Category Archives: Conflict and War

10Mar/26

How Operation Epic Fury Fractured Iran

March 10, 2026Conflict and WarAli Khamenei, Anti-American sentiment in Iran, Assassination of Ali Khamenei, Bahrain, Didn, Dubai, Hossein Taeb, In Iran, Iran, Iran war, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Marco Rubio, Mojtaba Khamenei, Oman, Presidency of Masoud Pezeshkian, Qatar, Ras Laffan LNG, Riyadh, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Second presidency of Donald Trump, Strait of Hormuz, Tehran, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, United States involvement in regime change, Volodymyr Zelensky, Washingtonadmin

The “Epic Fury” Fallout: 6 Takeaways That Are Redefining the Middle East

10 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — These reports detail a 2026 military escalation involving coordinated U.S. and Israeli air strikes against Iran under the Trump administration. Operation “Epic Fury” resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the destruction of significant nuclear and missile infrastructure, prompting Iranian retaliation against Israel and Gulf states. Experts describe the American strategy as maximalist but improvised, noting a lack of clear plans for regime change or post-war governance. The conflict has triggered global economic anxiety due to potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and surging energy prices. Regional security is further complicated by Hezbollah’s involvement in Lebanon and the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new hardline leader. Ultimately, the sources highlight a strategic dilemma for Washington: balancing the desire for a decisive victory against the risk of an endless regional war. Continue reading →

07Mar/26

How is the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict reshaping the global economy?

March 7, 2026Conflict and WarAli Khamenei, Alireza Arafi, Amazon Web Services, Ankara, April 2024 Iranian strikes on Israel, aramco, Aziz Nasirzadeh, Bahrain, Benjamin Netanyahu, Cyprus, Doha, Dubai, Geneva, Greece, Hossein Mohseni-, India, Iran, Iran war, Iran–United States relations, Iraq, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Israel, Israel–United States military relations, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laffan, Liquefied natural gas, Maersk, Manama, Mark, Masoud Pezeshkian, Middle Eastern crisis, Mohammad Pakpour, Mohammed bin Salman, Muscat, Oman, Prelude to the 2026 Iran war, Presidency of Masoud Pezeshkian, Qatar, QATARENERGY, Ras Tanura, Reactions to the Twelve-Day War, Reza Pahlavi, Riyadh, Russia, Saudi Arabia, SAUDI ARAMCO's, Second presidency of Donald Trump, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Steve Witkoff, Strait of Hormuz, Syria, Tehran, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Turkey, Twelve-Day War, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Washington, Yemenadmin

March 7, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Geopolitical Risk Report: The 2026 West Asian Realignment and the Collapse of Regional Diplomacy

The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict is triggering severe shocks across the global economy, primarily through disruptions to energy supplies, international trade routes, financial markets, and critical technology infrastructure.

Energy Market Upheaval The most immediate economic threat stems from rising energy prices due to the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial maritime chokepoint that normally handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Following Iranian threats, commercial shipping through the strait has slowed to a near-standstill, with tanker traffic dropping by about 90% and multiple insurance firms canceling coverage for Gulf vessels. Continue reading →

02Mar/26

A Region on the Brink: Stranded Civilians, Evacuation Chaos, and Suspended Aid in the Middle East

March 2, 2026Conflict and WarAbu Dhabi, Ali Khamenei, Anti-American sentiment in Iran, Antonio Guterres, April 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran, Armenia, Aziz Nasirzadeh, Badr Albusaidi, Bahrain, Benjamin Netanyahu, China, CMA CGM, Doha, Donald Trump, Dubai, Egypt, Geneva, Guterres, India, Iran, Iran–Israel war ceasefire, Iran–United States negotiations, Iran–United States relations, Iraq, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Israel, John Strickland, Kuwait, Lebanon, Maersk, Masoud Pezeshkian, Middle Eastern crisis, Minab, Mohammad Pakpour, Netherlands, Oman, Presidency of Masoud Pezeshkian, Qatar, Spain, Strait of Hormuz, Syria, Tehran, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Statesadmin

Hundreds of Thousands Stranded: Middle East Airspace Shutdown and Strait of Hormuz Closure Paralyze Global Transit

March 2, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The United States and Israel launched a massive, coordinated military campaign—codenamed Operation Epic Fury and Operation Lion’s Roar—against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The coalition conducted nearly 900 strikes in the first 12 hours, targeting Iranian air defenses, missile production facilities, and IRGC command centers. The strikes successfully assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of top Iranian military and government officials. In retaliation, Iran launched “Operation True Promise 4,” firing waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel and US military installations across the Persian Gulf, including bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE.

Continue reading →

28Feb/26

The Decapitation Strike on Supreme Leader Khamenei

February 28, 2026Conflict and WarAli Khamenei, Ali Larijani, Ali Shamkhani, Alireza Arafi, Anti-American sentiment in Iran, Assembly of Experts, Aziz Nasir Zadeh, Badr Albusaidi, Benjamin Netanyahu, China, Donald Trump, Ebrahim Raisi, Eslam Mohsen Qomi, Faqih, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, Hashem Hosseini, Hassan Khomeini, Hassan Rouhani, Iran, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, islamic revolutionary guard corps (irgc), Israel, Minab, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Mohammad Mirbagheri, Mohammad Pakpour, Mohsen Araki, Mohsen Qomi, Mojtaba Khamenei, Next Supreme Leader of Iran election, Oman, Putin, Ruhollah Khomeini, Russia, Sadiq Larijani, Tehran, Tim Hawkins, Ukraine, United States, Washington, Zelenskyyadmin

Middle East in Flames: US-Israeli Strikes on Tehran Prompt Massive Iranian Counterattack

28 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — These reports detail a massive joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, 2026, aimed at dismantling its nuclear program and security apparatus. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strikes, with the later claiming that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was likely killed in an attack on his compound. In response, Iran and its regional allies launched retaliatory missile and drone barrages at Israel and several U.S. military bases in the Persian Gulf. International reactions vary, as Western leaders support the effort to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran while Oman, Russia, and China warn of a catastrophic regional war. Domestic chaos has gripped Iran, characterized by infrastructure damage, internet blackouts, and civilians attempting to flee the capital amidst calls for regime change. Continue reading →

28Feb/26

The Board of Peace is Bombing Iran for the Gaza Riviera

February 28, 2026Conflict and WarAjay Banga, Albania, Ali, Argentina, Bahrain, Board of Peace, Canada, Davos, Donald J. Trump, Donald Trump, Egypt, France, Gaza, Gaza peace plan, Gaza Strip, Gaza Strip under Resolution, Gaza–Israel conflict, Geneva, Germany, Indonesia, International Stabilization Force, Iran, Israel, Jasper Jeffers, Jasper Jeffers III, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Marc Rowan, Morocco, Palestine, Post-war plans for the Gaza Strip, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Second presidency of Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, Tehran, Tony Blair, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Washington, Washington, D.C.admin

5 Radical Realities Reshaping the Middle East

28 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The 2026 US-Iran War (“Operation Epic Fury”) Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply in late 2025 and early 2026 following massive anti-regime protests in Iran, which the Iranian government suppressed with unprecedented lethal force and internet blackouts. In response, US President Donald Trump initiated a massive military buildup in the Middle East, deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups and issuing ultimatums demanding Iran halt its nuclear program and proxy support.

After US-brokered nuclear negotiations in Geneva broke down, the US and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” and “Operation Roaring Lion”. The massive bombardment targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, military infrastructure, and leadership compounds in Tehran. In retaliation, Iran launched significant ballistic missile barrages at Israel and US military bases across the Persian Gulf, including in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, while its regional proxies mobilized, triggering a multi-theater conflict.

Continue reading →

28Feb/26

Global Markets Brace as US-Israeli Strikes on Iran Compound Tariff and Inflationary Pressures

February 28, 2026Conflict and WarAlgeria, Customs duties, Donald Trump, Egypt, Gaza, International taxation, Iran, Iran–Israel war, Iraq, Israel, Israel–United States military relations, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Middle Eastern crisis, Presidency of Masoud Pezeshkian, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tariff, Tunisia, United Statesadmin

The 2026 Global Pivot: 5 Surprising Realities Reshaping the Middle East and Beyond

28 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The geopolitical landscape has drastically deteriorated, culminating in joint “pre-emptive” military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February 2026. The US military announced “major combat operations” aimed at razing Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities. This severe escalation follows a previous 12-day war in June 2025, during which Israel and the US targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow and Natanz, fundamentally altering the region’s risk profile. Continue reading →

23Feb/26

Cartel Boss “El Mencho” Killed in Mexico, Sparking Nationwide Violence and World Cup Security Fears

February 23, 2026Conflict and WarAcapulco, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Christopher Landau, Claudia Sheinbaum, El Menchito, El Mencho, Fentanyl, Flores Silva, Guadalajara, Hugo Mendoza Gaytan, Jalisco, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexican drug war, Mexico, MEXICO CITY, Mike Vigil, Monterrey, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, Nueva Plaza Cartel, Pablo Lemus, Pemex, Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, Rubén Oseguera González, Sinaloa Cartel, Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, Tapalpa, Terrorism in Mexico, Trump, U . S . Federal, United States, Washingtonadmin

The Fall of “El Mencho”: 5 Takeaways from the Chaos Reshaping Mexico

23 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media — On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the long-standing pursuit of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes—the man known to the underworld and intelligence agencies alike as “El Mencho”—concluded in a violent, high-altitude end. For the Mexican military and its partners in Washington, the death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader was the ultimate trophy of a decade-long hunt. However, as plumes of dark smoke rose over the coastal resort of Puerto Vallarta and civilians sprinted in panic through the Guadalajara International Airport, the victory felt pyrrhic. By sunset, Mexico had transitioned from a state of military triumph into what local social media and eyewitnesses described as a “war zone.”The stakes of this event transcend the borders of the criminal underworld. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than four months away and a U.S. administration that has formally declared “armed conflict” against the cartels, the fall of El Mencho is not merely a police matter; it is a global security event that threatens to reshape the Western Hemisphere. Continue reading →

26Jan/26

The Return of Ran Gvili: Closing Israel’s Gaza Chapter

January 26, 2026Conflict and WarBenjamin Netanyahu, Egypt, Gaza, Gaza peace plan, Gaza Strip, Gaza War, Gaza war hostage crisis, Gaza–Israel conflict, Hamas, Israel, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, October 7 attacks, Qatar, Ran Gvili, Trumpadmin

Jan. 26, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The recovery of Ran Gvili’s remains, marks the return of the final captive held in Gaza since the conflict began in 2023. As an elite police officer who was abducted after being wounded during the initial attacks, his retrieval serves as a pivotal milestone for the Israeli public and his grieving family. This significant event effectively concludes the hostage crisis, providing closure to a national ordeal that involved approximately 250 abductees. Beyond the emotional impact, the return of the last body is expected to facilitate the next phase of a regional peace plan. While the military successfully identified Gvili during a targeted operation, the long-term diplomatic future for the territory remains complex and uncertain. The resolution of individual tragedies remains deeply intertwined with the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Continue reading →

24Jan/26

Forged in Fire: The “Helmand Effect” and the 2026 Arctic Sentry Compromise

January 24, 2026Conflict and WarAfghanistan, Al-Qaeda, Anduril, Canada, Coalition casualties in Afghanistan, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Greenland, Helmand, Helmand Province, International Security Assistance Force, Kandahar, Lockheed Martin, Mark Rutte, Members of the Nordic Council, Mette Frederiksen, NATO, SpaceX, Task Force Helmand, Trump, U.S. VISION, United Kingdom, United States, War in Afghanistanadmin

Jan. 22, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — In January 2026, President Trump sparked a significant international crisis by disparaging the frontline contributions of NATO allies in Afghanistan, leading to widespread diplomatic condemnation. Statistical evidence from nations like the UK, Canada, and Denmark refuted his claims, showing that these countries often suffered higher proportional casualties than the United States. This “honor crisis” coincided with a tense standoff over Greenland, where the President’s threats of annexation and tariffs were met with a unified European military and political response. To resolve the deadlock, a compromise known as the Arctic Sentry framework was established, shifting focus from American ownership to a collaborative NATO presence. Central to this agreement is the Golden Dome, a sophisticated missile defense shield that will now be developed as a multilateral security project rather than a unilateral American initiative. Ultimately, the ordeal forced a transition from transactional threats to a more cooperative strategy for securing the Arctic against global adversaries. Continue reading →

21Nov/25

The Global Peace Index: How did African Countries Perform in 2025?

November 21, 2025Conflict and WarAfrica, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Developing country, Egypt, Least developed countries, Libya, Mauritius, Member states of the African Union, Member states of the United Nations, Middle East and North Africa, South Sudan, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan, Uganda, United Statesadmin

Nov. 21, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — Africa, particularly the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions, features prominently in the report’s analysis of global instability and conflict, often ranking among the world’s least peaceful and most conflict-affected areas.

The overall trend shows a continuous decline in peacefulness for both regions, marked by severe conflicts, rising geopolitical competition, and acute economic stressors. Continue reading →