Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

The Iran war has generated one energy story everyone is watching and one that almost nobody is. The story receiving attention is oil. The story receiving almost no attention is sulfur, and it is a consequential one as nations consider their long-term strategies for energy security and emissions reductions.  The argument here is specific: Sulfuric acid, which is made from elemental sulfur, is an irreplaceable input in the manufacture of renewable energy materials, such as silicon wafers in solar panels; the nickel, cobalt, and rare earths in wind turbine magnets and electric vehicle (EV) motors; and the copper wiring in every grid connection and transformer. Without…

The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy. The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire just under an hour before U.S. President Donald Trump’s Tuesday deadline to hammer the country with an unprecedented level of airstrikes was due to expire, with Tehran announcing it will temporarily reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Both sides are now claiming victory in the conflict, which lasted more than a month and disrupted global financial markets, with oil prices driving sharply higher. Trump told AFP that the agreement last night…

Maritime technology company Zelim strengthens international presence with opening of new premises in Nova Scotia. Zelim today announced that it is has established a site in Atlantic Canada, marking its commitment to strategic expansion in the North American maritime market. The site will be located at the COVE ocean facility in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, a major technology hub for maritime innovation. From April 2026, the office premises will serve as a base for Zelim to advance ongoing partnerships and future opportunities in the region for its AI-enabled technologies, which are designed to enhance the safety and security of operations at…

Sydney, Australia – 8 April 2026 – DroneShield (ASX:DRO), a global leader in advanced defense and counter unmanned systems (CUxS) technology, today announced a leadership transition with Angus Bean appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective today. After leading DroneShield through a period of significant growth and global expansion, Oleg Vornik will step down as Chief Executive Officer. At the same time, Peter James will step down as Chairman of the Board following years of leadership and service to the company. Under their leadership, DroneShield evolved from an emerging technology company into a globally recognized provider of counter-UAS solutions, expanding technology capabilities,…

How can the Netherlands prepare economically for a conflict and what coordination with the EU and NATO does that require?

In 2026, the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZOPACAS) will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. This milestone is not only an invitation to reflect on the creation, achievements, and limitations of the Zone, but on how it relates to broader dynamics associated with South-South cooperation and Brazil-Africa relations in the past four decades. With a total of 24 member states, including Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Namibia, and Uruguay, the Zone has helped Brazil expand its connections with states in the Atlantic coast of Africa beyond its traditional Lusophone partners such as Angola, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea,…

A ranked UFC featherweight wants to retire champion Alexander Volkanovski soon and has already sent a deadly warning to the Australian. Current and two-time 145-pound kingpin “The Great” defended his title earlier this year at UFC 325 against Diego Lopes and comfortably cruised to a unanimous decision win. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 01: (L-R) Alexander Volkanovski of Australia punches Diego Lopes of Brazil in the UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 325 event at Qudos Bank Arena on February 01, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Later this year, Volkanovski is expected to make his next…

Sam Greco is a name synonymous with the fight game. With 37 years of martial arts and fight experience, Greco is a household name in Japan, Europe, and all parts of Asia and Australasia.A former bare knuckle Karate World champion and former 3 x WAKO undisputed world heavyweight Kickboxing champion and superstar of K-1 (the world’s largest fight circuit), Greco carved an aura of invincibility in the fight world and a massive following as fans flocked to his fights to see him do what he does best – knock out opponents with sheer brute power. FIGHT RECORD147 Fights – 131Wins…

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight Aaron Pico returns for his second Octagon appearance this weekend (Sat., April 11, 2026) at UFC 327, where he takes on fellow Bellator standout and former champion Patricio Pitbull inside Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.Pico is coming off a brutal spinning elbow knockout loss to Lerone Murphy in his highly anticipated UFC debut (watch highlights) — a setback that halted his momentum in a big way.“Yeah, I’m not going to lie, after the last loss, I took it a little bit hard,” Pico told reporters. “I was really embarrassed and had some down days, but…

The Fiscal Year 2027 Presidential budget Request includes a major overhaul for the U.S. Navy’s Strike Weapons inventory, with over $5.23 billion dollars in funds requested for strike munitions. Major Tomahawk replenishment A 785 strong buy of RGM/UGM-109 Tomahawks headlines the Navy’s requested strike weapons procurement, with an increase of 730 missiles to be funded compared to FY 2026 numbers, with the buy carrying a price tag of $3,008,909,000. Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise missiles (TLAMs) continue to serve as both the surface and submarine Navy’s deep strike backbone, with Naval News reporting on persistent usage throughout Operation Epic Fury. New…