In Geopolitics This Week - by Jānis Vīksne

• The United States launched a series of rare daytime air strikes against Iran as part of an ongoing cycle of tit-for-tat military escalations. • In response, Iranian leadership accused Washington of attempting to overthrow the Islamic Republic, asserting that while Tehran does not seek war, it must remain prepared to fight.

• The article highlights a critical "governance gap" where collective international action on food security, water scarcity, and climate finance lags behind scientific consensus. • It identifies four primary governance deficits—lack of cooperation, inequitable financing, poor technology transfer, and ineffective implementation—that are further exacerbated by rising geopolitical tensions.

• Ukraine has escalated its military strategy by launching long-range drone and missile strikes directly into Russian territory. • These operations aim to shift the balance of the conflict by targeting Russian infrastructure and logistics to disrupt their war effort.

• Former President Donald Trump is reportedly being influenced by Arab leaders who claim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an obstacle to regional peace. • Internal turmoil is growing within the Likud party, with a Member of Knesset leaving the party after claiming it has been "hijacked" following the passage of controversial legislation.

• The article examines how the network of energy pipelines has reshaped modern geopolitics in the Caucasus, specifically impacting Armenia. • It argues that for smaller nations like Armenia, geopolitical interests of more powerful states often outweigh moral principles and human rights.

• Senate Democrats defeated a motion to proceed to a $1.15 trillion annual defense authorization bill on July 14, 2026. • The motion failed in a 50-46 vote, with senators voting strictly along party lines.

• Gulf states have prioritized diplomacy and regional stability over military conflict as the US-Iran tension enters its fifth month. • While Washington struggled to find a clear path forward, Gulf nations focused on de-escalation and securing the critical shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern on Wednesday regarding the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East. • The crisis involves continuing strikes between the United States and Iran as both nations vie for control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

• The U.S. military has disabled a ship allegedly attempting to sail to Kharg Island, marking the first such action since President Trump reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports. • This escalation occurs amid rising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and a broader feud between the United States and Iran.

• Sudan's civil war has entered its third year as two warring factions remain locked in a deadly power struggle for control of the country. • The United Nations is urgently calling for more support to aid over 33 million Sudanese people currently facing the "world's largest hunger crisis."

Iran reports explosions in several cities including capital while US military says it also hit and disabled tanker in strait of Hormuz US attacks oil tanker in strait of Hormuz as strikes reported in TehranPakistan has called on the US and Iran to end the violence and resume negotiations as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in June with Islamabad’s mediation.“While the implementation of the MoU is facing challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all sides to end the violence and resume technical level talks in accordance with the MoU,” Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Pakistani foreign ministry, said at a press briefing today. Continue reading...

Woman in her 60s was riding on popular cycling trail in northern NSW when she ran over the two-metre long eastern brown snake, one of the world’s most venomousA woman in her 60s is recovering after being bitten by a two-metre-long eastern brown snake that had become entangled in her bike chain in regional Australia.She was riding on the northern rivers rail trail near Burringbar, in the Tweed shire in northern New South Wales, when she ran over the snake. Continue reading...