Diplomacy 101: Undiplomatically Speaking
Where Beliefs Clash and Stories Flash
Gas Deals and Global Courtrooms
Qatar and the EU announced a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal, locking in over 20 billion cubic meters per year through 2045. The deal bypasses Russia and reduces dependency on U.S. shipments, sparking quiet frustration in Washington over Brussels’ growing commercial autonomy in energy diplomacy.
At The Hague, the International Criminal Court opened preliminary hearings on war crimes allegations in Gaza and Ukraine. The court is under intense pressure from civil society, though many major states—including the U.S., China, and Russia—reject its jurisdiction. The outcome may not deliver justice, but the optics are politically potent.
In East Asia, North Korea claimed to have tested a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of striking U.S. Pacific bases. Though unverified, the announcement triggered emergency consultations among Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. Pyongyang’s pattern of provocation is back, calibrated for maximum strategic ambiguity.