tbilisi, as their government encourages Trump Tower project to mend relations with Washington.

Indonesia bets on resource nationalism to plug fiscal gaps

Mineral export bans and upcoming windfall taxes have become the country’s overarching strategy - one that is increasingly running up against regulatory bottlenecks, illegal capital leakages, and local governance deficits.

Ukraine’s budget comes under strain as defence financing pressures build - KSE

Ukraine’s fiscal position remained broadly stable on the revenue side in the first quarter of 2026, but rising defence needs and delays in external financing increased pressure on public finances as the quarter progressed.

Global oil inventories falling at record pace, critical storage threshold about to be breached - IEA

Global oil inventories are declining at a record rate as the market absorbs a major Middle East supply disruption, raising the risk of sharp price increases if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to the International Energy Agency.

How effective are Ukraine’s drone strikes at destroying Russian refinery production?

Wrangling over how effective Ukraine’s drone strikes of Russian refineries has broken out amidst conflicting reports of just how much damage is being done to Russia’s key oil infrastructure.

Tbilisi counts the cost of Trump Tower

2 days ago

Indonesia bets on resource nationalism to plug fiscal gaps

2 days ago

Ukraine’s budget comes under strain as defence financing pressures build - KSE

3 days ago

Global oil inventories falling at record pace, critical storage threshold about to be breached - IEA

3 days ago

How effective are Ukraine’s drone strikes at destroying Russian refinery production?

3 days ago

More Features

Blogs

CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Water “insecurities” are rumbling under the surface of regional diplomacy

Kyrgyzstan wants more infrastructure maintenance funds. Afghanistan is preparing to divert river flows for irrigation. Disagreements could mount.

BALKAN BLOG: Is Serbia’s president really on his way out?

Is Aleksandar Vučić finally running out of road? In Serbia, it is the question that follows every large protest.

BALKAN BLOG: Great powers’ competing agendas for the Western Balkans

EU sidelined as Washington warns over China and Russia's influence in new strategy document, while Xi Jinping honours Serbia’s president in Beijing.

CAUCASUS BLOG: Russia's South Ossetia treaty edges toward annexation

New treaty amounts to de facto annexation of separatist Georgian republic, analysts and Georgian opposition figures say.

Venezuela unveils draft oil rules to guide foreign investment push, economy expands

Venezuela has begun circulating draft regulations linked to its newly approved hydrocarbons law.

CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Water “insecurities” are rumbling under the surface of regional diplomacy

4 days ago

BALKAN BLOG: Is Serbia’s president really on his way out?

6 days ago

BALKAN BLOG: Great powers’ competing agendas for the Western Balkans

6 days ago

CAUCASUS BLOG: Russia's South Ossetia treaty edges toward annexation

10 days ago

Venezuela unveils draft oil rules to guide foreign investment push, economy expands

12 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

Australia’s battery boom enables more than half of new solar output to be shifted beyond daylight hours

Australia installed enough battery storage capacity in 2025 to shift 53% of newly generated solar electricity beyond daylight hours, as the battery revolution accelerates.

Philippine rooftop solar boom makes country China’s second-largest export market in 2026

The Philippines has emerged as China’s second-largest export market for solar panels so far in 2026, driven by a rapid expansion of rooftop installations as households and businesses seek relief from some of the highest electricity prices in Asia.

Australia pledges $10m to back climate tech startups in Vietnam

Australia has committed $10m to support climate-focused startups in Vietnam, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s early-stage green investment ecosystem.

Locust army swarms Iran as farmers battle to save their crops

Billions of Moroccan locusts have swarmed eastern Iran at four to five times last year's density, with farmers and officials racing to save crops and livelihoods across 1,000 hectares of Sistan-Baluchestan.

Asia’s coal comeback complicates energy transition across region

Taiwan has struggled to secure LNG supplies through May and finalised contracts covering roughly half of June demand, but additional procurement costs are expected to reach into the billions of US dollars to complete.

Australia’s battery boom enables more than half of new solar output to be shifted beyond daylight hours

2 hours ago

Philippine rooftop solar boom makes country China’s second-largest export market in 2026

2 hours ago

Australia pledges $10m to back climate tech startups in Vietnam

15 hours ago

Locust army swarms Iran as farmers battle to save their crops

1 day ago

Asia’s coal comeback complicates energy transition across region

3 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Iran suspends nuclear talks with the US via mediators, citing Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon and Gaza, and warns of Strait of Hormuz closure and new resistance fronts.

US and Iran reported a fresh wave of strikes around the Strait of Hormuz, the third escalation in a week, as the IRGC said it hit a US-used air base after an attack on Sirri Island and talks stalled.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said relations between Washington and Beijing are “better than they have been in many years” under President Donald Trump, but warned of China’s rapid military expansion.

China has pledged supplies of oil, gas and agricultural fertiliser to Cambodia as the country faces rising energy and input costs that are weighing on farmers, rural households and small businesses.

Poland’s right-wing opposition is seeking to turn the successful recall of Kraków Mayor Aleksander Miszalski into a broader campaign tool, with other large cities now discussed as potential targets before next year’s parliamentary election.

Tech

A small UK-registered biotech company believes it has found an Alzheimer's treatment that is safer, cheaper and more effective than anything currently on the market — and it has done so by revisiting a molecule first synthesised by Soviet chemists.

According to people familiar with the matter cited by the agency, the companies are examining plans to invest tens of millions of yen each, equivalent to several hundred thousand US dollars.

Sberbank negotiates purchase of Ozon stake, after VTB and fellow e-commerce platform Wildberries confirm partnership deal.

United Group founder and former CEO have launched legal proceedings against private equity firm BC Partners, seeking to block the planned sale of United's Southeast European media assets.

Argentina's government has sent to Congress a new investment incentive bill dubbed "Super RIGI", targeting projects worth at least $1bn in sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors and advanced biotechnology.

Opinion

I actually suspect that no-one seriously believes in the existence of the "Thucydides trap": not the Chinese, not the West, and probably not even Graham Allison, the author of the concept (he's too smart for this).

During his seven years as president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s attitude to Ukraine’s history has changed radically.

Core tenet of German foreign policy means a public veneer of democratic solidarity, but a reality of accommodating strongmen.

Unfortunately, as per usual, the CHP does not appear to be living in the real world.

Ukrainian refugees are likely to remain in the European Union for years – and possibly permanently – even if the war with Russia ends, according to a new report by the Clingendael Institute.

Data

Russia’s manufacturing sector remained in the red in May, although the pace of decline eased slightly as factories increased production to clear backlogs despite a sharper fall in new orders, according to S&P Global data.

South Korean equities opened at a fresh record high on June 1, as strong demand for technology stocks outweighed uncertainty surrounding negotiations between the US and Iran over a peace agreement.

Bank’s analysts say Turkey’s rising political uncertainty has led to a repricing of risk, creating a more attractive entry point.

Thirty years ago in its heyday Japan’s economy was bigger than the whole of Asia combined. Today it is the size of just three Chinese coastal regions.

The Indian rupee lost nearly 11% of its value against the US dollar y/y between May 2025 and May 2026, a slide that makes it the worst performing currency in the world against the greenback.

Features

Local residents fear development will destroy "green lungs" of Tbilisi, as their government encourages Trump Tower project to mend relations with Washington.

Mineral export bans and upcoming windfall taxes have become the country’s overarching strategy - one that is increasingly running up against regulatory bottlenecks, illegal capital leakages, and local governance deficits.

Ukraine’s fiscal position remained broadly stable on the revenue side in the first quarter of 2026, but rising defence needs and delays in external financing increased pressure on public finances as the quarter progressed.

Global oil inventories are declining at a record rate as the market absorbs a major Middle East supply disruption, raising the risk of sharp price increases if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to the International Energy Agency.

Wrangling over how effective Ukraine’s drone strikes of Russian refineries has broken out amidst conflicting reports of just how much damage is being done to Russia’s key oil infrastructure.

Blogs

Kyrgyzstan wants more infrastructure maintenance funds. Afghanistan is preparing to divert river flows for irrigation. Disagreements could mount.

Is Aleksandar Vučić finally running out of road? In Serbia, it is the question that follows every large protest.

EU sidelined as Washington warns over China and Russia's influence in new strategy document, while Xi Jinping honours Serbia’s president in Beijing.

New treaty amounts to de facto annexation of separatist Georgian republic, analysts and Georgian opposition figures say.

Venezuela has begun circulating draft regulations linked to its newly approved hydrocarbons law.

bneGREEN

Australia installed enough battery storage capacity in 2025 to shift 53% of newly generated solar electricity beyond daylight hours, as the battery revolution accelerates.

The Philippines has emerged as China’s second-largest export market for solar panels so far in 2026, driven by a rapid expansion of rooftop installations as households and businesses seek relief from some of the highest electricity prices in Asia.

Australia has committed $10m to support climate-focused startups in Vietnam, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s early-stage green investment ecosystem.

Billions of Moroccan locusts have swarmed eastern Iran at four to five times last year's density, with farmers and officials racing to save crops and livelihoods across 1,000 hectares of Sistan-Baluchestan.

Taiwan has struggled to secure LNG supplies through May and finalised contracts covering roughly half of June demand, but additional procurement costs are expected to reach into the billions of US dollars to complete.

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Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte warned that the West needs to prepare of the possibility that Chinese President Xi Jinping will ....

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