Policy

China counters U.S.

EU Considers Tariffs on Chinese Hybrids Following EV Measures Risk of Protracted Trade Conflict Grows as China Poised to Retaliate Europe’s Auto Industry Losing Ground as Chinese Competition Intensifies The European Union (EU) is preparing to im

Hardline Republicans push back as Vice President Vance heads to the negotiating table after delays Disagreements over the future of Iran’s nuclear program persist despite the conclusion of the first high-level talks Disposition of highly enriched uranium and the scope of nuclear facility inspections emerge as decisive factors for a final agreement

Can Chinese capital provide a solution as the EU runs into funding constraints amid its decoupling-from-America trajectory? China’s Belt and Road strategy, which swept across developing nations, has highlighted the risks of debt-trap diplomacy Cooperation with Western allies and targeting strategic supply-chain bottlenecks emerge as alternative pathways

Hormuz Strait Reopens Following Sudden U.S.-Iran Agreement War-Driven Alternative Transport Networks Undermine Strait’s Monopoly Power Return of Iranian Crude Signals Emergence of a Supply-Dominated Market Although the Strait of Hormuz has reopene

China's "3T" shifts from political taboo to the focal point of diplomatic and trade tensions Trump administration maintains pressure on all three fronts from before taking office through its second term China's premature bid for great-power status meets U.S.

Pressure from price competition spreads across Europe’s automotive industry EU pushes stricter local production and supply-chain requirements, while tightening subsidy eligibility around “Made in Europe” standards Brussels strengthens protectionist measures under the banner of economic security and industrial sovereignty

Key agenda items at the G7 summit include the Middle East conflict, support for Ukraine, and AI governance Chinese state media lash out at the G7, calling for a more “open and inclusive” approach The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) stages its own event in parallel with the opening of the G7 summit

China begins sea trials of extra-large unmanned submarines Expansion of “unmanned force”–centered intelligent warfare doctrine The United States also develops unmanned undersea capabilities and deploys them in actual operations

India’s size gives it influence, but not yet great-power depth India middle power realism is not a weakness; it is the path to durable power Asian middle powers need practical coalitions, not another great-power patron

Sweden’s state-owned Vattenfall to source SMRs from the U.K.’s Rolls-Royce GE Vernova entered the competition as an established operator with extensive experience and technological capabilities Rolls-Royce, despite lacking commercial operating experience, benefits from Europe-first momentum

Boeing withdraws after Lockheed Martin from U.S.

Launch of discussions on the first accession chapter Breakthrough enabled by Hungary’s change in government Potential reshaping of Europe’s postwar security architecture The European Union (EU) has formally launched the accession process for U

Trump speaks with Putin for nearly an hour, stressing the need to halt the war Also discusses battlefield conditions and peace proposals with Zelenskyy Diplomatic push on Ukraine resumes following efforts to contain the Middle East conflict <

U.S.

Germany's TKMS and South Korea's Hanwha Ocean enter full-scale competition over Canada's CPSP program Shifting dynamics in the NATO submarine market raise questions over Germany's traditional dominance Germany's submarine industry strained by existing orders, with workforce and supply chains under pressure

Military Clash Fears Give Way to Expectations of Diplomatic Compromise Strait of Hormuz to Reopen Upon MOU Signing War-End Clock Accelerates as Hard-Line Variables Recede The United States and Iran have moved close to a dramatic war-ending agreement

Iranian Drone Downs U.S.

U.S.

Trump tells Iran after attack on Israel: “Return to negotiations and reach an agreement” Urges both Iran and Israel to avoid further escalation as region faces choice between peace deal and renewed conflict Outcome hinges on compromise between sanctions relief and security guarantees