The Conversation

The Conversation US arose out of deep-seated concerns for the fading quality of our public discourse – and recognition of the vital role that academic experts can play in the public arena: https://theconversation.com/us/who-we-are

Can Coral be Bred for Better Tolerance to Heatwaves?

Published Apr 17, 2026 5:18 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Environment

[By Liam Lachs, Adriana Humanes and James Guest] As global warming accelerates, extreme heatwaves are causing widespread death of...

Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands is home to a strategic U.S./British air station, naval base and protected anchorage (NASA)

What Next for the Chagos Islands?

Published Apr 16, 2026 2:44 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Government

[By Tom Frost] The UK government has shelved legislation to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, after the US government withdr...

Underway merchant traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, April 15 (Pole Star)

How Iran and the U.S. Justify Differing Views on Freedom of Navigation

Published Apr 15, 2026 2:20 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Shipping

[By Elizabeth Mendenhall] The Strait of Hormuz exists in the eye of the beholder. While everyone agrees that, geographically speak...

Op-Ed: Mideast Conflict Provides a Test of Economic Resilience

Published Apr 14, 2026 6:13 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Business

[By Adi Imsirovic and Antonio Fatas] The world economy survived the shocks of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has had limited i...

Loading terminal at Ras Laffan (Matthew Smith / CC BY 2.0)

Iran's Strike on Ras Laffan Could Raise LNG Prices for Years

Published Mar 23, 2026 5:26 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Offshore

[By Dr. Adi Imsirovic] On March 19, Ras Laffan, the largest liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in the world, supplying one-fifth...

The Iran War and Global Trade: Will the Cape Route Become the New Normal?

Published Mar 6, 2026 7:26 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Shipping

[By Francois Vreÿ] Events in the Middle East during February and March 2026 again disrupted the flows of shipping trade to the eas...

U.S. Navy warships escort a reflagged tanker during the last full-scale wartime disruption of the Persian Gulf shipping lanes, Operation Earnest Will, 1987 (USN)

What Would Closure of the Strait of Hormuz Mean for Shipping?

Published Mar 1, 2026 6:01 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Shipping

[By Sarah Schiffling] The reported sinking of several Iranian warships by US missiles in the Gulf of Oman serves as a reminder of...

File image courtesy Joachim S. Muller / CC BY

Deep-Sea Life Forms May Hold Clues to Sustainable Battery Technology

Published Feb 8, 2026 6:15 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Shipping

[By Alicia M. Battaglia] As the world races to electrify everything from cars to cities, the demand for high-performance, long-las...

Power Struggles Over the Ocean’s Resources Call for Creative Diplomacy

Published Jan 18, 2026 4:08 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Government

[By Jonas Gamso and Hossain Ahmed Taufiq] Oceans shape everyday life in powerful ways. They cover 70% of the planet, carry 90% of...

Have U.S. Tariffs Failed To Bite?

Published Jan 16, 2026 12:55 PM by The Conversation

Posted in: Shipping

[By Jiao Wang] The numbers are in, and they paint a picture that defies the conventional wisdom of Washington’s trade hawks. In 20...