Global geopolitics stands at yet another crossroads as the consolidation of new power axes prolongs macroeconomic uncertainty. In the Middle East, protracted tensions between the United States and Iran continue to loom large with no concrete agreement in sight, extending instability in a region vital to the world's energy supply.
Meanwhile, in East Asia, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a historic visit to North Korea after a seven-year absence. This diplomatic move comes amid significant military developments in the region, which observers view as an effort to consolidate regional power in the face of Western pressure.
These geopolitical shocks have reverberated directly across global financial markets. On Wall Street, New York's Nasdaq index recorded its deepest daily drop since the beginning of 2025, triggered by widespread concerns over the valuations of tech giants (Big Tech), which are increasingly seen as overstretched.
In the food commodities sector, the global wheat market ended Friday's trading mixed. The fluctuations reflect market anxieties over the stability of food supply chains, which remain vulnerable to logistical bottlenecks and shifting foreign trade policies of major producing nations.
Yet, amid this volatility, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a new pillar of optimism. US President Donald Trump is reportedly set to hold a high-profile meeting with leading AI industry figures next week to discuss a massive boost in domestic investment.