Diplomacy 101: Undiplomatically Speaking
Where Beliefs Clash and Stories Flash
Strategic Waterways and Energy Leverage
Diplomacy this week centered on control over vital trade arteries and the leverage energy-rich nations continue to exert in geopolitical negotiations.
Iran’s naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz reignited concerns over maritime security, as over a third of global oil shipments transit through the narrow passage. The U.S. Fifth Fleet increased surveillance, while Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states held emergency meetings on contingency plans for energy exports.
Meanwhile, Russia hosted a gas summit in St. Petersburg, drawing high-level delegations from OPEC+, Central Asia, and parts of Africa. Moscow pitched a “southern energy corridor” bypassing traditional Western routes and financial intermediaries.
Energy geopolitics is once again proving that pipelines and ports often carry more weight than policies and speeches—at least in the short term.