In-house briefings

Rolling updates and deeper context

Read the headline first, then trace the same event through shipping, oil, and geopolitical risk.

Latest headlines

SecurityThe Guardian World

Trump’s call to rename New Mexico ‘New America’ is a distraction tactic, Democrats say

Amid unpopular Iran war and persistent inflation, governor says state has had its name since before US existed Democrats have hit back against Donald Trump ’s suggestion that the state of New Mexico should be renamed “New America”, accusing the US president of trying to distract from his war on Iran and rising prices. The administration moved to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” hours after Trump’s return to office in January 2025. In August, as trade tensions escalated between the US and Canada, it moved to do the same with Lake Ontario, moving to rename it as “Lake America”. Continue reading...

Sep 8, 02:59 PM
EnergyBBC Middle East

Saudi Arabia vows to respond after Houthis attack cities and energy facilities

The Iran-backed Yemeni group's attacks have injured 73 people and caused fires at oil facilities, Saudi authorities say.

Sep 8, 01:58 PM
SecurityAl Jazeera

Qatar says reopening Strait of Hormuz ‘unconditionally’ is a priority

Qatar's Foreign Ministry says Doha working towards diplomatic solutions to end US war on Iran.

Sep 8, 12:44 PM
EnergyThe Guardian World

Houthis strike Saudi Arabian cities in significant expansion of Middle East war

Riyadh says it will retaliate after overnight attacks by Iran-backed Yemen group on oil facilities wound more than 70 Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have attacked four cities in Saudi Arabia, wounding more than 70 people and setting oil installations ablaze in what appeared to be a significant expansion of the Middle East war. Saudi Arabia said it would retaliate after the overnight strikes – reportedly involving dozens of drones and missiles – that targeted several oil facilities in the country’s south. Continue reading...

Sep 8, 12:05 PM
ShippingThe Guardian World

Hijacking pirates exploit regional chaos to return to seas off Somalia

US-Israel war on Iran and political instability in Somalia lead to pirates targeting cargo ships off Horn of Africa The scourge of Somali piracy targeting cargo ships and smaller dhows off the Horn of Africa has returned to levels not seen in a decade, driven by a convergence of factors including disruptions to the shipping industry caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran and a resurgence of political instability in Somalia. Since late April there have been eight hijackings by Somali pirates, including two within the space of a fortnight in August : one targeting an oil tanker with ties to Iran, the other a Cameroon-flagged vessel, the Lutuf, carrying military equipment for Turkey. Continue reading...

Sep 8, 04:00 AM
ShippingBBC Middle East

Iran warns of 'faster, heavier, more painful response' to US attacks

The comments came a day after Washington said it had struck Iranian oil tankers in response to Tehran's attacks on US warships in the region.

Sep 6, 05:00 PM
ShippingBBC Middle East

US and Iran trade retaliatory attacks on ships as conflict flares

The US says it hit three Iranian oil tankers, while Iran says it targeted three US-linked ships.

Sep 5, 10:44 PM
ShippingBBC Middle East

Iranian attack on Saudi tanker killed two Filipino sailors, Saudi Arabia says

The kingdom condemns the targeting of Sidr, which was reportedly hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.

Sep 2, 05:33 PM
SecurityBBC Middle East

US and Iran trade strikes for first time in weeks

Iran and the US have traded strikes after American forces attacked two rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

Aug 31, 03:50 PM
GeographyDesk briefing

Where Is the Strait of Hormuz and Why Does Geography Matter So Much?

A compact explainer on the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, and why a tiny passage can rattle the whole energy market.

Apr 14, 12:00 AM