Global Scans · Conflict · Weekly Summary

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WHAT'S NEXT?: Rising tensions around are bringing new and regional geopolitical threats and the possibility of eventual global war. Keep abreast of the unfolding drama and know where the risks and opportunities are in the world.

• [New] Iran launched explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, a retaliatory strike for an attack on its embassy in Syria that it blamed on Israel that raised the threat of a wider regional conflict. Yahoo News
• [New] China's and Germany's reliance on external demand rather than stimulative domestic policies to bolster their economies could cause rising tensions with trading partners and put a damper on global growth. Brookings
• [New] Fears of a spiralling regional war spiked further in early April, when Iran accused Israel of bombing its diplomatic complex in Syria. CNN
• [New] External risks include increased trade tensions with the United States and European Union weakening the PRC's exports; escalated geopolitical tensions that may disrupt supply chains; renewed energy challenges triggered by geopolitical conflict; and fragmentation of the global economy. Asian Development Bank
• [New] Iran was threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel, and pledged ironclad support for its top regional ally despite diplomatic tensions over Israel's conduct of the Gaza war. Space War
• [New] Iran's strikes marked its first direct attack on Israeli territory, raising the threat of a wider conflict in the region where China has sought to play a role as a mediator and from where it sources a growing proportion of its energy imports. investing.com
• [New] The move to beef up U.S. presence in the Middle East reflects concern from the Biden administration that its support for Israel's war in Gaza could spur wider violence. Washington Post
• [New] Fears that Israel's war in Gaza could spiral into a wider regional conflict have been been rising since Iran accused Israel of bombing its diplomatic complex in Syria earlier this month. CNN
• [New] Iran funds, trains, and arms terror proxies across the Middle East and beyond, adding that the Islamic republic does not just threaten the people of Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, but fuels the war in Ukraine and beyond. Al Jazeera
• [New] The Houthi attacks have forced many shipping firms to reroute their vessels to the longer and more expensive journey around southern Africa, and stoked fears that the Israel-Hamas war could spread to destabilise the wider Middle East. The National
• [New] The threat of a conflict over Taiwan has put the spotlight on the US and Chinese navies. Insider
• [New] Geopolitical events including the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, as well as U.S. political polarization, could be creating an environment that may very well be creating risks that could eclipse anything since World War II. San Diego Union-Tribune
• [New] Heightened tensions in the Middle East with the risk of a regional war between Iran and Israel breaking out imminently, have propelled both oil and precious metal prices higher. The Guardian
• [New] Emerging exigencies, including Russia's attacks on Ukraine's power grid and the growing potential for an all-out war between Israel and Iran, now require a bold new commitment from Biden. New York Post
• [New] A laser capable of shooting down enemy drones and missiles will be on Royal Navy warships by 2027 amid the growing threat of conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The Telegraph
• [New] The Israeli assault and anticipated Iranian retaliation have raised fears of an all-out regional war in the Middle East amid the raging conflict in Gaza, intensifying tensions and a chorus of calls for de-escalation. Al Jazeera
• [New] Officials from Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged threats, heightening fears of a more destructive war. The Conversation
• [New] Oil prices fluctuated on the prospect of a widening war with new potential battlefronts in the Middle East, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and surging inflation that could delay or indefinitely postpone interest rate cuts. investing.com
• [New] Iran has vowed retaliation - an escalation of regional tensions over the war in Gaza that appeared to raise the risk of a wider Middle Eastern conflict. CNN
• [New] The conflict in the Middle East has caused disruptions in sea shipments between Europe and Asia, and similar tensions elsewhere could lead to further trade fragmentation. Mint
• [New] The White House is very concerned about Israel and Iran stumbling into a direct conflict, a worst-case scenario that would also put the tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East at risk. Newsweek
• [New] Amid wars in Europe and the Middle East, shipping lane disruptions, U.S.-China tensions and cybersecurity threats, geopolitical unrest has become a significant variable for investors. Bank of America Private Bank
• US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned of significant consequences for China if its companies provide material support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. Al Jazeera

Last updated: 16 April 2024