Diplomacy & Crisis News

The Syrian leader sought to reassure his many doubters that he’s a man of peace and tolerance. 

The Taliban quickly rejected the U.S. president’s demand that it turn over Bagram Airfield to the United States.

Questions mount over the fate of migrants deported by the U.S. to the West African country.

Meanwhile, Washington may be moving closer to Kyiv as Trump shifts his Ukraine rhetoric.

The 83-year-old religious scholar was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment in 2015 on trumped-up charges.

Trump’s new $100,000 fee for high-skilled workers is another nail in the coffin for U.S. prosperity.

But a call from Hungary to Trump could easily spoil its plans.

Once again, all five Central Asian presidents attended the U.N. General Assembly to lay out their perspectives on an increasingly conflicted world.

Donald Trump’s latest U-turn on Ukraine doesn’t change the naked truth for Europe.

Quand une personne est déférée au parquet à l'issue de sa garde à vue, le procureur dispose d'une grande latitude : il peut décider de classer le dossier sans suite, d'engager des poursuites, de prononcer une interdiction de séjour ou un « rappel à la loi ». Cette procédure, qui échappe à tout débat (...) / France, Droit, Idées, Justice, Mouvement de contestation, Police, Répression - 2022/10

The September 2025 summit between the United States and the United Kingdom marks a watershed moment in the international nuclear energy landscape. The launch of the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy—an ambitious framework for regulatory alignment and joint commercial development—signals a peaceful, prosperous transition to what UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has hailed as a “golden age” of nuclear cooperation between two of the world’s most influential nuclear powers.

From Diplomatic Accord to Market Impact

At the heart of the summit’s breakthrough is an unprecedented commitment to streamline regulatory approval processes jointly conducted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). This new arrangement seeks to compress the typically protracted nuclear licensing period—from as much as four years to roughly two—by pooling safety assessments and operational reviews. For the private sector, this promises accelerated deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs), technologies critical to the strategic energy needs of both nations.

Alongside regulatory reform, the summit produced major commercial commitments. UK energy firm Centrica and US-based X-Energy agreed to develop up to 12 AMRs in Hartlepool, expected to power 1.5 million homes and generate approximately $15 billion(£12 billion) in economic output. Complementing this is a $14 billion( £11 billion) project to establish an advanced data center in Nottinghamshire powered by SMRs, through a partnership between US companies Holtec International and Tritax and France’s EDF—highlighting the deepening intersection of nuclear power and the digital economy across the Atlantic.

Beyond power generation, the partnership highlights nuclear fuel supply chain security, where US technological expertise and strategic capacity are vital to enhancing energy resilience. Collaborative fusion research—particularly the application of artificial intelligence for high-fidelity modeling, which involves creating extremely detailed computer simulations of nuclear systems—further underscores the alliance’s cutting-edge character. Together, these initiatives are projected to attract billions in private investment and create tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs—positioning the US-UK nuclear partnership as a strategic linchpin in the expanding global SMR market while advancing their shared goals of energy security, economic growth, and technological leadership.

Rise of Fourth-Generation SMRs and Maritime Nuclear Power

At the technological frontier of the US-UK nuclear partnership, fourth-generation SMRs epitomize the next leap in nuclear innovation. These reactors—often classified as AMRs—feature advanced cooling systems such as helium or sodium, elevated thermal efficiencies, and modular factory construction that reduces both costs and build times compared with legacy plants. Their design allows for flexible deployment across national grids, remote regions, or integration with high-tech industries. Just as importantly, 4G SMRs and AMRs converge with fast-growing fields like artificial intelligence and big data. Intelligent monitoring enables predictive maintenance and operational optimization, while their reliable electricity supports energy-intensive infrastructure such as hyperscale data centers—now central to both digital economies and broader national energy strategies.

The US-UK partnership’s focus on advanced nuclear technologies, including SMRs and AMRs, reflects these ambitions. With firms such as Rolls-Royce and X-Energy advancing commercial projects, the UK SMR Consortium estimates that by 2050 these efforts could deliver up to 24 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity and create around 40,000 skilled jobs.

Beyond SMRs on land, the US-UK partnership marks a pivotal step toward maritime nuclear power, poised to unlock a multi-trillion-dollar industry by transforming global shipping—a sector that still derives more than 99 percent of its energy from fossil fuels. Companies such as Core Power and Holtec International are developing floating nuclear plants and compact reactors to power ports and vessels. With the International Maritime Organization targeting net-zero emissions by 2050, and alternative fuels like hydrogen and ammonia facing economic and logistical barriers, nuclear emerges as a uniquely viable solution. 

Strategically, integrating nuclear into maritime infrastructure helps to substantially reduce exposure to fossil fuel price volatility—which has historically imposed significant financial risks on the shipping industry by causing unpredictable and often steep fuel cost fluctuations. Nuclear propulsion also offers extended vessel lifespans—with nuclear-powered ships typically operating for 40+ years compared to 20-25 years for conventional ships—reducing lifecycle costs and improving safety through reduced reliance on volatile oil markets. These advances contribute to geopolitical stability by securing vital energy corridors and strengthening supply chains critical to global trade.

By establishing innovative regulatory frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships, and enabling new commercial models, the United States and United Kingdom now stand at the forefront of transforming maritime energy for a secure, prosperous future—essential for sustaining global trade in the 21st century.

Gulf states move cautiously in response to their growing perception of Israel as a threat.

Cultural engagement laid the groundwork for the Chinese-built mega-port in Peru.

When the Rohingya were abandoned in 2017, the price was paid by the entire country in 2021. If we ignore the AA’s abuses today, we will pay the price again tomorrow.

Insights from Marcin Dadura.

EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas: “We are trying to have more friends around the world.”

Le lancement par Netflix d'une série télévisée associant le Surinam au trafic de drogue a suscité les protestations des autorités du pays. Jusque-là, le petit État coincé entre la Guyane française et le Guyana faisait rarement l'actualité. Ses réserves en métal précieux intéressent pourtant depuis (...) / Guyane, Pays-Bas, Narcotrafic, Histoire, Surinam, Amérique du Sud, Guerre civile, Corruption - 2022/10

The European Union’s new strategy to reinforce partnership with India holds immense promise for India-EU cooperation on tech and innovation ecosystems.

Both Beijing and New Delhi have shown a willingness to re-engage, but they must address critical areas of concern before moving forward.

The top U.S. priority for alliance modernization is the one that causes the most concern for South Korea.