Expert Comment: The war in the Gulf

Published on March 2, 2026

Dr Rob Johnson, Director of the Oxford Strategy, Statecraft, and Technology (Changing Character of War) Centre and Senior Research Fellow of Pembroke College, University of Oxford, analyses the strategic implications of the US–Israeli airstrikes on Iran, assessing the risks of regional escalation alongside the potential for longer-term shifts in Gulf security and global energy stability.
Continue reading on website
Other news

2026 Varsity rugby matches: Cambridge edged out at StoneX

March 1, 2026
The Cambridge women entered the fixture determined to respond to last year’s 27–7 defeat, but faced a powerful Oxford side who ran in eight tries to secure a 52–8 victory. It was a difficult afternoon for the Light Blues, marking their largest margin of defeat in 26 years.Despite the scoreline, there were moments of resilience and quality. In the 56th minute, Esther Makourin collected the ball ins

The war with Iran: expert analysis

March 2, 2026
A weakened Iran  Asked about the motives behind the events, Dr Pesaran shares her views: “This war is an attempt to decimate an already weakened Iran. And it's important to look at it in the context of both the 12-day war that happened last year in 2025, and following on from the protests that we've seen across Iran." She added President Donald Trump at the time of the 12-day war “claimed to have