The Call of Nature

Hello from Sydney,

This past week began with fresh escalations in Lebanon and an attack on Chinese engineers in Karachi. It closed with Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian meeting at a poetry conference, and the Nobel Peace Prize going to survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.?

In between, Taiwan celebrated its de facto independence, France tabled a new budget, and Colombia’s president warned of a coup. Major elections also took place in Brazil, Bosnia, and Mozambique.

But the most significant event? What didn’t happen: President Biden’s cancelled visit to Germany for a high-level meeting with Ukraine’s allies. His absence, due to Hurricane Milton, left Zelensky scrambling across Europe with limited results—just as Russia grows more dominant in setting post-war terms.

Our premium subscribers got the full analysis on why this matters for the future of diplomacy, geopolitics, and business, from our Chief Geopolitical Strategist, Michael Feller. His essay on how the 'geo' influences geopolitics highlighted the pivotal, sometimes unexpected, turns in global affairs – and is a must-read for anyone interested in how using a map is just as important as any other data source or analytical tool for any investor or entrepreneur wanting to examine a new market.

For Michael's full report and exclusive content like this every week, consider subscribing today. You’ll also receive our detailed forward look at critical global events, from NATO’s nuclear exercises to China’s market shifts.

You’re getting a taste of the key assessments below, but to access the deeper insights that matter most, click here to subscribe now to get our daily dispatches delivered straight to your inbox.

Best regards,

Damien Bruckard

CEO, Geopolitical Strategy

Middle East

• IRAN. RUSSIA. Putin and Pezeshkian meet at a conference for a Sufi poet.
• TURKEY. RUSSIA. Moscow and Ankara compete in Central Asia and beyond.
• ISRAEL. IRAN. The IRGC reportedly finds a mole in the leadership.
• ISRAEL. IRAN. Netanyahu keeps Tehran and Washington on edge.

Europe

• UKRAINE. RUSSIA. Without Biden, Zelensky examines other options.

Europe

• FRANCE. Barnier proposes an austerity budget.
• BRITAIN. In the wake of Chagos, pressure is placed on Gibraltar.
• GERMANY. The world’s third-biggest economy is poised to shrink further.
• THE CAUCASUS. Moscow shifts its position yet again.
• UKRAINE. RUSSIA. Key allied conferences are postponed.
• MOLDOVA. Sandu’s stance above politics risks her re-election.

Asia Pacific

• TAIWAN. CHINA. Taipei celebrates its de facto independence with fewer friends.
• INDIA. PAKISTAN. Within political turmoil, glimmers of hope.

Americas

• COLOMBIA. A financing probe rattles the president and the markets.
• UNITED STATES. Harris’s narrow lead is blown off course.