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"Oman walks a tightrope in the US-Iran war."

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Russ Roberts (https://trendsingeopolitics.blogspot.com).

August 12, 2026

Hi, everyone, and welcome back to the Daily Review.

Today at WPR, columnist Lesley Anne Warner looks at Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s political maneuvering in the aftermath of his split with his erstwhile ally, former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. And Alex Thurston surveys the dim prospects facing Islamist political movements around the world.

Scroll down for more on those items. But first, here’s today’s top story, in collaboration with our sister publication, GlobalPost:

Tankers and cargo vessels in the Gulf of Oman, along shipping routes linking the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo)

U.S. President Donald Trump surprised world leaders in late May when he threatened Oman for negotiating with Iran over a scheme to monetize maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Nobody’s going to control it,” Trump warned, referring to the strait, which Iran has effectively closed since the U.S. attacked it in late February. “It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up.”

The threat shocked Omani officials. But it was an indicator of growing U.S. frustration with the Gulf state, amid first the war with Iran and now the peace negotiations to end it. More infuriating still to the U.S. is …

 
 

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In late July, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launched his own political party after his split from his erstwhile ally and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko in May. It was part of a broader push by Faye to rebuild some of the domestic political standing that he lost when his partnership with Sonko collapsed. With the country locked in contentious debt talks with the International Monetary Fund, the power struggle between the two men will continue to shape the country’s governance and broader political landscape, Lesley Anne Warner writes. 

Senegal’s Faye Moves to Rebuild His Political Base as Debt Default Looms

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is digging in for prolonged standoff with his ally-turned-rival, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

 

As Morocco heads toward legislative elections next month, its former ruling Party for Justice and Development, often described as Islamist, might be expected to stage a comeback after its massive defeat in 2021. A PJD victory, however, appears unlikely. It has not fully recovered from its own stumbles while governing, and its proximity to power tarnished its image.

The party’s problems and limited prospects reflect a broader crisis for Islamist movements around the world. Even where they can operate legally and have deep historical roots, these parties confront three obstacles: attracting youth support, generating ideas and standing out, Alex Thurston writes.

Islamists Worldwide Struggle to Find Their Footing Amid Repression and Movement Fatigue

Even where they can operate legally and without constraints on their activities, Islamist movements face other obstacles.

Ukraine, U.S., Russia: At the behest of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Ukraine has halted drone strikes against oil tankers using Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossisk. Washington had expressed concern that Kyiv’s attacks on the vessels, which were carrying Kazakh crude via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, could further strain global oil markets that were already reeling from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes were also affecting U.S. oil giants ExxonMobil and Chevron, which hold major stakes in Kazakh oil infrastructure.

Ukraine has not struck any tankers since Vance spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 31, with Kyiv agreeing to avoid the terminal and vessels that are neither under Ukrainian sanctions nor carrying Russian cargo. The decision came as Ukraine seeks a U.S. license to produce Patriot interceptor missiles, which Zelenskyy has described as a “top priority.”

Zambia: President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term in elections that are set to be held Thursday. His victory in 2021 was hailed as a win for democracy, following a lurch toward … Purchase your premium subscription now to make sure you don’t miss important news and analysis.

North Korea, South Korea, U.S.: Pyongyang test-fired a ballistic missile near the Sea of Japan early today, according to South Korean and Japanese officials. This follows an earlier short-range missile test less than a week ago, and the … Purchase your premium subscription now to make sure you don’t miss important news and analysis.

Venezuela, Israel: The two countries have agreed to restore consular relations in a striking reversal for Venezuela’s government, which severed ties with Israel 17 years ago over its … Purchase your premium subscription now to make sure you don’t miss important news and analysis.

 

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Read all of our latest coverage here.

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