How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare

The ongoing war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has brought several critical questions to the fore: What lies at the root of the grievances that triggered a protest movement in Iran earlier this year, exploited by the US and Israel? How widespread are the sentiments of resentment towards the regime among the Iranian population? How did Iranian society not collapse, and what prevented the sanctions from incapacitating the Iranian economy, thereby preserving Tehran’s ability to resist today?
How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare effectively answers these questions from different angles. It is written by Narges Bajoghli – an anthropologist with expertise in media, power, and military dynamics, Vali Nasr – a political scientist

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Pax Judaica and the Unravelling of the International World Order

Israel’s aggressive settlement expansion and blatant disregard for international law have contributed towards the fragmentation of the international rules-based order. In the midst of this upheaval, Tel Aviv has cemented itself as the dominant power in the Middle East, creating what commentators term “Pax Judaica”. This regional order is dominated by Israeli perceptions of security threats which it must eliminate for the preservation of the Jewish state.

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The High Stakes of India’s Military Modernisation Drive

New Delhi’s recent defence budget announcement for fiscal year (FY) 2026-27 represents more than just a budgetary jump; it carries important implications for South Asian stability, warranting closer reflection. The allocation of USD 85 billion to defence, with capital expenditure rising by 22 per cent compared with a 17 per cent increase in revenue expenditure, clearly reflects the government’s prioritisation of accelerated military modernisation over routine operational sustainment.

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Security

The Trilateral Shift

On 15 January 2026, the Pakistani defence production minister confirmed that an agreement for a new trilateral defence deal between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye is in the pipeline, other than the Pakistan-Saudi bilateral deal announced last year.

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