Iran War Update: Trump Faces Entrapment Risk

US President Donald Trump faces an entrapment risk as Iran demonstrates the difference in how Western and non-Western political cultures approach negotiations, while Tehran casts the enticing idea of a more moderate administration waiting in the wings in the hope that this will cause the Americans to remain in that theatre just a little bit longer.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

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11.6.2026

The Men That Carry South Africa's World Cup Hopes

SPORTS DESK -

11.6.2026

Milei's Economic Gamble Delivers Results for Argentina

STAFF WRITER -

11.6.2026

Afghanistan and South Africa Have Same Level of Fixed Investment

ECONOMICS DESK -

11.6.2026

How to Save City Power and Johannesburg Water

RICHARD WILKINSON -

11.6.2026

Why Cold Weather Matters in South Africa’s Riot Season

STAFF WRITER

- 11.6.2026

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

FRANS CRONJE

- 11.6.2026

Shadow Economy Threatens SA’s Security

NEWS DESK

- 10.6.2026

Who Is Funding Rise Mzansi?

POLITICS DESK

- 10.6.2026

Burnham Leading in By-Election Poll

FOREIGN DESK

- 10.6.2026

RW JOHNSON

Is Direct Democracy The Solution To The Looming Global Debt Crisis?

RW Johnson writes on the problems of rising government debt around the world and whether direct democracy is the answer to solving it.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary: Have We Reached Peak CR?

Ramaphosa identifies the problem, he calls for something to be done, we are past peak CR now, and peak Trump, what about peak DA, and what happens if South Africa passes both peak ANC and peak DA?

FRANS CRONJE

What Foreign Investors are Being Told About South Africa’s Next Two Years

RW JOHNSON

The Battle for the Cities

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

DAVID ANSARA

Set Jo’burg free

SHRTS

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PLLING

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Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

Jacob Zuma remains the most popular political figure in eThekwini, overshadowing other candidates. The local electorate appears resistant to institutional alternatives.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

A recent Gallup poll reveals that companies adopting AI are both hiring and firing more employees. This indicates a significant shift in workforce dynamics.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

The Economist/YouGov polling conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked US adults whether they think the construction of new data centers — large facilities housing computer servers for storing and transmitting data — are good or bad for the country. Respondents could say very good, somewhat good, neither good nor bad, somewhat bad, very bad, or don’t know.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

The Economist/YouGov poll conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked U.S. adults whether they approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation in Iran.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

Jacob Zuma remains the most popular political figure in eThekwini, overshadowing other candidates. The local electorate appears resistant to institutional alternatives.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

A recent Gallup poll reveals that companies adopting AI are both hiring and firing more employees. This indicates a significant shift in workforce dynamics.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

The Economist/YouGov polling conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked US adults whether they think the construction of new data centers — large facilities housing computer servers for storing and transmitting data — are good or bad for the country. Respondents could say very good, somewhat good, neither good nor bad, somewhat bad, very bad, or don’t know.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

The Economist/YouGov poll conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked U.S. adults whether they approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation in Iran.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

Jacob Zuma remains the most popular political figure in eThekwini, overshadowing other candidates. The local electorate appears resistant to institutional alternatives.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

A recent Gallup poll reveals that companies adopting AI are both hiring and firing more employees. This indicates a significant shift in workforce dynamics.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

The Economist/YouGov polling conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked US adults whether they think the construction of new data centers — large facilities housing computer servers for storing and transmitting data — are good or bad for the country. Respondents could say very good, somewhat good, neither good nor bad, somewhat bad, very bad, or don’t know.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

The Economist/YouGov poll conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked U.S. adults whether they approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation in Iran.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

Jacob Zuma remains the most popular political figure in eThekwini, overshadowing other candidates. The local electorate appears resistant to institutional alternatives.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

A recent Gallup poll reveals that companies adopting AI are both hiring and firing more employees. This indicates a significant shift in workforce dynamics.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

The Economist/YouGov polling conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked US adults whether they think the construction of new data centers — large facilities housing computer servers for storing and transmitting data — are good or bad for the country. Respondents could say very good, somewhat good, neither good nor bad, somewhat bad, very bad, or don’t know.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

The Economist/YouGov poll conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked U.S. adults whether they approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation in Iran.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.6.2026

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.6.2026

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.6.2026

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.5.2026

This Is How The Iran War Ends

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.5.2026

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.6.2026

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.6.2026

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.6.2026

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.5.2026

This Is How The Iran War Ends

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.5.2026

SA's Illicit Economy

Shadow State Rising

This Common Sense Special Report looks at Illicit economic activity in South Africa and the threat it poses to the economic, social, and political stability of the country.

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.6.2026

How a Parallel Illicit Economy Threatens National Security

STAFF WRITER

Illegal Mining Threatens SA Mining Industry

STAFF WRITER

Shadow Economy Threatens SA’s Security

NEWS DESK

More Than 10 Dead in Illicit Mining Hotspot

STAFF WRITER

How a Parallel Illicit Economy Threatens National Security

STAFF WRITER

Illegal Mining Threatens SA Mining Industry

STAFF WRITER

Shadow Economy Threatens SA’s Security

NEWS DESK

More Than 10 Dead in Illicit Mining Hotspot

STAFF WRITER

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Why Cold Weather Matters in South Africa’s Riot Season

How being cold can increase a person's propensity for violence.

STAFF WRITER

Shadow Economy Threatens SA’s Security

NEWS DESK

Who Is Funding Rise Mzansi?

POLITICS DESK

Ekurhuleni “Epicentre” of Gangster State – Hill-Lewis

POLITICS DESK

More Than 10 Dead in Illicit Mining Hotspot

STAFF WRITER

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The War on Iran

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

In this Special Report, The Common Sense sets out six detailed scenarios for the war in Iran together with the global and market implications.

FRANS CRONJE

-

3.6.2026

US and Iran Still on Track for Deal to Drop Oil Prices

STAFF WRITER

SA Petrol Price Could Fall Steeply as War Premium Fades

ECONOMICS DESK

Iran War Risks Overstated from Day One

STAFF WRITER

This Is How The Iran War Ends

FRANS CRONJE

US and Iran Still on Track for Deal to Drop Oil Prices

STAFF WRITER

SA Petrol Price Could Fall Steeply as War Premium Fades

ECONOMICS DESK

Iran War Risks Overstated from Day One

STAFF WRITER

This Is How The Iran War Ends

FRANS CRONJE

GLBAL

VIEW ALL