Whether you are a geography geek or a US president, maps are a good place to start.

From the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and the Caucasus, Iran borders seven countries on land and six more across water.

It is also one of the world ’s oldest continuous civilisations, with a history that spans more than 4,000 years.

Today, with nearly 90 million people and a landmass exceeding 1.6 million square kilometres, Iran stands as one of the Middle East’s largest and most consequential states.

Iran’s terrain is defined by mountains and arid expanses, with little continuous flat land. The Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges dominate much of the landscape, while the Iranian Plateau forms its core.

To the east, vast deserts such as the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut stretch across large swathes of the country. These physical features are not just geographic, but they also shape settlement patterns, climate conditions and the development of infrastructure.

Historically, Iran was the centre of powerful empires that influenced language, trade, science and culture far beyond its borders. That legacy still runs through modern Iran, visible in its identity and regional reach. Despite invasions by Greeks, Ottomans, Russians and the British, the country has maintained a strong sense of sovereignty and identity.

Iran is far more complex, both from the inside and the outside. Farsi remains the dominant language, but the country is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including Azeris, Kurds, Baloch and Arabs, all of whom contribute to its cultural and political fabric.

As an energy giant, Iran sits on some of the world’s largest oil and gas reserves , holding roughly 10% of global oil and 15% of natural gas resources.

That alone makes it a major player in global energy markets. Despite heavy international sanctions, Iran continues to export large volumes of oil, primarily to China, demonstrating its resilience and continued relevance in global supply chains.

Its economy, valued at over $400 billion, blends state control with private enterprise, anchored by energy, manufacturing and a growing technology sector.

Modern Iran, however, cannot be understood without the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

It overthrew a Western-backed monarchy and replaced it with a theocratic system that still defines the country today.

And since the Revolution, Iran has pursued an independent and often confrontational foreign policy , positioning itself as a regional power and a counterweight to Western influence.

Its network of regional alliances, often referred to as the “Axis of Resistance”, extends its influence beyond its borders, reaching into Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. Many of these connections relate to Iran's position as the dominant power of the Shia sect of Islam. In other cases, allies were drawn to Tehran by a mutual hatred of Israel.

The country is also enduring one of its worst environmental crises in decades, after more than five consecutive years of drought have pushed it toward what experts describe as “water bankruptcy.” Reservoirs are drying up, major cities are nearing “day zero” water shortages, and as many as 28 million people now face unreliable access to water. 

Even geography beyond its borders carries political weight.

The body of water to its south has been known in Iran and elsewhere for over 2,500 years as the “Persian Gulf.” Still, some Arab states refer to it as the “Arabian Gulf,” creating an ongoing geopolitical dispute.

For Iran, the name is not just symbolic; it is tied to history, identity and sovereignty.

At the edge of Iran’s southern coastline lies its most powerful strategic asset: the Strait of Hormuz.

This narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and carries more than 20% of the world’s oil supply.

It is one of the most critical chokepoints in global trade. Iran controls the northern side as well as a series of islands, and that gives it enormous leverage.

Over the decades, Tehran has repeatedly threatened to disrupt traffic through the strait during times of conflict.

And in 2026, those threats became reality, sending shocks through global energy markets.

At the same time, geopolitical tensions have sharply intensified. Following Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites in February 2026, the United States joined the conflict with direct attacks, triggering a broader regional confrontation that continued for days.

The situation has since escalated into a wider crisis affecting global energy routes. Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks, while disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit chokepoint, have sent shocks through global markets.

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Build Up Nepal has won the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Climate Action category, earning international recognition for its low-carbon, earthquake-resilient eco-bricks. The organisation has helped build thousands of affordable homes, cut construction emissions significantly, and create green jobs through locally run enterprises. The award highlights Nepal’s growing role in delivering practical, community-led climate solutions at a time of increasing global focus on resilience and sustainable development.

Nepali Congress grapples with internal conflict ahead of a special convention

The Nepali Congress is facing intensified internal conflict as preparations move forward for a special convention. Disagreements within the party have exposed deep divisions over leadership direction, organisational control and the future of the party, raising questions about cohesion at a critical political moment.

Expulsion of general secretaries deepens divisions and risks party fragmentation

The expulsion of key general secretaries has significantly deepened rifts within the Nepali Congress, accelerating fears of a formal split. The move has heightened tensions between rival factions and sharpened debate over disciplinary authority and internal democracy within one of Nepal’s most influential political parties.

Leadership reform proposals and election strategy fuel internal debate

Proposals aimed at reforming party leadership structures and redefining election strategy have become central to internal discussions. Supporters argue the changes are necessary to restore public trust and electoral competitiveness, while critics warn they could further destabilise the party if not carefully managed.

Negotiations continue in an effort to preserve party unity

Negotiations are ongoing among senior party figures to prevent a full-scale split and preserve unity within the Nepali Congress. Talks are focused on reconciliation mechanisms, power-sharing arrangements and compromise solutions that could allow the party to move forward ahead of future electoral contests.

What began as tactical responses to pressure increasingly took institutional form, as blocs such as BRICS+ and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) moved beyond political signalling to more structured cooperation.

US sanctions and rising non-Western alliances emerged as defining forces this year. 

US pressure

One of the year’s most visible sanctions flashpoints remained Venezuela. After limited relief in earlier years, the US reimposed tighter restrictions on Caracas’s oil sector as negotiations over political reforms stalled.

The measures complicated crude exports by targeting licensing, shipping and insurance channels, further constraining one of Venezuela’s few remaining sources of hard currency. Authorities in Caracas accused Washington of economic coercion, while Russia and China reiterated diplomatic support and criticised the use of unilateral sanctions.

Global South World tracked the standoff closely throughout the year, including an exclusive interview with Rollie Flynn, chief executive of the Arkin Group and a former CIA officer, who warned that the confrontation carried risks beyond counter-narcotics work.

With Western sanctions on Russia still in place and restrictions on Iran largely intact, 2025 underscored a wider reality: energy producers operating outside the US-led system increasingly faced fragmented trade rules, rerouted supply chains and parallel payment arrangements. 

For oil-importing developing economies, the impact was indirect but tangible, adding volatility to prices and procurement even when they were not direct targets.

BRICS+ rising

Against this backdrop, non-Western groupings sought to tighten coordination .

At the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro in July, leaders of the expanded bloc reaffirmed cooperation on development finance, trade and global governance reform. 

While the group stopped short of unveiling a common currency or alternative payment system, the summit reinforced political alignment among members that now include major energy exporters in the Middle East and Africa — significantly expanding BRICS’ economic weight and diplomatic reach.

In response, US President Donald Trump warned that countries aligning with what he described as BRICS’ “anti-American policies” could face additional tariffs, a statement that underscored how sanctions and trade pressure have become increasingly intertwined.

SCO hardening

Momentum was more institutional at the SCO summit in Tianjin in late August. The organisation adopted a Development Strategy extending to 2035 and approved new permanent centres focused on security threats, transnational crime, information security and narcotics control.

Leaders also signed the Tianjin Declaration, which explicitly opposed unilateral sanctions and protectionism — language widely interpreted as a direct response to US and European coercive measures.

Taken together, the developments highlighted a paradox of US foreign policy under Trump. While sanctions and tariffs were intended to weaken rivals, analysts say they have instead nudged competitors — and even uneasy neighbours — toward closer cooperation.

“This is a strange time when unlikely bedfellows like India and China are now overtly comfortable with each other, which was not the scene until three or four months ago,” said Dr Pooja Bhatt, director of the Jindal School of International Affairs in India, in an interview with Global South World this year .

“This shows how the U.S.’s excessive use of force — through policy and diplomacy — can push even the most unlikely countries to come together,” she said.

All things considered, the Global South does not seem to move toward a complete realignment, but rather toward steady repositioning. 

US sanctions remained powerful, particularly for countries dependent on Western finance and technology. At the same time, forums such as BRICS+ and the SCO increasingly offered diplomatic backing, coordination platforms and limited institutional alternatives.

Turkish politician Ali Babacan has dismissed recent speculation surrounding a photograph involving Muharrem İnce, stating bluntly that “it has no value at all.” The comment comes amid growing political chatter about alliances and positioning ahead of future elections. Babacan’s firm tone signals his continued intent to maintain independence from traditional party structures, reflecting ongoing divisions within Turkey’s centrist and opposition blocs.

The first comment from Özgür Özel on the photo from the parliamentary reception

Özgür Özel, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), offered his first public remarks on the controversial photo taken during a recent parliamentary reception. Özel’s statement sought to downplay the incident, urging focus on more pressing national issues rather than symbolic gestures. The reaction underscores the delicate balance the opposition must strike between public image management and substantive policy critique in a politically polarised environment.

The AK Party reacts very strongly to the CHP’s parliamentary protest: It would deny its political existence

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has issued a sharp rebuke to the CHP’s parliamentary protest, arguing that such actions “would deny its political existence.” The confrontation illustrates mounting political tension in Turkey’s legislature as both sides position themselves for upcoming policy debates. The AK Party’s strong rhetoric reflects frustration with the opposition’s tactics, while the CHP insists that its protest is a legitimate expression of democratic dissent.

The claim that shook the corridors of power in Ankara: An offer to Ali Babacan from the AK Party to “return”

A report circulating through Ankara’s political corridors has claimed that the AK Party extended an offer to Ali Babacan—a former member turned critic—to “return” to the party. The alleged proposal has sparked intrigue across the political spectrum, with analysts suggesting it may reflect both the AK Party’s search for broader legitimacy and Babacan’s growing influence as an independent political voice. While neither side has officially confirmed the report, its emergence has added another layer of uncertainty to Turkey’s shifting political landscape.

The new legislative year is starting in the Parliament! A boycott decision from three parties

As Turkey’s new legislative year begins, three political parties have announced a boycott of parliamentary sessions. The move, described by party representatives as a protest against government overreach and democratic backsliding, sets a confrontational tone for the year ahead. Analysts warn that continued boycotts and walkouts could further strain legislative cooperation and stall key reforms at a critical juncture for Turkey’s economy and foreign relations