Deep Dive Deep Dive: If Conflict Accelerates the Energy Transition, Who Gains Power Next? A deep dive into how conflict could accelerate the shift toward alternative energy, which countries are best positioned to benefit, and how close the world really is to a new clean-energy balance of power. By Olga Nesterova • 5 min read
APRIL 29: The Cost of War, Escalation Pressures, Shifting Power Structures KEY DEVELOPMENTS * The Pentagon publicly estimates the cost of the Iran war at $25 billion, revealing the scale of U.S. engagement. * Global economic disruption from the war intensifies, with cascading effects across energy, manufacturing, and supply chains. * The United States signals a potential troop reduction in Germany amid rising By Olga Nesterova • 7 min read
The U.S. Supreme Court appeared likely to side with the Trump administration in a case that could limit court review of Temporary Protected Status termination decisions. News Supreme Court Signals Support for Trump Administration Push to End TPS Protections The Supreme Court appeared ready to back Trump’s push to end TPS protections for Haitians and Syrians, with broader implications for more than 1 million immigrants, including possible future challenges involving Ukrainians and other TPS holders. By Olga Nesterova • 4 min read
Explained UAE Leaves OPEC: What It Means for Power, Oil, and the Strait of Hormuz UAE leaves OPEC in 2026 after nearly 60 years, signaling a shift in global oil markets. ONEST explains why it matters, what happens next, and how it could reshape energy power, OPEC influence, and trade through the Strait of Hormuz. By Olga Nesterova • 3 min read
Photo: UN Explained The Nuclear Treaty Under Pressure: What’s Happening at the 2026 NPT Conference The 2026 NPT Review Conference begins at the UN amid rising nuclear tensions. What’s at stake, key disputes, and early developments. By Olga Nesterova • 2 min read
Global Briefing APRIL 27: Royal Diplomacy, Escalation Risks, Global Realignments KEY DEVELOPMENTS * President Donald Trump hosts King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House, marking the symbolic opening of U.S. 250th anniversary engagements. * A suspect formally charged with "attempting to assassinate the president" following the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting. * U.S.–Iran diplomacy stalls By Olga Nesterova • 7 min read
Diplomatic Notes Diplomatic Note: Who could become the next UNSG? Part 2 By Olga Nesterova • 1 min read
King Charles III and President Trump at Windsor Castle in September 2025 | Image: White House/Daniel Torok News U.S. to Host King Charles III for First State Visit of Trump’s Second Term Amid Trade and Policy Tensions The U.S. hosts King Charles III for a State Visit as Trump’s criticism of Starmer, trade disputes, and geopolitical differences shape the backdrop. By Olga Nesterova • 3 min read
Global Briefing APRIL 24: STRAIT OF HORMUZ, FRAGMENTED DIPLOMACY, SYSTEMIC PRESSURE KEY MOMENTS * Israel–Lebanon ceasefire extended as U.S. tries to reopen blocked regional diplomacy * Strait of Hormuz crisis evolves into a prolonged global energy and security risk * U.S. expands economic and military pressure on Iran beyond the region * EU unlocks Ukraine funding after internal political shift * Germany formally By Olga Nesterova • 7 min read
Explained The Next UN Secretary-General — Four Candidates, Four Visions for a Fractured World A clear analysis of the four UN Secretary-General candidates, their visions, and what their leadership would mean for the future of the United Nations. By Olga Nesterova • 6 min read
WTO building in Geneva, Switzerland Deep Dive Deep Dive: The WTO in the Age of Tariff Wars –– Still Relevant, No Longer Decisive A deep dive into whether the World Trade Organization still matters in 2026: its history, past successes, dispute-settlement crisis, and how it is struggling to respond to Trump’s tariff war and a more fragmented global economy. By Olga Nesterova • 5 min read
Global Briefing APRIL 22: Global Financial Strains, Fragile Truce Dynamics, Shifting Alliances KEY MOMENTS * The United Arab Emirates quietly explores a potential U.S. financial backstop as war-driven pressures ripple through sovereign reserves. * A last-minute extension of the U.S.–Iran truce prevents immediate escalation—but tensions in the Strait of Hormuz intensify. * Europe signals a possible policy shift toward By Olga Nesterova • 5 min read
