Scott Bessent

Previewing the Trump-Xi Summit 

Here’s how to crush Tehran in three moves

The small group of Islamist regime loyalists now ruling Iran by committee may be able to fool the world with AI-generated propaganda videos, paper statements attributed to an invisible ayatollah and...

5 Things To Know About China’s Wartime Support for Iran

China is Iran’s top trading partner and one of the regime’s most important economic lifelines. Beijing is not seeking a wider Middle East war, especially one that threatens energy flows through the...

America can bankrupt Iran’s insiders — And it should

Tens of billions of dollars have been siphoned out of the Iranian economy by the Islamic Republic’s insiders over the past decade. If the U.S. wasn’t watching then, it is now. “We...

The Strait of Hormuz: The Military, Energy, and Economic Challenges

Trump’s Oil Waiver Gives Iran a Dangerous Financial Lifeline

Allowing Tehran to sell crude will only strengthen its grip over global energy flows.

Russia Sanctions Relief Offers Moscow a Windfall, Little Relief to Energy Markets

Russia is getting a financial boost from an unexpected source: the U.S. Treasury Department. On March 12, the department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a one-month general license authorizing...

New Mexican Tariffs Strike a Blow Against China

Mexico is picking a side in the U.S.-China trade war. On December 10, the country’s congress voted to authorize tariffs of up to 50 percent on imports from China in a significant escalation of its existing...

Europe is sleepwalking into the Muslim Brotherhood’s long game

The Muslim Brotherhood’s long-term strategy exploits democracy itself, and Europe is still refusing to confront the threat.

Florida Follows Texas, Brands Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organization

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order on December 9 designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as terrorist organizations. In doing so, DeSantis...

Iran’s Oil Exports Remained Near Peak in November

Although Iran’s oil exports dipped slightly from their October high of 2.15 million barrels per day (mbpd), its exports in November remained robust at 2.06 mbpd, for a total of 61.8 million barrels,...

Normalizing Ties Between Saudi Arabia and Israel Should Be Trump’s North Star When MBS Visits White House

November is shaping up to be an historic month at the White House. After welcoming Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to the Oval Office on November 10, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) will...

U.S. and EU Include Key Oil Companies in New Sanctions Targeting Russia

Rosneft and Lukoil Targeted: The United States imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies as President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir...

Beijing’s Minerals Brinkmanship May Backfire

The Communist Party’s anxiety reflects how quickly investor confidence and allied coordination hardened after the announcement.

With Snapback of UN Sanctions Pending, Tehran Continues To Export Oil

Tehran continues to export oil and acquire new customers despite approaching deadlines for the snapback of United Nations sanctions. Although Iranian oil exports reached their lowest level of the year...

President Trump, Don’t Settle for Empty Promises on Reindustrialization

At a recent gathering with tech CEOs, President Donald Trump lauded several companies that expressed plans to expand production in the United States. He also hinted at tariff exemptions...

China and Russia Sign Agreement to Build New Energy Pipeline

New Gas Pipeline Through Siberia: Alexey Miller, head of Russia’s state-owned energy corporation Gazprom, announced that Moscow and Beijing had reached a “legally binding”...

Sanctions Hit Iran but Leave Chinese Facilitators Untouched

President Donald Trump is slamming shut the back doors allowing prohibited Iranian financial trade to continue in the shadows. On August 7, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned members of two networks...

U.S. Sanctions Extensive Shipping Network in Largest Iran-Related Action Since 2018

Latest Developments Massive Iran Sanctions: The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the State Department have designated over 50 individuals and entities, as well as...

House Committee Moves to Overhaul U.S.-South Africa Relationship Ahead of Potential FATF Delisting

U.S. pressure is mounting on Pretoria. The House Foreign Affairs Committee cleared a consequential piece of legislation on July 22 aimed at reevaluating America’s longstanding relationship with South...