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** Wednesday Reads
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** April 8, 2026
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For Donald Trump, Declaring Victory Over Iran Is His Best Option
By Eric Alter
Professor and Dean, Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy

So far, attempts to negotiate a comprehensive US-Iran agreement have been stymied by maximalist demands. Read the full article here ([link removed]) .
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How the Ukraine and Iran Wars Became Intertwined
By Seth J. Frantzman
Acting News Editor and Senior Middle East Correspondent, The Jerusalem Post

Russian and Iranian drone cooperation has pushed Ukraine and the Gulf States into closer defense technology partnerships. Read the full article here ([link removed]) .
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Russia’s Helium Card in the AI Arms Race
By Fyodor Dmitrenko
Geopolitical Analyst and Researcher, Sciences Po Paris

The Iran War knocked out a third of global helium. China barely flinched. What does that tell us about who’s actually winning the industrial contest behind artificial intelligence? Read the full article here ([link removed]) .
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Why the Donald Trump-Xi Jinping Summit Can’t Come Soon Enough
By Michael D. Swaine
Senior Research Fellow, East Asia Program, Quincy Institute

Continued clashes in the Middle East could seriously destabilize US-China relations and lead to confrontation in the Taiwan Strait. Read the full article ([link removed]) .
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Will the Iran War Trip up TRIPP?
By Mamuka Tsereteli
Senior Fellow for Eurasia, American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC)
Senior Fellow, American Foreign Policy Council Central Asia-Caucasus Institute

The Iran War has temporarily disrupted Caucasus-Central Asia connectivity. The United States must reassure the region that it still wishes to engage with its development. Read the full article here ([link removed]) .
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Why the Iran War Is Pushing Europe Closer to US LNG
By Gökçe Nur Ataman
Energy Analyst

The Iran war’s disruptions to LNG supply are accelerating Europe’s reliance on US gas—solving near-term shortages but creating new long-term dependency risks. Read the full article here ([link removed]) .
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How Sudan’s Economic Collapse Creates an Opening for China
By Miles Pollard, Nicole Huyer, and Payton Kleidon
Pollard: Policy Analyst for Economic Policy, Center for Data Analysis, The Heritage Foundation
Huyer: Senior Research Associate, Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation
Kleidon: Intern, Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation

China stands to gain increased influence in Sudan and Africa at large if it funds the country’s reconstruction. Read the full article here ([link removed]) .
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