Patrick Hess

Can a Deal Be Reached With Iran?

The Iran problem is one that can never truly be solved, it can only be managed.

Germany’s Russia Dilemma

From Germany’s unification through to the end of the second world war, the “German Question” referred to the recurring potential Germany had to threaten...

Yemen: Iran’s Next Satellite State?

The now-ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s statement in 2006 that “Most of the Shias are loyal to Iran, and not to the countries they...

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The Algorithmic Shadow Economy

Asia’s illicit economy is shifting from gangs to algorithms—automated tools, crypto rails, and fluid digital platforms creating a fast, leaderless shadow system that outpaces regulation and reshapes regional power.

AI-Driven Trade Wars: From Semiconductors to Data Sovereignty

AI-driven trade wars are reshaping power—from chips to data. As nations race for control over semiconductors and digital sovereignty, the real battle is about who defines our shared future.

India-Afghanistan Trade Relations: Opportunities and Challenges

India–Afghanistan trade revival: new air links, Chabahar momentum, and tariff cuts open fresh opportunities — but logistics, sanctions, and regional tensions still pose tough challenges to unlocking full potential.

Strategic Resilience: How China–Russia Economic Cooperation Is Redefining Eurasia’s Power Balance

China–Russia’s deepening trade, energy, and connectivity links are quietly reshaping Eurasia. A partnership built on pragmatism and resilience is redefining the region’s power balance amid global shifts.

New Mission, Persistent Challenges, and Evolving Paradigms: The Transformation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

The AFP’s final modernization phase marks a bold shift—new missions, tougher challenges, and evolving defense paradigms. As tensions rise, sustaining reforms and credible deterrence becomes vital for the Philippines’ security future.