Policy

China’s Push for Military Self-Reliance Gains Momentum, Arms Imports Contract Sharply Asia and Oceania Accelerate Rearmament Chinese-Made Weapons Remain Mired in Combat-Performance Controversies, Sustaining Doubts Over Military Capabilities

Qatar production halt erases 20% of global supply European gas prices surge 68%, with Asia also taking a direct hit U.S.

Government discussing measures to expand supply, including converting retail space into housing If realized, the move is expected to simultaneously ease retail blight and the housing supply cliff Special legislation also under review to lower institutional barriers

Direct punitive measures targeting specific countries and industries Broad scope for sanctions, including additional tariffs and import restrictions A foreshadowed next step after reciprocal tariffs were struck down, aimed at reimposing extra duties

Claim that most strategic targets have been eliminatedTehran responds with hardline rhetoric, raising economic and digital retaliation

Escalating maritime tensions amid signs of mine deploymentDebate over U.S. control of sea lanes intensifies

U.S.

Late-Stage Offensive Aims to Cripple Core InfrastructureIran Keeps Up Retaliatory Strikes as Clash Continues

Trump Claims “War With Iran Will End Very Quickly, 80% of Missile Bases Destroyed” Tenth Day of Military Operations Seen as Attempt to Calm Markets and Contain Public Anxiety Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Rebuts Trump’s “Imminent End” Remarks, Reaffirms Determination to Fight

Stargate’s core Abilene data center halts expansion plan Power grid shortages and regulatory pressure dampen data center investment OpenAI increases reliance on externally sourced computing capacity rather than building its own infrastructure

Signs of a Prolonged War Drive Oil Surge as Strait of Hormuz Closure Disrupts Markets Production Cuts by Major Oil Producers Intensify Pressure on Europe, South Korea, and Japan Prospect of U.S.

Repeats General Position on Military InterventionStrategy Prioritizes Energy Stability and Diplomatic Balance

Potential Loss of $1.7 Trillion in Tariff RevenueRefund Burden Emerges as Lawsuits Challenge Replacement Tariffs

The Counteroffensive of America’s ‘Resource Security’ Strategy Vast Deposits of ‘Critical Minerals’ Drawing U.S.

Iran Signals Hard-Line Shift and Willingness to ResistPotential Reignition of Sunni–Shia Tensions Across the Middle East

Rare earth mine development gaining momentum in European countries including Norway and Sweden Estonia permanent magnet plant expands foundations for supply chain autonomy Indigenous conflicts and environmental concerns emerge as factors delaying projects

Trump Considers Arming Kurdish Forces Despite Growing Opposition to Airstrikes Closure of Strait of Hormuz Sends Maritime Freight Rates Soaring, Global Economy Faces “Disruption” Kurdish Ground Deployment Becoming a Foregone Conclusion, Risk of Prolonged War Rising

China’s investment fuels Southeast Asia’s growth but raises dependence The region has become the testing ground for China’s global leadership Mutual benefit—not dominance—will determine the partnership’s future In 2024,

War creates severe wartime labor market friction across sectors Ukraine shows rising unemployment and uneven wage recovery Smart labour policies can reduce wartime labor market friction When war strips a country of a th

Dubai landmark fire, falling debris nearbyStrengthened defenses stir Middle East weapons market