MIDDLE EASTMilitary expert Matt Bracken provides context for the current Iran war. The US overthrew their elected government in 1953, sponsored the invasion in 1980 that killed half a million Iranians, and now, Iran has to fight the Americans again.

WORLDRussian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly directed efforts to circumvent U.S. Cuba Blockade.

WORLDSweden faces a critical choice. Stephen Brawer, urges a shift from conflict and unilateral power to cooperative global development. Rooted in Renaissance thinking, his message embrace peaceful, infrastructure-led alternatives for Sweden.

MIDDLE EASTTrump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, gave a speech about far advanced plans for the redevelopment of a new Gaza.

WORLDChinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed to launch a new strategic partnership. Carl Bildt, former Swedish PM, regards this as a positive development and something for the EU to follow.

CHINAChina and Canada look to a "new strategic partnership" amid growing geopolitical fragmentation, as President Xi Jinping met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Beijing on Friday.