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The Strait Escape | Six months into the Iran war, oil exporters are finding ways to bypass Hormuz | image shows a map with arrows and location hotspots depicting ways exporters are bypassing the Strait of Hormuz
Analysis

The Strait Escape

Six months into the Iran war, oil exporters are finding ways to bypass Hormuz.

People hold a sign that reads "No" during a rally of the "No to EU" campaign ahead of a referendum on whether Iceland should resume accession negotiations with the European Union, in Reykjavik, Iceland.
What We're Watching

Iceland votes on restarting EU talks, Ebola vaccinations begin in DRC, US wants a huge stake in Venezuelan oil fields

Membership has long been a divisive topic on the island, which gained independence from Denmark in 1944 and remains fiercely protective of its sovereignty.

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on June 18, 2026.
by ian bremmer

The US-Iran ceasefire is over. What’s next?

On Monday, President Donald Trump announced the United States would reimpose its naval blockade of Iran, effective Tuesday afternoon. Iran responded by declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed to all traffic that does not route through its preferred corridor.

Trump’s ineffective pressure campaign on Iran and China
Quick Take

Trump’s ineffective pressure campaign on Iran and China

In his latest Quick Take, Ian Bremmer argues that the war in Iran has exposed the limits of President Trump’s strategy of using maximum pressure to force adversaries into concessions.

​A displaced woman holds an Iranian flag from the sunroof of a moving car
by ian bremmer

The Middle East enters the G-Zero

On June 14, the US and Iran announced a deal to end the war. A signing ceremony is set for Friday. The terms include an immediate ceasefire on all fronts. With both sides spinning the deal as a victory, there are plenty of ways for this to go wrong.

Cuba’s next fuel shipment in purgatory
Hard Numbers

Cuba’s next fuel shipment in purgatory

Cuba has faced severe fuel shortages since the US imposed a de facto blockade earlier this year, and the halted shipment could have powered the island for about 11 days.

PM Takaichi and President Lee Jae Myung shaking hands at a press event
Analysis

Seoul mates? South Korea and Japan get chummy

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung meet this week for a two-day summit focused on security, energy, and critical minerals. The two leaders appear to differ on China’s engagement in the future of the region.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe meets with Cuban officials
What We're Watching

CIA director goes to fuel-starved Cuba, Czech-German clash over “Sudeten” Congress, Rough week for LatAm’s right

US spy chief John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana yesterday after the communist-run island said it was out of fuel due to the ongoing US energy blockade. Ratcliffe went to reiterate Trump's vision of a “deal.” Will the regime capitulate to Trump?

Trump's 'Project Freedom'
Quick Take

Trump's 'Project Freedom'

In this Quick Take, Ian Bremmer unpacks a rapidly shifting US strategy toward Iran as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt global shipping and raise the risk of further escalation.