As all sides count the costs of the Iran conflict, the disastrous tragedy holds valuable lessons for those savvy enough to learn them.

In a globalised world where risks expand and multiply, energy security looms as a critical factor for economic development and national security.

Beyond the gesturing and posturing over the supposed ceasefire in the Iran war, serious disagreements remain to obstruct any actual prospect of peace.

Empires have vassals, not allies, so when countries that consider themselves 'friends' start to think for themselves, upsets are bound to occur.

While the US continues to engage in more violent conflict abroad, China routinely plans for better quality growth and development.

As the Ukraine war persists with no end in sight, Trump is courting another mega-disaster with the prospect of war with the Islamic republic.

A reckless trade war collapses, a strategic alliance erodes from within and a century-old order struggles to retain a semblance of meaning and purpose.

With the old world order fading faster than a new one is emerging, noisy claims and controversies fill the spaces in between.

Despite its tough exterior, the Trump administration is hollowing out in domestic support while it continues to weaken an already diminished Western alliance.

Regardless of whether China can import the best chips, the full-on surge towards its own cutting-edge technology continues.

Japan's new government has had to take a crash course in international diplomacy as it learns foreign policy on the job.

The G20 has already proven more realistic and resilient than the G7, so no boycott of its annual summits can serve any purpose.