Trump’s recent ultimatum to Iran risks repeating historical failures in US-Iranian diplomacy. Direct talks between the two nations haven't occurred for nearly two years, a stark contrast to periods like the 1980s when back channels were utilized to navigate stalemate. Ignoring past grievances, like the 1979 hostage crisis, and failing to consider Iranian public opinion undermines any prospect of productive negotiation. —The Lens

The Red Cross’s meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, facilitated six months after the coup, represents a symbolic gesture that may ease external pressure on Myanmar's military junta but does not necessarily translate to broader humanitarian aid or altered internal conditions; parallels exist with visits during Tito’s Yugoslavia. The delayed public announcement of the encounter raises questions about the motivations and control surrounding this interaction, particularly given the…