Briefs
// HIGH-LEVEL INTELLIGENCE
Landscape reads on sanctions architecture, shadow networks, and strategic competition. Briefs outline key findings and emerging patterns — start here before going deeper into a Decoder.
A Kremlin-Backed Payments Network Shared a Dubai Address With Iran’s Arms Network
How Moscow's digital payments platform A7, Russia's shadow fleet brokers, and an Iranian oil-smuggling network became Dubai neighbors, and what it means as Washington extends its waiver to June 17.
The Wrong Question About Russian Oil
Washington's emergency crude waiver debate misses the point. The real question is what 65 days of licensed Russian oil flows built underneath — and whether that architecture can be dismantled at all.
Russia’s Shadow Fleet Didn’t Beat Sanctions. It Didn’t Have To
57 million barrels of Russian oil moved during the Iran war while Treasury paused enforcement. The fleet did not outrun sanctions. The coalition that built them walked off the field.