The Musings Of A Politics Junkie & Closet Economist

President Trump’s decisive action in Venezuela signals the consolidation of a foreign-policy doctrine that is blunt, transactional and unapologetic about the use of force — with five hard truths for the U.S. and the world…

Traditional model — grand pledging conferences followed by sluggish bilateral transfers — is obsolete and must be left behind…

Gulf stock markets rallied in September, following the Federal Reserve’s rate cut and renewed optimism that further rate cuts were to come. Behind the cheer lies a more complicated reality: debt issuance across the Middle East — sovereign, corporate and family-owned — is being delayed, restructured or burdened by high U.S.-imported borrowing costs…

Islamic finance has made much progress over the past two decades across banking, asset management and capital markets. There are now some $5tn of Islamic finance assets in an industry grounded in faith-based principles, according to estimates from the LSEG’s Islamic Finance Development Indicator. But Islamic finance — and in particular equity investing — needs further conversation about how to balance ethical integrity with the financial complexity of today’s world…

When Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked into the White House couple weeks ago, he did not come alone. At his side stood a striking entourage: French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The photo op was no accident. It was a carefully constructed display of solidarity — a demonstration that Europe, in its many forms and factions, is prepared to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine. With Washington debating the scope of America’s role, Zelenskyy’s escorts reminded all parties that Ukraine’s survival and Europe’s stability are inseparable…

By Alfred Nobel’s original intent, the Peace Prize should go to those who actually end wars, not those who merely talk about it. In 2025, Trump has brokered real agreements between sworn enemies and stepped directly into the world’s most dangerous conflicts…

President Trump’s return to office has marked a fundamental departure from conventional foreign policy approaches that have dominated Washington for decades. His first six months demonstrate how unorthodox methods — transactional negotiations, direct pressure and strategic leverage — can achieve breakthroughs that traditional diplomatic playbooks consistently failed to deliver…

North Korea has become one of Moscow’s most reliable military suppliers — not because of its technological prowess, but because its nuclear arsenal shields it from meaningful Western retaliation…

Zohran Mamdani’s surprise victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary is more than a political upset — it’s a statement. His grassroots campaign, fueled by democratic socialist ideals and a rejection of establishment politics, managed to topple a former governor and long-standing figure in Democratic circles. That alone says something powerful about the mood of voters right now…