Why Iran War is Not At This Stage The Global Catastrophe It Is Being Made Out To Be

This war update is based on a note prepared by advisory firm Frans Cronje Private Clients, which assesses the likely trajectory of the conflict, the market response, and the wider strategic implications for oil, the US dollar, and the global economy. That note argues that markets, currencies, and energy prices have held up remarkably strongly despite the conflict and that a nearer- rather than longer-term exit point for the conflict is likely.

FOREIGN DESK

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6.4.2026

How the US Pulled a Downed Airman Out of Iran

NEWS DESK -

6.4.2026

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SPORTS DESK -

6.4.2026

ANC Leads the DA Nationally and in Metros According to New Ipsos Data

POLITICS DESK -

6.4.2026

Johannesburg Voters Are Scathing About ANC Broken Promises – But DA Prospects To Win Outright Also Under Pressure

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POLITICS DESK

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ECON DESK

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Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

- 5.4.2026

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

Richard Tren writes on the view from Washington on the latest global developments.

DAVID ANSARA

The One Thing Investors Care About

David Ansara writes on the South African government's latest investor conference.

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Why Does the ANC Cling to the Clearly Impossible NHI?

JOHN STEENHUISEN

Koos Malan Confuses Libertarian Cosplay with Constitutionalism

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SHRTS

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PLLING

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Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

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A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

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Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

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Explaining The Upcoming DA Congress

THE COMMON SENSE

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5.4.2026

The United States Supreme Court Win For Free Speech

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3.4.2026

The Tragedy Of South Africa's Declining Marriage Rate

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31.3.2026

Unpacking National Polling Results - The Common Sense Plus (Subscriber Only)

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30.3.2026

Explaining South Africa's History Of Violent Crime

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29.3.2026

Explaining The Upcoming DA Congress

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5.4.2026

The United States Supreme Court Win For Free Speech

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3.4.2026

The Tragedy Of South Africa's Declining Marriage Rate

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31.3.2026

Unpacking National Polling Results - The Common Sense Plus (Subscriber Only)

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30.3.2026

Explaining South Africa's History Of Violent Crime

THE COMMON SENSE

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29.3.2026

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

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6.4.2026

The Strait of Hormuz is Not Open Until Insurers Say It is

WARWICK GREY

Trump Signals Progress in Iran While Warning of Further Strikes

FOREIGN DESK

The Iran War and the Limits of Modern Munitions

WARWICK GREY

The Other Prize of Operation Epic Fury: A New Deal for Iran’s Minorities

ANDRE PIENAAR

The Strait of Hormuz is Not Open Until Insurers Say It is

WARWICK GREY

Trump Signals Progress in Iran While Warning of Further Strikes

FOREIGN DESK

The Iran War and the Limits of Modern Munitions

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The Other Prize of Operation Epic Fury: A New Deal for Iran’s Minorities

ANDRE PIENAAR

PLITICS

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ANC Leads the DA Nationally and in Metros According to New Ipsos Data

The latest Ipsos polling shows that the ANC remains the largest party among registered voters both nationally and in metros.

POLITICS DESK

Durbanites Hate Ramaphosa and Love Zuma

POLITICS DESK

Is South Africa Ignoring a Once-in-a-Generation Oil Opportunity?

ECON DESK

Nearly Half of Municipal Water is Basically Free-ly Wasted

STAFF WRITER

Slight Drop in Child Poverty but Still High

STAFF WRITER

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The Common Sense

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GLBAL

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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

How the US Pulled a Downed Airman Out of Iran

NEWS DESK

Why Iran War is Not At This Stage The Global Catastrophe It Is Being Made Out To Be

FOREIGN DESK

The Strait of Hormuz is Not Open Until Insurers Say It is

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Artemis Mission Launches; Most Ambitious Manned Exploration of Space in Over 50 Years

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PDCASTS

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Makin Sense Of The DA Congress, Solving SA's Crime Problem, The BBC and Free Speech

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6.4.2026

Running To Be The DA's Deputy Federal Chairperson - Nicholas Nyati

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4.4.2026

Will South Africa Run Out Of Petrol? - James Lorimer - Common Sense Conversations

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1.4.2026

Makin Sense of Violent Crime In South Africa, Cuba, Good News For FMD, And New Marriage Statistics

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30.3.2026

Makin Sense Of The DA Congress, Solving SA's Crime Problem, The BBC and Free Speech

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6.4.2026

Running To Be The DA's Deputy Federal Chairperson - Nicholas Nyati

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4.4.2026

Will South Africa Run Out Of Petrol? - James Lorimer - Common Sense Conversations

THE COMMON SENSE

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1.4.2026

Makin Sense of Violent Crime In South Africa, Cuba, Good News For FMD, And New Marriage Statistics

THE COMMON SENSE

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30.3.2026

ECNOMICS

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Buffalo City Surprises in Latest Stats SA Property Report

East London surprises with robust property growth in the last year, but longer-term trend still favours Cape Town.

ECON DESK

Is South Africa Ignoring a Once-in-a-Generation Oil Opportunity?

ECON DESK

Walvis Bay and the New Geography of Power

REINE OPPERMAN

Strong Growth in Overseas Visitor Numbers in Jan, Feb

ECON DESK

Big Jump in Fuel Prices Despite Government Intervention

NEWS DESK

LFE

Beyond Mars and the Next Frontier of Space Exploration

Much of the solar system is horribly uninhabitable for humans.

RW JOHNSON