Shipping forecast: will America’s blockade work?

America has initiated a naval blockade of Iranian ports and coastal waters, a high-stakes strategy intended to force the regime back to the negotiating table regarding its nuclear program. While the Pentagon aims to impartially restrict shipping to sever Iran’s economic lifeline, defense editor Shashank Joshi warns that the move risks triggering a global energy crisis and further military escalation. Meanwhile, in Burkina Faso, President Ibrahim Traore’s "total war" against jihadist insurgents has devolved into a campaign of state-sponsored violence. Human Rights Watch reports that military forces and allied militias have committed war crimes and ethnic cleansing against the Fulani minority, a strategy that is proving counterproductive by driving civilians toward jihadist groups. Finally, the rising popularity of sparkling water reflects a broader shift in consumer habits as alcohol consumption declines, with brands like Topo Chico gaining prominence for their intense carbonation.