The return of the Five o'clock Follies: only good news about Iran, please. As has become expected, the news from Washington it excellent, really excellent.

This and more (and free to read) on #GlobalThreads

open.substack.com/pub/peterfra...

China’s Sudden Silence Over Taiwan: Some suggestions Over the past two years, the skies around Taiwan have become one of the most closely watched arenas in global geopolitics.

For more (and free to read) on #GlobalThreads open.substack.com/pub/peterfra...

Desert One Again: the shadows of history and Iran’s Talks in Oman And so finally - after the uncertainties, the threats to cancel and the change of location - talks are underway in Oman to plot a set of potential futures for Iran.

I've written about this on #GlobalThreads. Free to read here: open.substack.com/pub/peterfra...

Playing with Fire in the Gulf: Why the Margin for Error Is Shrinking Fast The chances for things to go wrong with Iran have increased sharply in the last 24 hours.

I've written about this in #GlobalThreads. Link here open.substack.com/pub/peterfra...

Iran: the window is narrowing as the US moves into position Lining up the northern border; US-Israel co-ordination; the ongoing build-up of military assets

This is a fast-moving situation now. But I’ve laid out what’s happening - and why it matters - for paid subscribers on #GlobalThreads 6/6 /ENDS open.substack.com/pub/peterfra...

What if we measured progress not just by income or life expectancy - but by how well we live with the rest of nature?

A major new paper proposes the 'Nature Relationship Index (NRI)' - a bold rethink of development metrics.

Here’s why it matters.👇
#NatureRelationshipIndex #GlobalThreads

In today’s #GlobalThreads, I break down the failed destroyer launch, look at Kim Jong Un’s pivot towards Russia, and ask what it means for the balance of power in Asia - and beyond
4/5

What really ended the ancient world?

Barbarian invasions? The fall of Rome in 476? Climate shocks? The rise of Islam?

A great new paper argues the best answer can be found not in texts, in places of worship or in sacked cities - but in coins.
A short 🧵
#EndOfAntiquity #AncientCoins #GlobalThreads

Death in the Air: How Roman Ambition Poisoned a Continent I spoke yesterday with my friend Tim (a kind subscriber); he asked if I could do some uplifting, happy posts - which I promised him I’d do - but not before the weekend.

Read more in my latest Global Threads post:
“Death in the Air: How Roman Ambition Poisoned a Continent”

open.substack.com/pub/peterfra...

#GlobalThreads #Rome #EnvironmentalHistory #Anthropocene #IceCores #ClimateHistory

More hardware lessons from South Asia; and strange tales of stolen and unaccountable (billions-worth) of crypto Stories of global fragilities

In short:
🧨 South Asia is a weapons lab.
🪙 Crypto is a global heist.
📚 And history is a guidebook for navigating both

If you’re not subscribed to Global Threads, this is the week to fix that

#Geopolitics #Crypto #SouthAsia #China #India #NorthKorea #GlobalThreads

open.substack.com/pub/peterfra...

Coming tomorrow breakfast time UK - Trump and his tariffs; method and no madness on #GlobalThreads on Substack. Do come and find/follow me there !