Can surfboards, handbags and coffins be made from mushrooms?

Issued on: 27/02/2026

FRANCE24
03:35 min

Can mushrooms replace leather and plastic? Thanks to mycelium derived from fungi, companies can now make 100 percent biodegradable products such as shoes and furniture that look exactly like leather. Major brands are already trying to make the shift. Our France 2 colleagues report.

BY: Elitsa GADEVA

Cuba says it held recent talks with US aimed at resolving 'differences'

Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on Friday that officials held recent talks with the US aiming to resolve "differences" between the two countries. The US is currently maintaining an energy blockade on Cuba which has affected communications, education and transportation and seen millions in the Caribbean country hit with blackouts.


Issued on: 13/03/2026 
By: FRANCE 24

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel gestures during the BRICS summit second plenary session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025. © Pablo Porciuncula, AFP

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Friday that his government has held recent talks with the US, marking the first time the Caribbean country confirms such speculation.

He said the talks “were aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences between our two nations. International factors facilitated these exchanges".

He did not elaborate on those factors.

Díaz-Canel said no petroleum shipments have arrived on the island in the past three months, which he blamed on a US energy blockade.

Cuba ’s western region was hit by a massive blackout last week, leaving millions without power.

He said that Cuba, which produces 40% of its petroleum, has been generating its own power but that it hasn’t been sufficient to meet demand.

He said the lack of power has affected communications, education and transportation, and that the government has had to postpone surgeries for tens of thousands of people as a result.

“The impact is tremendous,” he said.

Díaz-Canel said that the purpose of the talks was to identify “bilateral problems that require solutions based on their severity and impact” and find solutions to them.

The president added that the aim was “to determine the willingness of both parties to take concrete actions for the benefit of the people of both countries. And in addition, to identify areas of cooperation to confront threats and guarantee the security and peace of both nations, as well as in the region.”

Díaz-Canel called it a “highly sensitive process” because it affects bilateral relations of both countries and “demands enormous and significant efforts to find solutions and create spaces for understanding that will allow us to move away from confrontation.”

He noted that Cuba is willing to carry out the process on the basis of equality and respect for the countries’ political systems and for Cuba’s “sovereignty and self-determination".

Critical oil shipments from Venezuela were halted after the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader.

(FRANCE 24 with AP)

South Korea: The forgotten Jeju uprising and massacre

Issued on: 13/03/2026 - FRANCE24
15:02 min

Nearly 80 years ago, a brutal crackdown on Jeju Island in southern Korea claimed tens of thousands of lives. In the aftermath of World War II, the Korean peninsula was drawn into the Cold War and divided in two: a Soviet-backed regime in the North, and a US-supported nationalist government in the South. On Jeju, some residents resisted this division, and the South Korean government soon branded the island a communist stronghold.

The Massacre

In 1948, the South Korean government imposed martial law on Jeju, giving the military sweeping powers. The army quickly began hunting and killing residents, including newborns, accused of being “reds” – communists. Survivors estimate that between 25,000 and 30,000 civilians were killed, nearly 10% of the island’s population. Many sought refuge in volcanic caves and forests to survive.

The repression continued for six years. Martial law was lifted in 1954, ending mass arrests and executions, but survivors lived in fear and silence. Those who spoke out about the massacre risked marginalisation, losing jobs or housing, and were often forced to keep their experiences secret, even from family.

Recognition and Memory

After years of campaigning by victims and researchers, the South Korean government officially recognised the Jeju massacre in the early 2000s and issued a public apology. Many questions remain, including the role of US forces stationed on the peninsula at the time. Last year, more than 14,000 documents related to the Jeju repression were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World register – a symbolic acknowledgment for victims’ families and memory activists, who hope the long-suppressed tragedy will finally be recognised worldwide.

BY:

Melodie SFORZA

Aruna POPURI

Justin McCURRY

VIDEO BY:

Justin McCURRY

Melodie SFORZA

Aruna POPURI

Iran War disrupts fertiliser supplies and puts food security at risk

Paris (AFP) – With production in the Gulf countries at a standstill and gas prices rising, the war in the Middle East is disrupting the supply of fertilisers and posing risks for food security.


Issued on: 12/03/2026 - RFI

Artificial fertilizers provide key nutrients for food crops, with yields at risk if farmers cannot buy them. © Jean Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP

A third of fertiliser shipped by sea comes from the region and cannot make it to the global market as Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

That has sent global fertiliser prices soaring, with the UN expressing concern in particular about the impact on developing countries.

Gulf a key manufacturer

Natural gas is a key feedstock to make artificial fertilsers, and with its ample gas supplies the Gulf region has become a key manufacturer.

The region produces nearly half of the sulphur sold worldwide and a third of urea – "the most widely traded fertiliser of all", said Sarah Marlow, global editor for fertilisers at Argus Media.

It also produces a quarter of globally traded ammonia, another feedstock for fertiliser production, she said.

Major food producing nations like the United States and Australia source much of their urea and phosphate from the Gulf nations.

Brazil, the world’s leading soybean producer, imports most of its urea from Qatar and from Iran, which also exports to Turkey and Mexico.

India relies upon Saudi phosphate.

Asia in particularly dependent upon on the Gulf: it imports 64 percent of its ammonia and more than 50 percent of its sulphur and phosphates from the region, according to 2024 figures from Kpler.

But since the start of the conflict, which has seen Iran launch retaliatory strikes against its Gulf neighbours following US and Israeli strikes, production has had to be shut down at fertiliser production facilities, particularly in Qatar.

And the Strait of Hormuz remains largely unnavigable.

A Chinese vessel loaded with sulphur was able to leave on 7 March, but around 20 other ships were still waiting as of the middle of the week, according to Kpler, which tracks commodity flows.

Global repercussions

While Europe appears at first blush to be less exposed, sourcing just 11 percent of its urea from the region, it will likely be impacted indirectly.

Morocco is a big supplier of phosphorus-based fertilisers to Europe, but is dependent upon the Gulf for sulphur used in their manufacturing.

The EU also imports 26 percent of its urea from Egypt, but the country is confronted by a halt of natural gas supplies from Israel by pipeline, pointed out Argus Media consultant Arthur Portier.

"Egyptian urea has gone from $500 per tonne at the start of the war to more than $650. There is a direct impact on the price of fertiliser" for European farmers, he said.

Other countries that source their gas from the Middle East to produce fertilisers, such as India, have had to ration supplies to their factories.

Bangladesh has temporarily shut down five out of six of them.

The UN expressed concern this week about access to fertilisers in some of the poorest countries.

Crop production at risk

Artificial fertilisers provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium necessary for crop growth.

For nitrogen-based fertilisers such as urea, ammonium nitrate and potassium, "global demand never ceases to increase, driven by Asia," said Sylvain Pellerin at INREA, a French agricultural research institute.

INREA models that without these three key fertiliser inputs, global crop production would fall by a third.

But nitrogen fertilisers require natural gas for their chemical synthesis, and a lot of energy.

As for sulfur, it is a co-product of the oil and gas industry.

Where there is gas, you will find urea and ammonia," said the Argus's Marlow.

Production of phosphorus-based fertilisers starts with phosphate rock, of which Saudi Arabia supplies 20 percent of the world total but currently cannot ship it.

Uncertain outlook

In addition to the uncertainty about how long the war will last, the other question is the amount of damage that fertiliser production facilities will suffer from the fighting.

Repairs and reconstruction of facilities could considerably delay a return to normality once the fighting ends.

While the immediate needs of farmers are more or less covered, there are questions about the sowing season in the southern hemisphere that begins in June.

Portier said the war could be the spark for Europe to develop a fertiliser supply strategy.

Following the surge in fertiliser prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European farmers reduced their consumption and diversified their suppliers.

The European Commission is preparing a fertiliser action plan for this year.

Senegalese MPs vote to double jail terms for same-sex relations

Senegal's parliament on Thursday voted in favour of a new law that doubles the maximum penalty for same-sex relations to 10 years in prison. MPs also backed a move to hand jail terms of between three and seven years to people who promote or finance same-sex relationships.


Issued on: 12/03/2026 - RFI

MPs in Senegal voted in tougher laws that increase punishments for same-sex relations. REUTERS - Zohra Bensemra

"Homosexuals will no longer breathe in this country," said MP Diaraye Ba during a debate on the bill.

To applause from some of her colleagues, she added: "Homosexuals will no longer have freedom of expression in this country."

Under the new law, the maximum sentence will be given if the act is committed with a minor. Fines will rise from between 100,000 and 1.5 million CFA francs (€152 and €2,867) to between 2 and 10 million CFA francs (€3,028 to €15,220).

The new law also includes penalties aimed at preventing the abuse of it. Anyone who denounces another person as homosexual without proof could face two to three years in prison, as well as a fine ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 CFA francs (between €300 and €760).

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko pledged to reinforce existing restrictions during his 2024 electoral campaign.

Beyond higher penalties, the new law redefines what the penal code describes as "unnatural acts" and aims to ban their promotion.

Minister of Culture Amadou Ba said any group promoting what he described as “LGBT philosophy” through films, television, writing or other means would fall within the reach of the legislation.

He said authorities view such ideas as outside of Senegalese customs, traditions and culture. LGBTQ rights advocacy is frequently denounced in Senegal as a tool used by Westerners to impose foreign values.

Media messages

Social media in Senegal has been flooded in recent weeks with homophobic messages and calls to expose individuals accused of same-sex activity.

Highly publicised arrests have spawned headlines including "Big homo clean-up" and "Bisexuals, walking dangers".

Articles in the media have also conflated arrests for same-sex relations with a separate child sex abuse affair, in which investigators dismantled a gang accused of sexual violence against minors, arresting 14 people.

Before the law was passed in parliament, NGO Human Rights Watch raised concerns about its potential impact.

Alex Müller, the organisation’s director of LGBTQ issues, warned that provisions targeting the “promotion” or financing of homosexuality are broadly defined and could lead to serious infringements of fundamental freedoms.

She said such wording could restrict freedom of expression and association and hamper access to healthcare. She said organisations working to combat HIV and AIDS might be affected, particularly those providing services to men who have sex with men, who face a higher risk of infection.

At least 32 of Africa's 54 countries have laws prohibiting and punishing same-sex relations. The death penalty is imposed in Uganda, Mauritania and Somalia. Approximately 10 countries or territories impose sentences ranging from 10 years to life in prison, including Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Sierra Leone.

(with newswires)

Climate watchdog urges France to set roadmap to phase out fossil fuels

France’s top climate advisory body on Thursday called on the government to set out a precise roadmap for phasing out coal, oil and gas, warning that the country's "ambitious" climate targets will need clearer political backing and stronger implementation.


Issued on: 12/03/2026 - RFI

Cordemais coal-fired power station on the banks of the Loire river. France plans to phase out coal by 2030 as part of its strategy to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. AFP - LOIC VENANCE


The High Council for the Climate (HCC) – an independent advisory body created in 2019 to assess government climate policy – on Thursday published its opinion on France’s updated climate strategy, known as the SNBC-3.

The strategy outlines how the country aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. It was presented in December and is still under public consultation.

“We have a trajectory that is ambitious, but our main concern is how it will be implemented,” HCC president Jean-François Soussana said.

The government's plan already includes a timetable to phase out fossil fuels in France – coal by 2030, oil by 2040-2045 and fossil gas by 2050.

But the HCC said those targets need stronger political backing and clearer detail.

“That timetable needs to be carried politically, it needs to be affirmed,” Soussana said. “We need visibility, political commitment and clarity on exit dates in each sector.”

He pointed to the planned end for combustion-engine cars as one example of how clear deadlines can help guide policy.

Phase-out dates

Among 20 recommendations, the council called on the government to “set out a precise fossil fuel exit roadmap” with “specific modalities for each sector”.

Soussana also pointed to recent oil price volatility as a reason to move faster.

“We are right in the middle of an oil shock, and the recurrence of these shocks over time shows clearly that it is urgent to exit fossil fuels,” he said, referring to rising prices linked to the war in the Middle East.

The office of ecological transition minister Monique Barbut acknowledged the challenge.

“We are clearly aware of the implementation issue,” the minister’s office said, pointing to the recent presentation of an electrification plan. “We will try to take on board some of the HCC’s recommendations."

Air traffic concerns

The HCC also raised concerns about aviation, calling on the government to “better contain the growth of air traffic” by 2030 and 2050.

It warned that the amount of biomass needed to produce sustainable aviation fuels, required to cut emissions from the sector, could create pressure on resources.

The minister’s office said it would endeavour to address some of the points raised by the council.

“In broad terms, yes, we will try to be more precise,” it said – adding that other policy texts, including the country’s multi-year energy plan, would also need to reflect the recommendations.

(with newswires)

Canadian, German and Norway leaders hold Arctic security talks

Oslo (AFP) – Canadian, German and Norwegian leaders will meet in the Norwegian Arctic on Friday to discuss the region's fragile security situation, against the backdrop of a large NATO exercise.

Issued on: 13/03/2026 - RFI

The High North was once shielded by the notion that it was immune to geopolitical rivalries. 

© John MACDOUGALL / AFP

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who are making separate visits to the Scandinavian country, will meet their host Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Bardufoss, a military town located above the Arctic Circle where NATO's Cold Response exercise is taking place.

The High North has long been shielded by the concept of "Arctic exceptionalism" – the notion that the region had its own set of unwritten rules of cooperation which were immune to geopolitical rivalries.

But regional dynamics between Russia and the West have changed since the start of the war in Ukraine and due to US President Donald Trump's threats to take over Greenland.

"In the face of new threats, we are deepening defence collaboration with our Arctic partners to create a stronger, more prosperous, and more secure world for Canada and for all," Carney said in a statement ahead of the visit.

Some 25,000 troops from 14 countries including the United States are taking part in the Cold Response exercise © John MACDOUGALL / AFP


Around 25,000 troops from 14 countries including the United States are taking part in the Cold Response exercise, held every two years and aimed at training together in extreme winter conditions.

This year's gathering has been impacted by the war in the Middle East, with France redirecting its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the eastern Mediterranean.

After visiting troops on Friday, the three leaders are due to hold a press conference on Friday afternoon.

"We share the conviction that as European NATO allies, we must do more to secure the High North as NATO," Merz said at the World Economic Summit in Davos in January.

"This is a common transatlantic interest."

NATO chief Mark Rutte was also scheduled to visit Cold Response on 18 March.
Russian flights

Faced with NATO's manoeuvres in its vicinity, Russia has asserted its presence.

The Norwegian military said Wednesday it had scrambled F-35 fighter jets on two consecutive days this week to intercept Russian military aircraft in international airspace north of Norway.

"There is nothing unusual or dramatic about such Russian flights, and Russia has the right to conduct these missions," the military said.

"The Russian flights are most likely intended to gather situational awareness of allied activity in connection with Cold Response 2026," it added.

Moscow has also announced that it would be conducting missile tests near the Norwegian waters of the Barents Sea, as it has done during previous exercises.

Warming three to four times faster than the planet, the Arctic is attracting increasing interest as the melting sea ice opens up greater access to resources – such as oil and gas, minerals and fish – as well as new shipping routes.

Before visiting Bardufoss, Merz and Store are to visit the Andoya space centre, where German group Isar Aerospace hopes to soon launch another of its Spectrum rockets.

Carney will meanwhile travel to Oslo where he will meet the prime ministers of the five Nordic countries for talks on Sunday.

Kharg Island, the fragile oil lifeline behind Iran’s war economy

A small island in the Gulf has become a flashpoint in the widening war involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Kharg Island handles almost all of Iran’s oil exports – making it a vital economic lifeline for Tehran.


Issued on: 13/03/2026 - RFI

Kharg Island in the Gulf handles most of Iran’s oil exports, making it one of the most strategically important energy sites in the country. © NASA / Wikimedia Commons

As fighting intensifies and oil prices rise, the island has drawn growing attention in Washington and in global energy markets.

The eight-kilometre strip of land lies less than 25 kilometres from the Iranian coast and about 480 kilometres north of the Strait of Hormuz.

It hosts Iran’s main oil export terminal, where crude pumped by pipeline from major fields in south-west Iran – including Ahvaz, Marun and Gachsaran – is stored and loaded onto tankers bound largely for China.

Island in the crosshairs

As the conflict deepens, the island’s fate has become a topic of discussion in Washington.

The US news site Axios reported that American officials had discussed several options to increase pressure on Tehran. One possibility was securing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium; another was taking control of Kharg Island.

“It is necessary to destroy all the energy infrastructure on Kharg Island to bring the Iranian economy to its knees,” former Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid said on Saturday in a social media post.

Energy specialists say the island’s role as an oil gateway explains why it is attracting such attention.

“Between 90 and 95 percent of Iran’s oil exports pass through Kharg Island,” Emmanuel Hache, research director at the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), told RFI.

“Bombing this island or taking control of it would simply prevent Iran from exporting its oil.”

Iran's oil lifeline

Iran’s oil sector generates around $50 billion a year and remains one of the country’s main sources of revenue. It is the third-largest producer in OPEC and accounts for about 4.5 percent of global oil supply.

“A large part of these resources is controlled by the Revolutionary Guards, and that finances the regime’s security and military apparatus,” Hache said. “If Iranian exports via Kharg Island are paralysed, the regime itself could be paralysed.”

Despite international sanctions, Iran still produces around 4 million barrels of oil a day and exports on average between 1 million and 1.5 million barrels daily, according to data from energy analytics firm Kpler.

But in the weeks before the current strikes began, Tehran sharply increased shipments from Kharg.

Exports rose to more than 3 million barrels a day between 15 and 20 February – nearly triple the usual level – according to a note by US investment bank JP Morgan that was cited by Reuters.

The Kharg terminal can also store vast quantities of crude. Kpler analysts estimate the island’s storage capacity at around 30 million barrels, with roughly 18 million barrels currently held there – the equivalent of about 10 to 12 days of Iran’s normal oil exports.

Kharg’s strategic role is not new. A declassified CIA note from 1984 described the island’s oil installations as “the most vital” part of Iran’s petroleum system, essential to the country’s economy and its war effort against Iraq.

During the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, the island was repeatedly targeted during what became known as the “tanker war” – when both sides attacked energy exports. The facilities were damaged but quickly rebuilt.

Escalation risks

For now, Kharg Island has been spared the latest wave of strikes.

“The United States and Israel may not have wanted to bomb Kharg Island in order not to worsen tensions on the oil markets,” Hache explained. “Every time oil infrastructure in the Gulf is hit, prices rise.”

Even so, shipping activity around Kharg has continued. Bloomberg reported that supertankers were still loading crude at Kharg earlier in the week and that some Iranian tankers had crossed the Strait of Hormuz, even as shipping through the vital waterway slowed sharply.

Tanker-tracking data suggests Iran has continued exporting crude despite the fighting. Maritime intelligence company TankerTrackers reported that shipments totalled roughly 13.7 million barrels in the first days of March, while Kpler estimated exports of about 16.5 million barrels during the first 11 days of the month.

Kharg could also become a strategic military position in the conflict.

“We could even imagine the United States protecting part of its fleet around the island,” Hache said. “It could serve as a kind of shield for the American navy.”

But striking the island could trigger a much wider escalation in the region.

Israeli attacks during the conflict have already hit Iranian infrastructure, raising fears that energy facilities could also become targets.

Washington has said it does not intend to target Iran’s energy infrastructure directly, although analysts question whether that restraint would hold if the war intensifies.

“The Americans and the Israelis have no interest in destroying oil installations,” energy economist Jean-Pierre Favennec told RFI.

“The Iranians could retaliate by attacking the oil infrastructure of other Gulf countries.”

This article has been adapted from the original version in French by RFI's Aurore Lartigue.llations,” energy economist Jean-Pierre Favennec told RFI.

“The Iranians could retaliate by attacking the oil infrastructure of other Gulf countries.”

This article has been adapted from the original version in French by RFI's Aurore Lartigue.

Kharg Island: Iran’s ‘untouchable’ oil artery?

Some 25 kilometres off Iran’s southern coast lies a tiny island overrun by pipelines, terminals and storage facilities. This is Kharg Island – the beating heart of Iran’s oil exports – and a seemingly perfect target to weaken the Islamic Republic. But despite mounting pressure from Israel, the United States appears reluctant to strike it. Why?

Issued on: 10/03/2026 

By: Sébastian SEIBT

FRANCE24

Kharg Island is often described as Iran’s “crown jewel” in terms of its importance for the country’s oil industry. © Studio graphique France Médias Monde

To bomb or not to bomb Kharg Island? To launch or not to launch a ground offensive? These are the questions that seem to be occupying American and Israeli military planners right now.

Kharg Island, an arid piece of land measuring some 20 square kilometres near the port city of Bushehr, accounts for the bulk of Iran’s oil exports.

Taking it out would take seconds and devastate the Iranian economy for decades to come.

Yet the Trump administration appears reluctant about how – and even if – it should launch an attack on this tiny coral islet.

According to several news outlets, discussions within the Trump administration are currently running high on how to deal with Kharg Island.

Hands off?

Although Israel’s former prime minister Yair Lapid last week bluntly stated that “all of Iran's oil fields and energy industry on Kharg Island” must be destroyed if Israel and the US ever hope to topple the sitting regime, all attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure have so far been avoided.

But why? Especially since most experts agree on the strategic importance of Kharg Island.

Neil Quilliam, a Gulf energy specialist at think-tank Chatham House, described the island as “the crown jewel” of Iran’s oil industry.

Sonia Martinez-Giron, executive director of the International Team for the Study of Security Verona (ITSS), confirmed Kharg’s undisputed value for Iran: “It harbours 90 percent of Iranian oil exports, and is the artery connecting the Iranian economy to the global economy”.

According to Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, “Kharg is one of the few places where a strike could have immediate strategic and economic consequences.”

Scott Lucas, a professor of international politics at the University of Dublin, said a take-over of the island would be “the equivalent of trying to seize every tanker of the Russian (shadow) fleet”.

The rise of the Iranian lifeline

So how did Kharg Island become such an important oil hub in the first place?

The island was initially developed as Iran’s principal crude oil export terminal by an American-Iranian joint venture, the Khark Chemical Company, under the former shah in the 1960s. More infrastructure was added to the island under the more than four-decade-long reign of Ayatollah Khamenei. Today, it is almost completely covered in terminals, pipelines and storage tanks.

The main reason for why Iran has concentrated its precious oil exports to Kharg Island is location.

“Because of the shallow waters of the Gulf, very large tankers cannot berth near the inland,” Quilliam explained. “They need to offload and unload from a deep port, and the only one really available is the one on Kharg Island.”

Geographical Magazine, a publication belonging to the Royal Geographical Society, wrote that “the result is a dense concentration of energy infrastructure that makes the island one of the most strategically sensitive points in the global oil network”.
One of Iran’s best-defended sites

Prior to the western sanctions on Iran because of its nuclear programme, oil companies from across the world sourced crude from Kharg Island. It was particularly important for French energy giant Total.

Over time, the island became so important for Iran that it even turned into a priority target during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. Already back then, Kharg Island was in the crosshairs of its enemies because its destruction would economically cripple Iran.

The war destroyed most of the facilities on the island, and after it ended, Iran made it a priority to rebuild them.

Since then, Kharg Island has become one of Iran’s best defended sites.

But, noted Quilliam, “if the US or Israel wanted to carry out strikes against it, they have the capability to do so”.

So why don’t they?

What is holding the US and Israel back? For one, Lucas explained, because it would represent a major escalation of the conflict.

“You hit Kharg and the Iranian regime's going to say: ‘Look, we've got nothing to lose by just simply going all out.’ And that means choking off the straits. It means going after refineries across the Middle East.”

Secondly, because it would not only hurt Iran.

“Global oil prices just reached historic high levels,” Martinez-Giron said. “Seizing Kharg Island in a moment like this would be the last blow to Iran’s economy, and it would have consequences beyond this war, affecting the global economy and security.”

"Kharg Island highlights the interconnectedness of the energy sector with food systems," she said, pointing to the link between transport costs and food costs.

“It is difficult to see how a decision like this would harm the regime without harming human security."

Quilliam also noted that Washington might want to avoid bombing the island because if it manages to replace the current leadership, “the successor regime will need to operate Kharg Island. It will be essential to the success of any successor, simply in terms of the money it's going to generate”.

What about a ground offensive?

This is why an attempt to seize, rather than destroy, the facilities on Kharg Island through a ground offensive might be an option.

But the experts FRANCE 24 spoke to are sceptical this is even up for serious debate.

"As for the rumours about a US land operation, I would treat them carefully,” Krieg said. “A landing operation there would be a major escalation. It would mean physically taking or neutralizing a strategic island close to the Iranian coast while exposed to Iranian missiles, drones and naval retaliation. That is a much bigger step than an airstrike."

Martinez-Giron said it is more likely that a third, less reported, option might be on the table.

“We are waiting to see whether there will be sabotage and cyberattacks affecting the oil infrastructure on the island. This would certainly choke the Iranian economy without having to engage militarily.”

This article was adapted from the original in French by Louise Nordstrom.

Reduced-Impact Management Can Promote Forest Recovery And Carbon Storage

March 13, 2026 
By Eurasia Review


The adoption of management techniques that reduce the impact of timber harvesting can promote the recovery of tropical forests, such as the Amazon, and store carbon in the long term while maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Research published in the Journal of Environmental Management provides evidence that these good practices increase above-ground biomass, unlike conventional logging. This reinforces the effectiveness of reduced-impact logging forest management (RIL-FM) as a strategy that reconciles timber production, forest conservation, and climate change mitigation.

Biomass, or living or dead organic matter (such as plants, trees, animals, and waste), is a key indicator for analyzing forest recovery and carbon sequestration.

The study was conducted from 1993 to 2023 on a farm near the municipality of Paragominas in the state of Pará, Brazil. The farm has an area dedicated to scientific experiments, especially those related to forestry and tropical forest management.

Over the 30-year period, tree diameters were measured 12 times in two management systems – RIL-FM and conventional – in addition to an unexploited control plot. Biomass stock was estimated for the entire forest, areas with exploited species, areas with exploitation potential, and areas with species without timber value.

According to the results, the area managed with reduced-impact techniques approached the structural conditions of a mature forest. This area had a positive biomass balance, with an average gain of 70.68 megagrams per hectare (Mg ha⁻¹). In contrast, the conventional management plot showed a biomass loss, with a negative balance of 11.35 Mg ha⁻¹, while the control plot remained practically stable.

Over time, including timber harvesting cycles, maximum biomass stocks of 353.42 Mg ha⁻¹ were achieved with RIL-FM, on average, in all analyzed species groups, ranking above the other evaluated areas.

“This 30-year monitoring effort has yielded unprecedented practical results and reaffirms the importance of including forest management in discussions on climate change mitigation. We’ve shown that reduced-impact management can clearly restore biomass and, consequently, carbon sequestration. As a result, the findings can help create methodologies for payment for ecosystem services, such as the carbon market, from these areas and contribute to updating legislation on sustainable management in tropical forests,” says research coordinator Edson Vidal of the Department of Forest Sciences at the Luiz de Queiroz School of Agriculture at the University of São Paulo (ESALQ-USP) in Brazil. Vidal is also one of the coordinators of the Tropical Forestry Laboratory (LASTROP) at ESALQ-USP.

Legislation

The Brazilian Forest Code (Law No. 12,651/2012) describes sustainable management as the “management of natural vegetation to obtain economic, social, and environmental benefits while respecting the mechanisms that sustain the ecosystem.” This management considers the use of multiple timber and non-timber species, as well as the products and by-products of flora.

Legislation for the Amazon also requires management plans every five years. The technical parameters of these plans follow a 2009 resolution of the National Environmental Council (CONAMA).

Unlike illegal predatory logging, sustainable management is based on scientific analyses that allow for planned and controlled extraction.

Reduced-impact logging employs techniques that minimize forest damage, including zoning, area registration, and detailed species planning with mapping of all commercial trees (called inventory). Staff training is also necessary. Additionally, it is necessary to select ideal trees for harvesting, cut vines and creepers, plan roads and trails, and minimize waste and damage to the remaining forest. Managed trees are directionally cut, respecting a minimum diameter, with planned removal and extraction cycles.

Last year, a group of scientists led by Vidal published an article showing that the distance between trees of a given species in a region can affect management. This is because minimum cutting distances specific to each species can favor pollen dispersal and genetic viability, allowing for conservation.

Economic alternative

Vidal points out that the recently published research highlights the feasibility of reconciling the economic use of forests with environmental conservation based on science and evidence-based public policies.

According to the National Forest Information System, timber production in Brazil comes mainly from planted areas. In 2023, 94% of log wood originated from these areas. That same year, BRL 35.1 billion worth of wood products were sold, BRL 22.2 billion of which was log wood.

The researchers argue that reduced-impact logging, which promotes biomass recovery and carbon sequestration, aligns with economic strategies discussed in the market, such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects.

“I took the results we obtained to COP30, and the data sparked interesting discussions. We even formed a group to organize an event in May on forest management. During the conference, the main focus in this area was on forest restoration,” the researcher told Agência FAPESP. In November 2025, he was in Belém to participate in discussions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The New Oil Crisis And The Emerging Structural Dynamics Of Stagflation – Analysis

March 13, 2026 
Anbound
By Wei Hongxu


As the military conflict between the U.S.-Israel and Iran escalates and persists, its impact on the economy and financial markets is becoming increasingly evident as geopolitical risks spread. Reports of attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Middle East, coupled with Iran’s tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz, are driving a rapid surge in international energy prices. While the U.S. maintains absolute military superiority, Iran’s resilient resistance suggests that there is no immediate resolution in sight. This “black swan” event is now rippling through the global economy and financial systems via energy price transmission, triggering a fresh wave of volatility.

On March 6, WTI crude oil surged 12% intraday, breaking the USD 90 threshold. Brent crude rose approximately 8.5%, reaching USD 92 per barrel. Since the conflict intensified, U.S. WTI crude prices have seen a one-week gain of about 35%. On March 9, international oil prices continued to climb, breaching USD 100/barrel. WTI crude futures once surged over 22% at the opening, hitting a high of USD 111.24/barrel, while Brent crude futures spiked over 19% to peak at USD 110.70/barrel. Furthermore, following attacks on Qatari facilities, relevant LNG production has been suspended. Coupled with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, European LNG prices have soared by more than 50%. The escalation and expansion of the U.S.-Iran conflict are driving up traditional energy prices through heightened geopolitical risk. Recently, major OPEC producers, including Qatar, Iraq, and Kuwait, announced production cuts due to disrupted oil transportation. JPMorgan Chase estimates that if restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz persist, daily crude production in the Middle East could drop by more than 4 million barrels. Goldman Sachs recently stated that if flows through the strait remain depressed throughout March, oil prices could surpass the historic peaks of USD 147/barrel seen in 2008 and 2022. Qatari officials estimate that if the conflict continues, crude prices could break USD 150.

Some fear this conflict is triggering a new oil crisis. On the U.S. side, reports suggest a potential easing of sanctions on Russian oil, which, combined with increased domestic production, is an attempt to bridge the supply-demand gap caused by restricted Middle Eastern exports. The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently stated that despite the ongoing tensions and surging prices following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, global crude market fundamentals show that supply “remains sufficient”. Furthermore, the U.S. and its allies have not yet moved to release strategic petroleum reserves. Consequently, while the long-term oil market may balance out as other producers ramp up output, the short-term deficit will likely fuel significant price volatility for some time.

Even short-term oil price volatility is unwelcome news for President Donald Trump, who is acutely sensitive to U.S. inflation. Oil and natural gas do not merely impact the cost of gasoline and diesel; their effects ripple through the economy, driving up prices for food and industrial goods. Currently, U.S. consumer prices remain above the 2% inflation target. Fuel prices, in particular, are deeply tied to the political sentiment of American households and could prove to be a decisive factor in the success or failure of the upcoming midterm elections. While the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.4% year-over-year and the Producer Price Index (PPI) climbed 2.9%, both showing signs of cooling, the December core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index rose 3% year-over-year, indicating persistent inflationary pressure. Until inflation is controlled, it remains the epicenter of U.S. domestic political friction. President Trump has previously clashed with Fed Chair Jerome Powell over interest rate cuts, while the slow decline of inflation has served as the Federal Reserve’s primary justification for its reluctance to lower rates. If oil prices cause inflation to rebound, it could severely test the patience and support of American voters.


Alongside sticky inflation, recently released employment data, previously a source of optimism, is now flashing warning signs. According to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor on March 6, nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000 in February, sharply missing market expectations of a 60,000 gain. Revisions further darkened the picture. January’s job gains were adjusted downward from 130,000 to 126,000, while December’s figures were revised from an original gain of 48,000 to a loss of 17,000. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate ticked up from 4.3% to 4.4% in February. These downward revisions and the fresh contraction in payrolls suggest that the once-buoyant labor market is now facing a heightened risk of recession. JPMorgan recently noted that the convergence of surging oil prices, which is driven by the Middle East conflict and renewed tariff uncertainties, intertwined with a weakening labor market, has created a “tricky stagflationary backdrop” for the Fed. Goldman Sachs echoed this sentiment, stating that the weaker-than-expected February jobs report is a sign that the U.S. economy may be entering a period of stagflation. This divergence between cooling employment and stubborn inflation will likely make the Fed even more hesitant to commit to interest rate cuts, clouding the economic outlook and fueling fears of a return to the “Stagflation Era” of the 1980s.

Researchers at ANBOUND believe that while this risk is indeed plausible and could disrupt the Fed’s timeline for interest rate cuts, current “stagflation” differs fundamentally from the Cold War era in ways that will lead to very different outcomes. As Professor Li Xiao of Peking University’s School of Economics noted during the Fed’s aggressive tightening cycle in 2023, the contemporary environment is defined by structural characteristics that distinguish it from the 1970s. For one, the global energy landscape has shifted. The U.S. has transitioned from a net importer to a major exporter of petroleum, while OPEC’s grip on Middle Eastern supply has notably weakened. Furthermore, the economic makeup of the U.S. and Europe has evolved through technological revolutions toward service-oriented and highly financialized models. These shifts mean that the mechanics of inflation have changed. Despite President Trump’s “Return of Manufacturing” initiatives, these deep-seated energy and economic structures remain in place, suggesting that the impact of a potential “oil crisis” in the U.S. is limited. Rather than a repeat of the extreme volatility seen in the 1980s, the U.S. is more likely to experience “shallow stagflation”.


However, for major economies such as Europe and Japan, the situation is likely to be far more dire. This is especially true for Europe, where energy markets have remained under constant strain since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. To date, Europe has struggled to find a truly effective substitute for Russian energy, and the EU has even discussed the possibility of a total cessation of Russian natural gas imports. This Middle Eastern oil crisis threatens to deal a devastating blow to an already precarious energy supply. Even more concerning is that sluggish demand has already pulled European inflation below the 2% target, yet the underlying economic weakness means this new energy crisis could accelerate the pace of recession. A rebound in inflation would likely drive further capital and manufacturing flight from Europe, deepening the economic downturn into a severe state of “stagflation”. Japan also remains heavily reliant on Middle Eastern energy with few immediate alternatives. However, Japan’s overall position appears more resilient than Europe’s, as sustained policy expansion has helped domestic demand continue its recovery. While this oil crisis will inevitably push inflation higher, the Bank of Japan is already in the midst of a rate-hiking cycle; intensifying these hikes could help cool the economy and prevent further divergence in its recovery.

For China, the impact of an oil crisis is more nuanced. While Middle Eastern oil represents a significant portion of its imports, supply from other major partners like Russia remains stable. Furthermore, a degree of “special consideration” from Iran toward Chinese vessels allows China’s domestic oil industry to maintain operations in the short term. However, the long-term strategic outlook favors a U.S.-Israeli victory. Should the U.S. eventually gain tighter control over Middle Eastern and Iranian crude supplies, it would pose a serious challenge to China’s energy security. On the other hand, the widespread adoption of various new energy technologies has reduced China’s overall reliance on petroleum as a fuel source. Increasingly, oil is valued more as an industrial raw material than as a primary energy input. Nevertheless, instability in the oil industry creates significant uncertainty for the manufacturing sector, which is detrimental to China’s long-term goal of steady economic growth. Paradoxically, the surge in energy costs could drive up oil prices enough to help alleviate current deflationary pressures. Consequently, for China, the Middle Eastern conflict and the resulting “oil crisis” is not a question of stagflation, but rather a matter of strategic risk management.

Final analysis conclusion:

The escalation of the Middle East conflict has dealt a significant blow to global oil and energy stability, potentially triggering a new oil crisis in the short term. However, unlike the widespread “stagflation” of the 1980s, major economies today face a different landscape of geopolitical risks and economic structures. This divergence suggests that the impact of stagflation will vary by region, adding a layer of complexity to the current crisis. Furthermore, the evolving energy map indicates that the duration of this oil crisis may be relatively limited.

Dr. Wei Hongxu is a Senior Economist of China Macro-Economy Research Center at ANBOUND, an independent think tank.

Anbound

Anbound Consulting (Anbound) is an independent Think Tank with the headquarter based in Beijing. Established in 1993, Anbound specializes in public policy research, and enjoys a professional reputation in the areas of strategic forecasting, policy solutions and risk analysis. Anbound's research findings are widely recognized and create a deep interest within public media, academics and experts who are also providing consulting service to the State Council of China.